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 ...

§. 28. Of Gods works, and his finishing them.

UNder this indefinite word a 1.1 the works, all the creatures which God made, with∣in the compasse of the first six daies, are comprised.

b 1.2 The Greek Noun properly signifieth a thing done with pains and labour.

The c 1.3 Verb which is of the same notation, signifieth to work or to labour: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1 Cor. 4. 12. Ioh. 16. 27. This is attributed to God by way of resemblance, after* 1.4 the manner of man. When a man hath effected a thing, and made that which was not before, we call it his work. Now man can do nothing without some worki•…•…g or labouring about it. But God needs no such thing. What God willed to be, •…•…s so and so, as he willed it. Thus much is intended under this phrase, God said, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there be, &c. Gen. 1. 3. By Gods saying is meant the manifestation of his will, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this sense the Centurion, who believed Christ to be God, said, Speak the word•…•…, and my servant shall be heal•…•…d, (Mat. 8. 8.) Do but only declare thy will to heal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 servant, and he shall be healed.

Of those works it is here said, that God d 1.5 finished them. The Greek word t•…•…∣ted finished, in generall signifieth e 1.6 to be or to be made. But because a thing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 properly be said to be, or to be made, till it be fully finished, and till all things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pertaining thereto be accomplished, the word here in this place is fully transl•…•… finished: the rather because it is attributed unto God, of whose works it is exp•…•… said, that they f 1.7 were finished, Gen. 2. 1.

God is said to finish his works in two especiall respects.

1. In regard of the number of them. There was so full a number every where, that* 1.8 there was no need of adding any more thereto.

Object. It is said after Gods rest on the seventh day, that God planted a garden 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and that he made out of the ground to grow every tree that is pleasant to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fight and good for food: and it is also said that God made a woman, Gen. 2. •…•…, 9, 22.

〈◊〉〈◊〉. Though these be mentioned in the History after the mention of the Sab∣•…•…, yet they were all made within the six daies: Eden and the trees therein were •…•…e on the fourth day, Gen. 1. 12. and the woman on the sixth day: for then he •…•…e them male and female, Gen. 1. 27. All the creatures that were made are com∣•…•…sed in the first Chapter of Genesis: in the second Chapter he sets down the distinct 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of making many things. Mention is there made of the manner of making 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself, v. 7. who notwithstanding is expresly said to be created on the sixth 〈◊〉〈◊〉. G•…•…. 1. 27.

Here by the way take notice of the absurd doctrine of Popish Transubstantia∣•…•…,* 1.9 whereby Papists imagine such a creature to be made as God never made: a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that cannot be seen or felt: an humane body in the form of bread: and blood •…•…ch likewise cannot be seen nor felt, but appears in the shew of wine. To omit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 absurdities, this seemeth to adde a strange new creature to the creatures •…•…ch God made in the six daies, as if he had not then finished all.

2. In regard of the perfection of every particular creature God is said to finish* 1.10 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Nothing needed to be added to any, neither did any thing need to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to make it better. I know, saith the wise man, that whatsoever God doth, it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it, Eccles. 3. 14. Is this respect it is said of every creature which God made, It was very good, G•…•…. 1. 36.

Such was Gods wisdom as he saw what shape, stature, proportion and property was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for every thing.

Such was his power, as he was able to effect whatsoever in wisdom he saw meet.

Such was his goodnesse, as he would answerably create and order every thing.

•…•…earn to admire every work of God, and to adore and reverence the Lord him∣self that made them.

Rest content in what he doth; submit to him in all his works. Seek not to alter them, Matth. 5. 36. & 6. 27. & 10. 30.

Learn of God to finish what belongeth unto thee before thou leave thy work of thyself. It was Christs meat to do the will of him that sent him, and to finish his •…•…rk, Joh. 4. 34. Yea he layeth a necessity upon himself in this respect, saying, I •…•…st work the works of him that sent me while it is day. We cannot finish our work •…•…ll our day be ended. Therefore whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy •…•…ight, &c. Eccl. 9. 10.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  See Chap. 1. v. 10. §. 132, 134 How God is said to work.
• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vel 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Sum, F•…•…o.
• f 1.7

  ^f 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.8

  God finished the full number of creatures.
• * 1.9

  Against Tran∣substantiation.
• * 1.10

  God perfected every creature.