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 ...
William Gouge 1578–1653London: printed by A.M. for Joshua Kirton, 1655
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.
1. This copulative balso hath reference to the children before mentioned. […] also: he as well as they. Though there were an infinite disparity betwixt Christ […] his children, yet he refused not conformity with them. Or otherwise this copulati also, or and, may be translated even (even he) which is a note of special emphasis
2. This reciprocal Pronoun,
himself, hath reference to Christs eminency and it implieth that he that was true God, the Creator, Preserver, Redeemer […] Father of those children, suffered not his infinite excellency to be any hinder• to this his low condescension. He himself.
3. The Greek word translated,
•igh unto death, Phil. 2. 27. The Adverb here used is not elsewhere found in […] New Testament: but in other Greek Authors it is frequent: by them it is […] joined with
another word which more expressly setteth out the same thing that […] doth. That other word is oft used in the New Testament, and joined with […] copulative
These also doth the Son likewise, Joh. 5. • By comparing that place with this text, we may observe, that, He who himself […] was likewise equal with God, did also himself likewise take part of the same na• with man.
4. The word here translated
are partakers. The former implieth that all of all sorts were by nature subject […] the same common condition: but this other intendeth a voluntary act of Chris whereby willingly he took upon himself to be like his brethren. He was before he was true God, eternal, allsufficient, and needed not in regard of himself, to • as the children were.
[…] partakers of the Lords Table, one with another to receive the benefit thereof, 1 C• 10. 21. They who mutually partake of the same commodity are called
The same, hath reference to flesh and blood. The relative of the plural number, to show that it includeth both. For the one and the oth• of the singular number; but both joined, include the plural.
1. This copulative balso hath reference to the children before mentioned. 〈…〉 also: he as well as they. Though there were an infinite disparity betwixt Christ 〈…〉 his children, yet he refused not conformity with them. Or otherwise this copulati• also, or and, may be translated even (even he) which is a note of speciall emphasis
2. This reciprocall Pronoun, chimself, hath reference to Christs eminency and it implieth that he that was true God, the Creator, Preserver, Redeemer 〈…〉 Father of those children, suffered not his infinite excellency to be any hinder• to this his low condescention. He himself.
3. The Greek word translated, dlikewise, implieth a nearness to one. Ther• whence it sprouteth signifieth, enear. A word of the same stem is used in this ph•f•igh unto death, Phil. 2. 27. The Ad'verb here used is not elswhere found in 〈…〉 New Testament: but in other Greek Authors it is frequent: by them it is 〈…〉 joyned with ganother word which more expresly setteth out the same thing that 〈…〉 doth. That other word is oft used in the New Testament, and joyned with 〈…〉 copulative halso: as where Christ saith, iThese also doth the Son likewise, Joh. 5. • By comparing that place with this text, we may observe, that, He who himself 〈…〉 was likewise equall with God, did also himself likewise take part of the same na• with man.
4. The word here translated ktook part, is another then the former transl•lare partakers. The former implieth that all of all sorts were by nature subject 〈…〉 the same common condition: but this other intendeth a voluntary act of Chri• whereby willingly he took upon himself to be like his brethren. He was before he was true God, eternall, allsufficient, and needed not in regard of himself, to • as the children were. *A like word to this is used ver. 16. He took on 〈…〉 See §. 159.
The mGreek word in the later place, according to the notation of it, signif•nto have with, or to have of that which another hath. Christians are said o〈…〉 partakers of the Lords Table, one with another to receive the benefit thereof, 1 C• 10. 21. They who mutually partake of the same commodity are called ppar• from the s•me Originall, Luk. 5. 7. See Chap. 3. §. 17.
5. This relative, qThe same, hath reference to flesh and blood. The relativ• of the plurall number, to shew that it includeth both. For the one and the oth• of the singular number; but both joyned, include the plurall.
This doth emphatically set forth Christ, not only to be true man, but also sub• to all manner of frailties, (so far as they are freed from sin) even such as a company flesh and blood, as was before showed §. 137.
This doth emphatically set forth Christ, not only to be true man, but also sub• to all manner of frailties, (so farre as they are freed from sin) even such as a company flesh and blood, as was before shewed §. 137.
How ought this conformity of Christ, to take part of flesh and blood, quicken • up to take part of that Divine nature, whereof an Apostle speaketh, 2. Pet. […] ⟨p. 219⟩that so we may be like him in those excellent graces wherein he made himself a pattern to us while he was on earth: as in meekness and humility, Matth. 11. 29. in love, Ephes. 5. 2. in forgiving others, Coloss. 3. 13. in compassion, Luke 10. 37. in patience under sufferings, and contempt of the world, Heb. 12. 2. Christs conformity to us was in much meanness, ours to him is in much glory. Upon this ground doth the Apostle press a like exhortation, Philip. 2. 5. What if we be called to conformity with Christ in suffering, in bearing reproach, or undergoing ignominy for righteousness sake? The servant is not greater then his Master, Matth. 10. 24, 25. The Head (who was himself full of glory) vouchsafed to take part of flesh and blood that he might suffer for flesh and blood: Shall then the members think much to be conformable to their Head in any thing that he shall call them to?
How ought this conformity of Christ, to take part of flesh and blood, quicken • up to take part of that Divine nature, whereof an Apostle speaketh, 2. Pet. 〈…〉⟨p. 219⟩that so we may be like him in those excellent graces wherein he made himself a pattern to us while he was on earth: as in meeknesse and humility, Matth. 11. 29. in love, Ephes. 5. 2. in forgiving others, Coloss. 3. 13. in compassion, Luke 10. 37. in patience under sufferings, and contempt of the world, Heb. 12. 2. Christs conformity to us was in much meanness, ours to him is in much glory. Upon this ground doth the Apostle presse a like exhortation, Philip. 2. 5. What if we be called to conformity with Christ in suffering, in bearing reproach, or undergoing ignominy for righteousnesse sake? The servant is not greater then his Master, Matth. 10. 24, 25. The Head (who was himself full of glory) vouchsafed to take part of flesh and blood that he might suffer for flesh and blood: Shall then the members think much to be conformable to their Head in any thing that he shall call them to?
This description of Christs Humane nature, He also himself likewise took part of the same, meets with sundry Heresies that have been broached against the Humane nature of Christ.
THis description of Christs Humane nature, He also himself likewise took part of the same, meets with sundry Heresies that have been broached against the Humane nature of Christ.
bThe Manichees maintained that Christ was not in true flesh, but that he showed forth a feigned species of flesh to deceive mens senses. If so, then did he not likewise take part of the same with us.
bThe Manichees maintained that Christ was not in true flesh, but that he shewed forth a feigned species of flesh to deceive mens senses. If so, then did he not likewise take part of the same with us.
bManichaei, Christum non fuisse in carne vera, sed simulatam speciem carnis ludificandis humanis sensibus praebuisse. ibid. Haer. 46.
dThe Valentinians taught that Christ brought a spiritual and celestial body from above. Then did he not likewise take part of the same flesh and blood that we do.
dThe Valentinians taught that Christ brought a spirituall and celestiall body from above. Then did he not likewise take part of the same flesh and blood that we do.
dValentinianl asserunt Christum a profundo spiritale vel caeleste corpus senum attulisse. ibid. Haer. 11.
eThe Apolinarists say that Christ took flesh without a soul. Among other Arguments they produce this and other like texts, where mention is made only of flesh & blood. But the Apostle here speaketh of the visible part of man: comprising the invisible part, which is his soul by a Synecdoche, under the visible, which is flesh and blood. But this phrase, He also himself likewise took part of the same, showeth, that as our flesh and blood is animated, with a reasonable soul, so also Christ was. By the; like reason they might say that Christs body had no bones, because it is said, The Word was made flesh, Joh. 1. 14. Yea by the like reason they might say, that the Israelites which went down into Egypt had no bodies, because it is said of them, All the souls, Gen. 46. 15.
eThe Apolinarists say that Christ took flesh without a soul. Among other Arguments they produce this and other like texts, where mention is made only of flesh & blood. But the Apostle here speaketh of the visible part of man: comprising the invisible part, which is his soul by a Synecdoche, under the visible, which is flesh and blood. But this phrase, He also himself likewise took part of the same, sheweth, that as our flesh and blood is animated, with a reasonable soul, so also Christ was. By the; like reason they might say that Christs body had no bones, because it is said, The Word was made flesh, Ioh. 1. 14. Yea by the like reason they might say, that the Israelites which went down into Egypt had no bodies, because it is said of them, All the souls, Gen. 46. 15.
eApolinaristae dicunt Christum carnem sine anima suscepisse. ibid. Haer. 55.
*An ancient Father attributed this Heresy to the Arians also, and for refutation thereof produceth all those texts of Scripture which make mention of the2 soul of Christ, whereby he proveth that Christ had a soul as well as a body.
*An ancient Father attributed this Heresie to the Arians also, and for refutation thereof produceth all those texts of Scripture which make mention of the2 soul of Christ, whereby he proveth that Christ had a soul as well as a body.
*Aug. contr. Serm. Arian. cap. 9.
2g Papistae asserunt per consecrationem panis & vini conversionem fieri totius substantiae panis, in substantiam corporis Christi domini nostri: & totius substantiae vini, in substantiam sanguinis ejus. Concil. Trident. 3. Sess. cap. 4.
The author
William Gouge 1578–1653
PuritansEngland
Rector of St Ann Blackfriars; member of the Westminster Assembly.
