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 ...

§. 139. Of Gods condescending for mans sake.

Heb. 6. 18.

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, &c.

AN especiall end of Gods willingnesse to bind himself by oath, and thereby to shew the immutability of his counsell, is to settle and quiet mens soules in his promise. This conjunction, a 1.1 THAT, whereby this verse is inferred on the former, manifesteth as much. By this it appears, that it is for mans sake, and for mans good that God thus bindeth himself.

At this confirms Gods tender respect to man, (whereof see §. 131.) So it should stir us up to the more thankfulnesse; and move us the rather to make the right use of that which God so aimes at for our good: which is stedfastly to believe his word.

Of this word, b 1.2 immutable, see §. 135.

The two things here said to be immutable, are Gods promise, and Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Both these are expresly set down, v. 13. The other verses following that, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 explanation, and confirmation of Gods promise and oath.

This word of number c 1.3 TWO, is not here to be taken, exclusively, as if there were no other things of God immutable, (of other immutable things, see The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to go to God, §. 227.) but because those two are especially pertinent to the point in hand.

In that the Apostle expresly mentioneth two immutable things, he plainly con∣firmeth that which he intended under this comparative, d 1.4 more abundantly: namely, that God did more then needed (as is shewed, §. 131.) For one would think, that one immutable thing were sufficient to settle a mans mind. If God were well known, indeed it were sufficient. But God well knowes us, and therefore in tender respect of us and our weaknesse, he thinks not one sufficient, but addes ano∣ther thereunto, and that a stronger: namely, his oath to his promise. This he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for our sakes, as was shewed before. See more hereof, §. 131.

Notes

• a 1.1

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• b 1.2

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• c 1.3

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• d 1.4

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