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 ...

§. 47. Of blessing as an act of preheminency.

THat principle which is here brought in, to be without all contradiction, is thus expessed, The lesse •…•…s blessed of the better or greater. Of the Greek word transla∣ted a 1.1 •…•…etter. See Chap. 1. v. 4. §. 39.

This comparative, b 1.2 the lesse, though it be of the neuter gender, yet it hath re∣ference to Abraham, who is said to be blessed of Melchisedec, v. 1. The neuter gender is used, because it is a generall proposition, and may be extended to all sorts of things as well as persons.

The other comparative, greater, hath reference to Melchisedec, who blessed A∣braham, v. 1.

Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in generall. See Chap. 6.

That we may the better discern, how the foresaid proposition is without all con∣tradiction,* 1.3 we must take notice of the kind of blessing that is here meant. For men may blesse God who is infinitely greater then all men, Iudg. 5. 9. Iames 3. 9. And among men, the lesse in many cases blesse the greater. As Solomon a King blessed his people, so the people blessed him, 1 King. 8. 55, 66. Mean persons that are relieved, blesse great ones that relieve them, Iob. 31. 20.

The blessing here meant is a blessing of ratification, whereby Melchisedec assureth Abraham of the full accomplishment of all those promises that God had made unto him. This Melchisedec did as a Minister, and Priest and Prophet of God: in all which functions he was greater then Abraham. Thus are all they, who by vertue of their calling, or relation to others, stand in Gods room, and in Gods name, assure them of Gods blessing to them: or at least call upon God for his blessing upon them.

This is an authoritative kind of blessing, and argueth superiority in them who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Parents, Governours of Families, Governours of Common-wealths, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the word have a power in this manner to blesse. See more hereof, v. 1. §. 12.

Object. Kings and other Governours are oft times among them, whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ministers blesse. Are Ministers thereupon greater then Kings or other 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Answ. Though in their persons and civill government, Kings and other gover∣nours are greater then Ministers of the word: yet such Ministers in the execution 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their office are greater then the foresaid persons. For they stand in Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and are Gods mouth: they command in Gods name: they exhort to doe Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉. So they blesse in Gods name.

• 1. This doth much commend the Ministeriall function.
• 2. It should stir up men to have that calling in high account, and to believe God•…•… word preached by them, 1 Thes. 2. 13.

The main point here proved is, that Melchisedec was greater then Abraham 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by consequence then Levi: and his Priest-hood greater then the Priest-hood of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Levites: and that thereupon Christs Priest-hood, which is after the order of Mel∣chisedec is greater then the Priest-hood of the Levites: and answerably to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 way preferr'd.

Melchisedec, as a type, blessed Abraham the father of the faithfull. Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 truth, did not onely blesse little children (Mar. 10. 16.) but also upon his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on into heaven, he lift up his hands and blessed his Apostles (Luk. 24. 50, 51.) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that in the room of all the faithfull.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  (c) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.