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.
All the benefits that flow from Christs Office and Passive obedience, from […] ⟨p. 145⟩Death and Sacrifice, from his Burial and Resurrection, from his Ascension and Intercession, are fruits and effects of his Priesthood. For as our Priest he subjected himself to the service and curse of the Law: he offered up himself a Sacrifice; he was buried and rose from the dead: he entered into heaven and there maketh continual intercession for us.
All the benefits that flow from Christs Office and Passive obedience, from 〈…〉⟨p. 145⟩Death and Sacrifice, from his Buriall and Resurrection, from his Ascension and Intercession, are fruits and effects of his Priesthood. For as our Priest he subjected himself to the service and curse of the Law: he offered up himself a Sacrifice; he was buried and rose from the dead: he entred into heaven and there maketh continuall intercession for us.
1. Satisfaction of Divine Justice: For Christ as our Priest and Surety standing in our room, in our stead, and for us satisfied Divine Justice. Without this satisfaction no mercy could be obtained: but through this satisfaction way is made for all needful mercy. In this respect it is said that God is just and a justifier of him which believeth in Jesus, Rom. 3. 28.
To justify a sinner is a work of great mercy: yet therein is God just, because he doth it upon satisfaction.
2. Pacification of Gods wrath. Offence of Justice incensed Gods wrath. Satisfaction of Justice pacifieth the same. When Phinehas had executed justice on Zimri and Cosi, God saith, Phine as hath turned my wrath away,
. If upon mans execution of just judgement upon delinquents, which is but one part of satisfaction, Gods wrath was turned away, much more will it be pacified by that full satisfaction which the Son of God hath made. In this respect Christ is said to▪ be the propitiation for our sins, (
.
3. Pronouncing Gods favour. This follows necessarily upon pacifying wrath: as upon removing of darkness light followeth. God reserveth not wrath, because mercy pleaseth him, (
.) So as the brightness of mercy dispelleth the cloud of wrath. That Christ procureth mercy and favour for man, is evident by this style which God giveth him, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,
. God hereby setteth forth Christ to be such an object of his good pleasure, as he is well pleased with every one whom he beholds in Christ. That Christ procureth favour, as he is a Priest, is evident by this inference upon Christs Priesthood. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
. Redemption out of that miserable estate whereunto man by sin had plunged himself. This followeth upon the former points: For Divine justice being satisfied, wrath pacified, and favour procured, Christ once vanquished the devil.
1. Satisfaction of Divine Iustice: For Christ as our Priest and Surety standing in our room, in our stead, and for us satisfied Divine Justice. Without this satisfaction no mercy could be obtained: but through this satisfaction way is made for all needfull mercy. In this respect it is said that God is just and a justifier of him which beleeveth in Iesus, Rom. 3. 28.
To justifie a sinner is a work of great mercy: yet therein is God just, because he doth it upon satisfaction.
2. Pacification of Gods wrath. Offence of Justice incensed Gods wrath. Satisfaction of Justice pacifieth the same. When Phineas had executed justice on Zimri and Cos•i, God saith, Phine as hath turned my wrath away, Numb. 25. 11. If upon mans execution of just judgement upon delinquents, which is but one part of satisfaction, Gods wrath was turned away, much more will it be pacified by that full satisfaction which the Son of God hath made. In this respect Christ is said to▪ be the propiti•tion for our sins, (1 Joh. 2. 2.) that is, the means of pacifying Gods wrath: and we are said to be saved from wrath through Christ (Rom. 5. 9.) and to be delivered from wrath, 1 Thess. 1. 10. This did Christ as Priest: as is evident by the types under the Law. For by legall Priests Gods wrath is said to be pacified, Numb. 16. 46, 47, 48.
3. Pronouncing Gods favour. This follows necessarily upon pacifying wrath: as upon removing of darknesse light followeth. God reserveth not wrath, because mercy pleaseth him, (Micah. 7. 18.) So as the brightnesse of mercy dispelleth the cloud of wrath. That Christ procureth mercy and favour for man, is evident by this style which God giveth him, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, Matth. 3. 17. God hereby setteth forth Christ to be such an object of his good pleasure, as he is well pleased with every one whom he beholds in Christ. That Christ procureth favour, as he is a Priest, is evident by this inference upon Christs Priesthood. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, Heb. 4. 16. Christ as a Priest is Gods favourite and our Advocate, 1 Ioh. 2. 1.
4. Redemption out of that miserable estate whereunto man by sinne had plunged himself. This followeth upon the former points: For Divine justice being satisfied, wrath pacified, and favour procured, Christ once vanquished the devil.
Satan could not stand against Christ, nor could the power of hell hold such as Christ redeemed. Though this be a privative benefit, yet if we well weigh the malicious and mischievous disposition of the devil, that held us in bondage, and the miserable condition in which we lay, we may soon discern how great a benefit it is. That redemption is wrought by Christ, is expressly set down, Eph. 1. 7. and that it is a fruit of his Priesthood is evident by this phrase, Christ by his own blood entered in once into the Holy place, having obtained eternal Redemption for us, Heb. 9. 12.
5. Access to the throne of grace. The infinite disparity betwixt God and man manifesteth this to be a great prerogative: and the rich treasure of all good things tending to life and happiness, which is to be found at the throne of grace, manifesteth this to be an unspeakable benefit. That we have access to the throne of grace by Christ, is evident by this phrase, Through Christ we have access unto the Father, Eph. 3. 18. That this is by virtue of Christs Priesthood, is evident by this phrase, Seeing we have a great High Priest, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, Heb. 4. 14, 16.
6. Reconciliation with God. This the Apostle sets down as a fruit of Christs Priesthood in this very verse: Whereof see more §. 180.
7. Justification. This also is a very great benefit, that wretched vile sinners should be justified in his sight, who is of perfect and infinite purity. This cannot be ⟨p. 246⟩by any righteousness of our own. For in Gods sight no man living can be justified, Psal. 147. 2. It must needs therefore be by the righteousness of another: and that other can be none but Jesus Christ: by the faith of Jesus Christ we are justified, Gal. 2. 16. This was done by Christs undertaking to be for us, which is the Office of a Priest. Under this head, Reconciliation, Adoption and other like Christian prerogatives are comprised.
8. Sanctification. This must needs be a great benefit, because it is a renovation of Gods image in us, Eph. 4. 24. That this is by Christ, is evident in that Christ is made unto us Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1. 30. That this is by virtue of Christs Priesthood, is evident in that it ariseth from the death and resurrection of Christ, (Rom. 6. 5, 6.) which are effects of Christs Priesthood.
9. Eternal salvation. This is the end of all the rest, without which they are of no use.
Satan could not stand against Christ, nor could the power of hell hold such as Christ redeemed. Though this be a privative benefit, yet if we well weigh the malicious and mischievous disposition of the devil, that held us in bondage, and the miserable condition in which we lay, we may soon discern how great a benefit it is. That redemption is wrought by Christ, is expresly set down, Eph. 1. 7. and that it is a fruit of his Priesthood is evident by this phrase, Christ by his own blood entred in once into the Holy place, having obtained eternall Redemption for us, Heb. 9. 12.
5. Accesse to the throne of grace. The infinite disparity betwixt God and man manifesteth this to be a great prerogative: and the rich treasure of all good things tending to life and happinesse, which is to be found at the throne of grace, manifesteth this to be an unspeakable benefit. That we have accesse to the throne of grace by Christ, is evident by this phrase, Through Christ we have accesse unto the Father, Eph. 3. 18. That this is by vertue of Christs Priesthood, is evident by this phrase, Seeing we have a great Highpriest, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, Heb. 4. 14, 16.
6. Reconciliation with God. This the Apostle sets down as a fruit of Christs Priesthood in this very verse: Whereof see more §. 180.
7. Iustification. This also is a very great benefit, that wretched vile sinners should be justified in his sight, who is of perfect and infinite purity. This cannot be ⟨p. 246⟩by any righteousnesse of our own. For in Gods sight no man living can be justified, Psal. 147. 2. It must needs therefore be by the righteousnesse of another: and that other can be none but Jesus Christ: by the faith of Jesus Christ we are justified, Gal. 2. 16. This was done by Christs undertaking to be for us, which is the Office of a Priest. Under this head, Reconciliation, Adoption and other like Christian prerogatives are comprised.
8. Sanctification. This must needs be a great benefit, because it is a renovation of Gods image in us, Eph. 4. 24. That this is by Christ, is evident in that Christ is made unto us Sanctification,
This therefore must needs be a great benefit. That this cometh by Christ is evident by his Name Jesus, Matth. 1. 21. That this is an effect of Christs Priesthood, is evident by this inference, Christ hath an unchangeable Priesthood, wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, &c. Heb. 7. 24, 25.
This therefore must needs be a great benefit. That this cometh by Christ is evident by his Name Iesus, Matth. 1. 21. That this is an effect of Christs Priesthood, is evident by this inference, Christ hath an unchangeable Priesthood, wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, &c. Heb. 7. 24, 25.
Such an Office, so excellent, so needful, so useful to us, as Christs Priesthood is, cannot but require much duty from us. By virtue thereof Christ gave himself for us. Do not we then owe our selves, and all that we have, and all that we can1 do, to Christ? But in special we ought so to account of Christ, and so to use him as the Jews did their High Priests.
SUch an Office, so excellent, so needfull, so usefull to us, as Christs Priesthood is, cannot but require much duty from us. By vertue thereof Christ gave himself for us. Do not we then owe our selves, and all that we have, and all that we can1 do, to Christ? But in speciall we ought so to account of Christ, and so to use him as the Jews did their Highpriests.
1. Negatively, they might not curse the Ruler of their people, (Exod. 22. 28.)1 Thereby was meant their High Priest: for so it is applied, Act. 23. 4, 5. Under this negative is comprised an high esteem and honourable mention of their Priest. Much more must we so respect Christ.
2. In matters of Controversy, they were to go unto the Priests, and do according2 to the sentence which the Priest should give, Deut. 17. 8, 9. Christ declareth hi• sentence by his written word, to that therefore must we stand.
3. In case of uncleanness the Jews went to the Priest to judge thereof, and to be3 cleansed there from, Lev. 13. 2, &c. It is the blood of Christ that cleanseth from all spiritual uncleanness, 1 Joh. 1. 7. Go to Christ therefore to be cleansed.
4. The Jews brought all their oblations and sacrifices unto their Priests, Lev. 5.4 8, 12, 16, 18. We must do all in the Name of Christ, Col. 3. 17. That general is exemplified in the particulars following:
1. Miracles were done in the Name of Christ, Mark 16. 17.
2. Baptism was administered in his Name, Act. 2. 38. So the Lords Supper.
3. Christians assembled together in the Name of Christ, 1 Cor. 5. 4.
4. They executed Ecclesiastical censures in the Name of Christ, 2 Thess. 3. 6, 12.
5. They prayed in the Name of Christ, Joh. 14. 13. & 16. 23.
6. They gave thanks in his Name, Eph. 5. 20. Heb. 13. 15.
7. All things wherein we have to do with God are to be done in the Name of Christ, Heb. 5. 1.
8. All other lawful things, as eating, drinking, doing the works of ou• Calling, exercising works of justice, works of mercy, and all lawful works are to be in the Name of Christ, Col. 3. 17.
5. Christ by his Priesthood hath made us Priests, Rev. 1. 6. We therefore must5 offer such sacrifices unto God as are warranted in Gods Word. Particulars are these:
1. Our bodies, Rom. 12. 1.
2. Our hearts, Prov. 23. 26. especially broken hearts, Psal. 51. 17.
3. Prayers, Psal. 50. 13, 15. & 141. 2.
4. Praises, H•s. 14. 2. Heb. 13. 15.
5. Fruits of righteousness, Psal. 4. 5. Mich. 6. 8.
6. Our riches, Prov. 3. 9. These are made sacrifices,
⟨p. 247⟩1. By benevolence to the poor, Heb. 13. 16.
2. By relieving Ministers, Phil. 4. 18.
7. Our lives, Phil. 2. 17.
8. Such as are under our charge, Josh. 24. 15.
1. Negatively, they might not curse the Ruler of their people, (Exod. 22. 28.)1 Thereby was meant their Highpriest: for so it is applied, Act. 23. 4, 5. Under this negative is comprised an high esteem and honourable mention of their Priest. Much more must we so respect Christ.
2. In matters of Controversie, they were to go unto the Priests, and do according2 to the sentence which the Priest should give, Deut. 17. 8, 9. Christ declareth hi• sentence by his written word, to that therefore must we stand.
3. In case of uncleannesse the Jews went to the Priest to judge thereof, and to be3 cleansed there from, Lev. 13. 2, &c. It is the blood of Christ that cleanseth from all spirituall uncleannesse, 1 Ioh. 1. 7. Go to Christ therefore to be cleansed.
4. The Jews brought all their oblations and sacrifices unto their Priests, Lev. 5.4 8, 12, 16, 18. We must do all in the Name of Christ, Col. 3. 17. That generall is exemplified in the particulars following:
1. Miracles were done in the Name of Christ, Mark 16. 17.
2. Baptism was administred in his Name, Act. 2. 38. So the Lords Supper.
3. Christians assembled together in the Name of Christ, 1 Cor. 5. 4.
4. They executed Ecclesiasticall censures in the Name of Christ,
The former of those properties is so set down as it may be referred either to the Person or to the Office of Christ. As referred to his person it may be thus •anslated, That he might be merciful and a faithful High-Priest▪ Thus these two adjuncts are referred unto two subjects; Merciful to the Person of Christ, Faithful to his Office: As referred to his Office, it may be thus translated, that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest▪ Thus the two adjuncts are referred to one subject, which is the Office of Christ. Both references do in general tend to the same scope, yet I suppose the latter to be the more pertinent, because it is the main scope of the Apostle in this verse to show how fit a high-Priest Christ was. Now mercifulness tendeth much to the fitness of a high-Priest. Of the high-Priest under the Law it is said, He can have compassion, Heb. 5. 2.
The former of those properties is so set down as it may be referred either to the Person or to the Office of Christ. As referred to his person it may be thus •anslated, That he might be mercifull and a faithfull High-Priest▪ Thus these two adjuncts are referred unto two subjects; Mercifull to the Person of Christ, Faithfull to his Office: As referred to his Office, it may be thus translated, that he might be a mercifull and faithfull High-Priest▪ Thus the two adjuncts are referred to one subject, which is the Office of Christ. Both references do in generall tend to the same scope, yet I suppose the latter to be the more pertinent, because it is the main scope of the Apostle in this verse to shew how fit a high-Priest Christ was. Now mercifulnesse tendeth much to the fitnesse of a high-Priest. Of the high-Priest under the Law it is said, He can have compassion, Heb. 5. 2.
The word translated amerciful is derived from a root that signifieth bmercy or pity, Now the proper object of mercy is misery; Thereupon a word derived from the same root signifieth cmiserable, Rev. 3. 17. The Verb derived from the same word is oft used by such as were in misery and sought mercy of Christ; as the blind men who said unto him, dHave mercy on us, Mat. 9. 27. The Hebrew word which is oft translated emercy signifieth also bowels, for mercy ariseth from the moving of the bowels at the sight of misery: fTo have compassion or mercy is frequently set out by a word that signifieth to have the bowels moved, as Mat. 9. 36. Luke 10. 33. & 15. 20. Yea, these two words, bowels and mercy are oft joined together, as thus, gIf any bowels and mercies, Phil. 2. 1. and thus, hbowels of mercies, Col. 3. 12. A like phrase is translated itender mercy, Luk. 1. 78.
The word translated amercifull is derived from a root that signifieth bmercy or pity, Now the proper object of mercy is misery; Thereupon a word derived from the same root signifieth cmiserable, Rev. 3. 17. The Verb derived from the same word is oft used by such as were in misery and sought mercy of Christ; as the blinde men who said unto him, dHave mercy on us, Mat. 9. 27. The Hebrew word which is oft translated emercy signifieth also bowels, for mercy ariseth from the moving of the bowels at the sight of misery: fTo have compassion or mercy is frequently set out by a word that signifieth to have the bowels moved, as Mat. 9. 36. Luke 10. 33. & 15. 20. Yea, these two words, bowels and mercy are oft joyned together, as thus, gIf any bowels and mercies, Phil. 2. 1. and thus, hbowels of mercies, Col. 3. 12. A like phrase is translated itender mercy, Luk. 1. 78.
This I have noted about the word to show that Christ was much moved at mans misery, and thereupon greatly pitied him, and took all occasions to afford him all needful succour; The History of his life registered by the Evangelists gives abundant proof hereof, He was moved with compassion at their bodily diseases, Mat. 15. 32. And at their spiritual distresses, Mat. 9. 36.
This I have noted about the word to shew that Christ was much moved at mans misery, and thereupon greatly pitied him, and took all occasions to afford him all needful succour; The History of his life registred by the Evangelists gives abundant proof hereof, He was moved with compassion at their bodily diseases, Mat. 15. 32. And at their spiritual distresses, Mat. 9. 36.
That he might be thus moved, he subjected himself to the infirmities and distresses whereunto other children of men were subject: This is evident by the Apostles manner of bringing in this Property thus, That he might be merciful.
That he might be thus moved, he subjected himself to the infirmities and distresses whereunto other children of men were subject: This is evident by the Apostles manner of bringing in this Property thus, That he might be mercifull.
. All other lawfull things, as eating, drinking, doing the works of ou• Calling, exercising works of justice, works of mercy, and all lawfull works are to be in the Name of Christ,
