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 ...

§. 26. Of resisting unto blood.

Heb. 12. 4.

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against Sin.

THe Apostle doth in this verse, declare how far the forementioned duty of imi∣tating Christ in suffering, is to be extended, even unto blood.

The word which we translate, resisted, is a a 1.1 double compound. Of the b 1.2 sim∣ple compound, see Chap. 2. v. 7. §. 62.

The preposition added in this double compound, signifieth c 1.3 against, and is well translated, resisted. It is a Souldier-like word, and importeth a manly standing against an enemy, c 1.4 foot to foot, spear to spear: not yeelding a foot, or hai•…•…es* 1.5 breadth, as we say: and that unto blood, that is, so long as blood or breath remains in our bodies: or so long as we live. Mans life remains in his blood, when that is clean split, life is gone.

He setteth down this extent of enduring, negatively, thus, ye have not yet resisted, to meet with an objection about that which they had already suffered. For the A∣postle granteth, that they had already suffered much, Chap. 10. v. 32, 33. 34, which he here implieth under this particle f 1.6 yet, as if he had said, ye have indeed endu∣red much, yet, ye may endure more.

The objection may be thus framed, What needeth thou, O our Apostle, so much presse Christs sufferings, as a pattern to us, seeing thou thy self knowest, what a great fight of affliction we have endured?

To this the Apostle answereth, that they might be brought to endure more, be∣cause they yet lived, and so were subject to more trials. Their blood was yet in them, so as they had not resisted unto blood.

Hereby it is e•…•…ident, that professors may be brought to seal their profession with their blood. Hereof see more, Chap. 11. v. 37. §. 257.

It is also as evident, that professors cannot promise to themselves immunity from sufferings for their profession, so long as they live.

Professors therefore have need to take heed of security, by reason of some trials that they have passed through. Experience hath shewed how dangerous this hath been in reference to temporall deliverances, and victories. Much more dangerous is spiritual security. For Satan being cast out, will seek to make a re-entry, Matth. 12. 44. And God is by spiritual security much provoked to give men over to their spiritual enemies: So as it is a great point of wisdome, after some trials, to prepare for others.

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 〉.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  (d) •…•…ede pes, & cuspide cuspis.
• f 1.6

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