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 ...

§. 3. Of Brethren in reference to Saints.

THe Apostle to work the more upon these Hebrews manifesteth both his intire affection to them (by stiling them brethren) and also his good opinion of them by calling them holy, and partakers of the heavenly calling.

Of the divers acceptation of this Title Brethren See Cha. 3. v. 1. §. 3.

Some take the word brethren in this place to be used in relation to Saints of* 1.1 Christ, as it is used, Chap. 2. v. 11, 12. But that reference cannot well here stand: The word useth to be some note of restriction, when this relation is used in reference to Christ, as the brethren of the Lord, 1 Cor. 9. 5. or his brethren, Act. 1. 14. or Christ himself is brought in so calling them, as Chap. 2. v. 11, 12.

When a meer man speaks to others, and cals them brethren, this relation is to be taken betwixt him that speaketh and them to whom he speaketh. Thus this title here hath relation betwixt the Apostle and those to whom he wrote.

Because they were Hebrews to whom in speciall this Epistle was directed, it may* 1.2 be supposed that the Apostle useth this Title in reference to that common stock whence he and the Hebrews came, as where he saith, Brethren, Children of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Abraham, Act. 13. 26. And, my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, Rom. 9. 3. But this attribute holy will not well admit that restriction. For most of the Jews were through their unbelief cut off from the holy root.

All the Jews are not to be wholly exempted; Such as remained not in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are here intended as well as Gentiles.

This Title Brethren in this place is to be taken in a spirituall sense, and that in re∣ference* 1.3 to a mutuall profession of the same faith. Thus it is taken ver. 12. & Chap. 10. ver. 19. & Chap. 13. ver. 22. and in other Epistles of the Apostles for the most part.

In this sense all Christians, of what stock or degree soever they be, whether Jews or Gentiles, great or mean, male or female, free or bond, Magistrate or Sub∣ject, Minister or people; All sorts of Christians are knit together by a common mutuall bond:

They all have one Father. Mal. 2. 10. Eph. 4. 4.* 1.4

One Mother, the Church; for they are born again by the Word of God which is proper to the Church, 1 Pet. 1. 23.

One Elder Brother, who is the first-born amongst many brethren, Rom. 8. 29.

One and the same priviledges, Eph. 4. 4, 5, 6.

They are all one in Christ, Gal. 3. 28.

One and the same Inheritance belongeth to them all, 1 Pet. 1. 4. & 3. 7.

In these and other like respects they are also stiled members of the same bo∣dy, 1 Cor. 12. 12. And branches of the same Vine, Iohn 15 5. See more hereof, §. 17.

• 1. God hath thus nearly linked them together to shew that he is no respecter* 1.5 of persons; Therefore that ^a Title which the Grecians use to give to an only Son, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to them all in reference to God, Eph. 5. 1. Hereof See §. 17.* 1.6
• 2. Hereby is shewed that Christians should live in love amongst themselves,* 1.7 1 Pet. 3. 8. and maintain peace, Gen. 13 8. and be of the same minde and affection, 1 Cor. 1.0. and ready to help and succour one another, Exod. 7. 11. and carry themselves as equals one to another, Rom. 12. 16. Not swelling one against another, 2 Cor. 12. 20. In a word, all kinde of Christian duties are much enforced by the re∣lation of brethren.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iuui•…•…s in sa∣cri•…•… Paral. lib. 3. •…•…n Heb. 3. 1.
• * 1.2

  Brethren here not according to flesh.
• * 1.3

  Brethren here in a spiritual sence.
• * 1.4

  How all Chri∣stians are bre∣thren.
• * 1.5

  Why all bre∣thren.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪
• * 1.7

  Duties of bre∣thren.