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 ...

§. 62. Of being like to God.

Verse 11.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the sa•…•… example of unbelief.

THis verse layeth down an especial use to be made of all that the Apostle hath delivered about the Rest before-mentioned.

One use was before noted, v. 1. which was an admonition to fear, lest we come short of that rest.

The other use is an exhortation to do our best for attaining thereunto. This re∣lative Conjunction, a 1.1 therefore, imports as much. The Greek word here used is the very same that was used, v. 1. §. 2.

It may have either a remote, or an immediate reference.* 1.2

The remote reference is to all that hath formerly been delivered of the reality of that Rest, that there is indeed such a rest, v. 9. Of the certainty of it, §. 24. and of the excellency of it, that it is Gods rest, v. 1. §. 9. And that it brings a free∣dom from all labour and trouble, v. 10. §. 59, 60. There being such a Rest, we ought therefore to endeavour after it. See § 63.

The immediate reference is to the last clause of the former verse, wherein Gods patern is set before us, in this phrase, As God did from his. God having spent six dayes in creating all things, rested the seventh day from all his works. Let us there∣fore having done our work here, Labour to enter into his rest

Thus Gods practice is a patern to us. It is set down in the Law as a patern for us* 1.3 to work in the six dayes, and Rest on the seventh, Exod. 20. 11. Here it is pro∣pounded as a motive to stir us up to endeavour after a Rest that we may be like God, and rest from all our own works, as he did from his. God rested from his own works, therefore let us labour to enter into that Rest, where we shall cease from our own works.

By this it appears, that Saints should be such as God is. God at first made 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 after his own Image (Gen. 1. 27.) and we are exhorted to be renewed after Gods* 1.5 Image, Ephes 4. 23, 24 Col. 3. 10. In general we are incited to be followers of God, Ephes 5. 1. In particular to be holy as he is holy, Levit. 19. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 1•…•…, 16. To do good, as God doth, Matth. 5. 45. To be kinde and mercifull, as he is, Luk. 6. 35, 36. To l•…•…ve as God doth, 1 Ioh. 4. 11. To forgive one another as God do•…•…h, Eph. 4 32. Yea to be perfect as he is, Mat. 5. 28.

• 1. Gods patern is the most perfect that can be set before us: we may be sure not to e•…•…re, if we hold cl•…•…se to it.
• 2. It is the best and most honourable patern we can have.
• 3 It is the safest. For who can blame us for imitating God?

Object. Gods patern is too high for any creature to set before him.

Answ. For clearing this point we must distinguish betwixt the things of God. There are incommunicable and communicable Excellencies in God.

Some things are incommunicable by simple impossibility. Others by a singular* 1.6 •…•…gative.

Of the former sort are such as these, Eternity without beginning, Infinite∣•…•…, Omnipotency, All-sufficiency, Ubiquity, Omniscience, and such like. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these Acts, to Create, Redeem, Work miracles, search the heart, and such 〈◊〉〈◊〉

The things which God reserveth to himself as singular Prerogatives, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉

• 1. To forgive sins, Mar. 2. 7.
• 2. To judge mens final estate, Rom. 14. 10, 11.
• 3. To take revenge, Deut. 32. 35. Rom. 12. 19.

All these, and other things registred in Scripture, are for our learning, Rom. 15. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. 16. But some things are matters of faith to be believed, and some things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for our imitation.* 1.7

To know what things of God are paterns to us, we must compare Gods practices 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his precepts. What in Gods word is enjoyned to us to do, if God himself do 〈◊〉〈◊〉, we may, we ought therein to imitate him. Such are the virtues and graces 〈◊〉〈◊〉-mentioned.

Behold here the tender respect of God towards us children of men. He hath* 1.8 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to command, and exact of us whatsoever he will: but as a Father he go∣•…•… before us, and shews, that he requires no more of us, then what himself 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Who can now think that to be any way unseemly for him, which seems not •…•…ly to God? In this case thus saith Christ, Ye call me Master, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and ye say well: for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…e also ought to wash one anothers feet, Joh. 13. 14.

This is a great aggravation of their pride, who scorn Purity, Meeknesse, Mercifulnesse, Holinesse, and other like Excellencies, as God in his own example com•…•…deth unto us.

Of imitating Christ, See Ch. 13. v. 13. §. 132. Of imitating Saints, See Ch. 13. v. 7. §. •…•…01.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  We must en∣deavour after that which is set before us.
• * 1.3

  Gods practice mans patern.
• * 1.4

  Saints must be like God.
• * 1.5

  Wherein we must imitate G•…•…d.
• * 1.6

  Wherein God unimitable.
• * 1.7

  A rule for imi∣tating God.
• * 1.8

  Gods respect to man in ma∣king himself a patern.