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 ...

§. 119. Of Sacrifices which purge Heavenly things being better then Legall.

THe means whereby the aforesaid Heavenly things are purified are said to be* 1.1 sacrifices.

A Sacrifice according to the notation of the Greek word signifieth a thing shine and offered to God; A bloody sacrifice is therefore here meant, which is the sacrifice of Christ himself. In this respect Christ is said by his own blood to enter into the •…•…ly place, v. 12.

Though that were but one Sacrifice, and but once offered up, yet the plurall number, a 1.2 Sacrifices,

• 1. For excellency sake it was instead of many sacrifices.
• 2. In reference to the many Sacrifices under the Law. This one was the truth of them all, and instead of all.

A Sacrifice was the means of purifying Heavenly things, because thereby satisfacti∣on* 1.3 was made to divine Justice, and divine Wrath was pacified, and thereby way made to mercy, yea thereby Christ merited that all things needefull for us should be effectuall unto us.

By this we may be informed of the need, use, and benefit of Christs offering himself up a Sacrifice: without it we had remained enemies against God, and God against us. We unfit and unworthy to appeare before him. All things unfit, unuse∣full, ineffectuall to us: Christ himself, his incarnation, his purity, ineffectuall to us. Heaven had been as Paradise, kept by Cherubines against us. If it were needefull, that man should not remaine under the power of the devill, nor liable to damnation, then this sacrifice was needfull. As there was great need, so there is great use and benefit thereof; for thereby we are purified, Christ himself is sanctified to us, all that Christ did and endured is made effectuall for our good.

Well might this sacrifice be here stiled b 1.4 better; This is a note of comparison, and it hath reference to the sacrifices under the Law, which were sacrifices of beasts, this of Christ. Therefore well may it be said to be better. There is no one thing which may be said to be better then others, then this better then the Legall Sacrifices, as much more excellent, as God-man is then bruit beasts, so much better 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sacrifice, whereby heavenly truths are purified by legall sacrifices. On this ground it is said of Christ, that not by the blood of Goats and Calves, but by his own blood be entered into the holy place, v. 12.

In this respect Christ is said to be the mediator of a better Covenant, Heb. 8. 6. and the bringing in of a better hope, Heb. 7. 19.

The truth was indeed actually to performe what the types only shewed was need∣full to be performed, but would not performe.

How should this move us to have this Sacrifice in high account, in far higher ac∣count then the Jews had theirs. The pious and upright Jews did most highly esteeme their Sacrifices: they dayly offered them morning and evening; when by any occasion they were uncleane they offered up their sacrifice for cleansing, and re∣ceived satisfaction and peace in their conscience from thence. It was the advice that David gave to Saul in case of offence against God, Let him accept an offering, 1 Sam. 26. 19. When they received speciall blessings from God, they offered sacri∣fices in way of thanksgiving, and did exceedingly multiply the same, as is shew∣ed.

Should not we much more have recourse to this Sacrifice of Christs in all our uncleannesses; and seek to have our souls sprinkled therewith, yea and confidently rest thereupon; yea should not we on all occasions of Thanksgiving offer up our praises in and through that Sacrifice.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What a Sacri∣fies is
• a 1.2

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

  How heaven∣ly things are purified by Sacrifice.
• b 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Wherein the true Sacrifice is better then typicall Sa∣crifices.