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 ...

§. 111. Of blood shed the only means of remission.

AN especiall reason of the foresaid rite of sprinkling blood, is in this phrase,* 1.1 without shedding of blood is no remission. This reason manifesteth a necessity of that rite. For remission of sin is absolutely necessarie: but blood must be shed and sprinkled for remission of sin.

This phrase, shedding of blood, is the interpretation of a 1.2 one Greek word; but a double compound. It is compounded of a b 1.3 noune that signifies blood, and a c 1.4 preposition that signifies out, and a d 1.5 verbe that signifieth power. To joyne them all together, this double compound signifieth a powring out of blood. The word here used is only in this place used: and fitly to the Apostles purpose: for blood could not be sprinkled, unlesse it were first let out of the beast and poured into some* 1.6 vessell to be carried up and downe. Another * 1.7 compound from the foresaid simple verb is used, Chap. •…•…. v. 20. §. 5. 7.

The e 1.8 remission that the Apostle here speaketh of is the remission of sins. The word translated remission hath for the most part this noun, sins, added to it: as Matth. 26. 28. Mark 1. 4. But sometimes it is set alone, and the word sins understood, as Mark 3. 29. Luke 4. 18. and here.

The manner of setting down this point with a double negative thus, without, No, carrieth Emphasis. It implyeth that there is no other way for obtaining remission of sins.

• 1. This reason taketh it for granted that sin is remissible. It may be pardoned; Here∣of see the Treat. of the Sin against the Holy Ghost. Part. 1. §. 5, at the end of Domest. D•…•….
• 2. It is also taken for granted, that blood is the means of purging away sin. Of these two points, see v. 7. §. 43. and v. 18. §. 99.
• 3. The main point here intended is, that there is no other way to expiate sin, but by blood. This is to be taken of the procuring cause of remission of sins: for there are many means as courses to be taken by us, whereby we may gaine assurance that sins are pardoned. But if you read the Scripture thorowout, you shall finde no other purchase of sin, then blood.

The truth that was tipyfied by the blood under the Law, namely, the blood, sacrifice, or death of Christ is the only price that can make satisfaction for sin. Sin is that barr which keepeth the flood-gates fast shut against the current of mercy. Satisfaction of Justice pulleth out the barr, and then mercy flows in apace.

This is sufficient to disprove the many foolish inventions of Papists, wherby they doe egregiously delude their people in seeking pardon of sin.

In particular, this discovereth the vanity of the Popish distinction of a bloody and unbloody sacrifice. They say that their Masse is an unbloody sacrifice: and yet they affirme that it is a propitiatory sacrifice for remission of sins. They thinke to salve up all by a concepit of a concomitancy of blood with flesh. But even that conceipt is here refuted by the word which the Apostle here useth, shedding of blood: without shedding of blood is no remission. It is not sufficient that blood be with flesh: but blood must be shed and powred out, as the notation of the word implyeth. Thus much doth Christ expresse in the institution, This is my blood which is shed, Math. 26. 28. Of the distinction betwixt a bloody and unbloody sacrifice, see Chap. 7. v. 27. §. 115.

For our parts, let us learne to trust, and that wholy and only to this means of re∣mission, the blood of Jesus Christ shed for our sins.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See v. 18. Sect. 99.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fund•…•….
• * 1.6

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• e 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. mitto. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 re∣mitto, inde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 remissie.