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 ...

§. 97. Of the resolution of, and observations from, Heb. 12. 16, 17.

Vers. 16.

Lest there be any fornicatour, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mor∣sell of meat, sold his birth-right.

Vers. 17.

For ye know, how that afterward when he would have inherited the bles∣sing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

THe sum of these verses, is the exemplification of the Christians caveat. Hereof are two branches.

Vers. 16.

• 1. The inference, in these words, lest there be any.
• 2. The substance; wherein two vices are condemned.
  • 1. Fornication.
  • 2. Profanesse. This latter is
    • 1. Propounded, in these words, or profane person.
    • ...

      2. Amplified in a particular instance of a profane person.

      In setting down this instance, we may observe

      • 1. The person in whom the exemplification is made, namely Esau.
      • 2. The point whereof the exemplification consisteth, where we have
        • 1. His sin, verse 16.
        • 2. His punishment, v. 17.

• ...

  1. His sin was the selling of his birth-right for a morsell of meat.

  Wherein we may observe

  • 1. The act, he sold.
  • 2. The commodity which he sold, viz. his birth-right.
  • 3. The price for which he sold it, namely, Meat, which is amplified by the smalnesse thereof, one morsell of meat.

  Vers. 17.

• 2. His punishment was a deniall of the divine blessing which Isaac his Father as a Prophet of God had conferred upon Iacob, expressed in v. 17. Wherein we may observe
  • 1. The inference, in this particle FOR.
  • 2. The substance, in the words following. In which we have
    • 1. The proof, in these words, ye know.
    • ...

      2. The point wherein the punishment is distinctly noted.

      The point is

      • 1. Propounded.
      • 2. Aggravated.

      In the proposition we may observe,

      • 1. The kind of punishment.
      • 2. The time.

      In the aggravation we have

      • 1. The reason, which was his Fathers unalterable re∣solution.
      • 2. The means for the recovery thereof, he sought it carefully with tears.

Doctrines.

• Vers. 16. I. Generals are to be exemplified by particulars. This ariseth from the inference of this verse upon the former. See §. 89.
• II. Fornication ought to be shunned by Christians. This ariseth from the first vice here condemned by the Apostle, namely, fornication. See §. 89.
• III. Christians must not be profane: This ariseth from the other vice condemned, namely profanesse. See §. 90.
• IV. One sin as well as another must be avoyded. Profanesse as well as uncleanesse. This ariseth from the disjunctive particle, OR, Let there be no fornicator, OR pr•…•…∣fane person.
• V. Evill examples are to he avoyded. This ariseth from the example of profane Esau, instanced here by the Apostle.
• VI. Pious Parents may have most impious children. As Isaac a profane Esau.
• VII. External priviledges of old had mysticall prerogatives. For many preroga∣tives were included under the external priviledge of the birth-right. See §. 92.
• VIII. Mean matters for the body are by many preferred before the greatest spiritual blessings. This ariseth from Esaus preferring a morsell of bread before his birth-right, and the priviledges thereof. See §. 92.
• IX. Gods choysest blessings are by many little regarded. The birth-right was a very choyce blessing, and yet how little regarded by Esau? See §. 92.
• X. A man given to his appetite, will let go any thing for it. This ariseth from Esa•…•…s selling his birth-right for one morsell of meat. See §. 92.
• ...

• Vers. 17. XI. Iudgements on some are caveats for others. This ariseth from the A∣postles bringing in of Esaus profaness, as a motive to keep us from the like sin. Where∣of See §. 93.
• XII. The sacred Scriptures ought to be well known. This the Apostle taketh for granted in the Hebrewes; for to convince them of Esaus punishment, he appea∣leth to their own knowledge, and understanding in the Scriptures; saying, ye know what is recorded concerning Esau. See §. 94.
• XIII. Blessings may be sought too late. This ariseth from Esaus rejection, not∣withstanding he so earnestly sought the blessing. See §. 95.
• XIV. Earnest desires may be in vain. For though Esau sought the blessing care∣fully, yet was he rejected. See §. 96.
• XV. Tears may nought prevaile. Though Esau sought the blessing with tears, yet was he rejected. See §. 96.