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 ...

§. 151. Of the resolution of Heb. 6. 17. 18.

Verse 17.

Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heires of promise the immutability of his counsell, confirmed it by an Oath.

Verse 18.

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold up∣on the hope set before us.

Vers. 17. THe Sum of these two verses is, A declaration of the ends of Gods con∣descention to man.

Here about we are to observe the inference in this word, wherein: And the sub∣stance in the words following.

The foresaid ends are two,

One in reference to God himself, v. 17. The other in reference to man, v. 18.

The former is,

• 1. Propounded in this phrase, to shew the immutability of his coun∣sell.
• 2. It is illustrated by sundry circumstances.

In the point propounded we may observe

• 1. Gods Act, thus expressed, to shew.
• 2. The Object thereof, wherein is set down both the kind of object, counsell: and the stabil•…•…ty of it, in this word immutability.

The circumstances of the illustration are four.

• 1. The manner of Gods doing what he did, in this word willing.
• 2. The measure thereof, more abundantly.
• 3. The meanes whereby he did it, his oath. This is amplified by the validity of it, in this word confirmed.
• 4. The men to whom he did it, Heires of promise.

Verse 18. The other end which hath reference to man is,

• 1. Propounded.
• 2. Amplified.

In the point propounded is set down.

• 1. The kind of benefit, consolation.
• 2. The quantity of it, strong.
• 3. The fruition of it, might have.

In the amplification is set down the meanes used on Gods part, and the per∣sons for whom. The meanes are set forth.

• 1. By their number, two things.
• 2. By their stability: which is,
  • 1. Expressed in this word immutable,
  • 2. Confirm∣ed, in this phrase, in which it was impossible for God to li•…•….

The persons for whose sake God so far condescended are described

• 1. By their Act, who have fled.
• 2. By the end of that act, to lay hold upon.
• 3. By the prize, the hope.
• 4. By the ground thereof, set before us.