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 ...

§. 87. Of Christs bringing in a better hope.

TO shew that thou•…•…h the Law could not make perfect, yet God left not his Church without all hope of being made perfect, the Apostle declareth a meanes that can do it. This he bringeth in by the conjunction of opposition a 1.1 BUT: and that to amplifie the power of this meanes, which could do that that the Law could not.

The meanes is thus set down, The bringing in of a better hope.

The Greek word translated, b 1.2 bringing in, is a double compound. The sim∣ple verb signifieth, c 1.3 to bring, Matth. 21. 2. The single compound, d 1.4 to bring in, Luk. 1 •…•…. 21. The double compound, to e 1.5 superinduce, or to bring in upon ano∣ther. There is a double emphasis in this word, bringing in.

• ...

  1. In that the abstract, or substantive is used. He doth not say it doth bring in a better hope: or, is the bringer in thereof: but, the bringing in: which implieth that Christs Priest-hood doth this: and that nothing but Christs Priest-hood can do it.

  This work is appropriated to this office.

• 2. In that a double compound word is used. The Grecians use this double compound for such things as are brought in from another place, over and above that which is at home, or in their own Country; as wines, oranges, spices and other such commodities, as are not in our own Countries, but brought to us out of other Countries.

This word then implyeth, that Christ is such a bringer in of a better hope, as com∣meth from another order and kind of Priest-hood, then Levi's.

Fit •…•…y is this word here used to shew, that the powerfull meanes here spoken of is brought in upon the disanulling of the former: to effect that which the former could not. This emphaticall word is found only in this place of the New Testa∣ment.

That which is here said to be so brought in, is stiled, f 1.6 a better hope.

Hope is here metonymically put for the cause of that hope: which was the Priest∣hood* 1.7 of Christ. This he stileth hope, in a double respect.

• 1. In reference to the time wherein David made known the excellency of this Priest-hood. Then it was to come and hoped for.
• 2. In reference to that perfection which is, and shall be effected by Christs Priest∣hood. This is to us, while here we live, to come and hoped for. For heaven, where

• all things are made perfect, is the hope of beleevers. See Chap. 6. v. 18. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Of Hope, see Chap. 3. v. 6. §. 62.

Under this phrase, The bringing in of hope, Christs Priest-hood is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is the ground of hope. The Law proving bankrupt, mans hope was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 As when a supposed able man, having undertaken to do some great work (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Colledge or Hospitall) faileth in his estate, or ability to accomplish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mens hope of having it effected, faileth. But Christs Priest-hood being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the room of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Priest-hood, another and surer ground of hope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 given. Thus is Christs Priest-hood, The bringing in of a better hope.

The soresaid hope is called better in two respects.* 1.8

One in regard of the matter, or things hoped for. By the Le•…•…iticall Priest-〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing could be hoped for, but legall purifications, outward 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earthly inheritances. Such blessings as are promised, Le•…•…it. 26. 4. &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1, &c. But by Christs Priest-hood all manner of spirituall graces here, and •…•…∣nall glory hereafter are hoped for.

The other in regard of the manner of revealing the spirituall and heavenly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hoped for, namely, more immediately, more perspicuously, more efficaciously 〈◊〉〈◊〉 under the Law.

It cannot be denyed, but that all true Saints, even under the Law had the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the spirituall and eternall things here intended. For Iesus Christ is the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉 day, and to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8. and that both in regard of Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which is as sure as the performance it selfe: and also in regard of the efficacy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that Christ did and endured for mans redemption: which was as effectuall to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Adams sins, as it shall be to purge the sins of the last man that shall be purged.

Under the Law Christ was the bringing in of a better hope, because the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which was made of him, made them to hope for better things, then the Law 〈◊〉〈◊〉 afford unto them.

Thus Abraham and all the holy Patriarchs, Prophets and Saints under the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, looked for a City whose builder and maker is God: they desired a better Country, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an heavenly, Heb. 11. 10, 16. This better hope was grounded on Christ who was promised unto them, and confirmed in the legall rites. But now under the Gospell Christ hath actually performed all things that were promised and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 under the Law: and by the revelation of Christ in the Gospell, the whole counsell of God is most cleerly and perspicuously opened: So as now we all with open face •…•…e∣hold, as in a Glasse the glory of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3. 18. As the hope which we have by Christs Priest-hood is letter, so the covenant and testament ratified thereby, and •…•…∣mises depending thereon, and sacrifices appertaining thereto, all better, v. 22. Chap. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 6. and 9. 23. Hereupon Christs blood is said to speak better things, Chap. 12. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and God is said to have provided some better thing for us. Chap. 11. 40.

The principall point here intended is, That by Christs Priest-hood is effected to* 1.9 the full what could not be effected by the Leviticall Priest-hood. Oft doth the A∣postle a supply in this: as here in this Text, and v. 16, 23, 24, 27, 28. and Chap. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 9, &c. This was long observed before by David, Psal. 40. 6, 7, 8.

This gives a demonstration both of the excellency and also of the necessary of Christs Priest-hood.

The excellency thereof appears in this, that it doth that which no other Priest-hood before it could do.

The necessity, in this, that that which must needs be done to bring man to hap∣pinesse, was done thereby to the full.

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 〉. induco.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. superinduc•…•….
• f 1.6

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

  Why that which Christ brought in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called hope.
• * 1.8

  Why better hope of bet∣ter things, see Chap. 2. v. 3. Sect. 21.
• * 1.9

  Christ effect∣ed what other Priests could not.