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 ...

§. 8. Of the Apostles manner of inforcing his matter.

Verse 2.

For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast, and every transgression and dis∣obedience received a just recompence of reward:

Verse 3.

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?

Verse 4.

God also bearing them witnesse, both with signes and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the holy Ghost, according to his own will.

THe first particle of this text, as our English sets it down, being a causal conjun∣ction* 1.1 For, sheweth that it followes as a reason of that which went before: a reason to perswade the Hebrews to attend diligently to the Gospel. The Apostle used one motive before §. 6. He addeth this to enforce them the further to observe his instruction: and that not only by adding one reason to another, as two blowes strike a nail deeper in then one: but by producing another more forcible motive then the former.

The former motive was taken from a dammage; namely losse of a benefit which might have been received by well heeding the Gospel; but this is vengeance, sore vengeance; even sorer then the vengeance which was wont to be executed under the Law, as the interrogation in the third verse doth plainly demonstrate.

The next particle, If, though it be a conditionall conjunction, yet doth it not* 1.2 alwayes leave a matter in suspence and doubt; as if there were question thereof, whether it would be so or no. It is oft used to lay down a sure, certain, infallible, undeniable ground to infer another truth thereupon. Where Christ saith, If I say the truth, why do you not beleeve me, Joh. 8. 46? he maketh no question of what he spake, whether it were true or no: but layeth it down as an unquestionable point, that the spake truth: and thereupon he aggravateth their undelief.

If this manner of arguing be put into a syllogisticall form, this will appear most clearly thus,

If I speak truth you ought to beleeve me.

But I speak truth: Therefore ye ought to beleeve me. So here, If slighting the word of Angels were sorely punished, much more shall the slighting of Christs word be pnnished.

This manner of arguing shewes, that the Apostles argument is taken from the lesse to the greater: For it was a lesse sinne to slight the word of Angels, then the* 1.3 word of Christ.

Of this kinde of conditionall expression See Chap. 3. v. 6. §. 60. See also The Saints Sacrifice, on Psal. 116. 14. §. 90.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.3

  A min•…•…ri ad majus.