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 ...

§. 103. Of blood and water sprinkled with scarlet, wool and hysop.

WAter also, as well as blood, was sprinkled under the law, to cleanse such as were* 1.1 unclean: for it is here said, that Moses took the blood with water. The water here intended, is that which is comprised under a•…•…hes, v. 13. §. 70. For the ashes of an Heyfer was mixed, with running water, and thereby a purifying water made. Besides we read of a little bird, that was to be killed over running water, wherby the blood and water came to be mixed, Lev. 14. 5. This mixture of blood and water was re∣quisite to keep the blood from clodding, and also to make it go the further.

The blood typified the price of our redemption.* 1.2

The water the vertue that issueth from Christs blood, to cleanse away the filth of sin remaining upon us: for water is used to make clean that which is fowle, Isai. •…•…. 16.

The mixture of blood and water typified a cleansing vertue, accompanying the* 1.3 merit of Christs sacrifice, hereof see more v. 13. §. 73.

For the better using of the foresaid blood and water, the law appointed scarl•…•… wooll, and hysop, Lev. 14. 6. Numb. 19. 6.

The word translated (c) scarlet, is sometimes put for purple▪ Both of them are pre∣cious* 1.4 colours, with which the garments of Princes, & other great persons use to be dyed. It is also sometimes translated crimson, Ier. 4. 30. Though we put a difference betwixt scarlet & crimson, one being of a sadder and deeper dye, then the other, y•…•… they are of•…•… put for one & the same colour. I conceive that scarlet is the more proper to the point in hand. For it is the most like blood: and the most precious, and the most pure: least capable of stains. The Hebrew word is derived from a root, that

signifieth to iterate, or do a thing again and again, 1 King. 18. 34. Thence c 1.5 a noun* 1.6 which signifieth the second, Gen. 1. 8. whence the d 1.7 word translated scarlet: because it is twice or oftner dyed: it is a deep die, Isa. 1. 18.

Thus this colour did typifie the preciousness and pureness of Christs blood.

Some apply this to faith, as a means whereby Christs blood is applyed to us: and thereupon take occasion

• 1. To commend the gift of faith, as a most precious gift, 1 Pet. 1. 7.
• 2. To stir up men to aray themselves with faith, as with a most honourable gar∣ment. Above all get faith, Eph. 6. 16.
• ...

  3. Highly to esteem of them, who are rich in faith, Iam. 2. 5.

  Others apply it to the Spirit, which is the means on Gods part to apply Christ unto* 1.8 us. It cannot be denyed, but that the Spirit being the Spirit of God, is most precious •…•…nd pure. He is stiled the Holy Ghost. Neither can it be denyed, butthat he is the most principal means of applying Christ unto us. These may be fitresemblances.

Yet I suppose that all circumstances duly considered, this scarlet, as other types,* 1.9 may point at Christ, and at his death. There are many differing types, that had re∣ference to Christ, by reason of his many different offices, works, properties, and be∣nefits that we receive from him.

That which was dyed with the colour here intended is said to be wool. Wool* 1.10 soaks up that which is liquid, and holds it; so as that which it soaketh up, may be t•…•…e better sprinkled out of it. Wooll before it be dyed, is white, Isai. 1. 18. it is al∣so soft. This might further typifie the purity and mildnesse of Christ.

Besides, a•…•… white and soft wool might be dyed into scarlet, so Christ by death was made bloody as scarlet: I say bloody, for the redemption of believers.

With this scarlet wool hysop was joyned. Hysop is a little herb with many bran∣ches,* 1.11 and in that respect fit to sprinkle. It was counted one of the lowest plants, b•…•…ing set in opposition to the tallest of plants, which is the Cedar tree, 1 Kings 4. 33.

It hath a sweet favour, and a purging vertue.

They who apply the scarlet wool to faith, and to the Spirit, do also thereunto apply th•…•… hysop. For the Spirit, by faith makes men lovely, humble, deniers of themselves. For self boasting is excluded by the law of faith, Rom. 3. 27. Thereby also the Spirit purgeth us Act. 15. 9.

But Christ may most especially be counted the truth intended under this type. He indeed was lowly, Matth. 11. 29. His blood hath the purging vertue. 1 Ioh. 1. 7. He is of a sweet favour▪ Eph. 5. 2. Mat. 3. 17.

Thus we see how all these rites are fit for that whereunto they were ordained: fit in their use, fit in their signification. See v. 18. §. 98.

Their use was to sprinkle blood and water: Of blood and water mixed, and the signification of them, see v. 13. §. 71. Of the mystery of sprinkling, see v. 13. §. 72.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Water and blood sprink∣led.
• * 1.2

  Blood. Water.
• * 1.3

  Scarlet.
• * 1.4

  (a) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 est granum quo purpu∣•…•…a tingitur.
• c 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 se∣cundu•…•….
• * 1.6

  (b) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. ravit.
• d 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 c•…•…∣cineus. Faith resem∣bled to scarlet.
• * 1.8

  The Spirit re∣sembled to scarlet.
• * 1.9

  Christ typified by scarlet.
• * 1.10

  Wool.
• * 1.11

  Hysop.