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 ...

§. 86. Of Christ a Priest, both God and man, and of our duty thereupon.

TO shew distinctly who this Priest was, he expresseth his Name Iesus. This Name was his proper Name, given to him upon his incarnation. Of it See Chap. 2. v. 9. §. 73. & Chap. 3. v. 1. §. 29.

By this title the Apostle declareth Christ to be man: whereby he was fit to do all works of service and suffering that were to be done and endured by a Priest. He declareth himself hereby to be a Saviour. See Chap. 2. v. 9. §. 73.

Because the Priesthood which Christ undertook required matters of Divine dig∣nity and authority, the Apostle addeth that speciall relation which Christ had to God, in this phrase, The Sonne of God. Of this relation See Chap. 1. ver. 2. §. 15.

By this it appeareth that our Priest was both God and man, able and fit for that Function. Hereby is Christ distinguished from Aaron, and from all other Priests. Hereof see more Chap. 2. v. 17. §. 172.

The duty required by virtue of Christs Priesthood, is thus expressed, Let us hold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our profession.

Of the manner of the Apostles expressing his minde in the plurall number and first person, whereby with others he incites himself, See v. 1. § 3.

By profession is here meant the true faith professed. Of the word here translated a 1.1 profession, See Chap. 3. v. 1. §. 27.

The Verb translated b 1.2 hold fast, signifieth to hold a thing so fast, as not to set it go again: Thus it is used of holding Christ, when they had apprehended him, Matth. 26. 48. And of Herods holding Iohn when he bound him in prison, Mark 6. 17. It is also used of the Jews holding the traditions of their Elders, which they would by no means let go, Mark 7. 3, 4, 8. It is applied to retaining of sinne in ob∣•…•…inate persons which shall not be forgiven, Ioh. 20. 23. Here it implieth perseve∣•…•…. In this sense is this Verb used three times by Christ, namely in his Epistle to Pergamus, (Revel. 2. 13.) to Thyatira, (Revel. 2. 25.) and to Philadelphia, Rev. 3. 11.

Of Perseverance in the faith, See Chap 3. v. 6. §. 68.

The inference of this duty upon the description of Christ our Priest, sheweth,* 1.3 that the ground of our Perseverance resteth on Christs Priesthood. For this end doth the Apostle exhort us to consider the Highpriest of our profession, Chap. 3. •…•…ers. 1.

The Sacrifice which Christ as our Priest once offered up, the intercession which

he continually maketh, and the benefits which flow from his Priesthood (whereof See Chap. 2. v. 17. § 174.) are both means and helps to Perseverance.

It becomes us even in this respect to be well informed in this mystery of Christs Priesthood, much to meditate thereon, and well to place our confidence on it.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. What it is to hold fast.
• * 1.3

  Christs Priest∣hood is the ground of per∣severance.