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 ...

§. 58. Of the inference of the 10^th verse upon the 9^th.

Verse 10.

For he that is entred into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God did from his.

IN this verse the Apostle expresly and distinctly declareth, what that excel∣lent rest is, whereof he hath spoken so much before, in this and the former Chapter.

He purposely describeth it to shew what that is which remaineth for Gods people▪ and by this description he proveth that it yet remaineth, and is not here on earth possessed. The causall particle, a 1.1 FOR, whereby this verse is inferred upon the for∣mer, sheweth that it is inferred as a proof or reason.

The reason is taken from the different estate of Gods Church here in this world, and in the world to come. This world is full of labour, travell and trouble (as was shewed §. 55.) But in the world to come there is a freedom from all these. There∣fore the rest here spoken of, is not to be found in this world, but is reserved for the world to come.

The Argument is grounded upon an undeniable principle, oft inculcated by this Apostle: namely, that there is a rest into which Gods people shall enter.

The argument may be thus framed,

There is a Rest to be entred into here, or hereafter. But not here. Therefore hereafter,—

Thus it remaineth.

The Description of this Rest in this verse, proveth, that it cannot be entred into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 world. Whence another Argument may thus be framed:

He that is entred into his Rest hath ceased from his own works. But no man in this world ceaseth from his own works.

Therefore no man in this world entreth into his Rest.

Of the meaning of the word here translated b 1.2 rest, and of this▪ phrase c 1.3 enter into, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chap. 3. v. 11. §. 116.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 relative [d 1.4 HIS] is not reciprocal, as if it had reference to him that en∣•…•… but it hath reference to another, namely to God: and it is taken in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sense that it is taken vers. 1. There is a like word consisting of the very same 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but different spirits, used in this verse, which is reciprocal, and for distincti∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 translated e 1.5 his own. In what respect the heavenly Rest here intended is cal∣•…•… Gods rest, See v. 1. §. 9.

Some apply this phrase of entring into his rest unto Christ, and to his Resur∣•…•…* 1.6 and Ascension: and thence infer a conformity of the members to their 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But no mention being heretofore made of Christ in the Apostles discourse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rest, it is not probable that he would have reference to Christ, without na∣•…•… him.

Others apply it to a spiritual Rest. But that Rest is only a beginning of a Rest. It 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be the full Rest here intended. It is therefore most proper and pertment to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in hand to refer it to our heavenly Rest, which is to come.

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 〉
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.6

  Improper ap∣plications of Rest.