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 ...

§. 63. Of endeavouring after rest in heaven.

THe Greek Verb thus translated, a 1.1 Let us labour, is derived from another Verb, that signifieth to b 1.2 make haste. It intendeth an endeavour on mans part: and so it is translated, c 1.3 2 Pet. 1. 15. Ephes. 4. 3. 1 Thess. 2. 17. but such an endeavour as makes a man forward to a thing, and is accompanied with study, la∣bour and diligence; answerably it is translated, as d 1.4 I was forward to do, Gal. 2. 10. Study to shew thy self approved, 2 Tim. 2. 15. Give diligence, 2 Pet. 1. 10.

This word then, compriseth under it two duties:

• 1. That men endeavour after the fore-said Rest.
• 2. That they be forward and diligent in their endeavour.

The general, concerning mans endeavour to attain to heaven, where this Rest* 1.5 is enjoyed, is much pressed in Scripture; and that in these and such like phrases, l•…•…y •…•…ld on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6. 12. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, Luk. 13. 24.* 1.6 Workout your salvation, Phil. 2. 12. The Apostle makes himself a worthy patern in this case, where he saith, I presse towards the mark, Phil. 3. 14, &c.

Hereby that life, reason, grace and ability, which God any way giveth, is ma∣nifested: and God would have it to be so. When Christ put life into the Rulers daughter that was dead, he said unto her, Maid arise, Luk. 8. 54. and to Lazarus he 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Lazarus come forth, Joh. 11. 43.

Object. Natural men are dead in sin, Eph. 2. 1.

Answ. Man may be considered in a double estate, 1. Natural. 2. Spiritual.

In his natural estate so much is to be done, as by a natural man may be.

That this may be the better conceived, I will exemplifie a natural mans power in* 1.7 fire branches:

• 1. In natural acts: as, to move, go, stand, sit, eat, drink, see, hear, smell, taste, touch.
• ...

• 2. In civil acts, about humane affairs: as in Arts, Sciences, Trades, sundry other Callings, Professions and Offices. Likewise in governing Kingdoms, Cities, Corporations, Universities, Colledges, Schools and Families. Coins posterity was skilfull in such things, Gen. 4. 20, 21. The Sydonians were skilfull about timber, 1 King. 5. 6. Saul that was but a natural man, had a spirit given him fit for govern∣ment, 1 Sam. 10 9.
• 3. In moral vertues, as Justice, Temperance, Mercy, Liberality, &c. In reference to these the Apostle saith, That the Gentiles do by nature the things contained in the Law, Rom. •…•…. 14.
• 4. In Ecclesiasticall matters, which tend to the externall worship of God, as, to go to Church, hear the Word, Pray, Fast, partake of the Sa∣craments, Reade, search and study the Scriptures, Preach and conferre about holy matters. Iudas (whom Christ stiled a Devil, John 6. 70.) went sit herein.
• 5. In spiritual matters, by resisting the Spirit, and the motions thereof, Ye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 always resist the holy Ghost, saith Stephan to such Jews as were uncircumcised in heart, Act. 7. 51.

According to the afore-said power in men, they ought to go as far as they can: as to go to Church, to attend upon the Word, to forbear wicked acts and com∣pany. Though none of those gifts be supernaturall, none simply preparate∣ry to grace: Yet if a natuaall man improve the abilities which he hath to his best advantage, God will not leave him, but give him more and better grace.

As for spiritual men, who are quickned, they must stir up the gift of God which is in them, 2 Tim. 1. 6.* 1.8

By this it is manifest, that the proper cause of mans destruction is of himself, H•…•…▪ 13. 9. None that perish do what they can to be saved.

Behold here the deceitfulnesse of most mens mindes, and their folly about the* 1.9 salvation of their souls. They are carefull to use all means about the preservation of their bodies: but put off all care for their, souls: according to this cursed Pro∣verb, I will take care for my body, let God take care for my soul. God will take care for mens souls in his own way and course.

Let us be exhorted to put out our ability in the things of eternal life, and both to learn, what on our parts is to be performed, and also to put in practice what we shall be instructed in hereabouts.

The Apostle setteth down his Exhortation in the first Person of the Plural num∣ber, thus, c 1.10 Let us labour, whereby he involveth himself among others, and •…•…∣cites, with others, himself to duty. Hereof see Chap. 2. v. 1. §. 4.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Festino.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  Mans endea∣vour after rest requisite.
• * 1.6

  See Ch. 11. v. 6. §. 24. & •…•…h. 13. v. 18. §. 156, 180.
• * 1.7

  Wherein natu∣ral mens power consisteth.
• * 1.8

  Destruction of ones self.
• * 1.9

  Care must be had of soul as well as of body
• c 1.10

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