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 ...

§. 75. Of considering one another to provoke unto duty.

Heb. 10. 24, 25.

Vers. 24.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love, and to good workes.

Vers. 25.

Not for saking the assembling of our selves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day ap∣proaching.

TO the duties which concern ourselves, of seeking what we want, and fast hold∣ing what we have, the Apostle here addes another, which hath an especiall re∣spect to our neighbour: which is to consider one another.

This is knit to the other by the ordinary copulative particle, a 1.1 AND, to sh•…•…w that we ought to be carefull of the edification of others, as well as of our selves. Hereof see Chap. 3. v. 12. §. 124.

He sets down this duty in the same manner that he did the former; namely, in the plurall number, and first person: to shew that he spake to himself as well as to o∣thers, and to others as well as to himself.

The word b 1.2 consider, is emphaticall, and implyeth a conscionable care, and circumspection over the spirituall estate of others.

Of the emphasis of the word, see Chap. 3. v. 1. §. 21, 22.

Of the application thereof to our Christian brethren, implyed in this word c 1.3 one another, see Chap. 2. v. 13. §. 126.

To keep Christians from undue prying into other mens affaires, the Apostle ex∣presly setteth down to what end he would have one Christian consider another: which he thus expresseth, to provoke unto love, &c.

This phrase to provoke, is in Greek a substantive, which is translated a contention, A•…•…. 15. 39. For in contentions, men do provoke one anothers spirits. It may here word for word be thus rendred, unto provocation of love.

The d 1.4 Greek word is a compound. The root whence it is derived, is an ad∣jective,

and signifieth e 1.5 sharp, Rev. 1. 16. Thence is derived a f 1.6 substantive,^b which signifieth vinegar, Matth. 27. 34. and a verb, which signifieth to g 1.7 sharpen. Thence this compound, which in the h 1.8 active signifieth to provoke; and in the (i) passive to be provoked, Act. 17. 16. 1 Cor. 13. 5. The word in my Text, is used diversly.

• 1. In a bad sense, for such a provocation as causeth wrath: so it is used, Act. 15. 39.
• 2. In a good sense, when it is to duty: so as men are stirred up thereby to do their duty. So it is here taken. It implyeth that men are backward unto duty; and thereupon are with an holy zeal, which some account as provocation, to be stir∣red up thereunto. Thus Iacobs houshold was provoked to put away their strange gods, Gen. 35. 4. &c. The children of Israel in the time of the Iudges, were provoked to sacrifice unto the Lord, Iudges 2. 5.

By such provocations, they who provoke others, shew more respect to the spiri∣tual good of their souls, then to pleasing them in their corrupt humour. The law co•…•…nteth it a kind of hatred to suffer sin to lye upon a brother, Lev. 19. 17.

Let us labour to possesse our souls with brotherly love, and this will make us pro∣voke one another to all duty, and against all vice.

This is an especial means to make professors of the faith hold fast their profession▪ For this end it is here added to the former verse, wherein he exhorteth them to con∣stancy.

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 〉.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, acutus.
• f 1.6

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, acuo.
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, exacerbari: We have need of quickning.