Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:1

THerefore leaving] Not that we are to neglect the first principles of religion, but to labour for a greater measure of knowledge. 2 Peter 3:18.

the principles of the doctrine of Christ] Or, the word of the beginning of Christ. The first principles of Christian religion are here compared unto the foundation of a building, on which the more perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Gospel were to be built.

let us go on] Let us be carried on, or, led forward. See Chap. 2. 3.

unto perfection] Colossians 3:16.

of] These (as it is thought) were the six principles of the Apostles Catechisme.

dead works] Chap. 9. 14. That is, sinne; so called, first, because they make a man lyable unto death, Romans 6:16; Romans 6:21; Romans 6:23. & Chap 7, 5. James 1:15. Secondly, because they proceed from man, by nature spiritually dead. Ephesians 2:1.

Hebrews 6:2

baptismes] Or, baptizings. The plurall number for the singular; as sacrifices for sacrifice, Chap. 8. 22, 23. some give this reason for it, viz. because in those times many baptismes were administred at once, there being set dayes appointed for it.

laying] Which is usually called confirmation, which stood, first, in examining those who had been baptized, what progresse they had made in the doctrine of Christianitie. Secondly, in praying for them, that God would continue them in the faith, and give them more grace, strengthening them by his Holy Spirit. Now when the chiefe Pastor or Pastors of the Church prayed for them, they laid their hands upon them; whence the Apostolicall constitution was called the laying on of hands. Or, understand thereby a ceremony used in the ordination of Ministers.

Hebrews 6:3

if God permit] 1 Corinthians 4:19. James 4:15.

Hebrews 6:4

For it is impossible] Chap. 10. 26. The Apostle observing that the Hebrews were ready to revolt from the Christian faith, into Judaisme, and by little and little to fall into the impardonable sinne which here he describes, labours to keep them from both: First, by manifesting the danger of such a relapse, vers. 4-9. Secondly, by assuring them of a happy successe if they did continue in that faith and course of life which they had begun, vers. 9-13.

impossible] In respect of Gods wisdome and justice, giving them up unto an impenitent heart.

those] Here is a description of the qualitie of those persons unto whom the sin against the Holy Ghost is chiefly incident, or most peculiar.

enlightned] With the knowledge of the truth. See Chap. 10. 26.

heavenly gift] Some understand hereby some peace and tranquillity of conscience arising out of a hope that their sinnes were prdoned: others understand it of faith, which is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8. some understand it of Christ. John 4:10. and John 6:32.

holy Ghost] That is, of the gifts of the holy Ghost, mentioned Chap. 2. 4.

Hebrews 6:5

tasted] Have found sweetnesse in the Word of God, as Herod, Mark 6:20. and those who are compared to stony ground, Mark 4:16.

powers] The joyes of heaven; as Balaam, Numbers 23:10.

Hebrews 6:6

If] Or, After.

fall away] That is, by an universall Apostasie into Judaisme or Paganisme, maliciously and despightfully contemning, persecuting or opposing the faith of Christ, of whose truth they are convinced in their consciences by the Holy Ghost.

crucifie] So much as in them lyeth; and if Christ were upon the earth again, they would be as malicious enemies unto him, as ever any were.

Hebrews 6:7

by whom] Or, for whom.

Hebrews 6:9

But beloved] To moderate and sweeten his former harshnsse, here he shews his good opinion which he had of the Hebrews, and to comfort them, by giving them assurance of Gods mercy in rwarding them, if they continued stedfast in their profession. See Chap. 10. 39.

Hebrews 6:10

unrighteous] That is, unfaithfull or inconstant, so as to forget his promises of rewarding. See 2 Thes. 1. 6. 1 John 1. 9

labour] 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Because they manifested their love with much danger, and through many discouragements.

toward] For his names sake; or out of love and obedience unto God, and not for carnall respects.

Hebrews 6:11

full assurance] That is, that your faith and hope may be without anxietie and doubting.

unto the end] Chap. 3. 6. 14.

Hebrews 6:12

slothfull] That is, negligent and carelesse to grow in faith, and to bring forth the fruits thereof. See Chap. 5. 11, 12. The contrary whereunto was Saint Pauls pressing hard towards the price of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3. 13, 14.

patience] Chap. 10 36. James 5:7.

Hebrews 6:13

For when] The Apostle proveth by the example of Abraham the father of the faithfull, what he had testified of all their faithfull forefathers in the precedent verse; and he maketh choice to instance in Abraham, because the substance of that promise made unto him, was made also to all his children according to promise; that is, to all the faithfull. Romans 9:8.

he sware] Genesis 22:16-17.

Hebrews 6:14

blessing] See Genesis 22:17.

Hebrews 6:15

promise] That is, the thing promised, viz. the abundant multiplication of his seed, the possession of the land of Canaan, and his eternall happinesse in heaven; which though he obtained not while he was alive, yet is said to have obtained, because in the appointed time they were performed unto him, though dead. See Chap. 11. 39.

Hebrews 6:16

For men] From the use of an oath amongst men, the Apostle infers the reason why God sometimes confirms his promises by an an oath, viz. to declare the immutabilitie of the thing promised.

Hebrews 6:17

more abundantly] The thing promised by a bare promise, may be reversed in respect of some change in the person, to whom the promise is made, without any change in God; but a thing promised by oath shall be immutable: so that an oath added unto a promise, implies the immutabilitie of the thing promised. See. 1 Samuel 2:30.

confirmed it by an oath] Gr. interposed himself by an Oath.

Hebrews 6:18

immutable] That is, his promise and oath.

Hebrews 6:19

Which hope] Romans 8:25.

anchor] Whereby the soul in time of trouble, layes hold upon Christ the rock of our salvation.

vail] That is, heaven, whereof the holy of holyest was a type or shadow. Chap. 9. 24.

Hebrews 6:20

forerunner] That is, Christ, so called, because he is ascended into heaven, to prepare mansions for us. John 14. 2, 3.

made] Here the Apostle resumeth the matter which he had left off, Chap. 5. 11. viz. to shew that Christ was a Priest after the Order of Melchisedec, and therein the excellency both of his person and priesthood.