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 ...

§. 42. Of Gods saving Christ from death.

THe exemplification of Gods power over death, is here set down in this word a 1.1 Save: which is used sometimes for temporary preservation (Matth. 8. 25.) and sometimes for eternal salvation, Acts 4. 12. It is likewise put for a totall free∣dom from all fear and danger (Heb. 7. 25.) or for a supportance in danger: In which respect the Apostle being in great danger, said, The Lord will preserve (or b 1.2 save) me unto his heavenly Kingdom, 2 Tim. 4. 18. In this later sense of suppor∣tance may the word be here taken. For by saving from death, we may not think that Christ desired a meer immunity, and freedom from death: So as he should not taste thereof: but rather a supporting and upholding him in death, that •…•…e should not be swallowed up thereof, or overcome thereby. For he apprehended death as the punishment of sinne, the curse of the Law, and the effect of Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Thus it might seem dreadful and horrible unto him: and Christ as a weak man be so afrighted therewith, as to fear that he should not be able to stand under that in∣supportable burden.* 1.3

By this he sheweth, that God was able to preserve those who are subject to death from being swallowed up in death.

The children of Israel were under sore bondage in Egypt, yet God preserved them, and exceedingly multiplied them in that bondage. They went into the red Sea, but passed safe through the red Sea. God suffered Ionah to be swallowed up by a Whale, but yet preserved him in the fishes belly, Ionah 2. 1. He suffered his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 servants to be cast into a fiery fornace, yet preserved them in that fornace, (Daniel 3. 25.) and Daniel to be cast into the Lions Den, but there kept him 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Daniel 6. 22. Many such evidences doth the Scripture afford: Yea all ages have afforded examples of Gods powerfull providence in this kinde. To this end 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that promise, When thou passest thorow the waters, I will be with thee: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thorow the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest thorow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fire, thou shalt not be burnt: neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, Isai. 43. 2.

Such an absolute power hath God ouer death, as he can say to it, Hi∣•…•… shalt thou come, and no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 38. 11.

This ministreth much comfort and hope in death. In this respect we may after an holy manner insult over death, and say, O death, where is thy sting? 1 Cor. 15. 55.

Though death may arrest us, yet we need not fear that judgement and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall be got against us. •…•…o this may be applied that ancient Prophecy, The sucking childe shall play upon the hole of the Asp: and the weaned childe shall put his hand on the Cockatrice-den, Isa. 11. 8. Christ was saved from death, not as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 private man, but as a publick person, and as an Head to save all his Members 〈◊〉〈◊〉 death, Heb. 2. 15.

The mention of death in this place gives us to understand, that Christ was offer∣ed* 1.4 up to death, though he prayed to be saved from death. As therefore his prayers and supplications were the gifts that as a Priest he offered up, so the putting of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 body to death was the Sacrifice. O•…•… Christs death, See Chap. 2. v. 9. § 80, 83.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To save vari∣ously taken.
• b 1.2

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

  God can save from deaths power.
• * 1.4

  Christ offered up to death.