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 ...

§. 77. Of the absolute promises of the new covenant.

THe manner of expressing all the forementioned promises of the new covenant is absolute, so as God undertaketh to perform them all: thus, I will put my lawe•…•… into their minds; I will be to them a God: All shall know me: I will be mercifull to their sins. Hereby it is manifest that the priviledges of the new covenant are abso∣lutely promised to be perfomed on Gods part. It is God that justifieth, Rom. 8. 33. Sanctification is absolutely promised, Ezek. 36. 25, &c. So the parts thereof. Con∣cerning mortification it is said, Sin shall not have dominion over you, Rom. 6. 14. Con∣cerning vivification it is also said: He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortall bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you, Rom. 8. 11. Concern∣ing perseverance it is said, Christ shall confirm you unto the end, &c. 1 Cor. 1. 8. and for the blessed end of them all, Christ saith, It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome, Luk. 12. 32.

Experience of mans vanity and folly in forfeiting the first covenant, when he had power and ability given him to keep it, moveth God in his tender respect to man, not to leave the receiving of the benefit of the new covenant in mans power and will: but to undertake the whole work himself: and absolutely to promise, both the meanes and end of all.

• 1. Herein lyeth a main difference betwixt the covenant of works and grace. In both life is promised; but in the former upon condition of perfect obedience to be performed on mans part. In the latter absolutely.

Object. There is also a condition of faith and repentance required by the new co∣v•…•…nant, Mark. 1. 15.

Answ.

• 1. He that requireth that condition, promiseth also to work it in us, for fai•…•…h is the gift of God, Eph. 2. 8. And God also worketh repentance in his conse∣derates.
• 2. Faith is only a meanes of receiving Christ, who hath purchased life for us: and repentance is a qualification to fit us for the fruition thereof.
• 3. They are enjoyned as evidences to give us assurance that God hath prepared eternall life for us.
• 4. God, who beginneth the grace in us by his Spirit, continueth that Spi∣rit of his to nourish and increase all needfull grace, till we be brought to the end of all, the salvation of our souls.

• 2. Upon these absolute promises we ought to believe that they shall be all accomplished: so assuredly it shall be according to our faith. In prayer for knowledge of Gods will, for having it put in our hearts, for pardon of sinne, yea, and for eternall life let our faith be fixed on

• Gods absolute promises: thus shall we bring much comfort to our souls. This is o•…•…e end of joyning Amen to the end of our prayers: thereof see the guide to go to God. §. 242, 244. Of absolute promises and the use of them, see the whole Armour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 G•…•…d, Treat. 2. Part. 6. On Eph. 6. 16. Of Faith. §. 75.