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 ...

§ 118. Of mans forfeiting the benefit of Gods promise.

Quest. HOw can Gods oath for depriving the Israclites of this Rest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the promise which he sware to their Fathers of giving it them. Answ. By distinguishing the persons who entered into that Rest, and who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deprived thereof, the two oaths of God may easily be reconciled, and stand •…•…∣ther without any contradiction.

His oath of promise was made to such as should believe the word of God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 walk in the way of God.

His oath of threatning was made against the incredulous, who would not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that course which God had prescribed for entring into that Rest.

Gods oath of promise was accomplished in those that entred. His oath of •…•…∣ning was accomplished in those who were destroyed in the wilderness. This •…•…∣tion* 1.1 may be gathered out of Gods own words, Deut. 1. 34, 35, & &c.

By this we see that incredulous and rebellious persons deprive themselves of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 benefit of those promises which are made to the faithfull. Thus the old world •…•…∣prived themselves of the benefit of the Ark, 1 Pet. 3. 20.

Thus Lots sons in Law deprived themselves of that preservation which they might have had, Gen. 19. 14. Memorable in this case is the example of the incredu∣lous Prince, who upon the relieving of Samaria was trod to death, 2 King. 7. 17, &c. The Pharisees rejected the counsell of God against themselves, Luk. 7. 30. So did the wicked guests: Luk. 14. 18, &c.

Faith and obedience are two conditions which God requireth of those to whom* 1.2 he maketh his good and gracious promises. Though it be most true that God doth all the good which he doth, and bestoweth all the blessings which he bestoweth up∣on his •…•…ree Grace, and meer mercy: and that mans faith and obedience doth not simply move God to make promise of good unto him, or to do good unto him: yet he requires these, as means, wherein and whereby man should be partakers of his Grace, and whereby man may gain assurance to himself, and give evidence to others, that God intendeth such and such good things to him. In this re∣spect they who believe not are said to put away from them that which God hath promised, Act. 13. 46.

For unbelief as a thick mist before the eyes of our understanding, Luk. 19. 42. and brings obstinacy upon the will, Exod. 5. 2. Num. 14. 41.

Wherefore as we desire to partake of the benefit of Gods promise and Cove∣nant, let us take heed of forfeiting the same by not observing the course which God hath prescribed. God hath promised to give to them that ask, Matth. 7. 7. But if we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear, Psa. 66. 18. God hath pro∣mised not to fail nor forsake his, Heb. 13. 5. Yet will he forsake them that forsake him, Deut. 31. 16, 17.

Of forsaking the promise of celestial Rest. See Chap. 4. v. 1. §. 7.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Incredulous deprive them∣selves of the benefit of Gods promise.
• * 1.2

  Faith and re∣pentance E∣vangelical conditions.