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 ...

§. 30. Of the Interpretation of the former part of Heb. 4. 4.

Verse 4.

For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise? And G•…•… did rest the seventh day from all his works.

BOth the particle of connexion (which is a causall conjunction, a 1.1 FOR) a•…•…d the very matter of this verse, do evidently demonstrate, that it is broug•…•… in as a proof of that which went before: namely, that God finished his wor•…•…. This is proved by Gods resting. A wise man that undertakes a work, will not 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or clean give over his work till it be finished. If any do otherwise, he gives occ•…•…∣sion to men to mock him, Luk. 14. 29, 30. We cannot therefore think, that God, who is wisdom it self, would rest till he had finished what he intended. Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 imitating God herein, See the later end of § 28.

The kinde of proof is drawn from a Divine testimony, which is thus intimated, He spake.

• 1. He names not the Author, but indefinitely saith HE. This having reference to the sacred Scripture, out of which the words which he quoteth are taken, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 needs be meant, if we consider the principall Author, of the Holy Ghost, whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expressed, Chap 3, v. 7. or if we consider the Penman, of Moses, who wrote 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Book out of which this testimony was taken. Now these Hebrews well knew 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ God was the Author of the whole Scripture, and that Moses wrote as he was •…•…∣ved by the holy Ghost. Therefore the Apostle thought it sufficient thus to inti•…•… the principall or ministeriall Author, b 1.2 He spake.
• 2. He expresseth, nor Book, nor Chapter, but only saith, c 1.3 In a certain 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Of this manner of quoting a text, and of the Greek particle thus translated, in certain place. See Chap. 2. v. 6 §. 52.

Though the main scope of the Apostle was to demonstrate a Rest to be obser•…•… in the beginning of the world, yet because the very distinct day of Rest was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remarkable in producing the testimony, he expresly premiseth, that the testi•…•… is d 1.4 of the seventh day.

This seventh day here mentioned, was the last day of the first week 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ever was.* 1.5

It may be that from this instance of Gods observing the first seventh day, 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 of seven was in succeeding ages so highly esteemed, as it was accounted a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of perfection.

As at first seven daies made up a week, (Gen. 2. 2.) so sundry Feasts consisted of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daies, (Lev. 23. 3, 6, 15. 34.) The year of rest was the seventh year, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Jubilee was the seven times seventh year, (Levit. 25. 4, 8.) The time of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 uncleanness was seven daies, (Lev. 12. 2.) A leper was to be cleansed on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seventh day, (Lev. 14. 9.) Seven daies was the time of consecrating a Priest, (〈◊〉〈◊〉. 29. 35.) and the Altar, (Exod. 29. 37.) Seven daies was the time for pre∣•…•… a sacrifice, (Levit. 22. 27.) and for keeping the Lords watch, (Lev. 8. 35.) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of expiation was to be sprinkled seven times, (Lev. 16. 14.) and also oyl of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, (Lev. 8. 11.) Naaman was to wash himself seven times, (2 King. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉) There were wont to be seven daies of fasting, (1 Sam. 31. 13.) And of feast∣•…•…, (2 Chron. 7. 9.) seven Bullocks and seven Rams used to be offered up to make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…onement. God commanded Iobs friends so to do, (Iob 42. 8) Balaam had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as much, (Numb. 23. 1.) Sundry other sevens are mentioned, both in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and new Testament, especially in the Book of the Revelation. So as the number 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had in it a mystery above other numbers.

That the proof might be the more clearly and fully discerned, the Apostle makes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of setting it down in the very words of the Author thereof: as is im∣•…•… by this phrase, on this wise. This is the Interpretation of one Greek Adverb, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 word for word in English signifieth * 1.6 SO. Of quoting Scripture in the very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof, See Chap. 3. v. 7. §. 74.

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 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  Seven a number of perfection.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.