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 ...

§. 81. Of the meaning of the latter part of the 13. verse.

FRom the forementioned conclusion the Apostle inferreth another consequence concerning the vanishing away of that which is old: which he thus bringeth in, Now that which decayeth, &c. The conjunction translated now is the ordinary a 1.1 con∣junction of opposition, which we usually translate, but. As in other places, so here, it is used as a meer supplement for introduction of another clause.

The word thus translated b 1.2 that which decayeth, is drawn from the same root, that the former verb, (translated made old §. 80.) was. Here it is a participle of the* 1.3 passive voyce, and so is translated by most Latine interpreters, d 1.4 that which is made old, Thus it hath reference to Gods disposing of it. He appointed it to be but for a time, and after that time to be abrogated.

The other phrase, e 1.5 waxeth old, is a participle and taken neutrally, and •…•…itly translated as it is. It is derived from a noun which signifieth f 1.6 old age, Luk. 1. 36. The verb is used to set out the old age of Peter thus, g 1.7 when thou shalt be old, John 21. 18. This hath reference to the imbecillity of the covenant it self: which like an old man is so feeble as it cannot long last.

The two foresaid metaphors shew two reasons of the abrogation of the old cove∣nant.

One is taken from the will and wisdome of God. He appointed it so to be. That which God appointeth to be disanull'd cannot stand. Who hath resisted his will? Rom. 9. 19. Who can establish that which God will cast down? whosoever at∣tempt any such thing shall be found like to the builders of Babel, whose work was brought to confusion, Gen. 11. 9. Oft have the Jewes attempted to build their Tem∣ple again, since the last demolishing of it, but never could they effect it.

The other reason is taken from the weaknesse of the covenant it self. How can that continue which hath no ability to abide? The grasse of the field and flower of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, on this ground soon decay and wither away, 1 Pet. 1. 24. So all things of this world.

Such being Gods purpose concerning the foresaid covenant: and such being the nature of the covenant it self, the Apostle might well infer, that it was ready to va∣•…•….

The word translated h 1.8 to vanish, is a substantive: and signifieth a not appearing, or a vanishing away. It is such a compound as the i 1.9 adjective was which is used, Chap. 4. v. 13. §. 76. and translated, not manifest. There is another k 1.10 ad∣jective of the same composition, which signifieth, that which is with-drawn out of sight: which appeareth not: which is not seen, Luk. 24. 31. Thus the word of my Text signifieth such a removing of a thing as makes it to be seen no more. It here implyeth an abrogation of the old covenant.

This adverb, l 1.11 ready, or nigh, is added in reference to the time, wherein the Apostle wrote this Epistle: which was before the last Temple was demolished by the Romans. Till that time many of the rites of this old covenant were tolerated. They were not as yet all of them totally, and utterly vanished. But the time of their utter abolishing was at hand, therefore he saith of the old covenant, that it is ready to vanish away. There was a time for the honourable funerall of so solemne a mat∣ter: as there useth to be a time for the buriall of honourable persons after they are dead.

Peoples minds could not suddainly be drawn to an utter rejection of such things as had a divine institution, and were of so high account as the rites of the old cove∣nant were, while the date thereof continued.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  (c) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  Quod an∣tiquatur.
• e 1.5

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

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• k 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• l 1.11

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