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 ...

§. 129. Of Christs suffering in the end of the world.

THe proof of the forementioned assumption is set down in the latter part of the 26. v. thus, but now once, &c. That which is but once done, is not often done.

This particle of opposition, a 1.1 but, is here the note of an assumption, as Chap. 2. v. 6. §. 50.

The Apostle that lived in the end of the world, useth this word, b 1.2 now, to shew that experience gave proof, that Christ had not suffered before that time.

He addeth this exclusive particle, c 1.3 once, to make his argument the more clear: for it is here to be taken exclusively, as if he had said, only once, and no oftner. Th•…•…s it is taken, v. 12. §. 60.

This phrase, in the end of the world, is an explication of this particle of time, now.

The word translated, d 1.4 end, is a compound. Both the e 1.5 compound, and also the simple verb, whence this noun is derived, signifieth, finish. Well might this noun* 1.6 be here used, because all the types, prophesies and promises concerning the suffer∣ings of Christ, were accomplished in the end of the world.

g 1.7 The Greek word here translated, world, is not h 1.8 the same that was so transla∣ted in the former part of this verse.

That former word in this phrase, foundation of the world, hath a notation from beauty and comlinesse; for God in the beginning, made a most beautiful and com∣ly world. Of this notation, see chap. 4. v. 3. §. 29.

This latter word in this phrase, the end of the world, is derived from a word that

signifieth age or continuance: in that the world had then continued many ages. Of this notation, see chap. 1. v. 2. §. 18.

Under the end of the world all those dayes are comprized which have passed, and •…•…all passe betwixt the ascension of Christ into Heaven, and his last coming unto judgement. Hereof see more, chap. 1. v. 2. §. 13.

This instance of Christ appearing in the end of the world, giveth proof, that the best things prepared for the Church, were reserved for the last dayes. The Prophets who foresaw and foretold those best things, applied their prophesies to the last dayes, Isa. 2. 2. Ier. 31. 31. Act. 2. 17.

• 1. This the Lord did to try the faith and patience of Saints in former times. For this end after God had promised unto Abrahams seed, and withall, that his seed should inherit the Land of Canaan: he foretold that his seed should be a stranger in a Land that was not theirs four hundred years. For this end, the day of the full restituti∣on of all things hath been put off sixteen hundred years and more, Rev. 6. 11. And how long it shall yet further be put off, who knoweth?
• 2. He thus ordered it, that the good things promised might be the more longed for: as it is said, that many Prophets, and righteous men desired to see those things, Matth. 13. 17.
• 3. To make those good things more welcome when they came.

This manifesteth the happinesse of that time, whereunto we are reserved: and it ought to provoke us to all thankfulness, and worthy walking: see more hereof Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 21.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.6

  (f) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

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

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