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 ...

§. 67. Of the Inference of Gods Promise against Covetousnesse, and for Contentednesse.

Verse 5.

—For •…•…e hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

THe first particle of this Text [FOR] sheweth, That this Promise is added as a reason of that which goeth before. It hath reference both to the vice for∣bidden, which is Covetousnesse, and also to the vertue enjoyned, which is Con∣tentednesse. It is here added to disswade from the former, and to perswade to the latter. The Argument is taken from Gods Promise of providing for his. It may be thus framed:

They whom God hath promised never to leave nor forsake, ought not to be covetous, but content.

But God hath promised never to leave, nor forsake such as trust in him:

Therefore such as trust in God ought not to be covetous, but content. This promise of Gods continual Providence and Protection, much aggravateth the sinne of Covetousnesse, and is of much force to work Contentment. To cove•…•… more then God, who hath promised never to leave thee nor forsake thee, seeth meet to bestow on thee, is a reall deniall of the truth of that Promise, and in that respect it maketh God a liar. On the other side, to be content with such things as thou hast, addeth a seal to the truth of this promise: and in that respect avouch∣eth Gods truth and faithfulness: yea also it giveth evidence, that thou confidently restest upon the accomplishment of that Promise. Therefore Covetousness is a vice very dishonourable to God. But Contentedness is a virtue very honourable to him.