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 ...

§. 151. Of being made partakers of Christ.

Verse 14.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our •…•…∣dence stedfast unto the end.

THis verse hath reference to the two former verses: and is added as a moti•…•… enforce both the disswasion from Apostasie (v. 12.) and also the direction 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preventing hardness of heart.

The first particle ^a FOR, shews that it is infer'd as a reason.* 1.1

The force of the motive lieth in that priviledge that belongeth to those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 imbrace the Gospel. The priviledge is, that they are made partakers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ.

The Argument may be thus framed,

They who are made partakers of Christ must not depart from God, •…•…∣fer themselves to be hardned.

But ye that profess the Gospel are made partakers of Christ:

Therefore ye must not depart, &c.

Of this word b 1.2 partakers, See v. 1. §. 17. Of this title Christ, See v. 6. §. 54.

To be made partakers of Christ intends two mysteries:

One is a spiritual union betwixt Christ and believers, whereby they are made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 body, 1 Cor. 12. 12. Christ the head: Believers the members thereof.

The other is a right to that heavenly inheritance which properly belonge•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ as the only begotten Son of God: and whereunto believers in Christ are •…•…∣pted, being made joynt-heirs with Christ, Rom. 8. 17.

In both these respects believers are made partakers of Christ. Both these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stand together: severed they cannot be: for all that are united unto him as m•…•…∣bers to an head, shall partake of his glory: and none shall partake of his glory 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his members.

I take the former mystery to be most principally here intended. For he saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉-takers of Christ, not partakers together with Christ, as the Gentiles are said to be •…•…∣takers (together with the Jews) of Gods promise in Christ, Eph. 3. 6. The other •…•…∣ry followeth upon this.

This phrase are made partakers of Christ, having reference to believers, she•…•… that the faithfull have a right to Christ: he appertaineth to them: he is theirs▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this respect he is said to be in them, Col 1. 27. Joh. 17. 23. To live in them, Gal▪ 20. To dwell in their hearts, Ephes. 3. 17. To be one with them, Joh. 17. 21, 22. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mystical union the holy Ghost setteth out by many resemblances, as head and •…•…∣bers, Ephes. 5. 30. husband and wife, 2 Cor. 11. 1, 2. vine and branches, I•…•…h. 15. •…•… foundation and edifice, Ephes. 2. 20, 21. House and inhabitants, v. 6. yea we are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to put on Christ as a garment, Rom. 13. 14.

Of this mystical union, the priviledges, comforts and duties thence arising, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Domest. Dut. on Eph. 5. 30. Treat. 1. §. 70, 71, &c.

The word translated c 1.3 made, implieth that there was a time when they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 partakers of Christ. They were not so born. It was a priviledge conferred 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, John 1. 12. Thus it is said, d 1.4 They were made partakers of the holy Ghost, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 6. 4. This priviledge, To be partakers of Christ, is one of those gifts which came 〈◊〉〈◊〉

from the Father of lights, James 1. 17. It is supernatural. For all men by nature are without Christ, Ephes. 2. 12. This much amplifieth the priviledge, and enforceth the duties inferred thereupon.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.