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 ...

§. 138. Of Saints being flesh and blood.

OF the foresaid flesh and blood Christs children (that is, such as being elected and given by God to Christ, and thereupon redeemed, called, justified and sanctified) are here said to be a 1.1 partakers. The Greek Verb it derived from a root that signifieth b 1.2 common: and it implieth, to have a thing in common with others. Thus as the children are here said to be partakers of flesh and blood, so the Gentiles are said to be c 1.3 partakers of the Jews spirituall things (Rom. 15. 27.) that is, all to have them in common, one as well as another.

Concerning this common condition of children, Apostles, who were eminent among these children, thus say of themselves, We also are men d 1.4 of like passions with you, Act. 14. 15.

Regeneration altereth not the outward constitution or condition of men. Sinne did not altar mans substance: for Adam, after his fall retained that body and soul, with the severall powers and parts of each; which he had before: So regenera∣tion took not away flesh and blood in the substance thereof, nor the common infir∣mities of it.

Indeed transgression altered the good quality that was in mans body and soul: Namely the integrity, the holiness and righteousness in which he was created after Gods Image. So regeneration altereth mans evil disposition and corruption, wherein he was conceived and born: but not his outward condition or constitu∣tion. Whether he were tall or low, fat or lean, healthy or sickly, strong or weak, strait or crooked, fair or foul, rich or poor before his regeneration, he remains the same afterward, for ought that regeneration doth to the contrary.

The Lord will have his children to retain, as others, flesh and blood, and remain subject to all manner of infirmities, for sundry weighty reasons.

• 1. That they might not, by reason of any spirituall priviledges, be too much puffed up: for the children, while here they live, are too prone thereunto, 2 Chro. 32. 25, 2 Cor. 12. 7.
• 2. That in Gods presence they might the more abase, yea and abhor themselves, Iob 40. 4. & 42. 6.
• 3. That they might learn to lay forth their misery, and plead their weakness before God, Iob 6. 12.
• ...

• 4. That they might take heed of provoking. Gods wrath against themselves, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are but flesh and blood, Act. 9. 5.
• 5. That they might have the more compassion on others, Heb. 5. 2. Gal. 6. 1.
• 6. That they might be the more circumspect over themselves, 1 Tim. 4. 16.
• 7. That they might be more carefull in using all means needfull and usefull 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flesh and blood, Eph. 6. 10, 11, 12.
• 8. That they might the better discern what cause they have to exercise the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of invocation (Psal. 116. 2.) yea and of gratulation to, for Gods supporting, a•…•… doth, such as are flesh and blood.
• 9. That they may more confidently depend on God, 2 Chron. 20. 12.
• 10. That they might not rest on man for revelation of Divine truth, Ma•…•… 16. 17.

These and other like ends instruct us in so many duties arising from this our con∣dition that we are flesh and blood.

Notes

• a 1.1

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• b 1.2

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• c 1.3

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• d 1.4

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