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 ...

§. 58. Of reconciling the Prophet and the Apostle.

THe rebellion of the Israelites is thus expressed, a 1.1 Because they continued not in my covenant. In quoting this part of the Text, there is some difference betwixt this and the Hebrew, which thus expresseth it, (b) Which my covenant they brake.

Answ.

• 1. The Apostle holdeth close to the LXX. of whom, see Chap. 1. v. 6. §. 72.* 1.2
• 2. He retaineth the true sense, and full meaning of the Prophet, and withall ex∣plaineth the same: for out of the Apostles words two things may be gather∣ed,
  • 1. That not to continue in Gods covenant is to break it, or to make it void.
  • 2. That their not continuing in Gods covenant was a just cause of taking it a∣way. Therefore the Apostle brings it in with this causall conjunction, c 1.3 because, d 1.4 The Hebrew word also translated, which, is used as a cau∣sall conjunction. Indeed the weaknesse of the covenant it self was one cause of nulling it: but their breaking of it was another. Many causes may concurre to the making void of a thing. How the weaknesse of the

• ...
  • covenant it self, and the confederates violation thereof may be accounted causes of abrogating it, is shewed, v. 8. §. 30.

This other clause, e 1.5 and I regarded them not, seemeth much more to swerve from the Prophet, who thus expresseth the mind of God, f 1.6 Although I was an husband unto them.

Answ.

• 1. The Prophet directeth Gods speech to the Israelites, while they re∣mained the people of the Lord, not clean cast off, and thereupon setteth out the meer relation betwixt God and them, to aggravate their •…•…in the more. For hereby it appeareth, that they were as an adulterous wife, which had on her part broken the matrimoniall bond, and thereby provoked God to break the covenant on his part. Thus the cause of abrogating that covenant is by the Prophet declared to be on their part. But the Apostle speaking of the covenant abrogated after their rejection, sets down the effect thereof, which was, that God regarded them not. He would not any longer shew himself an husband unto them. Thus in regard of the diffe∣rent times, wherein the Prophet and Apostle wrote, that which by the former is de∣clared to be deserved on the peoples part, is by the latter shewed to be executed on Gods part. One sets down the cause, or provocation: the other, the effect or exe∣cution of one and the same thing. Thus there is no contradiction in the Apostles words to that which the Prophet had said, but a manifestation of that which the Prophet intended, to be accomplished.
• 2. Some read the Prophets words interrogatively thus, Should I have continued an husband unto them? So it is in the margin of our English Bible. Thus is God brought in as casting off all further care of them, and not regarding them, as the A∣postle expresseth it. The Prophet speaks to the rebellious people themselves: and therefore sets down the mind of God with a kind of indignation interrogadvely. But the Apostle speaketh of a people that had received their doome and punishment: and therefore expresseth it more plainly and clearly.
• 3. The word used by the Prophet and translated, g 1.7 I was an husband, is a vebb, and signifieth also, h 1.8 to have dominion. So it is translated, 1 Cor. 4. 22. Thus doth the vulgar Latine, and sundry others ancient and later interpreters of the Prophet Ieremy take it in that place. Now to have dominion is sometimes taken in the wor∣ser part, namely, to keep them under in a kind of slavery over whom they have do∣minion, and to trample upon them: so is that word used, Isa. 26. 13. and such are apparently not regarded.

Every of the foresaid answers are sufficient to reconcile the seeming difference be∣tween the Prophet and Apostle.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 qui•…•… Pagnin. Vata∣bl. Mam. Tre∣mel. & Iuu.
• e 1.5

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vel 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 significat domi∣nare.