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 ...

§. 117. Of the meaning of Heb. 7. 28.

For the Law maketh men High-Priests which have infirmity, but the word of the oath, which was since the Law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

TH•…•… causall conjunction, a 1.1 FOR, sheweth that this verse containes a reason of that which went before. It giveth a reason of both parts of the former dissi•…•…i∣li•…•…de, namely,

1. That the Leviticall Priests offered oft, and Christ but once: and that only for* 1.2 others: because he is the Son of God.

This verse doth withall set down a seventh argument (See §. 1.) to prove the ex∣cellency of Christs Priest-hood above the Leviticall. The argument is taken from the different nature of the one and of the other Priest. They were meer men. Christ was the Son of God.

This being taken, for granted, which is an undeniable principle, that the more excellent the Priest is, the more excellent his Priest-hood is, the argument thus lyeth.

The Son of God perfected for ever-more, hath a more excellent Priest-hood then men which have infirmity. But Christ is the Son, &c. and Legall Priests men, &c.

Therefore Christs Priest-hood is more excellen•…•… then theirs.

Against this argument there lie sundry exceptions.

1. Except. Christ was a true man.

An•…•…w. He was not a meer man. He was more then a man. He was God∣man. And in his Priest-hood he must be so considered.

2. Except. Christ was subject to infirmities as well as other men, Chap. 2. v. 17, 18.

Answ. He was not subject to sinfull infirmities, Chap. 4. v. 15. But these are the infirmities which are here principally intended▪ For, for such infirmities were sacrifices offered up.

This last argument is so framed, as it compriseth under it the sum of the former arguments, whereby Christs Priest-hood was proved to be more excellent then the Le•…•…call.

• 1. Christs Priest-hood succeeded that, v. 11. For the word that makes Christ Priest is since the Law.
• 2. They were made Priests by a carnall Law, v. 16. This is the Law here intend∣ed.
• 3. They were made Priests without an oath, v. 21. The word of oath, whereby Christ was ordained is here expressed.
• 4. They died, v. 23. Christ is consecrated for evermore.
• 5. They were sinfull, v. 27. Here they are said to have infirmity. But Christ is perfected.
• 6. They offered for themselves, and that oft, v. 27. But Christ only for others, and that but once. Thus much is implied under this phrase, consecrated for evermore.

By the Law here mentioned, is meant b 1.3 the Law of ceremonies, which is called the Law of a carnall Commandement. See v. 16. §. 80, 81.

The verb translated, c 1.4 made, implieth an ordination or institution to such and such a function. See Chap. 5. v. 1. §. 3.

The noun translated d 1.5 men, is here used in the same sense that it was Chap. 5. v. 1. §. 2.

e 1.6 What an High-Priest is hath been shewed, Chap. 2. v. 17. §. 172.

The noun translated f 1.7 infirmity, is used in the same sense that it was Chap. 5. v. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12.

By g 1.8 the word of oath is meant that expression of Gods oath, whereof see v. 20, •…•…1. §. 91, 92.

The word of oath is here said to be h 1.9 since, or after the Law; namely, the Law of ordaining Priests before mentioned.

For clearing this point sundry doubts are to be resolved.

• ...

  1. The Law is said to be 430. yeares after the Covenant that was confirmed in Christ,

• ...

  Gal. 3. 17. How then is this word of oath since the Law.

  Answ. The covenant there said to be confirmed in Christ, hath respect to a parti∣cular promise of Christ himself, even of his person to descend from Abraham. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this word of oath is a confirmation of a speciall office.

• 2. The Law did not so follow and succeed the fore-named covenant▪ as Chr•…•… Priest-hood did the Leviticall. The Law was added to shew what need there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the covenant to be confirmed in Christ, and to drive us to Christ, Gal. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 24. But Christs Priest-hood came in the room of the Leviticall, and thrust i•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out.

2. Doubt. The Law that came after the foresaid covenant, had no excell•…•… thereupon above the covenant. How then doth the establishing of Christs Priest∣hood after the Leviticall, give an excellency to that above this.

Answ. It is not simply the comming after, but the comming in the room of it, •…•… supply that which the former could not effect, which argueth the excellency of Christs Priest-hood. That therefore the Church might with confidence expect•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be perfected, which could not be by the Levitical Priest-hood & Law thereof, the word of oath was since the Law.

3. Doubt. Christ was a Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, Rev. 13. 8.

Answ. That is spoken in reference

• 1. To Gods purpose in giving his Son, which was from everlasting.
• 2. To the promise made in the beginning of the world, Gen. 3. 15.
• 3. To the efficacy of Christs sacrifice, which was as Christ himself, ever the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Heb. 13. 8.
• 4. To the vigor of faith. For Abels faith eyed Christ and his sacrifice as slead•…•… as beleevers that lived since Christ was actually sacrificed, Heb. 11. 4.

But this is spoken of a solemn manifestation, and confirmation of Christs Priest∣hood. Therefore this phrase which was since the Law, as here used, con•…•…∣eth that which was delivered, concerning the imperfection of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Priest-hood, that needed another to come after it, (v. 11, §. 64.) And the ex∣cellency of Christ which came in the room of the former, and perfected th•…•… which the former could not, v. 19. §. 87.

This title i 1.10 Son, is here set down by an excellency: such a Son as none like him: who alone deserveth this title properly, as it hath reference to God the Father. So as the Son of God is here meant. Of this Son of God see Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 15. Of Gods Son made High-Priest, see Chap. 5. v. 5. §. 27.

This verb maketh, is not here expressed in the Greek: but necessarily to be un∣derstood for this latter clause hath reference to the first clause of this verse, and de∣pendeth upon k 1.11 the verb there used, and is fitly here supplyed by our English.

Of the divers acceptions of the Greek verb translated, l 1.12 consecrated, see Chap. 2. v. •…•…9. §. 97.

According to the notation of the word, is implyeth such a solemn setting apart of the Son of God to his Priestly function, as he was every way made perfect there∣unto: and also makes all that come to him, and rest upon him, perfect. Our Eng∣lish therefore in the Margent have thus expressed this sense, Greek, perfected.

Herein Christ far excelleth the Legall Priests, who were neither perfect the•…•…lves: nor could make others perfect, v. 11. §. 61. Chap. 10. v. 1.

The phrase translated m 1.13 evermore is the same that was used, Chap. 5. v. 6. §. 29. And that to set out the everlastingnesse of Christs Priest-hood. Thus we see, how this verse is a recapitulation of the most materiall points before set down, con∣cerning the excellency of Christs Priest-hood above the Leviticall. For this is the main scope of it▪ and here it is fitly brought in as the conclusion of all.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  The seventh proof of the excellency of Christs Priest∣hood.
• b 1.3

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• c 1.4

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• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.6

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• f 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• h 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• k 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• l 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• m 1.13

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