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 ...

§. 151. Of the issue of Apostates.

THis phrase, Of them which draw back, is the interpretation of one a 1.1 Greek word. The word is a noun derived from that verb which is translated, b 1.2 draw back, v. 38. §. 148. There see the notation of it. Word for word it is thus; c 1.3 We are not of subduction, or of withdrawing. It is a concise and emphaticall phrase.

To make it cleare in English, that which is understood must be supplied. Some understand the word, Sons, thus, we are not Sons or Children of withdrawing: So the Rhemites: but this is very obscure in our English. Our last translators have better translated it thus, We are not of them which draw back. That is, we are not of that mind, or of that carriage, or of that company.

By denying this of himself and of other professors, he sheweth, that it ill beseem∣eth professors of the true religion to fall back from their profession, See v. 38. §. 148.

This phrase, unto perdition, sheweth the wofull issue of back-sliders. The d 1.4 noun here used is a compound. e 1.5 The simple verb out of which it is compounded signifieth in the active, to destroy. In the passive to be destroyed or to perish. Thence is derived f 1.6 a noun which signifieth, destruction, and the epithite everlasting is joyned to it, 2 Thes. 1. 9. And another noun which signifieth g 1.7 a destroyer, 1 Cor. 10. 10. And a participle, He that destroyeth.

The h 1.8 preposition, with which the word of my text is compounded, signifieth, from, and it carrieth emphasis, implying an utter destruction from all safety. i 1.9 The verbe compounded with this preposition is frequently used, Matth. 5. 29, 30. and 10. 28. The greatest destroyer of man, from this title is called, k 1.10 Apollyon de∣stroyer, Rev. 9. 11. The word of my text is applyed to mans destruction in hell, Matth. 7. 13. So it is here in this place. Iudas, Joh. 17. 12. and Antichrist, 2 Thes. •…•…. 3. are called, Sons of perdition.

This word is used in both those places: So here it is put for eternall damnation, as is evident by the opposite phrase, Saving of the soul.

The Apostle hereby gives them to understand, that eternall damnation will be the issue of Apostates. Hereof see v. 27. §. 95, 96, 97, 98▪

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

  Non sumus substractionis. Vulg. Lat.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 perdo.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• k 1.10

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