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 ...

§. 31. Of Signes, Wonders and Miracles.

THe means whereby God did bear witnesse to the Gospel, are set out in four words; Signes, Wonders, Miracles, Gifts. The three former set out the same things.

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  1. Signs according to the notation of the word, imply such externall visible things, as signifie and declare some memorable matter which otherwise could not be so well discerned: nor would be believed. We would see a signe from thee, say the Pharisees to Christ, Matth. 12. 38. And they desired him that he would shew them a sign, Matth. 16. 1.

  These two words, See, Shew, imply that a sign is of some externall visible thing that may be shewed and seen. And extraordinary it must be, because it useth to be for confirmation of some secret and Divine matter. Thus the Pharisees would have a sign from heaven, Matth. 16. 1. which must needs be extraordinary. There∣upon

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  signes and wonders are oft joyned together, as Iohn 4. 48. Acts 2. 43. & 4. 30. & 7. 36. Our last Translators do oft translate this Greek word which pro∣perly signifieth signes, they translate it, miracles, as Luke 23. 8. Iohn 2. 11. & 3. 2.

• 2. The Greek word translated wonders, is used by all sorts of Authours for some strange thing, that may seem to foretell some other thing to come. I will shew wonders in heaven, saith the Lord, Acts 2. 19. Those strange things which by the Ministry of Moses were done in Egypt, in the red Sea, and in the Wilderness, are set out under this word wonders, Acts 7. 36. Our English doth fitly translate the Greek word, wonders, by reason of the effect, they cause wonder: and by reason of the strangeness of them, they are wonderfull, Matth. 15. 31. Mark 6. 51. Acts 3. 10. Our English word miracle, according to the notation of the Latin word, whence it is taken, signifieth a matter of wonder.
• 3. The Greek word here translated miracles, properly signifieth powers. It is derived from a Verb that signifieth to be able. This word in the singular number is put for a mans ability, Matth. 25. 15. for his strength, 2 Cor. 1. 8. And also for strength in the Sonne, (Rev. 1. 16.) And in sinne, 1 Cor. 15. 56. It is also put for virtue in one, Mark 5. 30. And for the power of man (1 Cor. 4. 19.) of a Pro∣phet, (Luke 1. 17.) of the spirit, (Eph. 3. 16.) of Christ, (2 Cor. 12. 9.) and of God, Matth. 22. 29. In the plurall number it is put for Angels, (Rom. 8. 38. 1 Pet. 3. 22.) which excell in strength, Psal. 103. 20. And for the firm and stable things in heaven, Matth. 24. 29. And for extraordinary works. Hereupon they are sti∣led in our English Mighty deeds, (2 Cor. 12. 12.) Mighty works, (Matth. 11. 20, 21, 23.) Wonderfull works, Matth. 7. 21. and frequently, as here in this Text, Miracles, Acts 2. 22. & 19. 11. 1 Cor. 12. 10, 28, 29. For miracles (as hath been shewed, §. 28.) cannot be wrought but by an extraordinary power, even the power of God himself. Fitly therefore is this word powers used to set out miracles: and fitly is it here, and in other places, translated miracles.