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 ...

§. 159. Of Christs running before us.

THe second generall point, that Christ ran in our race before us, may be taken two wayes,

• 1. In regard of the absolute perfection, and surpassing excellency of all that he* 1.1 did, he far out-stripped all: and thus by an excellency he is stiled a fore-〈◊〉〈◊〉. This is one respect, wherein he may be said to be anointed above his fellowes. See Chap. 1. v. 9. §. 123.
• 2. In regard of his undertaking, to be a guide and patern for us to follow him:* 1.2 thus is he stiled the Captain of our salvation. See Chap. •…•…. v. 10. §. 95.

This much amplifieth the former point of Christs being a runner in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 race. For if thereby the way were made more easie, and believer•…•… drawn on 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 to run their race, much more by this that Christ is a fore-runner and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉: such a fore-runner as espieth all obstacles, and impediments that lie in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and will remove them before we come at them: yea, such a guide as can, and will direct us in the right way: for he is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apostle contenteth not himself with setting a cloud, that is, a thick multitude of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 running in this race, before us: but addes this fore-runner, and bids us in spe∣•…•… manner to look unto Iesus, Heb. 12. 1, 2.

Let us therefore look unto Jesus. The Israelites in the wildernesse so looked un∣•…•… the pillar or cloud that went before them, that when the cloud was taken up in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then they journeyed. Whether it was by day, or by night, that the cloud was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up, they journeyed, or whether it were two dayes, or a moneth, or a year, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…arried upon the Tabernacle; they abode in their tents and journeyed not, Num. 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 22. The Lord Iesus our fore-runner, was the truth and substance of that pil∣•…•…. As then in the wildernesse he went before his Church, in that shadow and 〈◊〉〈◊〉: so much more brightly and visibly in the dayes of his flesh, when he fulfilled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 righteousnesse, (Matth. 3. 15.) and for righteousnesse sake endured the crosse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the shame, Heb. 12. 2. The Lord Iesus is set before us, as the object of our saith, and a pattern for our imitation. We must therefore look unto him with the two eyes of our soul, understanding and faith: and follow him with both the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of our soul, obedience and patience. The Church undertakes thus much in this prayer, and promise, draw me, we will run after thee, Cant. 1. 3. The prayer gives evidence of her understanding and faith. The promise of her obedience. We must look with the foresaid eyes to Iesus, that we may receive life, vigour, strength and all needfull ability: for of our selves we are not sufficient to think any thing as of our 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Cor. 3. 5. We must follow Christ that we may be both guided in the right way, and encouraged to go on therein. Thus Paul followed Christ himself, and exhorteth others to follow him as he followed Christ, 1 Cor. 11. 1. For this end we must,

• 1. Enquire what way Christ entred into heaven.
• 2. Consider what good reason we have, and how great equity there is, that we should follow him: For this end these three points are among others to be duly weighed.

• 1. The dignity of his person that is our fore-runner.
• 2. The perfection of that course which he took. No such pattern was ever set before us. Every Saint had his defects: but Christ did no sin, &c. 1 Pet. 2. 22.
• 3. The reward which followeth upon following him, 2 Tim. 2. 11, 12.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Jesus out-runs all.
• * 1.2

  Jesus a Guide to us.