A Commentary on Hebrews 3:7-8, by William Gouge. 1655. The following contains an excerpt from his work.

Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
~ Hebrews 3:7-8

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
~ Hebrews 3:13, Proverbs 27:1, Ecclesiastes 9:10

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
~ 1 Samuel 6:6

Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.
~ Jeremiah 7:26

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
~ Romans 2:5-6

And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
~ Numbers 14:11, Deuteronomy 6:16

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
~ 1 Corinthians 10:9

3. When thou art overtaken with a sinne, speedily return from it and repent; So did Peter, so soon as by hearing the cock crow, and discerning his Lord's beck, he was put in minde of his sinne, he presently repented, He went out and wept bitterly, Luk. 22. 60, 61, 62. The longer sin continues the stronger it groweth; it will fester like a canker, and eat up the life of the soul; Therefore put not off Repentance.

4. After thou hast repented be more watchfull over thy self that thou fall not into a relapse. If after the hand be blistered and healed a man use the hammer again it will wax the harder.

5. Be constant in using means sanctified for softening the heart; Among other means hearing the Gospel is an especiall one to keep or drive off hardness of heart See 77. in the end of it. Therefore suffer the Word to work on thee as it did Iosiah. 2 Kin. 22. 19. Neither put it off as Felix did, Act. 24. 26. nor mock at it the Jews did, Act. 2. 13. nor blaspheme it as other Jews did, Act. 13. 45. ....means adde private, yea, and secret too.

6. Walk continually before God as Enoch did, Gen. 5. 24. This will keep from yeelding to temptations even in secret, Gen. 39 9.

7. Apply judgments on others to thy self, and by judgements on thy self...to examine thy self, and to humble thy soul before God: Joseph's brethren this means were brought to sight of their sin, Gen. 42. 21.

8. Learn to number thy daies aright; This will make thee account every day last, and make thee live as if it were the last day thou shouldst live on earth, and will make thee think more frequently of that account thou art to give to God.

9. At the end of every day examine thy self, and consider what sins have passed from thee. This may be a means of renewing repentance, and keeping thee from hard heart.

10. While thy heart is soft, pray against hardnesse of heart, and desire other to pray for thee.

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