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 ...

§. 2. Of regarding what Christ hath done for us.

Verse 1.

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly Calling, Consider the the Apostle and High-Priest of our profession, Christ Iesus.

THe Apostle having largely set forth the two natures of Christ, his divine and humane, and withall his excellency above all creatures by vertue of his di∣vine nature; and the benefits that redound to us by his exer•…•…ising of his three great offices in h•…•…s humane nature, here he teacheth to make an especiall use of all, which use is intended in these two words, Wherefore Consider.

This use he doth so artificially frame, as he maketh the setting down of it a fit* 1.1 trantion betwixt the second and third Chapter.

The transition is a perfect transition; for it looketh both waies, to that which went before (so it sheweth the use that we must make thereof) and to that which •…•…olloweth; So it laieth down the groundwork of those exhortations which fol∣low; That groundwork is this, Christ Iesus is the Apostle and High-Priest of our profession.

The a 1.2 Greek particle translated Wherefore is the very same that was used Ch. 2.

v. 17. Thereof See more Chap. 2. §. 166. It was shewed Chap. 2. §. 2. that the ex∣cellency of the Teacher requires the greater heed in hearers. But this inference* 1.3 further sheweth, that the lower any condescendeth for our good, and the grea∣ter the benefits be that redound to us thereby, the more we ought to observe those things that are made known concerning him. Who could descend lower then* 1.4 the Son of God by subjecting himself to death for us. All that Christ did and en∣dured was for us, even for our good. See chap. 2. §. 83. wherefore we ought to con∣sider him. This argument Moses nseth to st•…•…r up the Israeli•…•…es to attend to God and his Law, The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, Deut. 28. 12. So doth the Wise man, Prov. 4. 1, 2. Nature it self p•…•…tteth on every thing to seek its own good.* 1.5

In regard of us Christians, as prudence on our own behalf in helping on our own good requires as much, so gratefulnesse towards Christ. Shall the Sonne of God descend so low as he did, and endure so much as he did, and all for* 1.6 our sake, and we not regard it? Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people? Deu. 32. 6.

This is a great aggravation of Christians neglect of the duty implied under this note of reference, Wherefore. The Levites herewith aggravated the sins of the Je•…•…s, and justified Gods heavy judgements against them, in that God gave them right Iudgements, true Laws, and good Statutes, yea, also his good Spirit to instruct them, them, and yet they regarded him not.

Let us for our part take due notice of all that Christ hath done and suffered for us, to be throughly affected therewith, and to make a right use of all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A perfect transition.
• a 1.2

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

  The inference
• * 1.4

  Due regard to all that Christ hath done for us.
• * 1.5

  Omnia bonu•…•… appetunt. Ethic▪ l. 1. c. 1.
• * 1.6

  Not to regard him who hath done much good for us is a note of in∣gratitude.