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 ...

§. 86. Of the resolution and observations of Heb. 10. 24, 25.

Ves. 24.

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

Vers. 25.

Not forsaking 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.

IN these two verses there is a direction in reference to others, to keep them from falling away.

Vers. 24. Hereof are two parts.

• 1. The duty to be performed, v. 24.
• 2. The meanes of effecting the same, v. 25.

In setting down the former, we may observe

• 1. The connexion of it with the former, in this copulative, and.
• 2. The direction it self. Wherein we may again observe,
  • 1. The manner of propounding it, Let us.
  • 2. The matter whereof it consisteth. This is set out,
    • 1. By the main duty.
    • 2. By the end thereof.

In the duty we have,

• 1. An act enioyned, consider.
• 2. The object thereof, one another.

The end is described,

• 1. By another act, to provoke.
• 2. By the object whereunto they should provoke. This is double.
  • 1. Love, unto love.
  • 2. To good works, and to good works.

Vers. 25. The means of performing the foresaid duty of considering one another; is in one word, christian communion.

This is set down two wayes,

• 1. Negatively.
• 2. Affirmatively.

The negative declares,

• 1. The thing forbidden.
• 2. An exemplification.

The thing forbidden is, forsaking. Amplified by the thing forsaken. The as∣sembling of themselves together.

The exemplification is set out,

• 1. By the extent of it, in this word manner or custome.
• 2. By a restraint of it, Of some.
• 3. By the inference, in this particle of comparison, as.

The affirmative declares,

• 1. The duty required.
• 2. A motive to inforce it.

In declaring the duty, we are to observe,

• 1. The inference, in this particle of opposition, But.
• 2. The substance, herein is noted,
  • 1. An act, exhorting.
  • 2. The object, one another.

The motive is taken from the neer approach of the last day.

This is,

• 1. Propounded.
• 2. Enforced.

In propounding it, there is mention made,

• 1. Of the time it self, the day.
• 2. Of the drawing neer thereof, approaching.
• 3. Of the cleer evidence, ye see.
• 4. Of the inference of it, so much the more, as.

Doctrines.

• Vers. 24. I. Christians must be carefull of others edification as well as their own. This is gathered from this copulative, and. See §. 75.
• II. Circumspection is a christian duty. This verb, consider, imports as much. See §. 75.
• III. Circumspection must be extended to our selves and others. For we must consider 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another. See §. 76.
• IV. Christians must be provoked to duty. This is the end of considering one another. See §. 76.
• V. Christians must especially be provoked to love. That is here in particular named. See §. 77.
• VI. Love must be manifested by works. These therefore are added to love. See §. 77.
• VII. Works proceeding from love are good works. So they are here stiled. See §. 77.
• Vers. 25. VIII. They who have once joyned themselves to the Church, must never fall from it. This is to forsake the assembling of themselves together. See §. 78.
• IX. Professors are prone to fall away. This exemplification, as the manner is, im∣plyeth as much. See §. 80.
• X. Custome is no sure rule. The Apostle here would not have us follow the cu∣stome. See §. 80.
• XI. All are not to be involved in the guilt of some. The Apostle here speaking of a revolt, taxeth some only, not all. See §. 80.
• XII. The Apostacy of some must make others the more stedfast. For this end the Apo∣stle doth here make mention of others Apostacy. See §. 80.
• XIII. It is a christian duty to incite one another to duty. This phrase, exhorting one another, intendeth thus much. See §. 81.
• XIV. Christians must do what they can to keep one another from Apostacy. This par∣ticle of opposition, But, intends thus much, §. 81.
• XV. There is such a day to come as never was, nor shall be till that day. This is the last day, the day of judgement: which by an excellency is here stiled, the day. See §. 82.
• XVI. The last day is neer approaching. So much is here expressed. See §. 83.
• XVII. The evidences of Christs neer approaching are very clear. We may see as much. See. §. 84.
• XVIII. The near appoach of the last day, should make christians the more carefull of duty. This phrase of comparison, So much the more as, intendeth thus much. See §. 85.