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 ...

§. 5. Of this Epithete Holy to whom and to what it is attributed.

THe a 1.1 Epithete which the Apostle here gives to the brethren, Holy, is an high and honourable Title. It is elsewhere in like manner given to others, as 1 Thes. 5. 27. All the holy brethren.

The most excellent that are have this Title Holy attributed unto them, as God himself, Rev. 6. 10. Father, Joh. 27. 11. Sonne and Spirit, Luk. 1. 35. and the excel∣lentest of his Creatures, both Persons, and things, and those above and below.* 1.2

• 1. Above; The Heavens, Heb. 9. 12. The Angels, Mar. 8. 38. and glorified men, 1 Thes. 3. 13. are called holy.
• 2. Below; Professors of the true faith, Col. 3. 12. whether single persons, male Ma•…•…. 6. 20. and female, 1 Pet. 3. 5. and children born of such, 1 Cor. 7. 14. or the whole society and communion of them. These are called an holy Priesthood, an holy Nation, 1 Pet. 2. 5, 9. An holy Temple. More eminently they who are of extraordi∣nary Functions in the Church, as Apostles, and Prophets are called holy, Revel. 18. 20.
• ...

• 3. The Priviledges and gifts that God bestoweth on his Church are also called holy, as holy Scriptures, Rom. 1. 2. Holy Law, Holy Commandments, Rom. 7. 12. Holy Covenant, Luke 1. 72. Holy cal•…•…ing, 2 Tim. 1. 9. Holy faith, Jude v. 20. Holy conversation, 2 Pet. 3. 11. And the parts of mens bodies used in devotion, as Holy hands, 1 Tim. 2. 8. and Christians mutuall salutations, as an holy kisse, Rom. 16. 16.
• 4. Sundry places were so called, as Ierusalem, Mat. 4. 5. The holy City, because it was a Type of the Church, and of the Kingdom of heaven, and because the Temple wherein God was worshipped was there; And the Holy Mount 2 Pet. 1. 18. where Christ was transfigured; And the place where God in speciall manifested his presence was called holy ground, Act. 7. 33.

The Hebrew word which is translated holy in the Old Testament, is applied to* 1.3 the Temple and to the severall parts and courts thereof, and to all the persons and things appertaining thereto, as Priests, Levites, Altars, Sacrifices, Incense, Oyl, Water, •…•…estments, all manner of Utensils, Ordinances, and other things which were for sacred uses.

When the Greek word used in the Text is set alone as a Substantive and not as an Adjective joyned with another, it is translated Saint, Salute * 1.4 every Saint; Thus for the most part it is translated in the plurall number, Saints, which is all one as* 1.5 holy ones.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Of the derivation and notation, of this Greek word, See ch. 2. §. 100.
• * 1.2

  The Heathen in regard of that esteem which they had of their gods, stiled them, The holy Ghost, Dan. 4. 8, 9.
• * 1.3

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  ^• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.