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 ... | Early English Books Online | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections

§. 63. The different writing Gods Law in mens hearts under the old and new Covenant.

THe first promise (according to the Prophets and Apostles method) concerning the new covenant, is thus brought in by God himself uttering it. I will put 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lawes into their minde, &c.

A question is here raised, how this can be a priviledge of the new Covenant, se•…•…∣ing it is said of natural men, that they shew the works of the Law written in their hearts. Rom. 2. 15.

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Answ.

1. The Apostle there hath reference to mans innocent estate, when the law was indeed engraven in mans heart: but that which was then engraven, was by his fall defaced and obliterated: therefore the Apostle saith, they then a 1.1 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or effect of the Law written in their heart: that is, they give evidence, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was once written in their heart.
2. The evidences of that former engravement yet remaining are but as small de∣•…•… reliques, having only a lustre to make men inexcusable: but no clear light to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them in the way of happinesse. Therefore notwithstanding their lustre, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said to be, not only dark, but darknesse, Eph. 5. 8.

2. Quest. Had not the faithful before Christs time Gods law wirtten in their heart?

Answ. 1. It cannot be denyed but that they had. God promiseth as much unto them, Deut. 30. 6. And David oft professeth, that Gods law was his delight, and the joy of his heart: and that he applyed his heart thereto, Psal. 119. 77. 111, 112. and in his time he said of a man truly righteous, that, the law of his God is in his heart, Psal. 37. 31.

But yet we are to put difference betwixt the old and new Covenant: the Cove∣nant made with the Church before Christs time, was delivered under dark and ob∣•…•… types, figures, shadows, promises, and prophesies of things to come. So as it was not so clearly, nor so ordinarily, nor so fully written in their hearts. There were but few Davids in that time. But by the effectual work of Gods spirit under the new Covenant, the law is more ordinarily, more plentifully, and more tho∣roughly writ in the hearts of Gods confederates. The opposition therefore is com∣paratise, and the comparison is not betwixt the law, and law-writing and writing: but betwixt the manner of writing one and the same law in the hearts of confede∣•…•…, under the old and new covenant.

By b 1.2 lawes are meant Gods will made known unto his people, which is called a law, because it bindeth all, to whom it is revealed unto obedience: A law is given 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, and necessity lyeth upon them to observe it.

The plural number, laws, is used, because the precepts and promises of Gods cove∣nant are many: but all binding as so many laws. These two words put, write, in∣timate in general one and the same thing; namely, Gods effectual work upon his people, whereby he maketh his word to enter into their inward parts, even into their soul.

This latter word write, is added.

1. To shew that the new covenant is as well written as the old: but yet, after a more excellent manner: that in Tables of stone, this in fleshly Tables of the heart, •…•… Cor. 3. 3.* 1.3
2. To shew the continuance of this effectual work, for things written abide.

These two words also minde, heart, do in general intend one and the same thing, which is a mans soul.

Some, to distinguish them, understand under the former phrase, illumination of the minde: under the latter, renovation of the will: and whereas both the Prophet and Apostle expresly set down illumination in the third promise or priviledge of this new Covenant, they answer, that there is as an apparent difference betwixt illu∣mination, here intended and there, as betwixt the cause & the effect; for here is noted the work of God in putting his lawes into their minde: there the effect of that work, which is their knowing of God.

We may the rather take minde and heart to signifie one and the same thing, be∣cause in Hebrew there is no such distinction made; for there it is thus expressed, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts. Ier. 32. 33. The heart is ordinarily put for the middle or innermost part of a thing: so as by those two phrases, one and the same thing may be meant. The lxx. translate that phrase, in the inward part, thus, In their minde, and the Apostle followes them.