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 ...

§. 86. Of the meaning of these words, For the Law made nothing perfect.

Heb. 7. 19.

For the Law made nothing perfect: but the bringing in of a better 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which we draw nigh unto God.

IN this verse an evidence is given of the weaknesse and unprofitablenesse of the Leviticall Law, which is this, that a 1.1 it made nothing perfect. What is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by perfection hath been shewed, v. 11. §. 61. If we put the Apostles argument 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a syllogistical form, the point intended by the Apostle will appear to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, thus,

That Law which makes nothing perfect is weak and unprofitable.

But the Law of the Leviticall Priest-hood makes nothing perfect, therefore it is weak and unprofitable.

The force of the argument lyeth in this, that it is the end of a Law to make those to whom it belongeth perfect. Now that Law which cannot effect that, which is* 1.2 the main end thereof, must needs be weak and unprofitable.

To make perfect, so as is here intended, namely to work and accomplish all those graces that may bring men to glory, is above the power of any external thing 〈◊〉〈◊〉

by man. To work such perfection of grace as may bring to perfect glory, is a di∣•…•… work, and cannot be effected but by a divine power: even the power of God himself.

He here useth a word of the neuter gender, b 1.3 nothing, as being most fit to set 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an universality: but he intendeth thereby mens persons; as if he had said, no 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Thus the neuter gender is used to set out persons, Ioh. 6. 37, 40. c 1.4 All that the Father giveth me, and d 1.5 every one which seeth the Son.

Upon that which hath been said of the weaknesse and unprofitablenesse of the* 1.6 Law of the Leviticall Priest-hood, and upon the foresaid ground hereof, the positi∣on of Papists, about Sacraments conferring grace e 1.7 by the work done, appeareth to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and hereticall. The Sacraments which the Jewes had, are comprised under that Law. In regard of the externall work, what have the Sacraments of the New Testament more then the Sacraments of the Old? They are all institutions and or∣dinances of God, and external parts of his worship, and appointed in general to the same ends; namely, to keep men in obedience, to strengthen their faith and testifie their repentance. They all have the same spiritual object and thing signified. The Jewes in their Sacraments did eat the same spirituall meat and drink the same spiri∣tuall drink, 1 Cor. 10. 3, 4. The difference was in the manner of setting out Christ the thing signified. They were types of Christ to come, and set him out more ob∣scurely; ours are memorials of Christ exhibited, and set him out more cleerly. In that power which they give to Sacraments, they make them plain Idols: for they attribute to them that which is proper to God. To make perfect is to regenerate, justifie, and sanctifie men: but all these are the work of God: Ioh. 1. 13. Isa. 53. 11. Rom. 1. 4.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  See v. 11. Sect. 61. and Chap. 9. v. 9. Sect. 49.
• b 1.3

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

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

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

  Sacraments do not conser grace.
• e 1.7

  Ex opero operato See Chap. 10. v. 4. Sect. 9.