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 ...

§. 278. Of Gods providing the better things for the Christian Church.

THAT which God is said to have provided for Christians is thus expres∣sed, some better thing, that is a better estate, or better means for the Churches good: or rather Christ himself exhibited. He is that better thing that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all other better things whatsoever.

Of the various acceptions of this word better, see Chap. 1. vers. 4. §. 39.

Of better things reserved to the time of the Gospel, see Chap. 2. vers. 3. §. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

This in general sheweth that Gods previdence is still to the better, hereof see more in the progresse of Gods providence, on Ezek▪ 36. 11. Hence is it that i•…•… is said of believers that they desire a better Countrey, vers. 16. §. 75. And that their hope is a better hope, see Chap. 7. vers. 19. §. 87. And the Cove•…•…ant made to them a better Covenant, see Chap. 8. vers. 8. §. 53.

• 1. Due notice is to be taken of Gods wisdom in causing his goodnesse so to* 1.1 increase for the better: that so our hearts may be the more enlarged to admire and magnifie the same. This is the end that God aimeth at herein. We must not suffer God to fail of his end.
• 2. Herein we ought to shew our selves Children of God, we must still grow* 1.2 and encrease in all goodnesse. Thus shall we shew our selves to be of the King∣dom of God, in whom the spirit of God is. For the Kingdom of God and things appertaining thereunto are like Mustard▪ seed, which being of the least kinde of seeds groweth up to be as a Tree, Matth. 13. 31.

The forementioned, better thing, is expresly said to be provided for us▪ Un∣der this phrase he compriseth himself, that lived after Christ was exhibited, and all others that lived and believed from Christs first coming in the flesh, and shall live and believe to his second coming: so as the best things have been pro∣vided for the Christian Church; even that Church which hath been, and shall be under the new Testament. Most of the great and glorious things that were Prophe•…•…ied of by the Prophats of old, were concerning these times, which are stiled the last dayes, Isa. 2. 2. Act. 2. 17. Heb. 1. 2. Hereupon an Apostle saith of the better things here understood, that it was revealed unto the Prophets, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now re∣ported, 1 Pet. 1. 12. Hereof see more in the progresse of Gods providence, on Ezek. 36. 11.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Magnifie Gods good∣nesse.
• * 1.2

  Grow in grace.