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 ...

§. 75. Of Gods being pacified with his consederates.

THe Lord thus setteth down the ground of pardon of sin, I will be mercifull to their unrighteousnesse. The a 1.1 Greek word properly signifieth one that is appeased, or pacifi•…•…d by a Mediator. The Hebrew word used by the Prophet, (Ier. 31. 34.) may also be applyed to the same sense. We translate it forgive: which is the gene∣rall intendment of it. For they that are appeased, do use to forgive. That He∣brew word is translated, spare, Deut. 29. 20. Another c 1.2 Hebrew word of the* 1.3 same Letters, but transposed, hath a contrary signification: for it signifieth to con∣sume, or utterly destroy, Deut. 28. 38.

There is another d 1.4 Hebrew word, oft used in the same sense that the word of my Text is, which properly signifieth to cover, and metaphorically to make an at∣tonement, Lev. 16. 33, 34. The cover of the Ark had e 1.5 a name derived from this word, and translated in English, a mercy-seat, Exod. 25. 17, 18. The Latine trans∣lates the word of my Text, and this latter H•…•…brew word, propitius, and we in imita∣tion thereof propitious, that is, pacified, favourable, mercifull. Hence is it that Christ is called f 1.6 a propitiation, Rom. 3. 25. 1 Joh. 2. 2. One that doth appease: so as the mercy of God presupposeth the mediation of Christ.

This is the ground of Gods pardoning our sins. Thus much is implyed under this phrase: he will be mercifull unto his land, and to his people, Deut. 32. 43. On this ground the Publican thus prayeth, God be mercifull to me a sinner: Luk. 18. 13. And on the same ground the Lord promiseth to pardon his people. For where Moses thus prayeth, Pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatnesse of thy merc•…•…, the Lord returneth this answer, I have pardoned according to thy word, Num. 14. 19, 20.

•…•…here it is said to the Lord, There is forgivenesse with thee, (Psal. 130. 4.) the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my Text is used.

This is a great encouragement to go to the throne of grace, where is the foun∣tain of all blessing. Whereas, dread of the divine Majesty, and fear of divine wrath and vengeance keeps many from approaching thereunto, that dread and fear is re∣•…•…, in that the foresaid throne is to Gods confederates a propitiatory, a mercy 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which was prefigured by the cover of the Ark, Exod. 25. 17. When David be•…•…rd that Saul was pacified towards him, he was in his presence as in times past, 1 Sam. 19. 7. and when Absalom heard that, his fathers heart was toward him, he came 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Sam. 14. 33. Yet these were but men, and prone to alter their mind. S•…•…ould not we much more upon this ground of the pacification of the immutable God boldly approach to him.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Of the deriva∣tion of this word. See Chap. •…•…. v. 1•…•…. Sect. 180.
• c 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ va∣stavit.
• * 1.3

  (b) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro∣pitius fuit.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ope∣ruit.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Propitiator∣ium.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉