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 ...

§. 89. Of the resolution of Heb. 6. 11, 12.

Vers. 11.

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Vers. 12.

That ye be not slothfull, but followers of them, who through faith and pati∣ence inherit the promises.

THe sum of these two verses is, an Exhortation to perseverance. In setting down hereof observe,

• 1. The coherence, in this copulative particle, and, or rather disjunctive, but, see §. 75.
• 2. The substance: and therein.
  • 1. The manner.
  • 2. The matter.

The manner is by a word of entreaty, We desire.

The matter sets out,

• 1. The thing desired.
• 2. Motives.

The thing desired, is to be as carefull for our own spirituall good, as for others temporall good.

In setting out this point, four things are expressed.

• 1. The persons whom it concernes, every one.
• 2. The duty: which is set down,
  • 1. Affirmatively and positively, diligence. This is amplified by the extent of it, in this relative, the same: which also imports a motive, See §. 79.
• 3. The grace, whereabout their diligence is to be exercised. This is
  • 1. Expresly named, Hope.
  • 2. Amplified by an especiall property, full assurance.
• 4. Their continuance therein, unto the end.

Vers. 12. The foresaid duty is enforced negatively, under the contrary vice for∣bidden, thus, Be not slothfull.

Another motive is taken from former paterns. In setting down this motive, three things are observable.

• 1. The opposition betwixt the fore-named vice and this patern, implied in this particle, but.
• 2. The expression of the duty thereupon required, in this word followers.
• 3. A description of the paterns. They are described,
  • 1. By two speciall graces, faith and patience.
  • 2. By the issue thereof: which is set out,
    • 1. By the kind of possession, inherit.
    • 2. By the ground thereof, the promises.

This issue, being set down as the recompence of their continuing in faith and patience, is a third motive unto perseverance.