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 ...

§. 80. Of the Resolution of Heb. 4. 12, 13.

〈◊〉〈◊〉.

F•…•…r the word of God is quick and powerfull, and sharper then any two-edged sword, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joynts and marrow, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are na∣•…•… and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

THe Summe of these two verses is, The Efficacy of Gods word.

About it we may observe,

• 1. The Point it self, Vers. 12.
• 2. A Proof thereof, Vers. 13.

In laying down the Point, the Apostle expresseth,

• 1. The Inference, in this causal particle FOR.
• •…•… The Substance: And that is declared
  • 1. Simply.
  • 2. Comparatively.

In the simple consideration there is set down,

• 1. The thing described, The word of God.
• 2. The Description thereof by two Epithets,
  • 1. Quick.
  • 2. Powerfull.

The Comparison is taken from a two-edged Sword.

In the Comparison, the Word is

• 1. Generally said to be sharper then any Sword.
• 2. It is particularly demonstrated, wherein it is sharper.

The Particulars are set down,

• 1. Metaphorically.
• 2. Plainly.

The Metaphor declares two virtues of the Word,

• 1. A piercing virtue.
• 2. A dividing virtue.

The later virtue is illustrated by the things divided, which are two couple,

• 1. Soul and Spirit.
• 2. Joynts and Marrow.

The particular effect of the Word plainly expressed, is,

• 1. Propounded, in this word, Discerner.
• 2. Amplified by the Subject wherein that virtue is exercised. This is double,

• 1. Thought.
• ...

  2. Intents of the heart,

  The proof of the fore-said power of the Word is taken from the Omniscience of* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whose Word it is.

Hereabout there is,

• 1. A Description of the point.
• 2. A Declaration of the person.

The Point it self is demonstrated two wayes,

• 1. Negatively.
• 2. Affirmatively.

The Negative noteth out,

• 1. The Persons seen.
• 2. The Manner of seeing them.

The Persons seen are set out two wayes:

• 1. By an indefinite Title, creature.
• 2. By a negative extent, Not any, that is, every one.

The Manner of seeing them is set forth three wayes,

• 1. By a double Negative [neither, not] which maketh a strong Affirmative.
• 2. By a clear Manifestation, in this word, manifest.
• 3. By an assured evidence in this phrase, In his sight.

The Affirmative part of the Description implieth two points:

• 1. The general matter, All things.
• 2. The kinde of discovering them: and that in two Metaphors,
  • The first respecteth things outward, They are naked.
  • The second things inward: They are opened.

The fore-said Metaphors are amplified by their evidence, thus, in Gods eyes.

The Person whose Omniscience is thus laid out, is demonstrated by that refer∣ence which we have to him, in this phrase, With whom we have to do.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Verse 13.