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 ...

§. 71. Of the different interpretation of the eleventh verse.

THe foresaid literal sense of this verse being so highly transcendent, seemeth at* 1.1 first sight to be impossible: and thereupon by divers persons is diversly inter∣preted.

1. Some apply it to the state of Saints in Heaven, because here we know in part: but t•…•…en shall we know as we are known, 1 Cor. 13. 12.

Answ. Though that application may fitly stand with the letter, yet it is not a∣greeable to the scope of the Apostle, which is to set forth the priviledges of the Church under the Gospel.

2. Others apply this priviledge to the Apostles themselves, to whom Christ pro∣mised* 1.2 to send the spirit of truth, who should guide them into all truth, Joh. 16. 13.

Answ. These restrain the words too much. Though the Apostles may not be ex∣cluded, but rather accounted the chief and principall of that number to whom this priviledge is promised: yet this is no more to be restrained to them alone, then o∣ther priviledges of the new Covenant.

Besides, an Apostle thus •…•…aith of himself, now I know in part, 1 Cor. 13. 12.* 1.3

3. Others apply it to the Churches planted by the Apostles, who are said to be

〈◊〉〈◊〉 in all knowledge, 1 Cor▪ 1. 5. and to abound in knowledge, 2 Cor. 8. 7. and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ll things: and not to need that any man teach them. 1 Joh. 2. 20, 27.

〈◊〉〈◊〉.

• 1. Though this application extend the priviledge further then the former 〈◊〉〈◊〉; yet it restrains it too short of the extent intended. For it is intended to all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the new covenant even unto Christs second comming.
• 2. The Churches in the Apostles time had need of further instructions: for which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were appointed to water what the Apostles had planted: and ordi∣•…•… pastors were setled in particular congregrations: and the Epistles of the Apo∣•…•… were added for the Churches fur•…•…her instruction.

•…•…. Others restrain it to the recalling of the rejected Jewes, which shall be at the* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the world. For they suppose that a greater light of knowledge shall then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…orth then ever did before: and that then there shall not be such need of means 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath been before.

Answ.

• 1. Though it be granted that knowledge shall then abound more then for∣merly: yet to restrain this priviledge to that time, will much impare the extent of Gods goodnesse to all his confederates under the new covenant.
• 2. Though knowledge shall then abound, yet shall it be by Gods blessing on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that then shall be used: neither can it be imagined, that this promise shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 literally be accomplished.

5. Others extend this priviledge far enough, even to all ages of the Church: but* 1.5 in this extent they stretch the priviledge it self too far: namely, to immediate in∣spiration: they infer that all of the true Church have such understanding of the my∣•…•… of godlinesse, and that by immediate inspiration and revelation, as there i•…•… no need of any ministry. On this ground they cry out against Schooles of lear∣•…•… Colleges, Universities, Arts, Tongues, and other means of attaining know∣ledge. From this proud conceit, they are called Enthusiasts.

Answ. This of all the rest is the falsest glosse, and grossest error: directly against the evidence of Scripture, and common experience. Scripture warranteth means, experience sheweth that the learning and knowledge which men have, is attained by the use of ordinary means.

There are two grounds of this error.

• 1. They take that simply which is spoken comparatively, as we shall after heare.
• 2. They sever the priviledge from the means, which ought not to be done in those things, for which God hath sanctified means.

6. Others apply this priviledge of knowledge to faith in Christ, love of God, joy* 1.6 in the Holy Ghost, and other like Christian graces, to which, they say, Gods con∣federates need not be exhorted, because they are forward enough thereto of them∣selves: and all of them shall have a sufficient measure thereof. This their expositi∣on* 1.7 they ground upon the Chalde Paraphrase, which thus expoundeth the words of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, They shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother 〈◊〉〈◊〉, know to •…•…ear the Lord, for all shall learn to know the fear of me: He putteth know∣ledge of the fear of God, for knowledge it self.

Answ. 1. A Paraphrase is not a sufficient rule to expound the word of God.

1. That exposition no whit resolveth the doubt: for it is as much if not more to love and fear God, to believe and joy in him, then to know him: all these and o∣ther like graces presuppose knowledge. They cannot be without knowledge, yet knowledge may be wi•…•…hout them. If therefore this prophesie be true of such gra∣•…•…, much more may it be true of knowledge.

7. To apply this priviledge to the knowledge here expressed: and to extend it* 1.8 to all of Gods covenant: yet not to pu•…•…fe up any with vain conceipts: this which is here promised is to be taken comparatively and respectively.* 1.9

• 1. Comparatively in reference to those who lived under the old covenant, when the mysteries of godlinesse were so obscurely and darkly in rites, types, and prophecies, as very few conceived those mysteries. They that did conceive any thing, conceived but some few generall notions thereof. They needed to be taught what was the mystery of the Tabernacle, of the Altar, of the Sacrifices, of the •…•…ncense, of the manifold washings, and of other like externall rites.
• ...

• 2. Respectively: and that in two especiall respects.* 1.10
  • 1. In respect of the revelation of the mysteries of God.
  • 2. In respect of opening our understandings to conceive them.
  • 1. In respect of the revelation of the mysteries of the Gospell. The whole counsell of God is so fully and distinctly, so plainly and perspicuously made known, that any person under the new covenant of any mean ca∣pacity, that diligently attends upon the ministry of the Gospell may understand the same: so as now there is not such need, as under the law to stir up men to know God: or to instruct them in the meaning of this or that article of faith, which is revealed by the Gospell, because it is so clearly revealed.
  • 2. In respect to the manner of opening mens understandings, it is much more powerfull and effectuall then under the old covenant. We have not only the ministry of man, but also the anoynting of the Spirit, 1 Joh. 2. 20, 27. There is a kind of oyntment called eye-salve, wherewith the sight will be quickned, though it were dim and dark before. To this doth the Apostle allude: yea, and Christ himself, Rev. 3. 18. By this annoynting we come more clearly to see all the mysteries of the word, then possibly they could be seen before.

Object. The Saints under the old covenant had this annoynting: whereupon David thus prayeth, open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of thy law, Psal. 119. 18. And the law is said to •…•…nlighten m•…•…ns eyes, Psal. 119. 8.

Answ. That annoynting was nothing so powerfull as the annoynting und•…•…r the Gospell: nor the enlightning.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Different ap∣plications of the know∣ledge here promised. 1. To celestial spirits.
• * 1.2

  2. To Apostles
• * 1.3

  3. To the primitive Churches.
• * 1.4

  4. To the cal∣ling of the Jewes.
• * 1.5

  5. To Enthu∣siast•…•….
• * 1.6

  6. To other graces.
• * 1.7

  Chald. Paraph. per •…•…onath. & Ioseph. Cox.
• * 1.8

  7. To all of the new co∣venant.
• * 1.9

  1 Compara∣tively.
• * 1.10

  2. Respective∣ly.