Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 6:1

1 THerefore leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ , let us go on unto perfection , not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works , and of Faith towards God .

The Spirit having reproved these Hebrews for their fault, doth now counsel and direct them to amend it. Seeing ye have lost so much time already, and made so little progress in learning Christ; Let us not therefore stay any longer in the Principles of it, but proceed to some higher degree; pursuant to which he laieth down the Principles of Christian Doctrine in which these Hebrews had been initiated, and the Doctrine of Perfection which they were to pursue. Leaving, is an omitting or letting go, as to any sticking or standing in, so as to make no further progress, but to gain higher degrees of Knowledg in the Doctrine of the Gospel, which enters Novices into Christ, having attained the beginning, the matter or work of entrance into the Christian Religion, now not to stick at this first and imperfect inchoation in this Doctrine.

A regular motion must succeed according to the great Mover uncessantly, for our attaining the perfection of the Doctrine of Christ. This Perfection, notes height of Knowledg, Faith, utmost Repentance and Spiritual Change, greatest strength of Understanding, and the fullest operation according to the Doctrine of Christ, in doing and forbearing, the fullest perseverance of the Mind in the knowledg of it, and of the Will in cleaving to it.

That which would hinder this was reiterating foundation-Work, which the Apostle laid with them by initiating of them into the first Principles of Christianity, the Knowledg and Faith of which they professed to receive, 1 Cor. 3.11. Ephes. 2.20. And were therefore obliged to proceed in the building both of Persons and Truths on it; and lest they had forgot, or others were ignorant what those Fundamental Principles and Doctrines of the Gospel were, he laieth down six Heads of them in this and ver. 2. which was the common Method of Teaching either the Children of Christians or Infidels, that they might be Christians, at least professedly, or upon their lapse to restore them.

The first Christian Principle or Doctrine to be learnt, was that of Repentance, which is the Fundamental Change of a Sinners Mind, and, in that, of himself; it carrieth in it Knowledg, Conviction of Sin by God's Law, bitter Sorrow for it, and full Conversion of the Soul to God from it, as it is described, 2 Cor. 7.9, 10, 11. As from all sinful Works flowing from it while lapsed from God; dead in Sins, which would have eaten out and destroyed their Souls for ever, Rom. 6.23. and Ephes. 2.1, 2. Supposeth the knowledg of other Truths preceding it, as their Creation in God's Image, their Apostacy from it, the misery consequent, &c. These Hebrews were to proceed and advance daily in the Exercise of this Grace.

The second Christian Principle or Doctrine is of Faith on God, comprehending the habit and acts of that Divine Grace, of evidence, subsistence, assent and affiance, chap. 11.1. all the effects of it; and this exercised on God in his Essence, Relations, especially in his gracious contrivance and execution of the Work of Redemption for Sinners; as giving Reconciliation, Righteousness, Holiness, Adoption and Eternal Salvation through Christ, fulfilling all Righteousness by his Death, as a Sacrifice satisfying his Justice, and meriting, as purchasing all these Blessings for Believers, and effectually from Heaven is dispensing them to them.

Marginal references: Or, the word of the beginning of Christ.