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 ...

§. 56. Of Gods visiting man.

THis other word, a 1.1 visitest, doth intend a further care of God. b 1.2 To visit one, sig∣nifieth to go to the place where he is, to see him: and that not once only, but often. Thus the c 1.3 Hebrew word is used, Psal. 80. 14. and the d 1.4 Greek word too, Matth. 25. 36.

Now because sight of misery works compassion, and compassion moves to suc∣cour such as are in distress; to visit signifieth to succour one, as Ier. 15. 15. Iam. 1. 27.

Both these words, mindfull, visit, are also applied to punishment and judgement.

We shewed before, that to be mindfull of, and to remember, are interpretations of one and the same originall word. Now God is said to remember iniquity, in judgment, and so to visit sinnes, Jer. 14. 10. Hos. 8. 13. & 9. 9.

But the persons visited, or the cause of visiting, or some circumstance or other,

will apparently demonstrate what kinde of visiting is meant, whether in mercy or judgement.

It is most evident that the former kind of visiting is here intended.

This latter word of visiting, added to the former of being mindfull, sheweth, that as God had this man in minde, so he was carefull to afford him all needfull succour, and to testifie all good respect to him, as is manifested in the words fol∣lowing. We are to be mindfull of, and oft to go unto, and look upon such things as are dear unto us, and which we have in high account: so as Gods speciall love of this man is herein set out.

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 〉
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉