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 ...

§. 64. Of diligence in mans endeavour for attaining to rest.

THe extent of mans endeavour, that it should be with diligence, is implied in these words, study, strive and labour, mentioned in the beginning of the for∣mer Section: and more expresly in these phrases, Give all diligence, 2 Pet. 1. 5, 10. Let us runne with patience, Heb. 12. 1. David professeth as much in the phrase, I will runne the way of thy Commandments, Psal. 119. 32. and the Church in this, We will run after thee, Cant. 1. 3. and the Apostle in this, I prisi•…•…∣ward the mark, Phil. 3. 14.

• 1. The excellency of the object set before us should quicken us up hereunto:* 1.1 for there is nothing that we can endeavour after to be compared unto this R•…•…* 1.2 not the glory, honour, wealth, profits or pleasures of this world. It is noted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Moses, that in comparison of this recompence he lightly esteemed the honours, p•…•… pleasure of Egypt, Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26.
• 2. The necessity of attaining this Rest requireth our best diligence. A man were* 1.3 better not be, or having a being, to be as the bruit beast, whose soul per•…•…heth with his body, than having an immortal soul, to misse of this Rest. Hereof there is an ab∣solute* 1.4 necessity.
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  3. The difficulty of attaining hereunto exacteth pains and labour. That which

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  Christ saith of a rich man may in general be applied to every man, How hardly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they enter into the Kingdom of heaven, Mark 10. 23. The righteous are scarce∣ly saved, that is, not without much difficulty, 1 Pet. 4. 18. A Christians course •…•…resembled to a battle (2 Tim. 4. 7.) a race (Heb. 12. 1.) a journey (Gen. 47. 5.) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…rk (John 4. 34.) All which are difficult tasks, and that in regard of our own weaknesse and manifest impediments. Diligence must be used in difficult matters.

  Let us therefore put out our best strength, as the Apostle did, Phil. 3. 13, 14. It is said, That in the dayes of Iohn the Baptist, the kingdom of Heaven suffered •…•…ulence, and that the violent took it by force, Matth. 11▪ 12. Those phrases set •…•…t mens forwardnesse and earnestnesse in seeking to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Assuredly where the Word works kindely, it will enflame a man with an holy zeal after this Rest. The Spirit that accompanieth the Word, is a spirit of servour, and will not suffer a man to rest, till he have assurance of this Rest. This therefore is a matter of trial.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Motives to di∣ligence.
• * 1.2

  1. The excel∣lency of the prize. See §. 65.
• * 1.3

  2. The necessi∣ty of rest.
• * 1.4

  3. The diffi∣culty of the task.