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 ...

§. 17. Of the just punishment of transgressors.

TO shew that punishment on transgressors is most due, this epithete, a 1.1 just, is premised thus, a just recompence of reward Therefore the damnation of such is also said to be just, Rom. 3 8. and that it is b 1.2 a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them, 2 Thess. 1. 6. And in this respect the judgement of God is said to be righteous, Rom. 2. 5. It is but c 1.3 one word in Greek that setteth out a righteous judgement. It is compounded of these two words, righteous, judgement: and shews that righteousness is inseparable from Gods judgement, his judgement is alwaies righteous

It must needs be so, because God that rendereth the recompence, is a most just judge, Gen. 18. 25. Psal. 98. Rom. 3. 6.

Why then, may some say, are not all transgressours punished? for experience* 1.4 of all ages giveth proof, that many transgressions and transgressours have from time to time been passed over.

To remove this scruple we must distinguish betwixt believers and others.

Christ, as a Surety, hath received a just recompence of reward for all the trans∣gsessions of all such as have believed in him, or shall believe in him. Besides the Lord, in wisdom and love to such, oft taketh occasion from their transgressions to

inflict temporary punishments on them: not in revenge, nor for satisfaction: but for their spiritual profit, Heb. 12. 10.

Unbelievers that receive not a recompence of reward for their evil deeds in this life, have their recompence treasured up to the full, against that day which is stiled The day of the righteous judgement of God, Rom. 2. 5.

Thus sooner or later, in one kinde or other, every transgression and disobedience receiveth a just recompence of reward.

Transgression is said to receive a reward, because the transgressor receiveth it, and that for his transgression.

Transgression therefore, by a Metonymy of the effect, is put for a transgressor:* 1.5 A transgressor is said to receive the reward here intended, not as a willing act on his part: but as it is a due debt and so to be received: for punishment is as justly due to a transgressor, as any good reward to him that doth that which is required of him. Punishment is a satisfaction for a transgression, even as for a debt that is due: in which respect sins and transgressions are stiled debts, Matth. 6. 12. and they on whom the punishment is inflicted, are in the d 1.6 Greek and e 1.7 Latine Dialect said to pay the punishment: because by enduring punishment a kinde of satisfacti∣on is made: and they who make the satisfaction, pay the debt. This payment doth not necessarily imply a voluntary act, but an act that is most due and just. The sense, the grief, the smart, the pain of a punishment or judgement lieth on him that is punished or judged. These therefore may well be said to receive the recompence that is or shall be inflicted. They that resist shall receive to themselves damnation, Rom. 13. 3. They cannot avoid it: will they nill they, they shall have it. He that is just in giving to every one their due, inflicts it.

Thus every word in this clause setteth out the equity of the judgement here de∣nounced.

• 1. It is a reward.
• 2. It is a rendring of that which is due.
• 3. It is just.
• 4. It is received as that which is due and just.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.4

  All transgres∣sions punished
• * 1.5

  How punish∣ment is recei∣ved.
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• e 1.7

  Paenas pende∣re, expendere, dependere, dare, persolvere, lu∣ere, vapulare.