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 ...

§. 1. Of the Analysis of Heb. 4.

IT was shewed in the first § of the third Chapter, that the Ap•…•… having declared Christ to be a faithfull Prophet, advised those whom he wrote, to take heed of hardning their heart against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voice. The more throughly to enforce his advice, he setteth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the very words of David, which for the better application the of to Christians he expoundeth.

Two points he expounded in the former Chapter: namely the time which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 intended under this word, To day: and the persons that hardned their heart, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were punished.

The third point, which in that testimony he expoundeth, is the Rest th•…•… •…•…∣vid meant. This he insisteth upon from the beginning of this Chapter to 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ And in the three last verses of this Chapter, he entreth upon the Priest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ.

Thus there are two parts of this Chapter.

One concerneth the Propheticall Office of Christ.

The other his Priestly Function.

That which the Apostle presseth in this Chapter is the use to be made of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Propheticall Office: which is participation of the Rest that Christ by the Gospel 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made known. For this end he giveth,

• 1. An admonition to take heed of missing that Rest, v. 1, &c.
• 2. An exhortation to do our best for enjoying it, v. 11, &c.

In the admonition,

• 1. The generall is laid down, v. 1.
• 2. The particular Rest here intended is demonstrated.

The generall is further amplified,

• 1. By the cause of missing the Rest: which is unbelief, v. 2.
• 2. By the event: which is twofold. One event is of those that beleeved 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ They entered not into the Rest, v. 2.

The other of those that beleeved, They entred into it, v. 3.

In demonstrating the Rest here intended:

• 1. He removes two kindes of Rest that cannot be intended.
• 2. He inferres that there remains another Rest.

The first Rest removed is Gods Rest after he had finished the creation, •…•…. •…•…. argument is, that David speaks of a Rest long after that, and different from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 v. 5. Therefore that Rest of God cannot be meant by David.

The other Rest removed, is Israels setling in Canaan.

He proves that this cannot be meant by two Arguments.

The first is taken from the event: which was, that they to whom the promise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made, entred not: but some must enter, v. 6.

Upon removing those two Rests, he inferreth this Conclusion,

Therefore there is another rest remaining, v. 9.

The second is taken from the time: That Rest of Israel in Canaan was give Ioshua: But the Psalmist speaketh of a Rest in his own time, and in succ•…•… ages, v. 7, 8.

The Exhortation to press us on to do our best for attaining to this Rest, is laid down, v. 11. and enforced by two motives.

The first motive is taken from the danger of not observing the exhortation, ver. 11.

The other is taken from the efficacy of the word. This is

• 1. Propounded, v. 12.
• 2. Confirmed by the piercing sight of God whose Word it is, v. 13.

Hitherto of Christs Propheticall Office. His Priestly Function followeth.

In the three last verses of this Chapter, there is a perfect transition betwixt those two Functions of Christ: So as it hath a double reference;

• 1. To that which goeth before: so it is a ground of encouragement to observe the foresaid exhortation to enter into the Rest: because we have an High-priest entred before us, and for us, v. 14.
• 2. To that which followeth, in the fifth and other Chapters which treat of Christs Priesthood. So it layeth down two points.

• 1. The summe and substance of that which is after more distinctly and fully de∣clared of Christs Priesthood, v. 15.
• 2. The speciall use we are to make thereof, v. 16.