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 ...

§. 37. Of Christs waiting upon his Fathers will.

Heb. 10. 13.

From hence-forth expecting til his enemies be made his foote-stoole

THis verse doth in particular explain this generall phrase, for ever, as it hath re∣ference to the execution of Christs Priestly function, v. 12. That phrase for ever, as there used, is, til all his enemies be brought under.

In setting down that exemplification, Christs expectation thereof is thus expres∣ed, From hence-forth expecting.

The word translated a 1.1 from hence-forth, is derived from a verbe that signifieth b 1.2 to lack, (Luk. 18. 22.) or to want, Tit. 3. 13. Properly it signifieth a remainder: So here it implieth that though Christ were set at Gods right hand, yet there remain∣ed some what to be done by him, which was to subdue his enemie•…•… Til that time it remained that he should continue to perfect what he had begun.

The next word translated, expecting, is a c 1.3 compound, d 1.4 The simple verb sig∣nifieth to receive, Matth. 10. 40. this compound in common use signifieth, to expect, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 15. 43. or wait for. Now men expect such things, as they would gladly re∣ceive. The expectation of Christ here noted is in reference to that day which his Father hath appointed to judge the world, Act. 17. 31. Christ is able in a moment, to destroy all his enemies: but because it is the will of his Father, that the Church shall be tried and assaulted with enemies, Christ patiently waiteth in that place, and ex∣pecteth that time, wherein the enemies of his Church shall be destroyed. He wil∣lingly waiteth his Fathers will and good pleasure: he thinkes it not over long that enemies still continue. Some of them are old enemies, as all the evill Angels, who still retain their being, might, and malice Other enemies succeed one another, as wicked men: Of these, though some be taken away, yet others come in their room: like the Canaanites, and Iebusites, which generation after generation annoyed the Israeli•…•…es. As Christ in his high exaltation did this, so also in his low humiliation. This is evident by these and such like phrases (which were frequent in his mouth) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ure is not yet come, John 2. 4. I must work while it is day, Joh. 9. 4.

• 1. His knowledge of the soveraignty, and wisdome of his Father, moved him so* 1.5 to wait. He knew that his Father had an absolute power to appoint, and order all things as it pleased him: for he himself said to his Disciples, It is not for you to know •…•…e times, or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power, Act. 1. 7. And as God had a power, so most fitly, and wisely he appointed the times and seasons, as they could not be bettered: whether they were for conflict, or for conquest.
• 2. The pliablenesse of his will to his Fathers, moved him in all things, to expect his Fathers pleasure. Though as man and mediatour, his will were in essence di∣stinct from his Fathers: yet in the bent, and intent thereof, it wholly agreed with it. For he himself saith, I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me, Joh. 5. 30. Yea, when in his bitter agony, through sense of the heavy bur∣then that lay upon him, he could have wished, that he might have been freed, he thus saith to his Father, Not as I will, but as thou wilt, Matth. 26. 39.

I. As in other things, so in this, we▪are to look unto Christ (Heb. 12. 2.) and to be of his mind, Phil. 2. 5. Whatsoever our estate be, high or low, great or mean: and in our estate whatsoever our condition be, the good pleasure of the Lord must be expected and waited for. This is expresly enjoyned, Heb. 2. 3. and it is made the property of faith (Isa. 28. 16.) and of hope (Rom. 8. 23.) so to do. This hath been the disposition of true Saints in all ages. Iacob waited for the salvation of the Lord, Gen. 49. 18. Old Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel, Luk. 2. 25. and Ioseph, waited for the kingdome of God, Luk. 23. 51.

This is necessary in regard of the determined seasons, Eccles. 3. 1. That season which the Lord hath appointed, cannot be prevented, (Ioh. 7. 30.) shall not be over∣slip•…•…, Heb. 2. 3. Yea, further, though the set time be determined of God, yet it is unknown to us, Act. 1. 7. Hereupon we are exhorted to watch, Mark. 13. 33. Luk. 12. 36.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

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

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

  Why Christ waited on his Fathers will.