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 ...

§. 66. Of circumspection against falling away like others through unbelief.

TO enforce the fore-said Exhortation, the Apostle addeth the danger and da∣mage* 1.1 that is like to follow upon neglect thereof.

Of this word a 1.2 Lest, which importeth a damage, See Chap. 3. v. 13 §. 147. It is a word of caution, and implieth circumspection about preventing Apostasie. Hereof see Ch. 3. v. 12 §. 122.

These two words, any man, are in Greek comprized under one small b 1.3 particle,* 1.4 which extendeth the fore-said circumspection to others, as well as to ones self. See Ch. 3. v. 12. §. 123, 124.

The Verb translated c 1.5 fall, doth oft set out a great and utter fall. See Chap. 3. v. 17. §. 168.

Metaphorically this word is applied to falling from grace. It is used to set sorth

the Jews universal Apostasie, Rom. 11. 22. and here to Professors departing from the Christian faith.

Thus this caution presupposeth that Professors may fall away, and prove Apo∣states.* 1.6 See Ch. 3. v. 12. §. 131.

The Greek Noun translated d 1.7 example, is a compound. The e 1.8 simple Verb signifieth to shew or declare, as where the Apostle saith, I shew you a mere excellent way, 1 Cor. 12. 31▪ f 1.9 A simple Noun thence ariseth, which signifieth example, Iude v. 7.

The Noun here used is compounded of that simple Noun, and a Preposition which signifieth g 1.10 under; so as it declareth such an example as is for anothers use: which we call a patern.

* 1.11 The compound Verb signifieth to shew before-hand, or fore-warne, Luke 12. 5. A patern or example doth before-hand shew, what one should doe or not doe. It is applied to Types that fore-shewed truths to come, Heb. 8. 5.

It is used for a good patern, Ioh. 3. 15. Iam. 5. 10. and also for an ill patern, as here, and 2 Pet. 2. 6.

This Relative phrase, h 1.12 After the same, hath reference to the Israelites who perish∣ed in the wildernesse, Ch. 3. v. 17, 18. Thereby he would have Christians so warned,* 1.13 as they fall not into the same sin, and cause the like judgement to fall upon them. See Ch. 3. v. 8. §. 89, 90, 95.

Their particular sin, is here said to be unbelief. Of the i 1.14 Greek word so translated, See Ch. 3. v. 18. §. 171.

By this it appeareth, that unbelief especially keeps men from the celestial Rest.* 1.15 See Ch. 3. v. 12. §. 128, 129. and v. 18. §. 171.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Circumspecti∣on needfull.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.3

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

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 over others.
• c 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ Ca•…•….
• * 1.6

  Professors may fall away.
• d 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, vel 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ostendo.
• f 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sub.
• * 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• h 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.13

  Ill examples to be taken heed of.
• i 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.15

  Unbelief keeps from rest.