A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 7. Of S^t Pauls affection to the Hebrews.

BY the way, we may here take notice of S^t Pauls great and entire respect, which he bare to his countrymen the Hebrews; in that he opens unto them the my∣steries of salvation in the most friendly manner that could be, by writing an Epistle unto them in particular; and sweetly perswading them to abide constant in the faith, that they might be the rather enduced thereto. And this he doth not only by generall instructions and exhortations in common to all of all sorts; but also by a familiar and friendly Epistle in speciall directed to them.

S^t Paul planted not any Church of the Hebrews alone, as he did of the Corin∣thians, Galatians, Ephesians, and other Grecians: for he was after an especiall man∣ner the Apostle of the Gentiles (Rom. 11. 13.) yet he took all occasions to gain, and establish the Iews: thereupon he saith (1 Cor. 6. 20.) unto the Iews I became as a Iew, that I might gain the Iews. Hereby he giveth proof of that which he profes∣seth, Rom. 10. 1. My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be sa∣ved: and Rom. 9. 4. I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ, for my bre∣thren, my kinsmen after the flesh; who were Israelites.

Oh that this minde were in all Christians towards their brethren, their kindred, their countrymen, and others to whom by any speciall bonds of relation they are knit? This is the best use that can be made of such bonds; and the most principall end that we ought therein to aym at; namely a mutuall, spirituall edification. Happy

are those countries that have many such country men; who though they have charges over other countries, yet cannot be unmindfull of their own country: but being absent from them, will, notwithstanding, write to them of the common salva∣tion: and that though the more abundantly they love them, the less they are loved of them: yea though they persecuted them with all eagerness wheresoever they met them. Thus Paul manifested a true Christian spirit, by overcoming evil with good∣ness. Behold a pattern worthy of all imitation.