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 ...

§. 39. Of Renewing again.

THat which is here said to be, impossible, is thus expressed, to renew them again un∣to repentance.

The Greek word translated to a 1.1 renew is a compound. The root whence the simple verb is derived signifieth, b 1.2 new. Thence a verb to c 1.3 make new. The preposition with which the verb is here compounded signifieth, d 1.4 again. The verb compounded herewith, to e 1.5 renew. This hath reference to mans corrupt estate, into which he fell by Adams first sin. Mans first estate was after Gods Image, Gen. 1. 27. It was a new, fresh, flourishing, glorious estate. Mans corrupt estate is resembled to an old man, Eph. 4. 22. Rom. 6. 6. To have this old estate altered, is to be f 1.6 renewed. Col. 3. 10. And the grace it self is stiled g 1.7 renewing, Rom. 12. 2 Tit. 3. 5.

The conjunction added hereunto, and translated h 1.8 again, hath reference to the falling away of those who were once before renewed, at least in appearance. And it intendeth a renewing again of him that had been before renewed▪ For it presup∣poseth a man to have cast off the old man, and to have purged out the old leaven: and so after a sort to have been made a new man, a new lump: so as having escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, they are again intangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them then the beginning, 2 Pet. 2. 20. Such an one, if he be recovered, must have a second new birth, a second renovation▪ and this is it which the Apostle saith is impossible.

That which is here said of the new lump, and new man, from which they fall, is

to be understood of one so taken to be in the judgement of charity.

The word translated i 1.9 to renew them, is of the active voyce. In this respect, it is diversly applyed.

Some refer it to Apostates themselves: some to Ministers: some to the word: some to God. I suppose that without any contradiction, it may be referred to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and every of them: for,

• 1. It being applyed to the Apostates themselves, it implyeth, that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rise again, repent, and turn to God: in that they have deprived themselves of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that spirituall ability, which was before wrought in them.
• 2. Applyed to Ministers, it implyeth, that they, though by vertue of their •…•…∣ction and Ministry, they did formerly work upon these Apostates, and still conti∣nue to work upon others, yet now to these their labour is altogether in vain: they can no more work upon them.
• 3. Applyed to the word, it implyeth, that that which is a savour of life to others, is to such Apostates, a savour of death, and a killing letter.
• 4. Applyed to God, it hath respect to his will, his determined purpose and un∣changeable truth: and so proves to be impossible. For as it is impossible that God should lye, so it is impossible that God should alter his determined purpose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resolution. v. 18.

But to take away all dispute about this point, it may indefinitely, without respect to any particular person or meanes, be thus translated, It is impossible to re•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ or it may be taken in sense passively, thus, It is impossible that they should •…•…e •…•…∣ed again. Thus some interpret it.

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 〉 Novo.
• d 1.4

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Renovo.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Renovatio.
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉