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 ...

§. 93. Of Christ as surety.

Heb. 7. 22.

By so much was Iesus made surety of a better Testament.

IN this verse the main point is concluded: namely, that Christs Priest-hood is more excellent then the Leviticall. It is laid down comparatively, thus, By so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was Iesus, &c. This phrase, a 1.1 by so much, hath reference to the 20. v. and sheweth that by how much, that which is established with an oath, is better then that which is established without an oath; so much more excellent is Christs Priest-hood then the Leviticall.

Because that which followeth concerning Christs suretiship tendeth much to our salvation, the Apostle useth this title Iesus, which signifieth, a Saviour. Hereof see Chap. 2. v. 9. §. 73.

Whom he hath hitherto stiled Priest, he here calleth surety; for a Priest is for men in things pertaining to God: he stands betwixt a creditor and debtor, which is the part of a surety.

The Greek word translated b 1.2 surety, is but this once used in the New Testa∣ment: but in other Greek Authors it is frequently used, for one that undertaketh for another. c 1.3 The root out of which this word sprouteth, in generall signifieth a part of mans body: and in particular, the hand. For sureties were wont to strike hands with the party to whom they bound themselves. Hereunto the wise man alludeth, where he saith, If thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand. Prov. 6. 1.

Others take the notation from a noun that signifieth d 1.4 earth, which is firm and fast fixed: for a surety is fast bound and tied. Hereupon saith a wise man to a surety, Thou a•…•…t snared, thou art taken, Prov. 6. 2.

This office a surety being applyed to Christ, sheweth, that he hath so far engaged himself for us, as he neither can, nor will start from his engagement: earth may sooner be removed, then he not perform his engagement. He hath undertaken for all that can be required of us, or desired by us. There is another word applyed to Christ and translated, e 1.5 Mediator (Chap. 8. 6.) which in generall intendeth as much. But this word is the more emphaticall.

As Mediatour Christ standeth betwixt God and man, to make intercession to God for man: and to declare Gods will to man.

As surety he ingageth himself for man to God, and for God to man.* 1.6

For man to God, Iesus undertaketh for what can be required of man.

For God to man, he undertaketh for what can be desired of God.

We ought therefore in this respect duly to consider both what may be required of man, and what may be desired by man.

Two things are required of man.

• 1. A perfect fulfilling of all righteousnesse according to the tenour of the Law.
• 2. Full satisfaction for every transgression.

• 1. That Christ might fulfill all righteousnesse, he was made under the Law (Gal. 4. 4.) by a voluntary subjection of himself thereunto: and being under the Law he fulfilled all righteousnesse, Matth. 3. 15. That this he did for us, is evident by this phrase, By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous, Ro. 5. 19. and by this, we

• ... are made the righteousnesse of God in him, 2 Cor. 5. 21.
• 2. That Jesus might make full satisfaction for all our sins, he was made a curse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whereby he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law. Gal. 3. 13. All his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were for us.

All that can be desired of God by man, is mercy and truth. Mercy in regard of our misery, truth in reference to Gods promises.

That which moved Christ to engage himself as a surety for us, was his respect 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God and man.

To God for the honour of his name. Nor the mercy, nor the truth, nor the •…•…∣stice of God had been so conspicuously manifested, if Jesus had not been our 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

2. To man, and that to help us in our succourless and desperate estate. No •…•…∣ture would, or if any would, could it discharge that debt wherin man stood •…•…∣liged to the justice of God.

• 1. This is an evidence of the endlesse love of Christ. We count it a great •…•…∣dence* 1.7 of love for a friend to be surety for us when we intend no dammage to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereupon. If a friend be surety for that which he knoweth the principall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is not able to pay, and thereupon purposeth to pay it himself, This is an •…•…∣dinary evidence of love. What is it then if he engage his person, and life for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 friend? Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life, Ieb. 2. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a friend to free a captive, or one condemned to death, do put himself into the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and condition of him whom he freeth, that would be an evidence of love 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all comparison. But if the dignity of Christs person and our unworthinesse; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the greatnesse of the debt and kind of payment, & if the benefit which we reap 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by, be duly weighed, we shall find these evidences of love to come as much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the love of Christ, as the light of a candle commeth short of the light of the S•…•…n.
• 2. Christs suretiship is a prop to our faith. It is as sure a ground of confidence 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.8 can be. By vertue hereof we have, a right to appeal to Gods justice: for this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath made full satisfaction: and to exact a debt which is fully satisfied, is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of injustice.

Quest. Why then do Saints appeal from the throne of justice, to the seat of mercy?

Answ. In regard of themselves, and their manifold pollutions and imperfections. In this respect they cannot abide the triall of Gods justice. But in confidence of that full satisfaction which Christ hath made, they dare and do appeal to Gods justice. This is an especiall meanes to settle troubled consciences. A debtor that hath a sure∣ty that is able and willing to pay his debt: yea, who hath fully paid it, feares not his creditor.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Of this compa∣rative compa∣rison. See Chap. 1. v. 4. S•…•…ct. 39.
• b 1.2

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Membrum. ma∣nus
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sive 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Difference be∣twixt surety and mediator.
• * 1.6

  What Christ as surety en∣gageth him∣self for.
• * 1.7

  Christs sureti∣ship an evi∣dence of his love.
• * 1.8

  Christs sureti∣ship a prop to faith.