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 ...

§. 171. Of adding Prayer to other means of Instruction.

Verse 21.

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Iesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

THe substance of the Apostles prayer is contained in this verse.

He had before exhorted them to sundry good works: here he prayeth that God would enable them thereunto. It is usuall with the Apostles to pray to God to enable their people to do those things that they exhort them to.

All exhortations, and other means which man can use, are altogether in vain without Gods blessing thereupon: And prayer is an especiall means for obtaining Gods blessing.

Commendable in this respect is the custom of Ministers in making prayers after their Sermons for a blessing on what they have delivered.

Little is this considered by them who in the end of their Sermon having named Christ, thus conclude all, To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, be all glory now and for ever more. This is a good close, but too scanty in regard of that blessing that should be sought.

It is to be feared that a speciall reason of mens small profiting by much hearing is this, that they are not so earnest in seeking a blessing of God as they should.