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 ...

§. 49. Of the Church having what it hath by Christ.

THe second part of the assumption (set down §. 46.) is here proved. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ is the builder. It is proved by a generall thus, God hath built all thi•…•… therefore Christ hath built that house whereof Moses is a part.

This title a 1.1 God, must here in particular be applied to Christ, or else there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consequence in the argument.

The Apostle doth purposely expresse Christ under this title God, for these reasons.

• 1. The work he speaks of is a Divine work proper to God.
• 2. It sheweth, that without question and beyond comparison, Christ was gre•…•…∣er then Moses.
• 3. This ratifieth what he had before declared in the first Chapter, concerni•…•… Christ, that he was true God.

Some restrain this generall, b 1.2 all things, to the Church: as if he had said, Go•…•… hath built up all the members of the Church, and all things appertaining thereunto▪ Thus they restrain this phrase, Who worketh all things after the counsell of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will, (Eph. 1. 11.) to the things of the Church.

If the phrase be taken in the most generall extent that may be, even for all crea∣tures, it will tend to the same scope; for then the argument will be this, from the generall to the speciall, He that▪ hath built all things, hath assuredly built the Church and the severall members thereof, and all things appertaining thereto.

To 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at this generall tendeth to the same end that the point proved do•…•… (which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…hus laid down, ver. 3. He who hath builded the house, hath more •…•…∣nour then the house.) The Apostle useth c 1.3 the very same word both here an•…•… there.

This manner of expressing the builder before-mentioned, by this title God: and by the extent of his work all things, much amplifieth the excellency of Chri•…•… above Moses: and it confirmeth two great articles of our Christian faith: which are these.

• 1. Christ is true God. Hereof see more Chap. 1. v. 8. §. 107. where this title God is applied to him. And Chap. 1. v. 10. §. 128. where this title Lord, as the interpre∣tation of Iehovah is applied to him.
• 2. Christ is the Creator of all things: For so much this word, built, in reference to this extent, all things, importeth. Hereof see more Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 18. & Chap. 1. v. 10. §. 127.

Two arguments are here set down against Arius.

• 1. The title God, which is properly taken.
• 2. The work of creating all things; which is proper to the true eternal God.

The speciall point here intended by the Apostle, is that the Church is made a•…•…* 1.4 house of God, and the severall members of the Church, so ordered and qualified as they make up that Church: and all this by Christ. By Christ children of me•…•… who are by nature dead in sinne, are quickned and made lively stones, by him they are gathered together, and indued with all needfull graces, whereby they come to be an holy house, and a fit Temple for God to dwell in. The Son quickneth wh•…•… he will, John 5. 21. In Christ all things are gathered together in one, Eph. 1. 10. Of his fulnesse have all we received and grace for grace, John 1. 16. In this respect Christ is styled The Head of the Church, and the Saviour of his Body, Eph. 1. 22. & 5. 23.

• 1. The members of the Church, before they were members, were dead and* 1.5 scattered, and destitute of all grace. Therefore there must be some to quicken the•…•… to gather them, and to furnish them with grace.
• 2. Christ of all is the fittest to do this. He is the very wisdom and the power of the Father. By him all things were made and all things are preserved, sustain∣ed and ordered. Most meet therefore it is that the Church should receive her spirituall being and preservation, and every good thing, from and by Christ.
• ...

• 3. For working the great work of mans redemption, which is proper to the Church, Christ humbled himself even to death, the death of the Cross. Most meet it is therefore that he should have the honour of building up his Church. Thus he seeth of the travell of his soul, and is satisfied, according to the promise, Isa. 53. 11. reade Phil. 2. 8, 9, 10, 11.

This honour is given to the Son of God, that all men should honour the Son. even 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they honour the Father, Joh. 5. 23.

Let us therefore that are of this house, that finde our selves quickened, gather∣ed, and built up in this holy house, and freed from our former miseries, acknow∣ledge as much, as Naaman did, 2 King. 5. 15. Or rather as the tenth Leper did, t•…•…rn back and glorifie God, Luke 17. 15. Let us return all the praise and glory of all the beauty we have to Christ, and not arrogate any thing to our selves; but with humble thankfulness say, By the grace of God I am what I am, 1 Cor. 15 10. and thus, I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, Gal. 2. 20.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Christ true God. See Chap. 1. v. 8. §. 107.
• b 1.2

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.4

  The Church made a•…•… house by Christ.
• * 1.5

  Why Christ bullds up the Church.