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 ...

§. 21. Of Christ a Prince of Peace.

A Second mystery is taken from the place where Melchisedec raigned: which 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Salem, and signifieth peace, as was shewed, v. 1. §. 4. In this also was Melchise∣dec both a type and a pattern.

As a type he prefigured Christ to be a King of peace. This is he who is stiled the Prince of Peace, Isa. 9. 6. and said to be our peace, Eph. 2. 14. As an evidence here∣of, so soon as he was born, an heavenly host sang, On earth peace, Luk. 2. 14. The peace and unity of Christs Kingdome is elegantly and emphatically set out, Isa. •…•…. 4. and 11. 6. &c.

Two things there be which especially declare him to be a King of peace.

• 1. That peace which he made betwixt the Creator and creatures.
• 2. That which he made among creatures themselves.

God at first made all in perfect peace. There was a sweet harmony and con∣sent. No discord, no dissention. Creatures by sin brought all out of frame. For,

• 1. Gods wrath was incensed, and he made an enemy.* 1.1
• 2. Good Angels, holding close to their Lord, proved also enemies to such as re∣belled against him, and became executioners of Gods vengeance upon them.
• 3. There was variance in man himself. All the powers and parts of soul and bo∣dy rising one against another: and conscience accusing and terrifying him.
• 4. Hatred, malice, and enmities were so betwixt man and man, as they became wolves, Tygers, Lyons, yea, devils one to another.

But Christ being made King, made up all these breaches. For,* 1.2

• 1. He satisfied Gods justice, pacified his wrath, and reconciled man to God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3. 25. and 5. 8, 9, 10.
• 2. Christ took men and made them members of his mysticall body: and having so united them to himself, made Angels to be at peace with them, Col. 1. 20.
• 3. He communicateth his Spirit unto men, whereby all the powers of their souls, and parts of their body are renewed and brought into a sweet harmony.
• 4. He brake down the partition wall betwixt Jew and Gentile, (Eph. 2. 14.) and made all one in himself (Gal. 3. 28.) and so alters their disposition, as they may lovingly live together, Isa. 11. 6. &c.

Object. Christ himself saith that he came not to send peace but a sword, Matth. 10. 34.* 1.3

Answ. Three distinctions are here duly to be observed.

• 1. Betwixt peace and peace. There is a peace of the world, which is conspiracy of worldlings together in evill matters: and there is a peace of Christ which is spiri∣tuall. The former Christ came not to send: the latter he gives to all his, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 14. 27.
• 2. Betwixt persons and persons. Christ came not to make wicked ones at peace with his Saints: but Saints with Saints.
• 3. We must distinguish betwixt the proper end of a thing, and a consequence fol∣lowing therupon. Thus these words, I came not to send peace but a sword (Ma•…•…h. 10. 34.) intend a consequence which followed upon Christs comming into the world. For the Gospell of Christ being a light, and professors thereof holding out this light, thereby is discovered the darknesse and lewdnesse of the men of th•…•… world: which they can no way endure: but thereupon draw the sword, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

• all manner of persecution against those that hold out this light. By reason of this consequence, Christ is said not to come to send peace, but the sword.

The foresaid peace being proper to Christs Kingdome, serves as a matter of tryall, to discover who are of the Kingdome of Christ.

The subjects thereof are men of peace: and that,* 1.4

• 1. As they are at peace with God, reconciled to him, and made subject to his will.
• 2. In that their consciences are pacified, and they cheerfully go on in their Chri∣stin course.
• 3. In that the severall powers of their soul and parts of their bodies consent to do Gods will.
• 4▪ In regard of their peaceable disposition: they pursue peace, and hurt none, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11. 9.

Peace being the property of Christs Kingdome, this is a strong attractive to draw •…•…n unto this Kingdome, and move them there to abide. Who would not dwell in Salem, in a Kingdome of peace? If the excellency and necessity of that peace which Christ bringeth were duly weighed, this would be found to be a very great privi∣ledge. All out of this Kingdome are haters of God, and hated of him: liable to Gods* 1.5 wrath, Vassals of Satan, heires of hell: but all in and of this Kingdome are lovers of* 1.6 God, and be loved of him: his children and heires of glory.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The enmity which sin made.
• * 1.2

  How Christ made peace.
• * 1.3

  How Christ sends not peace but the sword.
• * 1.4

  Christs sub∣jects are men of peace.
• * 1.5

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

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