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 ...

§. 44. Of uses raised from the covenant of works.

• 1. THe foresaid covenant of works instructeth us in four especiall points.* 1.1
  • 1. In the integrity, holinesse, and perfection of Gods will. For that co∣venant is a plat-form of Gods will. There is nothing therein, but* 1.2 that which is holy, just, and good; (Rom. 7. 12.) and all holinesse, righteousnesse▪ and goodnesse fit to be enjoyned unto man is therein set down. That we may know thus much, the law still remaines re∣gistred for our use.
  • 2. In that duty which men as greatures do owe to the Lord: and which* 1.3 the Lord may exact of them. For God may still exact what is in the covenant of works, and made known by the law: and it is our duty to yeeld it unto him. That impotency and disability which man had brought upon himself gives him no just dispensation from that that is contained in that covenant, if God should in justice deal with him.
  • 3. In that wofull plight whereinto man hath implunged himself by trans∣gressing* 1.4 that covenant. For
    • 1. He hath forfeited all that glory and happinesse wherein God at first did create him.
    • 2. He hath pulled upon himself a curse, which is mercilesse and re∣medilesse.
  • ...

• ...
  • 4. In the great need, yea and absolute necessity of a Redeemer, and such a Re∣deemer* 1.5 as Christ is. For Christ is the only means to free man out of that misery. Acts 4. 12. In this respect the Law is our Schoolmaster to bring us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, Gal. 3. 24.
• 2 The Covenant of works ministereth matter of humiliation, and that in foure* 1.6 respects.
  • 1. For that sin that Adam committed. Adam was a publick person, and we all were in his loins, and sinned in him. Rom. 5. 12.* 1.7
  • 2. For that natural corruption wherein we are all conceived and born. For it is against that integrity which the Law or Covenant of works requireth* 1.8 of man. The Law is spiritual (Rom. 7. 14.) and condemneth the polluti∣on and pravity of our nature.
  • 3. For the many actual sins which we continually commit in thought, word & * 1.9 deed: and that by doing that which is evil, or leaving any good undone, or evilly performing the good which we take in hand. For they are all ex∣presly against the Covenant of Works.
  • 4. For all the effects of Gods wrath which fall on us, ours or others, in body* 1.10 or soul, here or hereafter. They are all caused by transgressing the Cove∣nant of works.
• 3. The Covenant of works giveth direction about two things especially.* 1.11
  • 1. To acquaint our selves with that Covenant: because it contains a per∣fect and everlasting rule of righteousnesse, and sheweth what is good,* 1.12 what evil: what lawful, what unlawful, so as thereby we may learn what is the will of God, Rom. 7. 12. It also setteth out sin to the life: so as thereby we may know the horror thereof, Rom. 7. 7. and 3. 20.
  • 2. To examine our selves thereby, Isaiah 8. 20. This is that glasse which* 1.13 will shew unto us every spot upon our soul.
• 4▪ That Covenant affords matter of gratulation in two especial respects.
  • 1. For Gods great and good respect to man in giving his Son to be our* 1.14 Surety, who in our nature, and in our stead, even for us perfectly ful∣filled that Covenant of works, Rom. 8. 3. and endured to the full, the curse which we had deserved, that we might be freed from the* 1.15 same, Gal. 3. 13.
  • 2. For Gods special care over his Elect, called by the Gospel and be∣lieving* 1.16 in Christ, whom he hath freed from the Covenant of Works: so as they are neither to be justified thereby (for then would they not be justified at all) nor yet to stand to the condemning doome thereof: for then should we be all condemned.
• 5. That Covenant gives us just ground of denying our selves. For the Covenant of* 1.17 works plainly demonstrateth that there is nothing in us, and that nothing can be done by us, which may abide the tryall of that Covenant; for nothing is done ac∣cording to the rule thereof. By it we may see, that all our righteousnesses are as filthy raggs. Isaiah 64. 6. And that all the World is guilty before God. Rom. 3. 19.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The covenant of works in∣structeth.
• * 1.2

  1. In the per∣fection of Gods will.
• * 1.3

  2. In mans duty.
• * 1.4

  3. In the mise∣ry of sinners.
• * 1.5

  4. In the need of a Redeemer
• * 1.6

  The Covenant of works gives matter of hu∣miliation.
• * 1.7

  1. For Adams sinne.
• * 1.8

  2. For natural corruption.
• * 1.9

  3. For actual sins.
• * 1.10

  4. For effects of sinne.
• * 1.11

  The Covenant of works di∣rects us.
• * 1.12

  1. To acquaint our selves with it.
• * 1.13

  2. To examine our selves by it.
• * 1.14

  The Covenant of works gives cause to prayse God.
• * 1.15

  1. For our Surety.
• * 1.16

  2. For freeing us from it.
• * 1.17

  Christian ab∣negation.