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 ...

§. 18. Of the certainty of Iudgement.

FRom the just punishment which was inflicted on such as transgressed the word* 1.1 of Angels under the pedagogy of the Law, the Apostle makes this inference, How shall we escape if we neglect, &c.

The manner of expressing this inference (by an interrogation, a 1.2 How?) addeth much emphasis; and sheweth that the consequence inferred is a just consequence, and without all question most true: even so as they themselves cannot deny it. It is somewhat like to this expression, Thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? Rom. 2. 3. See on Chap. 1. §. 46, & 145.

The word translated b 1.3 escape, useth to have reference to some evil of punish∣ment: or to some danger or damage: and implieth a flying from it, or an avoid∣ing of it.

I finde the Greek word seven times used in the New Testament; twice for esca∣ping out of the danger wherein men were. And it is translated according to the no∣tation of the word fled; as where the Jaylor thought that his prisoners had been fled, Acts 16. 27. And where the Exorcists fled out of the house where a demoniack set upon them, Acts 19. 16. Once it sets out a preventing of danger intended by man: as, where the Apostle saith, I escaped his hands, 2 Cor. 11. 33. Once also it sets out a preventing of Divine judgement, Luke 21. 36. Three times it is nega∣tively used, to shew, that in such and such cases, judgement cannot be avoided, but shall assuredly be inflicted, as Rom. 2. 3. 1 Thess. 5. 3. and in this place.

This manner of expressing the sure and sore vengeance here intended, is like to that commination which is denounced against the transgression of the third Com∣mandment in these words, The Lord will not hold him guiltless, Exod. 20. 7. He* 1.4 shall assuredly be found guilty and answerably judged. It is also like to Heb. 10. 29. & 12. 25. To shew that he himself as well as others, and others as well as himself, are all, without exception of any, liable to the judgement. He expresseth the first person and plural number, c 1.5 WE.

This shews that there are degrees both of sin and judgement: for according to

the hainousnesse of sinne, will be the heavinesse of judgment. Ierusalem was in all her wayes corrupted more then Samaria or Sodom; Therefore she did bear her own shame, for the sinnes which she committed more abominable then they, Ezek. 16. 47, 52. It shall be more tollerable for Tyre and Sydon, then for Chorazin and Bethsaida; and for So∣dom, then for Capernaum at the day of judgment, Matth. 11. 22, 24.

Hereby is the Wisedom of God manifested, in putting difference betwixt the kindes of sinne; and his Justice in proportioning punishment according to the kindes of sinne.

It will be therefore our wisdeom, as to take heed of every transgression, so to take due notice of the aggravation of a transgression, to make us the more watchfull and circumspect thereabout.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Verse 3.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Interrogation emphaticall.
• b 1.3

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

  Of including our selves when we speak to others. See §. 4.
• c 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Degrees of sin.