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 ...

§. 20. Of the resolution of Heb. 8. 3, 4, 5.

Vers. 3.

For every high-Priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

Vers. 4.

For if he were on earth, he should not be a Priest, seeing that there are Priests that offer gifts according to the Law.

Vers. 5.

Who serve unto the example, and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the Tabernacle: for see (saith he) that thou make all things according to the pattern shew∣ed to thee in the Mount.

Vers. 3. IN these three verses there is laid down, a difference betwixt the sacrifice of Christ, and the legall Priests.

This difference is,

• 1. Propounded, v. 3.
• 2. Illustrated, v. 4.
• 3. Confirmed, •…•…. 5.

1. In the proposition there is,

• 1. A case granted.
• 2. An inference made thereupon.

In the case granted, three branches are observable.

• 1. The person, high-Priest, amplified by the generality, •…•…very.
• 2. The ground of the case, is ordained.
• 3. The act, to offer. This is amplified by the subject matter to be offered: which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 distinguished into these two kinds. Gifts, and sacrifices.

The inference is, that Christ must also offer. This inference is,

• 1. Generally hinted, in this illative particle, wherefore.
• 2. Particularly expressed. In the particular expression we have,
  • 1. The ground of that which is •…•…et down. It is of necessity.
  • 2. The person intended, this man.
  • 3. The sacrifice, implyed under this phrase, somewhat also.
  • 4. The end of his sacrifice, to offer.

Vers. 4. 2. In the Illustration, the place where the one, and other Priests offer is discussed.

Hereof are two parts.

• 1. Where Christ offered his sacrifice.
• ...

  2. Where the legall Priests offered theirs.

  The former is,

  • 1. Implyed by a supposition.
  • 2. Proved.

• 1. In the supposition we have.
  • 1. The thing supposed, If he were on earth.
  • ...

    2. A consequence inferred thereupon, He should not be a Priest.

    These two imply a strong negation, namely that Christ was not on earth: whence it followeth that heaven is the place where Christ exerciseth his Priest-hood.

• 2. The proof is taken from the act of the legall Priests. Here we have,
  • 1. The persons, There are Priests.
  • 2. Their act, that offer. This is amplified by the subject, Gifts.
  • 3. The ground thereof, according to the Law.

Vers. 5. The Confirmation is taken from Gods ordinance, v. 5.

This may have a remote reference to v. 3. Every high-Pri•…•…st is ordained to offer, &c.

This is thus proved, he serveth-unto the example, &c. Or it may have an immedi∣ate reference to this last clause of v. 4. According to the law. For Moses was admo∣nished, and received a Law that the Priests should so do, as they did.

This confirmation manifesteth a main difference betwixt legall Priests and Christ: they served to that shadow, whereof he is the substance.

Of that confirmation there are two parts.

• 1. The office of legall Priests.
• 2. Their warrant.

Their office is set out.

• 1. By their act, who serve.
• 2. By the object to which they serve. This is set out two wayes,
  • 1. By the types.
  • 2. By the truth.

The types are in these two words, Example, shadow.

The truth is in this phrase, Heavenly thi•…•…gs.

The Priests warrant is,

• 1. Propounded.
• 2. Exemplified.

In propounding the warrant there is expressed.

• 1. The Minister that was imployed, Moses was admonished.
• 2. The principall author thereof: God.
• 3. The time when it was given, when he was about to make the Tabernacle.

In the exemplification of the warrant there is observable.

• 1. The manner of enjoyning it, See.
• 2. The matter. Herein we have.

• 1. The Author, saith he.
• 2. The Minister imployed, That thou make.
• 3. The extent of things to be done, all things.
• 4. The manner of making them. This is,
  • 1. Propounded, according to the pattern.
  • 2. Exemplified,
    • 1. By the kind of pattern, shewed to thee.
    • 2. By the place, in the Mount.