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 ...

§. 74. Of Christ our Lord.

THe fourth verse is added both as another argument to prove that Christ was not a Priest after the order of Aaron (because he was of the tribe of Iuda) and also as a confirmation of the former argument, that he was of another tribe: because he was of the tribe of Iuda, which was another then the tribe of Levi. The a 1.1 •…•…au∣sall conjunction shew's that it is added b 1.2 as a reason.

The adjective translated, evident, is a compound: properly it signifieth, before▪ manifest, or manifest before hand: So it is translated, 1 Tim. 5. 24, 25. But here the preposition addeth emphasis. c 1.3 The simple noune signifieth, manifest, 1 Cor. 15. 27. d 1.4 Sundry compounds, very manifest: which emphasis our English imply∣eth under this word, evident. Hereby he gives us to wit, that it was most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and unquestionable truth.

This title, our Lord, hath reference to Christ. Lord, setteth out his supreme so∣veraignty, dignity and dominion. Hereof see Chap. 1. v. 10. §. 128.

This relative, our, hath speciall reference to the Church, and to the severall mem∣bers thereof. So was the pen-man of this Epistle, and they to whom he direct∣ed it.

Christ then is i•…•… speciall the Lord of the Church. In this sense do the Apostles* 1.5 use this correlative, our, joyned with, Lord, in their salutations (Gal. 1. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1. 2.) In their gratulations (Eph. 1. 3. 1 Pet. 1. 3.) In their benedictions (Rom. 1•…•…. 24. 2 Cor. 13. 13.) and on sundry other occasions. Yea, many times believers do ap∣propriate this relation to themselves in the singular number, thus, My Lord, Psal. 110. 1. John 20. 28.

This being taken of Christ as he is the mediator betwixt God and man, •…•…∣eth unto him sundry wayes: as,

• 1. By Gods ordination: For God himself saith of this his son, I have set my 〈◊〉〈◊〉

• ... 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my holy hill of Zion, Psal. 1. 6. And an Apostle saith, God gave him to be the head 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all things to the Church, Eph. 1. 22.
• 2. By that redemption which Christ hath mad•…•… of his Church. He that redeem∣eth any out of bondage, is in that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their •…•…ord, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 20. 2. Therefore these two titles, Lord, Redeemer, are oft joyned together, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 43. 14. and 44. 24.
• 3. By a mutuall compact and Cov•…•…nant betwixt Christ and his Church ▪ as it was of old betwixt God and Israel. God avouched Israel to be his peculiar people: and Israel avouched the Lord to be their God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…6. 17, 18. This was oft fore∣told by the Prophets, Ier. 31. 33. Hos. 2. 23. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13. 9. This the Apostle testifi∣eth to be accomplished in the Christian Ch•…•…rch, Heb. 8. 10. Christ in and by the Gospel and Sacraments offereth himself to be our Lord; and we take him so to be, by subjecting our selves to his ordinances.
• 4. By the Lawes and Ordinances which Christ hath given to his Church. It is the part of a Lord to give Lawes; and he is their Lord in speciall to whom he giveth his Lawes. But Gods word wherein his Lawes are contained, is in a peculiar man∣ner given to his Church, Psal. 147. 19, 20. In this respect the Church is stiled, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pillar and ground of truth, 1 Tim▪ 3. 15.
• 5. By a speciall care which he taketh of his Church. He doth good unto all men: especially unto them who are of the boushol•…•… o•…•… faith. He is the Saviour of all men, speci∣ally of those that believe, 1 Tim. 4. 10.

This speciall relation doth most of all bind those who professe themselves to be of the Church, carefully to perform all duties which belong to Christ as a Lord: and with strong confidence to rest on him as their Lord, both for provision of all things needful, and for protection from all things hurtfull.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 2 Tim. 3. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Heb. 7. 15.
• * 1.5

  Christ is Lord of the Church.