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 ...

§. 61. Of the extent of, This day.

Quest. 2. IF there so many dayes wherein Christ was manifested to be the Sonne of God, How is it said, a 1.1 This day, as if there were but one only day?

Answ. This day, is not alwayes strictly referred to one set day, consisting of 12, or 24 hours, but to a determined present time, which may consist of many hours, dayes and years.

Moses oft setteth down the time of Israels abode in the wilderness under this day, as Deut. 10. 15. and 26. 16, 17, 18. and 27. 19.

It is usually put for that time wherein they live concerning whom it is spoken: as 1 Chron 28. 7. Ier. 44. 2. Dan. 9. 7. Luk. 4. 21. And it is used to distinguish present times from former times; as 1 Sam. 9. 9. He that is b 1.2 this day called a Prophet, was before time called a Seer. In like sense, yesterday, is put for former times, as where the* 1.3 Lord saith, c 1.4 yesterday my people, that is, of late my people, or heretofore. Thus yesterday is opposed to this day: as where Christ is said to be the same yesterday (in former times before he was exhibited in the flesh) and to day (now since his incarnation) and for ever, Heb. 13 8.

That, this day, may have a long date, is evident by the Apostles own explication

thereof: For where the Psalmist had said (Psal. 95. 7.) To day if you will hear his voice, the Apostle who lived above a thousand years after him, applieth this day, to his own times, and saith (Heb. 3. 13.) Exhort one another daily while it is called to day.

Thus we see how this day, may according to the use of it in sacred Scripture be* 1.5 applied to a long date: and particularly to the whole time of Christs manifesting himself in the flesh, to be the begotten Sonne of God, from the beginning of his in∣carnation, to his Ascension into Heaven: yea and to future times also, by reason of the evidences which he giveth of his true Deity. For he promised to send the holy Ghost to his Disciples, Ioh. 16. 7. and to be with his Church alway even unto the end of the world, Matth. 28. 20. The accomplishment hereof is an undeniable evi∣dence of Christs true Deity.

How This day, may be extended to eternity was shewed before in §. 50.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  Heri populus meus. Mic. 2. •…•….
• c 1.4

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

  Pulchre Pater dicit ad Filium, Ego hodie, genui te, hoc est, quando re∣demisti popu∣lum, quando ad coeli regnum vo∣casti, quando implesti volun∣tatem meam, probasti meum te esse Filium. Amb. de •…•…cr. l. 3. c. 1.