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 ...

§. 134. Of Dying but once.

TO the foresaid common condition of all men to die, the Apostle addeth this li∣mitation,* 1.1 Once; which is to be taken as before exclusively, see v. 26. §. 129. Hereupon Christ saith, that man when he hath killed the body, can do no more, Luk. 12. 4. Experience giveth evidence to the truth hereof.

Object. Many were raised from the dead, and died again; as the Son of the wi∣dow* 1.2 of Zarephah, 1 King. 17. 23. And the Shunamites son, 2 King. 4. 36. And ano∣ther man, 2 King, 13. 21. And in the new Testament Iairus daughter, Mark. 5. 42. The widows Son, Luk. 7. 15. Lazarus, Joh. 11. 43. And Dorcas, Acts 9. 41.

Answ.

• 1. Some say that their souls slept in their bodies, and manifested no vigor, or life at all. But this is not to be admitted, for then the raising of such from the dead, had not been true miracles.
• 2. It may be supposed, that all that were raised from the dead, were Saints: and that they, to manifest the glory of God, were content to come into their bodies again.
• 3. For full answer to the point, this of dying but once, is to be taken of the ordi∣nary* 1.3 course of nature. The Lord of nature can order it, as it pleaseth him.

• 1. This is good encouragement against all that man can do, Luk. 12. 5. Martyrs

• ... •…•…reby were encouraged against their cruel adversaries, in that when they had once •…•…ed the body, they could do no more.
• 2. This instructeth us about well using the time of life, which God affordeth un∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.* 1.4 It is the day of grace, and time of repentance. If once a period be put to it, •…•…re is no returning again. Christ made advantage hereof, Ioh. 9. 4. The wise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 giveth advice so to do; Eccles. 9. 10. As a man once dyeth, so for ever he abi∣•…•…th.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Men die but once.
• * 1.2

  Some raised, died again.
• * 1.3

  Courage against mans sury.
• * 1.4

  Well use this life.