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 ...

§. 132. Of the unchangeablenesse of the Gospel.

HEtherto of the alterablenesse of the Law, and of the reason thereof.

The unchangeablenesse of the Gospel follows, expressed in this phrase, a 1.1 the things which cannot be shaken may remaine. Whereby is evidently demonstrated, That the Gospel is unchangeable.

In this respect the new Covenant is said to be established, never to be removed, Heb. 8. 6. and 10. 9. In this respect its called an everlasting Covenant, Heb. 13. 20. an ever∣lasting Gospel, Rom. 14. 6.

For there is not, there cannot be a better Covenant, a better Gospel. If there be an alteration, it must be to the better. Therefore was the first altered, that a better might come in the room thereof.

• 1. This very much tends to the setting forth of the excellency of the Gospel. And surely its a great commendation to be so excellent, as a more excellent cannot be. That is unalterable, because there is no better to come in the room thereof; no better Covenant, no better Word, no better Sacraments, no better ordinances ever to be expected.
• 2. This may stir us up to have the Gospel in high account. If Saints under the Law had that which was alterable in so high account: how much more ought we highly to esteem what is unalterable.

Consider therefore what is written of their esteem of the Law, and thereupon rea∣son with thy self, and say, shall I lesse respect that which is unchangeable, which is so excellent as no better can be expected to succeed in the room thereof, then the Iewes did that which was alterable, and had a beter to succeed in the room there∣oft? This is the main end of making known this difference betwixt the Law and the Gospel.

The inference which the Apostle maketh from the removing of those things that are shaken, namely, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain, sheweth the end of Gods substituting the Gospel in the room of the Law, thereby is evidently de∣monstrated, That Gods change is to the better. See my Sermon preached before the House of Lords, Sep. 1645. stiled, The progresse of Divine Providence, on Ezek. 36. 11.

Notes

• a 1.1

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