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 ...

§. 34. Of the diversity of Miracles.

THe miracles whereby the Gospel was confirmed are here said to be a 1.1 divers. This may be referred to the multitude of them. For though very many of them be registred in the New Testament: yet it is said that Christ did many other signes, Iohn 20. 30.

To the multitude of Christs miracles may this also be applied, There are many other things which Iesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written, John 21. 25.

But this word divers, hath reference most properly to the different kinde of mi∣racles: as, curing diseases, restoring senses and limbs, raising the dead, disposses∣sing devils, &c.

This word is attributed to such things as are many in their number, and various in their kindes, as to pleasures, Titus 3. 3. To lust, 2 Tim. 3. 6. To doctrines, Heb. 13. 9. To temptations, Iames 1. 2. yea and to such diseases as Christ cured, Matth. 4. 24. All these are said to be divers: and they are every way so divers, as neither the number, nor the several kindes of them can be reckoned up.

Concerning the diversity of miracles, whereby the Gospel was confirmed, God* 1.2 had therein respect to mens backwardness in believing, and to the manifold oppo∣sitions against the Gospel. If a few miracles would not serve the turn, there were many: If this or that kinde of miracles wrought not on men, yet other kindes might: according to that which is recorded of the divers signes which God com∣manded Moses to shew, It shall come to pass, if they will not beleeve thee, neither

hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will beleeve the voice of the latter sign, and it shall come to passe, if they will not beleeve also these two signs, that thou shalt take of the water of the River, and powr it upon the dry Land, and it shall become bloud, Exod. 4. 8, 9.

Though Pharaohs heart were out of measure hard, and by nine severall plagues was not moved to let Israel go, yet by another which was divers from all the rest, he was moved, Exo. 12. 30, 31. Many blows, especially with divers hammers one heavier then another, will drive a great spike up to the head into such a rough piece of timber, as a few blows with one light hammer could not make entrance thereinto.

It appears that it was the multitude and diversity of miracles that wrought up∣on the Jews in that they said, When Christ cometh will he do more miracles then these which this man hath done? Joh. 7. 31.

This is one end why God in all ages hath furnished his Church with variety of Ministers, indued with divers gifts, that the Church might be more edified thereby; When Barnabas a Son of consolation Act. 4. 36. little moves people; Boanerges Sons of thunder may work upon them Mar. 3. 17. Sometimes an Apollos an elo∣quent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, and fervent in the Spirit, may much help such as beleeve through grace, and may convince gainsayers, Act. 24, 25, 27, 28.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  Why many miracles wrought.