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 ...

§. 24. Of Christ an Apostle.

THat which the Apostle would have us especially to consider in Christ, concern∣eth two of his Offices: namely his Propheticall Office, in this word Apostle,* 1.1 and his Priestly function, in this, High-priest.

Though it be the Propheticall Office of Christ, which is set out under this word Apostle, yet that word is used, because an Apostle was the chiefest Minister that eve•…•… was instituted under the New Testament, Eph. 4. 11. And an Apostleship had more priviledges conferred upon it then ever any other Function in the Church, before or since the Apostles times had. This amplifieth the excellency of Christs Prophe∣ticall Office: and sheweth that it is of the most excellent kinde.

Of the meaning of this word Apostle, see Chap. 2. v. 2. §. 26. There was shewed how Apostles, properly so called, were distinguished from other Ministers, both in the manner of their calling, and also in the speciall priviledges that belonged thereunto. That which is further to be declared concerning Christs Apostleship, is to prove that Christ was an Apostle.

• 1. In his generall Function.
• 2. In his speciall calling thereunto.
• 3. In the priviledges that appertained to that Function.

• I. The generall Function of Christ, as a Prophet, an Apostle and Minister of* 1.2 the Word of God, was to make known the will of the Father unto his people. Th•…•… Christ did this, hath been before shewed, Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 14. & Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 22, 24. & v. 12. §. 111, 112.
• II. His speciall call to that Function was immediate from the Father. Christ th•…•…* 1.3 saith of himself, As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you, Joh. 20. 21. Of•…•… doth Christ make mention of this, that his Father sent him. Where Christ saith to the Jews, Ye have neither heard the Fathers voice at any time, nor seen his shape (Jo•…•… 5. 37.) He speaketh it in an opposition betwixt the Jews and himself, and giveth them to understand that what they had not done, he had done. He had both he•…•… his Fathers voice, and seen his shape. Therefore he thus saith, Not that any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father, Joh. 6. 46. To the same purpose tends this, No man hath seen God at any time, the only beg•…•…tten S•…•… which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him, Joh. 1. 18.
• III. The priviledges which belonged to an Apostolicall Function, and in •…•… most eminent manner appertained unto Christ, were these eight th•…•… follow.
  • 1. Christ laid the foundation. For he first preached the Gospel in Paradise,* 1.4 Gen. 3. 15. Of Christs first publishing the Gospel, see Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 24. Ye•…•… Christ himself was the very foundation, 1 Cor. 3. 11. He is also the chief cor•…•… stone, Eph. 2. 20. There is mention made of the foundation of the Apostles a•…•… Prophets, but that is tropically spoken, in that they were Ministers to lay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proper foundation, which is Jesus Christ.
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  • 2. The whole world was Christs Jurisdiction. No limits were set to his Fun∣ction. The uttermost parts of the earth were for his possession, Psal. 2. 8. He preach∣ed peace to them that were nigh, and to them that were afar off, Eph. 2. 17.
  • 3. He had his gifts immediatly by the Spirit, Isa. 11. 2. Luk. 2. 20. Not by any m•…•…ans of man.
  • 4. He received the Spirit more abundantly then any other. He received it not by measure, Joh. 3. 34. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge were hid in him, Col. 2. 3. Yea the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him, Col. 2. 9. He was so full, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his fulness we all receive, Joh. 1. 16.
  • 5. He could not but have infallible assistance in that he was the very truth it self, Ioh. 14. 16. And the Spirit of God was upon him, Luk. 4. 18.
  • 6. He also must needs have power of giving gifts, in that he was the prime authour of all gifts. He gave gifts unto men, Eph. 4. 7. He breathing on his Disci∣ples, said, receive ye the holy Ghost, Joh. 20. 22.
  • 7. About miracles he had more power then ever any other. Never any wrought miracles more in number, and more strange in their kinde then any Prophets or Apostles, Ioh. 9. 32, & 15. 24. But that which most distinguisheth Christs power in this respect from others, is, that Christ wrought them in his own Name. But others in the Name of Christ, Mark 1. 27. Acts 3. 12, 16. & 4. 10
  • 8. Vengeance especially belongeth unto Christ, Rom. 12. 19. When the Apo∣stle delivered the incestuous person over to Satan, he did it, in the Name, and with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 5. 4.

Thus it appears that all things belonging to an Apostleship, did truly, properly, and pertinently belong to Christ: so as this title, Apostle, is here most fitly appli∣ed to him: and in so eminent and excellent a manner can be attributed to no other.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Why Christ called Apostle.
• * 1.2

  Christ made known Gods will.
• * 1.3

  Christ imme∣diatly called.
• * 1.4

  Priviledges of Christs Apo∣stleship.