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 ...

§. 70. Of the Analysis of, and observations from, Heb. 12. 12, 13.

Vers. 12.

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.

Vers. 13.

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out the way; but let it rather be healed.

THe sum of these verses is, A direction for Christians well to bear afflictions.

Vers. 12. Herein we may observe the inference which the Apostle maketh of

it, upon that which he had before delivered, in this word, Wherefore.

2. The substance, wherein is manifested

• 1. The matter enjoyned.
• ...

  2. A motive to enforce it.

  The matter sets down two duties.

  • 1. One to redresse what is amisse, v. 12.
  • 2. The other to prepare for a better progresse, v. 13.

In the former is expressed,

• 1. An act to be done, lift up.
• 2. A double object thereof: Both enforced with their severall adjunct•…•…▪

The former object is expressed under this metaphor, the hands. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof, which hang down.

The latter object is in this metaphor knees, the adjunct thereof, feeble.

Vers. 13. In the latter▪ about preparing for a better progresse, two poynt•…•… are layd down.

• One, to go on in the right way.
• The other, to redresse swarvings therein.

In the former, one thing is implied, that professors make paths for or by their feet.

The other expressed in this word straight: they must be straight paths.

The motive to enforce all the foresaid duties, is taken from the damage that may follow upon the neglect of them.

That damage is,

• 1. Generally hinted in this particle, lest.
• 2. Particularly exemplified, wherein are two poynts confiderable.
  • 1. A manifestation of a mischiefe.
  • 2. A prescription of a remedy.

  In setting down the mischiefe is noted,

  • 1. The cause, that which is lame.
  • 2. The kind of mischief, be turned out of the way.

  About the remedy we may observe,

  • 1. The manner of setting it down, but rather.
  • 2. The matter whereof it consisteth, Let it be healed▪

Doctrines.

• I. Particular duties are to be inferred upon generall Doctrines. Upon the generall Doctrine of affliction, the Apostle inferreth the duties following, with this particle, Wherefore. See §. 67.
• II. True Christians may be weak Christians. They to whom the Apostle wrote were true Christians, yet they had hands hanging down, and feeble knees, which imply weaknesse. See §. 67.
• III. Weaknesse must be strengthned. This is the main intent of the Apostles ex∣hortation. See §. 67.
• IV. Mans best endeavour must be used for obtaining strength. This metaphor of lift∣ing up hands hanging down, and feeble knees, proves as much. See §. 67.
• V. Strength obtained must be well ordered. This ariseth from the connexion of the 13. v. being a direction with the former verse, by this copulative AND. See §. 68.
• VI. A Christians course is exemplary. This phrase of making paths for their feet im∣plyeth as much. See §. 68.
• VII. A Christians course must be a right course. The word translated paths im∣plieth as much. See §. 68.
• VIII. Professors are subject to inconstancy This is intended under this metaphor lame, as here used. See §. 69.
• IX. Inconstancy makes way to Apostacy. The mention of lame turned out of the way, intends this poynt. See §. 69.
• X. Inconstant persons must be established. This is meant by healing the lame. See §. 69.
• ...

• XI. Fear of falling must make men more carefull of recovery. This is gathered from these two emphaticall particles, but, rather. See §. 69.