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 ...

§. 148. Of Professors revolting.

TO move us the more diligently to labour after Faith, the Apostle sheweth the dan age of failing thereof: for he implieth, that without faith men will draw back, and then God will have no delight in them.

The word translated a 1.1 draw bark, is a compound. The simple verb signifieth b 1.2 to send. In the middle voice it signifieth to c 1.3 avoid, or shun, 2 Cor. 8. 20. Yea and to withdraw, 2 Thes. 3. 6. The preposition signifieth d 1.4 under. The com∣pound properly signifieth to slip away, and that under hand, privily, and for fear, or shame. It is used of Peter, who withdrew himself from communion with the Gen∣tiles, Gal. 2. 12. St. Paul on the contrary useth the word with a negation, where he sayth, that he did not shun or forbeare to declare all the counsels of God; I kept back nothing, sayeth he, Acts 20. 20, 27.

Here it implieth such as having made open profession of the true faith, on some by respect forbear their profession, and withdraw themselves from communion with other professors: So as it intendeth apostacy, whereof see Chap. 3. v. 12. §. 131.

The Apostle useth this word, to meet with those, who think to be excused in that they do not openly, and scandalously renounce their profession, but only covertly. But all manner of apostacy, whether open or covert, is comprised under this word, and thereby condemned.

And that no persons may dream of an immunity in this case, the Apostle sets it down indefinitely, thus, e 1.5 If any man draw back. Indeed the word, any man, is not expressed in the Greek, but necessarily understood in the verb of the third per∣son, which hath no nominative case joyned with it. When we say, he that doth this thing, we intend any one that doth it. All of all sorts therefore are to apply this unto themselves; even professors of the true religion.

That professors may fall away hath been shewed, Chap. 3. v. 12. §. 131.

That it is to be prevented, hath been shewed, Chap. 3. v. 12. §. 122.

How it may be prevented, hath been before shewed in this Chapter, v. 25. §. 79.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. See §. 151.
• e 1.5

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