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 ...

§. 99. Of the terror of the Law.

NOW followeth the particular circumstances mentioned by the Apostle.

The first is touching the place where the Law was given, here called a mount that might be touched. Some expound it, a mount touched, viz. by God, and thereby became a terrible mountain, smoaking and burning, according to that which the Psalmist sayeth, (Psal. 104. 32.) He toucheth the moumtaines, and they smoake.

This sense is somwhat agreeable to that which followeth, & the a 1.1 original word wil also beare it, but our English translation doth better translate it, a mount that might be touched, that is, an earthly mountain, which might be felt; now by this he meaneth the mount Sinai, whereon the law was given, opposed to spirituall Si∣on, much spoken of in the Scriptures, and mentioned, v. 22.

So that herein lyeth one main difference betwixt the Law and the Gospel; that the Law is but earthly in comparison of the Gospel; for thus much intimateth the Apostle by this description of mount Sinai, whereon the Law was delivered, it was a mount that might be felt and touched, Exod. 19. 11. That the Law and the things thereof were but earthly and carnall, in comparison of the Gospel. See Chap. 7. v. 16. §. 80, 81.

The second circumstance is touching the terror of the Law, which is set out

• 1. By externall signes.
• 2. By fearfull effects.

The signes which appeared at the delivery of the Law, whereof we may read more at large, Exod. 19. and Deut. 5. were these.

• 1. A mount touched, (1.) that did tremble and quake, as the Psalmist expresseth, Psal. 68. 8. The earth shooke, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God, even Sina•…•… it self was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
• 2. Burning with fire, which is the first here mentioned. And it is said, Deut. 4. 11, 12. That God came down on Mount Sinai in fire, and spake unto the people out of the •…•…idst of fire. This is here mentioned, partly to set forth the Majesty of God; and partly to declare the terror of the law, which burneth up all things before it, even as the fire doth consume stubble, therefore its called a killing letter, a ministration of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Cor. 3. 6, 7. Whereas the Gospel giveth the spirit of life.
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  3. Blacknesse and darknesse, mentioned, as in Deut. 5. 22. so here by the Apostle. These two only imply the same thing: Blacknesse here meant, is that duskishnesse which appears in the aire, when a thick cloud hath covered the whole face of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Moses maketh mention of a thick cloud, and of a great smoake which ap∣peared on Mount Sinai, whence proceeded this blacknesse and darknesse here men∣tioned.

  This betokened the obscurity of the Law, together with the blindnesse and ig∣norance of man; and also that dim light which the Law revealeth, in comparison of that bright light, and cleare Sun-shine manifested by the Gospel: wherein lyeth a speciall difference between the Law and the Gospel.

• 4. Tempest, that was another signe of terror, which properly signifieth a fierce vio∣lent storme. Under this word the Apostle compriseth that thundring and lightning which Moses mentioneth, (Exod. 20. 18.) This implieth that trouble and vexation of conscience which the Law bringeth: wherein there lyeth another difference be∣tween the Law and the Gospel; for the Gospel bringeth and breedeth in a man peace and quietnesse of conscience.
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  Vers. 19. 5. Sound of Trumpet, was another signe of terror. Of sounds, a trum∣pet is ordinarily the sh•…•…illest and loudest. Reports of Cannons were not then in use. Trumpets were of most use in warre, as Iosh. 6. 20. Iudg. 7. 22. and in that respect terrible.

  To enquire what kind of trumpet, whether silver, or brass, or horne, is too curi∣•…•…. Trumpets are attributed to Angels, (Matth. 24. 31. Rev. 8. 2.) to set out a st•…•…ill and loud sound, which much affrights. Trumpets also set out the Majesty of a King. And it is added here to set out the Majesty of the Law-giver: for before Kings and great Monarchs, they used to sound trumpets, as 2 King. 11. 14.

• ...

  6. Voice of words, was another signe of terror; thereby is meant a distinct, arti∣culate voice, not as of thunder, or tempest, but as of man; such a voice as might be understood; for it was a voice of words, namely those ten words (as they are cal∣led, Exod. 34. 28. Deut. 4. 13.) of which the morall Law consisteth: For its said, Ex. 20. 1. That God spake all these words. It being the voice of God, it must needs be a terrible voice, (as the Psalmist expresseth, Psal. 29. 4, 5.) especially the voice of such •…•…ords as the morall law containeth.

  The terriblenesse of this voice appeared by the effect which followed thereupon. Namely the people were not able to endure it: for saith the Apostle, which Voice they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heard, intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more; for they could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 endure that which was commanded, v. 19, 20.

  Now as the former signes were terrible to the fight, and feeling, so these two latter were terrible to the ears. Herein also lyeth another difference betwixt the Law and the Gospel; for the Gospel began first to be preached by Christ himself, having ta∣ken upon him our nature, and so become like unto us, and after from time to time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 continued to be preached by men, like our selves: Whereas the law was deli∣vered by God himself.

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  Vers. 20: 7. Stoning of beasts and thrusting thorow with darts, was another signe of terror; these we find recorded by Moses, Exod. 19. 13. and repeated here by our Apostle. Hereby is implied, that by tempest, thundring, and lightning, stones were raised out of the mountaines, or else that such stones fell from heaven, as Iosh. 10. 11. and thu•…•…der-bolts which were as darts. This could not but cause much terror.

  These were the signes of terrors.

  The effects concerned beasts and men.

• ...
  • 1. Beasts might not, yea durst not come neere the mount. Though they had no understanding of the Law, yet they were affrighted with the manner of deliver∣ing it.
  • 2. Men likewise were affrighted, both of the common sort, and also the most e∣minent and excellent amongst them all; he that had greatest familiarity with God, and freest accesse to him, and was the strongest in spirit, even Moses himself was af∣frighted.

The common people v. 19. entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more. See Exod. 20. 19. and Deut. 5. 24, 25.

The reason hereof is rendered in v. 20. where it is said, They could not endure that which was commanded. And that in regard both of the matter of the law, and also of the manner of delivering it. The matter is an exact observance of all that the Law requires, which is impossible by reason of flesh; and a curse upon every transgres∣sion. Who could endure this? The manner was noted before to be so terrible, as none could endure it.

As for Moses, though a man eminent in grace, yet he professeth of himself, b 1.2 I* 1.3 exceedingly fear and quake. Our English hath well put in this adverb, exceedingly.

For the c 1.4 two compounds have their emphasis.

This is a great aggravation, that such a man as Moses should be so affrighted.

Quest. Where is this recorded concerning Moses?

Answ.

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  1. Some say, that Moses being the Mediator for the people, might say it in the peoples name.

  But to this Answer may be replyed, that thus the Apostles aggravation of the ter∣ror of the Law, is taken away.

• 2. Thomas, Liranus, and Cajetan apply it to Exod. 3. 6. But to their answer may be replied, thats nothing to the scope of the Apostle, who spake of the Law.
• 3. Its noted, Exod. 19. 19. that in the midst of the terrors Moses spake, and God answered him. Moses might then speak these words, and God thereupon comfort him.
• 4. The Apostle might come to the knowledge of them by speciall inspiration, or extraordinary revelation; for note what the Apostle saith, Gal. 1. 12.
• 5. This of Moses might be registred in civill Chronicles of the Jewes, as 1 King. 14. 19.

Thus you have seene how terrible the discipline of the Law was, manifested by the first manner of delivering it; its further proved in 2 Cor. 3. 6, 7, 9. where its called, a letter that killeth, the ministration of death, the ministration of condemnation.

Many weighty reasons may be given hereof.* 1.5

• 1. To set out the Majesty of God, as Psal 68. 7, and 50. 3.
• 2. To set out our vilenesse and weaknesse, as Iob. 40. 4. and 42. 6. Isa: 6. 5. Ezek. 1. 29. Dan. 10. 8. That thus much was effected by the terrible delivery of the Law, it evident, Exod. 20. 19. Deut. 5. 24, &c.
• 3. To draw them from the Law, that they might not rest on it for justification. note Gal. 4. 21, &c.
• 4. To seek after other means, as the Apostle expresseth, Gal. 3. 24. where the Law is said to be our School-master: a sharp and severe School-master, that it might force us to seek after another discipline.
• 5. To work earnest desire after Christ, and high prizing of him, as its said, Ioh. 8. 56. Matth. 13. 17.
• 6. To make the ministry of the Gospell be better respected, 2 Cor. 3. 6, &c.
• 7. To keep us from despising mans ministery. For that terror of the Law upon Gods delivering it, shews a necessity of mans ministry.

This terror of the Law affords us many profitable uses, as,

• 1. Instruction in the Majesty and terror of God. Where he is pleased to manifest his glory, Mountains will quake and tremble, Psal. 68. 8. Fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him; read Psal. 97. 2, 3, 4, 5. and 18. 7, 8, &c. such is the glory of his Majesty, such his terror, as it hath frighted the most excellent of men, as Isaiah (Isa. 6. 5.) Ezekiel (Ezek. 1. 29.) Daniel (Dan. 10. 8.) Saint Iohn (Rev. 1. 17.) Iacob (Gen. 28. 17.) Moses, Exod. 33. 22. The Angels, Isa. 6. 2.
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• 2. Admonition, to fear that fearfull Lord, and to tremble before him. A hea∣then King made a decree to this purpose; as Dan. 6. 26. I make a decree, saith King Darius, that in every dominion of my Kingdome, men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; who should not fear before such a God as this is?

Object. We never saw him araied with such terror.

Answ. Its enough that he hath given evidence thereof; and that that evidence is come to our hearing; should he continually shew his glory, the earth could not stand, it would be turned upside down. It is for mans sake that he conceals his glory so much as he doth: wilt thou so far pervert his goodnesse to thee, as to re∣spect him the lesse; because he tenders thy weaknesse, and covers that from thee, which would not only dazle and affright thee, but also confound, or consume thee? He deales with thee, as he did with Moses (Exod. 33. 22.) I will cover thee (saith God) with my hand, while I passe by thee. O the more then monstrous ingra∣titude of men. Thus dealt they with Christ, because he humbled himself so low as he did, for our sake, he was despised. So much was foretold, Isa. 53. 3. But •…•…oe to them that now despise him. He shall appear in such glory, as will make such as have here lightly esteemed him, to tremble. Note Rev. 6. 12, &c.

• 3. Disswasion from resting on the Law, or thinking to be justified thereby. Its a terrible Law, a killing letter. It can work no true sound confidence, but terror in soul, and horror of conscience. In many things thou transgresseth against it, and therefore art thou cursed, as Deut. 27. 26. Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.
• 4. Exhortation, with all due respect to use the Ministry of men; though they be but as other men, yet are they not to be despised. Our weaknesse requireth such kind of Ministers. The Israelites at the delivery of the morall Law, experimental∣ly •…•…ound the need thereof; Wherefore they make an humble motion for it, and God granted it. Therefore he hath appointed such as we are able to endure▪ to be his Ambassadors. In that respect they are to us in Gods roome: Esteeme them as Gods Ambassadors, receive their word as the word of God, Note Luke 10. 16. and Iohn 13. 26.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Vers. 21.
• c 1.4

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

  Reasons shew∣ing why the Discipline of the Law was manifested with such terror.