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 ...

▪§. 7. Of the resolutions and instructions of Heb. 2. 1.

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

THis text doth in part set out the use to ▪be made of the Gospel. There are two observable things therein to be considered:

• 1. The Inference of it upon that which goes before: a 1.1 Therefore.
• 2. The Substance thereof in the rest of the verse.

Concerning the Substance there is observable,

• 1. A duty prescribed.
• 2. A motive used to inforce the same.

About the duty we may distinctly note,

• 1. The Matter whereof it consisteth.
• 2. The Manner of expressing it.

In the Matter is distinctly noted,

• 1. An act enjoyned, b 1.2 To give heed.
• 2. The object thereof, c 1.3 The things which we have heard.

Both these are amplified by the persons who exhort and are exhorted, d 1.4 We.

The Manner declares,

• 1. The necessity of the point, e 1.5 ought.
• 2. The diligence to be used, f 1.6 more earnest.

The Motive is taken from the damage that is like to follow upon neglect of the duty prescribed, g 1.7 lest.

That damage, as it is propounded, admits a double consideration:

• 1. The losse of the word that is heard.
• 2. The losse of the parties that negligently hear it, lest h 1.8 we should let them slip.

This is amplified by the time, at any time.

Doctrines arising out of Ver. 1.

• I. USe is to be added to Doctrine. The five first verses of this Chapter, do expres∣ly lay down a main use of the doctrine of Christs excellency, set out in the former Chapter.
• II. The more excellent the teacher is, the more is his word to be regarded. This ari∣seth out of this inference Therefore. Because God spake to us Christians by his Son, Therefore we must the more heed him. See §. 2.
• III. Due attention is to be given to Gods word. The act whereby the duty here required is expressed, in this phrase, give heed, proves as much. See §. 5.
• IV. Greater attention is to be given to the Gospel. It is the Gospel whereunto this word of comparison, more earnest, hath reference. See §. 5.
• V. Matters of weight again and again delivered are to be attended unto. This is in∣tended under the expressing of the object here set down in the time past, have heard▪ The things which we have heard. See §. 5.
• VI. We are bound to perform duty answerable to the means afforded. There is a ne∣cessity intimated in this word, ought. It is no arbitrary matter: a necessity lyeth up∣on us so to do.
• VII. In provoking others to duty, we ought to incite our selves. See §. 3. The Apo∣stle includeth himself together with others, by using the first person of the plurall number, We. See §. 4.
• VIII. The benefit of the Gospel, if it be slightly heeded, may be lost. See §. 6.
• IX. Men that hear the Gospel may be lost. These two last doctrines I gather from the various acception of the word, translated let slip. See §. 6.
• X. The fault of losing the benefit of the Gospel, is in those that hear it. The manner of inferring the motive upon the duty thus, lest we should, declares as much. See §. 6.
• XI. What is not at once lost, may be lost at another time. This is intended under this phrase, lest at any time. See §. 6.

Notes

• a 1.1

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• b 1.2

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• c 1.3

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• d 1.4

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• e 1.5

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• f 1.6

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• g 1.7

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• h 1.8

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