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 ...

§. 115. Of the excellency of the Gospel above the Law: and of the Mediator of the Gospel, above the Mediator of the Law.

THe principall point intended in these words, is intimated in this particle a 1.1 AND; which hath relation to the former priviledges, so to that fore∣mentioned phrase, Ye are come, viz. by the Gospel, unto Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant: So that the Apostle doth hereby give us to understand, That By the Gos∣pel we are brought to the Mediator of the new Covenant.

A Prophet that lived under the Law spake of it as of a thing to be accomplished under the Gospel, Ier. 31. 31. Behold, the daies come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of I•…•…dah. And the Apostle who lived under the Gospel applieth it to the time present, Heb. 8. 8. The Covenant under the Law is stiled the Old Covenant, Heb. 8. 13. So as the new must come in when the old is abrogated.

• 1. This doth set forth the excellency of the Gospel above the Law, and of our times above the times of the Law. Well weigh the difference betwixt the Media∣tor of the Law and of the Gospel, betwixt the old and new Covenant, and the sore∣said excellency will more clearly and fully be manifested.
  • 1. The Mediator of the Law was a son of man, a meer man; Whereas Christ the mediator of the Gospel was the Son of God, and though a true man, yet not meer man, but God-man.
  • ...

    2. Moses the Mediator of the Law was a sinfull man: once in danger to be kil∣led for neglect of Circumcision, Exod. 4. 24, 25. And after excluded out of Canaan for his incredulity, Numb. 20. 12.

    Whereas Christ the Mediator of the Gospel, knew no sin, 2 Cor. 5. 21. but was holy, harmelesse, undefiled, &c. Heb. 7. 26.

  • ...

    3. Moses the Mediator of the Law, was not able himself to endure the delivery of that whereof he was a Mediator, Heb. 12. 21. It is said, he ex∣ceedingly feared and quaked at the delivery of the Law.

    Whereas Christ the Mediator of the Gospel was able to dwell with that devouring fire, and everlasting burnings, mentioned Isa. 33. 14. He stood in that bush which burned with fire, and was not consumed, Exod. 3. 2.

  • 4. Moses was a Mediator only to deliver the Law from God to the people, Deut. 5. 27, 31. Acts 7. 38. Gal. 3. 19.

  Whereas Christ the Mediator of the Gospel is our surety, who hath sa∣tisfied the Law for us.

  We therefore have beyond all comparison the better Mediator; and in like man∣mer the better Covenant, so its expresly called, Heb. 8. 6. Now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established upon better promises.

  Its better then the Covenant of works in the very substance of it.

  Its better then the Covenant of grace, as it was made with the Iewes.

  • 1. In the clear manifestation of it by the Gospel, Eph. 3. 5.
  • 2. In the sure ratification of it, by the death of Christ, Heb. 9. 15.
  • 3. In the mighty operation of the Spirit in and by it, 2 Cor. 3. 6.
• 2. To stir us up, to take due notice of the excellency of the times of the Gospel, to blesse God for reserving us thereto, and to endeavour with our utermost ability to walk worthy thereof; This worthy walking is in particular expressed, 2 Cor. 5. 17. Eph. 4. 24.

Notes

• a 1.1

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