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 ...

§. 6. Of building upon a foundation well laid.

THis phrase, not laying again the foundation, is metaphoricall. In effect it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 down the same thing which was intended under this phrase, leaving the •…•…∣ciples. §. 3. Only by this metaphor the point is more fully and plainly declared For he resembleth principles to a foundation. If only a foundation be laid, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 more, no benefit will redound to the builder, but rather loss of labour: there is no fit house to dwell in. We can be no fit house, or temple, as is intended 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should be, (Heb. 3. 6. Eph: 2. 21. 1 Cor. 3. 16.) if we stick only in principles.

What a a 1.2 foundation, in the proper signification of the word, is, hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shewed. Chap. 1. v. 10. §. 131.

A foundation is both the beginning of a greater building (Luk. 14. 29, 3•…•…) and also the ground-work, whereupon the rest of the building is erected, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereby it is upheld, Eph. 2. 20, 21.

It is therefore needfull that it be very solid, and substantiall; for it must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 long as the building: and it useth to be but once laid.

By the way here note an undue cavill of the Rhemists, against reading the Scrip∣ture,* 1.3 and for traditions, raised out of this place, which is this, we see hereby 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there was ever a necessary instruction and belief had by word of mouth and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, before men came to the Scriptures.

To grant there was such a kinde of instruction, I deny that it was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by tradition without the word of God. I deny also that it was before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 came to the Scriptures; for all of all sorts had liberty to read 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Scriptures. As for the points which by word of mouth were taught them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were catechised, they were no other then the Doctrine of the Prophets and •…•…∣postles: as also the higher and deeper mysteries were. For milk, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 meat may for matter be of the same Doctrine, but the difference betwixt them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the manner of delivering it. For that instruction which was brought into easie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 familiar principles, and by word of mouth delivered to babes, was taken out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Scripture: as the severall heads following shew. See more hereof. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•… v. 14. §.

The participle, b 1.4 laying, joyned with this noune, foundation, addeth further em∣phasis. It signifieth to cast, or lay down: and from thence is derived another Greek word, which also signifieth, c 1.5 a foundation, as is shewed, Chap. 4. v. 3. §. 29.

This conjunction, d 1.6 again, giveth hint of a totall apostacy; as if they were in danger to fall from all their former principles: so as a new foundation must be laid, or else there could be no further going on. This danger is more fully mani∣fested v. 6.

In this caution, not laying again the foundation, each word is observable.* 1.7

• 1. For erecting a good edifice there must be * 1.8 a foundation: the first principles must be taught them who would be well instructed in the Christian faith. See Chap. 5. v. 12. §. 64.
• 2. A foundation must be well laid, surely, and soundly. The notation of this word, e 1.9 laying, intends as much. This Christ distinctly observeth Luk. 6. 48. This phrase, As a wise master builder I have laid the foundation (1 Cor. 3. 10.) sheweth that the Apostle was very circumspect about laying the foundation. Now there is no such way to lay the foundation of Religion soundly, as to ground it on Gods word. S•…•…e Chap. 5. v. 12. §. 65.
• 3. Laying a foundation intendeth a further building. For a foundation is but the beginning of an edifice. The negative particle, f 1.10 not, imports thus much: for by forbidding to lay a foundation, he stirs them up to diligence in building up the house. So as more must be learned then the first principles. See §. 4.
• 4. The inserting this word, again, gives us to understand, that a foundation u∣seth to be but once laid. A Christian once well instructed must not stand in need to be taught the first principles again. Such an one in disgrace is called a babe. See Chap. 5. §. 71.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A foundation is not suffici∣ent.
• a 1.2

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

  Rhemists ca∣vill.
• b 1.4

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.7

  Foundation well laid to be built on.
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• e 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• f 1.10

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