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 ...

§. 154. Of the resolution of Heb. 10. 38, 39.

Vers. 38.

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Vers. 39.

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition: but of them that be∣lieve, to the saving of their Soul.

IN these two verses is another help for perseverance. Of the former see §. 141. This help is first briefly propounded, secondly largely amplified in the next Chapter.

I•…•… propounding the poynt,

• 1. The means it self is expressed.
• 2. The contrary thereunto is aggravated.

In expressing the means, he declareth,

• 1. The persons whom it concernes, the just.
• 2. The kind of means, faith. This is amplyfied by the benefit thereof, life, shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The contrary is first hinted, in this adversative particle, but.

2. Distinctly laid forth.

I•…•… laying it forth, is declared,

• 1. The vice it self.
• 2. The consequence following thereupon.

In declaring the vice two things are noted,

• 1. The person whom it concerns, any man.
• 2. The fault wherein it consisteth, draw back.

The consequence is Gods displeasure, which is first aggravated, secondly, •…•…∣gated, v. 39.

In the aggravation is laid down,

• 1. The extent of Gods displeasure, in this metaphor, my soul.
• 2. The manner of expressing it, shall have no pleasure.
• 3. The obj•…•…ct, in him, namely in him that draweth back.

Vers▪ 39. The mitigation of the foresaid doom consisteth in the Apostles •…•…∣festing his good opinion of them.

In setting down his opinion, he shewes a difference betwix such as draw back, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such as hold out.

Here observe,

• 1. The manner of propounding this difference, in the first person and plu•…•… number, we.
• 2. The matter wherein it consisteth, that consisteth of two parts,
  • 1. The issue of back-sliders.
  • 2. The issue of believers.

The former is perdition, which is denyed in reference to these Hebrews.

The latter is salvation, which is asserted in reference to believers, which he •…•…∣counteth them to be.