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 ...

§. 116. Of the Resolution of, Heb. 10. v. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.

Vers. 26.

For if we sin wilfully, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin.

Vers. 27.

But a certain fearfull looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Vers. 28.

He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three wit∣nesses.

Vers. 29.

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shal he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despight unto the Spirit of grace?

Vers. 30.

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recom∣pence, saith the Lord: and again, The Lord shall judge his people.

Vers. 31.

It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

THe sum of these six verses is in two words, Apostates punishment. Hereof are two parts.

• 1 A description of their sin.
• 2. A declaration of their punishment.

Both these are,

• 1. Propounded.
• 2. Aggravated.

Their sin propounded is in v. 26, and aggravated, v. 29.

The punishment propounded is v. 26, 27. and aggravated, 28, 29, &c.

In propunding their sin, two things are observable.

• 1. The manner of propounding it, in two circumstances.
  • Vers. 26. 1. By way of supposition in this particle, if: or participle, si•…•…ing.
  • 2. By way of extention, in the plurall number, and first person, we.
• 2. The matter, which is s•…•…t out,
  • 1. By the kind of sin, wilfully.
  • 2. By the time of committing it, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth.

This is aggravated▪

• 1. By an act, received.
• 2. By the object thereof, knowledge.
• 3. By the subject of that knowledge, The truth.

The punishment is propounded,

• 1. Negatively, by taking away the means of pardon. Where is noted,
  • 1. The kind of means, Sacrifice for sins.
  • 2. The manner of taking it away, There remaineth no more.

  The positive punishment is,

  • Vers. 27. 1. Generally hinted, in this conjunction of opposition, But.
  • 2. Particularly expressed.

  In the expression there are declared,

  • 1. The kinde of punishment, in two branches,
    • 1. Iudgement.
    • 2. Fiery indignation.
  • 2. The terror thereof, fearfull looking for.
  • 3. An effect, which shall devour. This is amplyfied by the persons devoured, who are stiled, Adversaries.

  Vers. 28. The punishment of Apostates is aggravated comparatively. The com∣parison is taken from Moses law; There are two parts thereof.

  • ...

    1. The doom of obstinate transgressors of the law.

    Here is set down,

    • 1. Their sin.
    • 2. The punishment thereof.

    Their sin is set down,

    • 1. By the kind of Act, despised.
    • 2. By the object, Moses law.

    The punishment of their sin is,

    • 1. Propounded in this word, died.
    • Vers. 29. 2. Amplified by the extent, without mercy.

    And by the restraint, under two or three witnesses.

  • 2. The doom of Apostates under the Gospel. Hereof are two parts.
    • 1. A description of their doom.
    • 2. A farther description of their sin.

  Their doom is declared by a just consequence following upon the severity executed on those who obstinately transgresse the law: and it setteth down three distinct poynts.

  • 1. The severity of the punishment, of how much sorer punishment.
  • 2. The equity of it, shall he be thought worthy.
  • 3. The certainty thereof, in this phrase, suppose ye.
• 2. The sin is described by a double relation,
  • 1. of Christ,
  • 2. of the Spirit.

In the former relation is set down

• 1. The excellent name of him that is despised, The Son of God, amplyfied by the kind of despight, who hath trodden under foot.
• 2. The benefit that we reap by the Son of God, in this phrase, blood of the Cove∣nant, amplyfied by the despight don to it, in this phrase, hath counted unholy, further amplified by the effect, wherewith he was sanctified.

The other relation setteth down,

• 1. The object despised. The Spirit of Grace.
• 2. The kind of despight, hath done despight.

Vers. 30. The 30. verse produceth further proofs of the maine poynt; namely of the certainty and severity of the punishment of Apostates. The proofs following are taken from divine testimony. Here about note,

• 1. The manner of producing them, in this phrase, ye know him that hath said.
• 2. The addition of testimony to testimony, in this phrase, and againe.
• 3. The matter of the testimonies.

The testimonies are two. Of the first there are two branches.

• 1. Gods prerogative, vengeance belongeth unto me.
• 2. Gods performing what he undertakes, I will repay, saith the Lord.

In the second testimony there is a threatning of divine vengeance: wherein we may observe,

• 1. The person who threateneth, The Lord shall.
• 2. The punishment threatened, judge.
• 3. The persons judged, his people.

Vers. 31. In the 31. verse, there is an elegant conclusion of all that hath been before said of the doom of Apostates; In it two things are taken for granted.

• 1. That Apostates fall into Gods hand.
• 2. That the Lord is the living God.
• 3. That it is a most fearfull thing for Apostates to fall into his hand.