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 ...

§. 45. Of seeking while the time of finding remaineth.

THat which the Apostle would have especially to be observed in the testimony of David, is this word, To day.

It is here indefinitety taken for a continued present time (as was shewed, Chap. 3. v. 7. §. 76. & v. 13. §. 146.) For on that word resteth the force of his Argument, whereby he proveth that Canaan cannot be the Rest which David inciteth them to seek after.

To make his meaning the more clear, he addeth this clause, a After so long a time. This hath reference to that time, wherein the unbelieving Israelites perish∣ed in the wildernesse, and entred not into Canaan, but their children entred, N•…•…. 14 30, 31. Betwixt that and Davids time, there passed more then four hundred and fifty years, Acts 13. 20. Well therefore might the Apostle use this indefinite phrase, After so long a time.

The Apostles Argument may thus be framed:

That Rest whereinto men are invited to enter four hundred and fifty years af∣ter a Rest possessed, is another Rest then that which is possessed.

But the Rest intended by David, is a Rest whereinto he inviteth men to enter four hundred and fifty years after Canaan was possessed.

Therefore Canaan is not that Rest whereinto David inviteth men to enter.

This continuance of [To day] after so long a time, and stirring up people to make the right use thereof, sheweth, that so long as the date of a promise lasteth▪ the fruit of that promise may be expected. Where the Psalmist layeth down the ground of his hope in God, and of his seeking of mercy, he thus expresseth that ground, Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Psalm 77. 8. These interrogatives are strong negatives: as if he had said, I am sure that

〈◊〉〈◊〉 mercy is not clean gone, and that his promise doth not fail: therefore I hope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mercy: therefore I depend upon his promise. On this ground it is that the Prophet exhorteth to seek the Lord while he may be found (Isa. 55. 6.) And that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apostle exhorteth to seek grace, in the accepted time, and day of salvation, 1 Cor. 6. 1, 2.

While the date of Gods promise lasteth, Gods truth stands engaged for the per∣•…•…ance of his word: So as we may well expect the fruit of it, if we seek it •…•…ght. Yet is the time for us to apply this point to our selves, To day is yet con∣•…•…ed among us. As God in David, so still in his Ministers, he limiteth a certain day, bying, To day.

Though it hath long continued, yet is not the date hereof clean past. Many in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times have made the right use of To day, and are entred into rest. Others have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slip, and deprived themselves of rest.

For us who yet live, who yet live under the Gospel, it remaineth either to make sure that rest to our souls: or to make irrecoverable forfeiture thereof. Be not therefore so foolish, as to continue to provoke Gods pa∣•…•…, and long sufferance, till the date of it be past. Despisest thou the rich∣•…•… of Gods goodnesse, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the •…•…usse of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardnesse, and impe∣•…•… heart, treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath, Rom. 2. 4, 5.

Notes

• David speaks of a Rest four hundred and fifty years after Canaan was entred into.
• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• There is hope while the sea∣son lasteth.