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 ...

§. 39. Of a covenant divine and humane.

THere being expresse mention made in this verse of a new covenant, my purpose is to endeavour to set it forth at large: and for that end distinctly to note,

• 1. What a covenant in generall is.
• 2. What kinds of covenant are mentioned in Scripture.
• 3. What is the difference betwixt the old, and new covenant.

Of the notation of the a 1.1 Hebrew and b 1.2 Greek words translated covenant. See Chap. 7. v. 22. §. 94.

I. A covenant in generall intendeth an agreement.

An agreement is sometimes on one part only, and setteth out an absolute promise.* 1.3 Thus Gods promise of not destroying the earth any more with a flood, is called his covenant, Gen. 9. 9, 11. In this respect a Testament is called a covenant. See Chap. 7. v. 22. §. 94.

But for the most part, a covenant is put for an agreement betwixt two: if not two single persons only, yet two sides. Then it consisteth of two parts.

• 1. A promise of one party.
• 2. A restipulation or retribution by the other party.* 1.4

In the latter sense a covenant is taken tropically or properly.

Tropically, when by a synecdocke a part is put for the whole: (thus the promise is called a covenant, Exod. 2. 24.) or by a metonimy, the seal or signe of the cove∣nant, is put for the covenant it self, Gen. 17. 10.

Properly a covenant is taken, when with a promise there is a kind of retribution, or restipulation of performing some duty. Thus a covenant binds each to other: as Deut. 26. 17, 18.

A covenant thus taken, is either divine or humane.* 1.5

Humane betwixt man and man, Gen. 21. 27.

Divine betwixt God and man. This is twofold.

One is made by God with man.

The other by man with God. In this, man to obtain some speciall blessing from God, binds himself to some speciall duty to God. In this respect saith Hezekiah, It* 1.6 is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord, &c. 2 Chro. 29. 10. Thus also Ze∣dekiah, and his people made a covenant that every man should let his man-servant, and every man his maid-servant being an Hebrew, or an Hebrewesse go free, according to the law, Ier. 34. 8, 9. Hereof are two parts,

• 1. A prayer for obtaining good, or removing evill.
• ...

• 2. A promise made for performing duty. Neh. 9. 32, 38. This is, as a vow.

It is divine, because we have therein to do with God.

In the covenant which God maketh with man, God freely promiseth some speci∣all good to man, and requireth man in way of gratitude, to perform some speciall day to God, which, he that expecteth to partake of the benefit of the promise must •…•…take to do, Gen. 17. 7, 10, 14. This is that which here we intend to speak of.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.3

  What a cove∣nant is.
• * 1.4

  Two parts of a covenant.
• * 1.5

  Covenant humane.
• * 1.6

  Covenant di∣vine.