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 ...

§. 1. Of the Resolution of the third Chapter.

THe Apostle having distinctly set out the divine Nature of Christ, and with it his Royall Function, in the first Chapter, and his humane nature in the second Chapter; in which he exercised his three great Offices of King, Priest, and Prophet, whereof he gave a touch in the seven last verses of the former Chapter: He further setteth forth Christs Propheticall Function in this third Chapter, and in thirteen verses of the fourth Chapter.

In this Chapter is

• 1. laid down the main Point, That Christ was an Apostle and a Priest.
• 2. An exemplification of Christs Propheticall Office.

Of the exemplification there are two parts,

• 1. A Declaration of Christs Faithfulnesse in executing his Office, vers. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• 2. A disswasion from disrespecting that Office of C•…•…rist, ver. 7. &c. to the end of this Chapter.

Christs Faithfulnesse is illustrated by a comparison, and that two waies.

• 1. By way of similitude.
• 2. By way of dissimilitude.

Both the similitude and dissimilitude are betwixt the same persons, namely, Christ and Moses.

• 1. In regard of similitude, Christ was faithfull as Moses, v. 2.
• ...

  2. In regard of dissimilitude, Christ was more excellent then Moses,

  The dissimilitude is exemplified in two pair of relations,

  • ...

    One is betwixt a Builder and a house built;

    The Argument thus lieth,

    • A Builder of a House is more excellent then any part of the House built▪
    • ...

      But Christ is the Builder, and Moses a part of the House,

      Therefore Christ is more excellent then Moses.

    • The Proposition is in the 3^d verse; The Assumption in the 4^th.
  • ...

    The other pair of relations is betwixt a Son (who is the Lord) and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

    This Argument thus lieth,

    • The Son who is Lord is more excellent then any Servant.
    • ...

      But Christ is the Son and Lord, and Moses a Servant,

      Therefore Christ is more excellent then Moses.

    • The Proposition is in the 6^th verse; The Assumption in the 5^th.

By way of prevention, that the Jews might not be puffed up with this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they are the only house of God, the Apostle gives a generall description 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christs house which he extendeth to all beleevers, v. 6.

The disswasion from disrespecting Christ, is

• 1. Generally propounded in a divine testimony: From the beginning of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the 12^th verse.
• 2. Particularly applied from the beginning of ver. 12. to the end of the Chapter

In the divine Testimony is expressed,

• 1. The Authour thereof, The holy Ghost, ver. 7.
• 2. The matter which containeth two branches,
  • 1. A duty implied, If you will hear his voice, v. 7.
  • ...

• ...
  • 2. A vice forbidden; That is,
    • 1. Expressed, Harden not your hearts, v. 8.
    • 2. Exemplified.

In the Exemplification are declared,

• 1. The persons who committed the vice, Your Fathers, v. 9. And the place where it is committed, In the Wildernesse. And the time how long, forty years, v. 9.
• 2. The consequence that followed thereupon: This is twofold,
  • 1. A grieving of God, I was grieved saith the Lord.
  • 2. Incensing his wrath, I sware in my wrath, v. 11.

This latter is aggravated by a fearfull effect, They shall not enter into my rest, verse 11.

In the application of the said divine testimony, there is,

• 1. A direction for the right use thereof.
• 2. An Exposition of sundry passages in it.

Of the direction there are two parts,

• 1. An admonition to take heed of that vice whereby the foresaid Jews provoked God, v. 12.
• 2. An incitation to use an especiall means that may keep them from it, which is mutuall exhortation, amplified by their continuance therein, daily, &c. v. 13.

Both the parts of the direction are enforced by the benefit of observing them, ver. 14.

The exposition of the soresaid divine testimony is continued from the begin∣ning of the 15^th verse of this Chapter to the 14^th verse of the 4^th Chapter.

The passages of that Testimony expounded are three: Two in this Chapter, as

• 1. The ti•…•…e expressed under this word, To day, v. 15.
• 2. The persons therein intended. These are set down,
  • 1. Negatively by way of exemption, Some, Not all, v. 16.
  • 2. Affirmatively by way of determination, who they were.

That more distinct notice might be taken of them the Apostle sets them down by a Dialogism, wherein two Questions are propounded, and direct answers made unto them.

Quest. 1. With whom was God grieved? To this such an answer is made, as specifieth both the cause of grieving God (They that sinned) and the effect that followed thereon whereby it was manifest they had grieved God, Their c•…•…rcasses sell in the wildernesse, v. 17.

Quest. 2. To whom sware he, &c. This is answered, by declaring the particular sin that incensed Gods wrath, They beleeved not, v. 18.

On this last resolution the Apostle maketh an expresse conclusion, So we see, &c. v. 19.

The third Point expounded is Rest in the next Chapter.