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 ...

§. 80. Of the meaning of these words, Who is made not after the Law of a carnal Commandement. Heb. 7. 16.

Who is made not after the Law of a carnall commandement, but after the power of an endlesse life.

THe first proof of the imperfection of the Leviticall Priest-hood was taken from* 1.1 the mutability thereof. See v. 11. §. 61. A second proof is taken from the weaknesse of that Priest-hood: which was supplied by the powerfull efficacy of Christs Priest-hood. These two points are handled, v. 16, 17, 18, 19.

This relative phrase, a 1.2 who is made, hath reference to Jesus Christ, that o•…•…hs Priest mentioned in the end of the former verse.

He is said to be made, in that he was appointed and deputed to his function. See Chap. 5. v. 5. §. 14. in the end.

The more to commend Christs Priest-hood, the Apostle removeth from it such things as appertained to the Le•…•…iticall Priest-hood: But were far before this other Priest-hood: therefore he saith negatively, not after the Law, &c.

The noun translated, b 1.3 Law, is derived from c 1.4 a verb that signifieth to gi•…•…e, or to distribute, or to govern, for a Law sheweth what is ones own, or what belong•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him. And by it men are governed.

The other noun translated d 1.5 commandement cometh from e 1.6 a verb that sig∣nifieth to command John: 15. 14. and it implyeth a Declaration of his will, who hath power and authority to command.

See a distinction betwixt Law and Commandement, v. 5. §. 38.* 1.7

Law is a more generall and comprehensive word then commandement.

It is indefinitly used for all, or any of those things which were by God gi•…•… i•…•… charge to his people.

Commandement is here restrained to such ordinances as concerned the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Priest-hood. It is metonymically put for the things commanded or enjoyned there∣abouts. Though those things were many and delivered at sundry times, yet the •…•…∣gular number, commandement, is used, to shew,

• 1. That they were in generall all of one kind.
• 2. That they were all a like, carnall.
• 3. That they all lived and died together.

This Epithite, f 1.8 carnall, is derived from a noun that signifieth, g 1.9 flesh, 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1. 24. It is therefore translated fleshly, 1 Pet. 2. 11.

In the new Testament it is applied three severall wayes.

• 1. By way of commendation. Thus it signifieth, that which is soft and 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.10 as, fleshy tables of the heart, 2 Cor. 3. 3. There is a little difference in the Greek word translated, h 1.11 fleshy, but it cometh from the same root the other doth.
• 2. By way of detestation: and that in four respects, as, when it sets out,
  • 1. Mans naturall corruption, Rom. 7. 14.
  • 2. A childish disposition, 1 Cor. 3. 3.
  • 3. A politick and crafty intention, 2 Cor. 1. 12.
  • 4. A puffing humour: making men rest on weak means, 2 Cor. 10. 4.
• 3. By way of diminution. Thus the goods of this world, in opposition to spiri∣tuall gifts and graces, are called, carnall, (Rom. 15. 27. 1 Cor. 9. 11.)

Carnall things are much inferiour to spirituall.

Thus this Epithite, carnall, is here used. For as the goods of this world are not in themselves evill: but compared with spirituall graces, very mean: small or no ac∣count to be put upon them: so the legall commandement about Aarons Priest-hood, was not evill in it self: but compared to the spirituall excellencies of Christs Priest∣hood, very mean, of no esteem: no way to come into competition with them.

Thus is the foresaid commandement called carnall, by way of diminution.

In the new Testament, carnall, is oft opposed to spirituall, Rom. 7. 14. and 15. 27. and 1 Cor. 3. 1. If therefore we take a view of the transcendent excellency of tha•…•… which is spirituall, we shall the better discern the diminution of this Epithi•…•…e, •…•…∣nall.

That which is spirituall is,

• 1. Internall, in the spirit and soul of man.* 1.12
• 2. Divine, wrought by the Spirit of God.
• 3. Heavenly, comming from above.
• 4. Firm and stable, that cannot be removed.
• 5. Darable and perpetuall, that never vanisheth.

In opposition hereunto things stiled, carnall, are,* 1.13

• 1. Externall, concerning the outward man.
• 2. Humane, wrought by man.
• 3. Earthy, of things here below.
• ...

• 4. Alterable, which may be changed.
• 5. Momen•…•…ary, which lasteth but for a time.

In all these respects was the foresaid commandement, carnall.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The second proof of the excellency of Christs Priest-hood.
• a 1.2

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. distrib•…•…o.
• d 1.5

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.7

  mando.
• f 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• g 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  Carnal, divers∣ly taken.
• h 1.11

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

  What spiritual intendeth.
• * 1.13

  What carnall meaneth.