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 ...

§. 80. Of the old Covenant abrogated.

Heb. 8. 13.

In that he saith, a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decay∣eth, and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

THe conclusion of the Apostles argument concerning the deficiency of the old covenant is here laid down.

The argument was this,

If the first covenant had been faultlesse, no place had been sought for the se∣cond.

But place was sought for a second.

Therefore the first was not faultlesse.

The proposition is plainly set down in the seventh verse.

The assumption is largely proved by a divine testimony, v. 8, 9, &c.

The conclusion is here in this Text.

This conclusion is laid down as a just consequence following upon the foresaid testimony, as is evident, by this clause, a 1.1 In that he saith,

The force of the consequence lyeth in this, That the introduction of a new form presupposeth the abolition of the former. The building of a new house, where an* 1.2 old one was, presupposeth a pulling down of the old.

The word, covenant, is not in the Greek: but fitly supplyed out of the eight verse.

Of this epithite, new, see v. 8. §. 35.

Why the old covenant is called the first. See v. 7. §. 27.

The word translated, he hath b 1.3 made old, is the same that is used, Chap. 1. v. 11. §. 139. Only that is of the passive voyce, and signifieth to wax old: but this of the

〈◊〉〈◊〉, and signifieth, to make old; so as this is here meant of the long continuance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that covenant, as if, like an hous•…•…, or a garment, or a man, by long continuance it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 old: for the new covenant hath already continued longer then that did, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is not old: but continueth new.

The old covenant, whereof the Apostle speaketh, continued little more then the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of fifteen hundred years. Namely, betwixt Moses and Christ: yet the new co∣venant hath continued above sixteen hundred years, and is still new, and so will be to the end of the world, though the world should continue more years then yet it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 done.

The oldnesse of the covenant, here mentioned, is by reason of the weaknesse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of it. God hath dealt with it as with an old thing, which is of to further use: he hath taken it away, and put a new one instead thereof.

It is here taken for granted, that the covenant made with the Iewes was an old* 1.4 one. So it is expresly stiled, 2 Cor. 3. 14. That covenant is comprised under those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things, which are said to be past away, 2 Cor. 5. 17.

• 1. So it was in regard of the scantinesse and faultinesse of it, see v. 7. §. 27.
• 2. It is made and manifested to be old by substituting a new one in the room of it. This reason the Apostle himself here induceth.

This the Apostle thus concludeth, to draw the minds of Christians from it. As be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the covenant that now we have, new, to move us the rather to rest there∣upon: so the other old, to keep us from resting upon it. Old things are not regar∣d•…•…d. Who will purchase an old rotten house? who cares for old ragged apparell? who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rellish old musty bread? As old things are passed away, (2 Cor. 5. 17.) so they are passed by and not regarded.

If the Jewish covenant be abolished because it was old, how much more must the old man be put off, Eph. 4. 22. and the old leaven be purged out, 1 Cor. 5. 7.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  A new form presupposeth a removall of the old.
• b 1.3

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

  The covenant with the Jews an old one.