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 ...

§. 26. Of Christs being both an Apostle, and also an Highpriest.

THe second point which the Apostle would have them to consider was, th•…•… Christ is an High-priest.

Of Christs being a Priest, and an High-priest, see Chap. 2. v. 17. §. 172, 173, &c.

The excellencies of Christs Offices and the benefits which we reap thereby, •…•…o give just occasion to consider this Apostle and this High-priest.

Of the excellency and benefits of Christs Propheticall Office, see Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 1•…•…▪ & Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 22. & v. 12. §. 111, 112.

Of the excellency and benefits of Christs Priesthood, see Chap. 2. v. 17. §. 174.

The Function of an Apostle and an High-priest were the greatest Functions th•…•…* 1.1 ever God instituted in his Church. None greater then an High-priest under the Law: none greater then an Apostle under the Gospel. Fitly therefore doth the Apostle here apply them to Christ, who is the most excellent of all, and under∣took for his Church those things which were of greatest concernment for her.

These two Offices, Apostle and High-priest, were never joyned in one man. B•…•… here they are by this copulative particle AND. The same Iesus that was an Apo∣stle,* 1.2 was also an High-priest, he therefore is all in all. Severall persons among* 1.3 men are to be deputed to severall Functions; but Christ alone is sufficient for all Functions. As for continuance of the same Function, there needs many men, be∣cause they are mortall, and they must supply it one after another: but Chri•…•… con∣tinueth ever (Heb. 7. 23, 24.) So for performing severall and distinct duties, there needs severall and distinct men; because all abilities are not in any one man; ye•…•… Christ is able to manage all: For it pleased the Father that in him should all ful•…•… dwell, Col. 1. 19.

Thus have we no need to go to any for the furthering of that which Christ under∣takes. He performs the parts of an High-priest, he also performs the parts of an Apostle. This also he doth in all things that are absolutely necessary for the eternall happiness of his Church.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Christ had the most excellent Functions in the Church.
• * 1.2

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

  Christ able to perform all.