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 ...

§. 94. Of the letter covenant or Testament.

THe subject whereabout Christs suretiship is exercised, is here stiled a 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Indeed the Greek word so translated is oft put for a testament, as, Matth. 26. •…•…8. Gal. 3. 15. Heb. 9. 16, 17.

The derivation of the word doth also imply as much: for it is derived from b 1.2 a verb that signifieth, among other acceptions, to dispose of a thing by will. But that Greek verb doth also signifie c 1.3 to make a covenant, and from that signification the Greek noun here used, may be translated a covenant, and so it is most usually taken in the New Testament, Luk. 1. 72. Act. 3. 25. and 7. 8. Rom. 11. 27 Heb. 8. 6.

There is another d 1.4 Greek word, which by other Authors is used for a cove∣nant: but not in the New Testament.

The e 1.5 Hebrew word doth properly signifie a covenant, as is evident by the •…•…∣tation thereof. The LXX (whose phrase and stile the pen-men of the New •…•…∣ment do much follow) do translate that Hebrew word which properly signifieth a covenant, with the Greek word that is here used in this Text.

In this place the word, covenant, seemes to be the more proper: for the office of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath a more fit relation to a covenant, then to a testament. Yet I will not deny, but that which is a covenant in matter, and in the manner of making it, may in regard of the confirmation thereof by death, be a testament. Thus that which in the Old Testament was a covenant, by the death of Christ, may in the New Te∣stament be stiled a Testament.

Quest. Wherein lyeth the difference betwixt a Covenant and a Testament.

Answ.

• 1. A covenant is an agreement between two, at least. A Testament is the Declaration of the will of one.
• 2. The two, or more between whom a covenant passeth must be all living. A* 1.6 testament receiveth force by the death of him that made it.
• 3. A covenant is ratified by the mutuall consent of all that make it, on every side. A testament is ratified by the will only of him that made it.
• 4. A covenant useth to be made on conditions on both sides. A testament is made upon the meer favour and grace of the testator.

The covenant or testament here mentioned is called better in reference to the co∣venant* 1.7 that was made under the Leviticall Priest-hood: not in the matter, but ra∣ther in the form and manner of delivering it: not in the substance, but rather in certain accidents or circumstances: which are these.

• 1. A more cleer manifestation thereof by the Gospell, Eph. 3. 5.
• 2. A most sure ratification of it, by the death of Christ, Heb. 9. 15.
• 3. A more mighty operation by the work of Gods Holy Spirit, accompany∣ing the Ministry of the Gospell, 2 Cor. 3. 6.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Testor, testamento statuo.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Act. 3. 25.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pactum. f•…•…-dus.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 s•…•…∣dus. a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 elegit. 1 Sam. 17. 8. In foederibus sauclendis solent esse selectae personae, conditiones, aliaeque circumstantiae. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 edit, 2 Sam. 13. 6, •…•…∣deribus p•…•…ciscendis solebant epulari Gen 26. 30. and 31. 46. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 transposita litera a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 divisit. Na•…•… •…•…∣lim fiet ant dividendis sacrificiis, Gen. 15. 10. Jer. 34. 18, 19. Livius Hist. Dec. 1. Lib. 1. de more feriendi 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Si populus Rom. detexit dolo mala, tu Iupiter sic ferito, ut ego hunc porcum feriam: Id ubi dixit, sacerd•…•…s, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, silice percussit 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 saepe jungitur cum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 percussit. Nam foedere ineundo solebant complodere manus: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dextras, Job. 17. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 saepe junguntur, Exod. 34. 10, 12, 15, 27. & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 intelligetur 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Primitur, 1 Sam. 20. 16, 1 King. 8. 9.
• * 1.6

  Wherein a Covenant and Testament differ.
• * 1.7

  Wherein the Christian Covenant bet∣ter. See Chap. 8. v. 8. Sect. 52, 53.