A41670:13530
A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein…
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 Wednesdays lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine William Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabetical tables ...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 ...
London: printed by A.M. for Joshua Kirton, 1655
Chapter 10 › Section 9: §. 9. Of the impotency of external rites about spiritual matters.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The filth to be taken away was sin, which is a spiritual pollution. It is in a manner of an infinite kind, because it is committed against an infinite Majesty. By it Gods wrath, which is infinite is provoked. Now what is there in the blood of beasts, to pacify such wrath, to wash away such pollution as sin, and to purge such a spiritual substance as the conscience, spirit, and soul of man is. It is not possible, that so great a work should be wrought by so mean a means.
The filth to be taken away was sin, which is a spiritual pollution. It is in a manner of an infinite kind, because it is committed against an infinite Majesty. By it Gods wrath, which is infinite is provoked. Now what is there in the blood of beasts, to pacifie such wrath, to wash away such pollution as sin, and to purge such a spiritual substance as the conscience, spirit, and soul of man is. It is not possible, that so great a work should be wrought by so mean a means.
External and carnal things cannot work internal and spiritual effects. See more hereof, chap. 9. v. 9. §. 49. Had not Christs humane nature been united to his divine nature, it could not have merited, and done so great works as it did. It is in reference hereunto, that Christ saith, The flesh profiteth nothing. John 6. 63. On this ground it is said, that Christ through the eternal spirit, that is, his divine nature, offered himself, &c. chap. 9. v. 14. §. 77.
We may from hence infer, that the opinion of our adversaries concerning the Sacraments,1 conferring grace by the very work done, is erroneous and pernicious: What is water in baptism? what is bread and wine in the Lords Supper, simply considered in themselves, more then the meats and drinks, and washings under the Law: yea, then the Blood of Bulls and Goats here mentioned? What are Ministers of the Gospel, in regard of their persons, and mould and outward condition, more then Priests and Levites under the Law. The first preacher of the Gospel, who was Christs fore-runner, acknowledged, that he was not worthy to bear Christs shoes, and that e baptized with water. (