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 ...

§. 186. Of experience of suffering causing succour to others that suffer.

THis effect following upon Christs suffering being tempted, namely, that he is fit and ready to succour others that are tempted, giveth evidence of an espe∣ciall benefit of Gods providence in suffering both his only begotten Son, and also his adopted children to be so farre tempted, as to suffer thereby. By this means they are brought to afford mutuall succour one to another in like case. Thus saith the Apostle, God comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God, 2 Cor. 1. 4. The Lord to stirre up the Israelites to succour strangers, rendreth this reason, Ye know the heart of a stranger: seeing ye were strangers in the Land of Egypt, Exod. 23. 9. A like reason is rendred of shewing mercy to servants, Deut. 5. 15. It is found by experience that child-bearing women are more pitifull to others in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then such women as are barren▪ The like may be said of such as are afflicted with any painfull malady. Much more humanity useth to be shewed in the City to such as are visited with the plague, then in the Country: because in the City more use to be infected therewith. They who are themselves afflicted better know that others who being so afflicted complain and seek succour, have cause so to do. But they who are never afflicted, think that they who complain, complain more then is need. This was the case of Iobs friends. In a naturall body when one member hath been wounded or bruised, though it be healed, yet the smart of a wound or bruise will soonest come to it.

• 1. From hence it appears that it is expedient that Ministers of Gods Word be men of like passions with others (as the Apostles say of themselves, Act. 14. 15.) that so they may more commiserate others. If Ministers themselves had never been in a

• naturall estate, but alwaies intire, they could not so pity others, as now they do. The like may be said of Magistrates, and of all that have power and authority over others.
• 2. Gods wisdom is herein manifested, in that he suffers flesh to remain in the best, that thereby they may be moved the more to bear with others. David ha∣ving fallen pressed this as a motive to be restored: Then (saith he) will I teach transgress•…•…rs thy waies, Psal. 51. 13. Christ suffered Satan to •…•…ift Peter, that when he was converted he might strengthen his brethren, Luk. 22. 31, 32. This is a good use which Saints may make of their slips.
• 3. Oh how great is the inhumanity of such as having tasted of misery, and being delivered from the same, are hard-hearted to those that fall into the like misery and refuse to succour them. Yea rather deal hardly with them and adde to their affli∣ction. This was it which Nehemiah upbraided to the Jews after their return from captivity, Neh. 5. 7, &c. The like doth Ieremiah while the Jews were besieged▪ Ier. 34, 13, &c. The like may be upbraided to such as have power among us, in Com∣monwealth, Church, or family.
• 4. For our parts, as God by his providence hath made us able and fit to suc∣cour others, let us herein shew our selves like unto Christ. Let us open our bowels to such as are in distresses▪ Note Gal. 6. 1. Tit. 3. 3. Let all of all sorts, Magistrates, Ministers, Masters, Rich men, Old men, men in health, and such as have been •…•…∣pted or afflicted, learn to succour others.

See more hereof Chap. 5. v. 2. §. 9.