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 ...

§. 127. Of the punishment of transgressors of the Law.

THe Apostle in setting down the penalty of the transgressors both of the Law and the Gospel, First shews, that there was an agreement in the general, viz. that neither the transgressor of the one, nor yet of the other, escaped. Secondly, that there was a certainty and severity of the latter, which are both expressed in these words, If they escaped not who refused him who spake on earth; much more shall not •…•…eescape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. Whereby the Apostle giveth us plainly to understand two things,

• 1. That transgressors of the Law were surely punished.
• 2. That despisers of the Gospel shall be most surely, and soarly punished.

For the former, that transgressors of the Law were surely punished, appeareth,

• 1. From the many penalties enjoyned, Exod. 21. 12, &c. and 22. 1. &c. Lev. 20. 2. &c.
• 2. From many threatnings in the Scripture, Gen. 17. 14. Exod. 12. 15. Lev. 26. 16, &c. Deut. 27. 15, &c. and 28. 15, &c.
• 3. From the manifold executions of Gods wrath against the transgressors of his Law, whereof see a Catalogue in 1 Cor. 10. 5, &c.

• 1. Which should admonish us to take heed of offending God, and transgressing his Law.
• 2. It should direct us to acquaint our selves with Gods former courses. Con∣sider what befell Adam, Cain, the old world, Sodom, the Egyptians, Canaanites and others for their sins and transgressions, that so we may be the more watchful over

• our selves against those sins, knowing that God is still the same God.

For the latter, That despisers of the Gospel shall be most surely and soarly pu∣nished, the Apostle plainly expresseth under these words, a 1.1 Much more; For if they escaped not, who refused him that spake on earth, MUCH MORE shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. See hereof Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 21. and Chap. 10. v. 29. §. 107.

Notes

• a 1.1

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