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 ...

§. 73. Of the resolution of Heb. 6. v. 9, 10.

Heb. 6. 9, 10.

But beloved we are perswaded better things of you, and things that accompany salva∣tion, though we thus speak.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his Name, in that ye have ministred to the Saints, and do minister.

Vers. 9. THe sum of these two verses, is a Ministers insinuation into his peoples heart. Hereabout observe,

• 1. The inference, in this particle BUT,
• 2. The substance: wherein is contained,
  • 1. A friendly compellation, Beloved,
  • 2. A good opinion. Hereof are two parts,
    • 1. The point it self, what he thought of them.
    • 2. The proof, why he thought so of them as he did, v. 10.

In propounding the point, we may observe,

• 1. The manner of propounding it.
• 2. The matter of which it consisteth. The manner is manifested two wayes,
  • 1. By using the plurall number, we are: intimating a consent of others.
  • 2. By his confident expressing of his opinion, in this word, Perswaded.

The matter is set down two wayes,

• 1. By way of asseveration.
• 2. By way of correction.

The asseveration sets down the matter two wayes,

• 1. Comparatively, better things,
• 2. Simply, in this phrase, things that accompany Salvation. This sheweth the height of his good opinion of them.

The correction is in this phrase, though we thus speak.

Vers. 10. The motive or reason of the Apostles foresaid opinion is taken from the s•…•…its of their profession: amplified by Gods remembrance of them.

The amplification is first set down.

In the reason therefore, we may observe two effects;

One on Gods part. The other on Mans.

In the former is expressed,

• 1. The kind of effect.
• 2. The ground thereof: both set down by their con∣traries.

The kind of effect thus, not forget. The ground, thus, not unrighteous.

The effects on Mans part, are set down under two heads.

One generall, work. The other particular, love.

Their love is first illustrated. Secondly, exemplified.

In the illustration is shewed,

• 1. The eamestness of their love, in this Epithite, labour.
• 2. The end of it: which is commended,

• ...
  • 1. By the excellency of it, Gods name.
  • 2. By the manifestation of it, in that ye have shewed.

The exemplification hath reference to the time present and past.

Here we are to observe.

• 1. Their act, Ministring.
• 2. Their object, Saints.

The different tenses, (ye have ministred and do minister) imply divers times.

The object Saints, is expressed in the former, understood in the latter.