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 ...

§. 178. Of the Walls of Jericho falling down in the seventh day.

THE Apostle taketh notice of the number of dayes, in which they compassed the City, before the walls fell down: whereby he would have us take notice, that God hath a set time to do what he intendeth. It was a longer time, but a set time which he appointed for preparing the Arke; even an hundred and twen∣ty yeares, Gen. 6. 3. compared with 1 Pet. 3. 20.

God had his set time for bringing his people out of the Egyptian bondage, Gen.* 1.1 15. 13. Exod. 12. 41. And out of the Babylonish Captivity, Ier. 25. 11, 12. He had a set time both for plenty, and also for famin in Egypt, Gen. 41. 26. So set is this time, as it is stiled an houre Iohn 2. 4. and 7. 30. As God hath his houre for effecting his own acts, so likewise for permitting wicked ones to do what they do, Mark. 14. 41. Luc. 22. 15.

The Father hath put times and seasons in his own power, Act. 1. 7. And he teacheth Children of men to do things in their season, Isa. 28. 26. Much more will he himself order matters in their fittest season.

• 1. This gives evidence of the Divine Providence in ordering matters: and sheweth, that they fall not out by chance.
• 2. This giveth ground of contentment and comfort in all events. They fall out in the fittest time and season. When any that are dear, or usefull unto us, are taken away; (be they Governors, Ministers, Parents, Husbands, Wives, Chil∣dren, Friends, or any other;) they are taken away in the time appointed by God, which is the fittest time. It is in vain to seek either to prevent, or to put off Gods time. As it cannot be prevented, so it shall not be overslipt on the seventh day, the walls, that held out seven dayes compassing, fell down.
• 3. We have hereupon good ground to wait for the Lords time: as the Host of Israel did, Waite because it will surely come, Hab. 2. 3. He that believeth shall not make hast, Isa. 28. 16. This was it which Christ intended under this phrase, mine houre is not yet come, John 2. 5.
• 4. This should put us on cheerfully to get on in the work and way of the

• Lord: though for a time we may meet with many discouragements from the threat∣nings and attempts of men. When the Pharisces told Christ, that Herod would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, Christ returnes this answer, I must walk to day and to morrow, and the •…•…n following, Luc. 13. 32, 33. God hath a time for thee to work, and in that time he will uphold thee. And what God appoints shall in time be accom∣plished.

Divine Truth is insallible, Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 6. 18. And that Divine Truth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manifest it self both in the substance of matters, and in their circumstances, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Manne•…•…, Means, Time. All which are here verified.

There being seven days spent in the Armies marching about Iericho, one of* 1.2 them must needs be the Sabbath. Now this was the strictest time of observing the Sabbath: yet on a Sabbath the whole Army marched at least once about Iericho. This marching was not simply a work of Piety, but a servill work; yet by Gods appointment performed on a Sabbath day. Which giveth instance, that in some cases some servill works may be done on the Sabbath. Hereof see more in my Treatise of the Sabbaths Sanctification. 37. quest.

Notes

• * 1.1

  God hath his set times.
• * 1.2

  A servil work on the Sab∣bath.