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 ...

§. 24. Of the sense of these words, And this will we do.

Heb. 6. 3.

And this will we do, if God permit.

THe Apostle to his exhortation made to the Hebrewes, that they would go 〈◊〉〈◊〉 persection, by this copulative particle a 1.1 AND, addeth a promise of his OWN indevour, to do what in him lyeth, for helping them on in that progress.

The relative b 1.2 THIS, hath reference to that generall point, which he intend∣ed about leaving principles, and going on to persection.

There▪ about he maketh this promise, c 1.3 We will do, namely that which belong∣ed to a Minister, to help on peoples going to perfection: which was, not to lay the foundation again, but to open deeper mysteries: as he doth in the seventh, and other Chapters following.

In setting down the promise, he useth the plurall number, We will do.

• 1. In reference to other Ministers. For there were other Ministers of this Church, besides the Apostle himself; who were all of the same minde: as the Apostle testif∣eth of himself and Titus, thus, Walked we not in the same Spirit? 2 Cor. 12. 18.
• 2. To set forth the disposition of other Ministers in his own example: as where he saith, We Ambassadours for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 3. In relation to the indevour of them to whom he wrote. For being perswa∣ded, that they would make progress according to that Doctrine, which should be de∣livered to them by him, he saith, this will we do. I in Doctrine, and you in pro•…•…i∣ency

• will go on to perfection. Thus he includes them with himself, where he saith in the plurall number, and first person, d 1.4 Let us go on, vers. 1.

Thus it appeares, that it was not an ambitious, episcopall humor, in which he here useth this plurall number, as they who in their edicts thus begin, We Gregory, We Pius.

By expressing his minde in the future tense, he declareth his purpose before hand:* 1.5 which is a lawfull and usefull course. Other faithfull Ministers in all ages have so done: yea, and Christ himself, especially about the time of his departure, as Ioh. 14. 3, 13, 16, 18, 21, 23. all Gods promises are such professions.

Such professions before hand do much support the spirits of them to whom they are made: and make them expect the accomplishment of what is professed: yea this is an holy tie and bond to him that maketh the profession, to be faithfull in per∣forming the same.

This may be a good patern, for such as intend good to others, freely to profess their intent before hand, and that with a faithfull resolution to perform what they profess.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.5

  Good purpo∣ses may be professed.