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 ...

§. 121. Of the Resolution and Observations of Heb. 13. 9.

9.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats, which have not profited them that have ben occupied therein.

THe Summe of this verse is in two words, Saints Stability.

Hereof are two parts,

• 1. A Dehortation from levity.
• 2. A Commendation of stability.

In the former is set down,

• 1. An Act forbidden, Be not carried about.
• 2. The Subject whereabout it is conversant, Doctrines.
  • 1. Divers.
  • 2. Strange.

This is distinguished by two Adjuncts,

In the other we have,

• 1. The thing commended.
• ...

  2. The kinde of commendation.

  The kinde of commendation is thus expressed, It is good.

• ...
  • 1. Propounded.
  • 2. Illustrated by the contrary.

The thing commended is,

In the Proposition is expressed,

• 1. The Matter commended, Grace.
• 2. The Subject where grace is seated, The heart.
• 3. The Manner of setling it, Established.

In the Illustration,

• 1. The contrary is set down negatively, Not with meats.
• 2. It is confirmed by the unprofitablenesse of it.

This Confirmation is aggravated two wayes:

• 1. By Experience, in this phrase, Which have not profited.
• 2. By the Persons that reap no profit thereby, Them that have been occupied therein.

Observations.

• I. Men are prone to waver in their opinions. The dehortation presupposeth thus much. See §. 114.
• ...

  II. Doctrines are a means of seducing men. The mention of doctrins in this place implieth this point. See §. 114.

  These two Epithetes, divers, strange, are here expresly applied to doctrins. See §. 115.

• III. There are divers kinds of Doctrins.
• IV. Many Doctrins are strange.
• V. The Doctrine that bringeth good to the Professours thereof, is especially to be embraced. This phrase, It is good, is here alledged for that purpose. See §. 116.
• VI. The Gospel is a word of Grace. That is it which is here styled Grace. See §. 117.
• VII. The word of Grace must enter into the heart. For this end mention is here made of the heart. See §. 117.
• VIII. The word of Grace is able to establish the heart. It can so satisfie and quiet it, as it will stedfastly abide therein; else it were in vain to exhort to have the heart esta∣blished with Grace. See §. 118.
• IX. Doctrins about meats are contrary to Grace. They are here opposed to Grace. See §. 119.
• X. Doctrins of meats cannot establish mens hearts. This negative, not, denieth that to meats, which it ascribeth to Grace. See §. 119.
• XI. Doctrins of meats never profited any mans soul. This is here expresly set down. See §. 119.
• XII. Men use much to busie themselves about external Rites. This phrase of being occupied, intends thus much. See §. 120.
• XIII. All the pains that men take about externall Rites doth not profit them. Though they be occupied thereabouts, yet they are not profited thereby. See §. 120.