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 ...

§. 24. Of Christ the Mediator of a Covenant.

CHrists Mediatorship is here in speciall applyed to the Covenant. This is the Covenant whereof Christ is said to be a Surety. Hereof see Chap. 7. v. 22. §. 93, 94. He is also stiled the Mediator of the New Testament, Heb. 9. 15. And the Mediator of the New Covenant, Heb. 12. 24.

This Christ is said to be in two respects.

• 1. In that he hath procured a Covenant to passe betwixt God and man. As up∣on* 1.1 rebels rising against their King, if the Kings Son should interpose himself as a Mediator betwixt his Father and those subjects, and so handle the matter as to pro∣cure an agreement, and a Covenant thereupon, he might be called, the Mediator of that Covenant: a Mediator that procured it.
• 2. In that he hath ingaged himself to see on both parts that Covenant performed. Thus he is called a surety of t•…•…e Covenant: see Chap. 7. v. 22. §. 93.

This Christ undertook to do in his respect to God and man.* 1.2

• 1. To God, that he might set forth the honor of his Father. For never, since the world began, was there such an instance of Gods wisdome, power, truth, justice and mercy, as the reconciliation between God and man effected by Christ. See Chap. 2. v. 10. §. 87.
• 2. To man, that he might free him out of the most miserable and desperate case that a creature could be in, and bring him to the most happy state that a creature could be brought unto.

• 1. This affords matter of great admiration: for of all offices that Christ under∣took,* 1.3 this doth most especially commend his love unto us: especially if we duly weigh the dignity of his person, and unworthinesse of ours: the heynousnesse of mans sin, and the fiercenesse of Gods wrath: the meanes which Christ used to pacifie that wrath, and the ben•…•…fit which redoundeth to us thereby.
• 2. This also ministers much matter of consolation, for it is a strong prop to our* 1.4 faith. Christ being the Mediator of a Covenant betwixt God and man, mans faith is supported by two most stable and everlasting pillars; which are, The mercy, and faithfulnesse of God. His mercy in vouchsafing to be appeased so far, as to enter in∣to Covenant with man. His faithfulnesse in making good his Covenant, which is a point of j•…•…stice, and in reference hereunto Saints have appealed to the righteous∣n•…•…sse and justice of God.
• ...

• 3. This also gives to us, who are Gods confederates, great and just cause to be* 1.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 carefull of keeping Covenant on our part. Our Mediator and surety is inga∣•…•… hereupon. If we make forfeiture on our part, we give God just occasion, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us on his part the benefit of the Covenant.

This point of Christ being Mediator of a Covenant, is much amplified by this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 added thereunto, better. He is the Mediator of a better Covenant. Hereof see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chap. 7. v. 22. §. 94.

Notes

• * 1.1

  How Christ is the Mediator of the Cove∣nant.
• * 1.2

  Why Christ undertook to be a Mediator of the Cove∣nant.
• * 1.3

  Chris•…•…s love evidenced in his Mediation.
• * 1.4

  •…•…aith suppor∣t•…•…d by Christs Mediation.
• * 1.5

  Why covenant to be kept with God.