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 ...

§. 128. Of the necessity of Christs suffering but once.

v. 26. IN the 26 verse, A reason is rendered of the former part of the former verse, that Christ did not offer himselfe often. The reason is taken from the kinde of offering, which was with suffering: For then must he a 1.1 often have suffered. The Argument may be thus framed.

If Christ offered himself often, he often suffered: but he hath not often suffered: Therefore he offered not himselfe often.

It is here taken for granted, that Christ offered himselfe up by suffering: yea by suffer∣ing to death, Phil. 2. 8. That Christs death was a suffering death is shewed, Chap. 2. v. 9. §. 76.

The time wherein Christ was to suffer often, if he had offered himselfe often, is here said to be, b 1.2 since the foundation of the world. Of this phrase, See Cap. 4. v. 3. §. 29.

The reason of this extent of time is mans sin. For man sinned anon after the

foundation of the world was laid. And anon after man had •…•…inned, Christ was promi∣sed a Redeemer to free him by his blood from sin, Gen. 3. 15. In this respect Chri•…•… is said to be a Lambe slaine from the foundation of the world, Rev. 13. 8.

The c 1.3 must, that is here put upon the point thus, then must he, is in a double respect.

• 1. In regard of Gods purpose so to redeeme man: for Gods purpose must be ac∣complished.
• 2. In regard of Christs undertaking. He undertooke to redeeme man by satis∣fying Gods justice, which must be by suffering.

By this it appears that a frequent offering of Christ is a frequent making him to suffer. For there is no true offering up of Christ but by death. Therefore he is fail to be a sacrifice in the latter end of this verse: which according to the notation of the d 1.4 Greeke word signifieth a thing slaine, as is shewed, Chap. 8. v. 1. §. 7. I•…•… this respect offering and sacrifice are joyned together, as Chap. 10. v. 12. Eph. 5. •…•….

Let Papists answer this in the case of their frequent offering Christ in thei•…•… masse.

This word of necessity, must, implieth a necessity of Christs death. See v. 9. §. 95.

The force and drift of the Apostles Argument demonstrateth, that Christ could not o•…•…t suffer. The word e 1.5 once, in the next Section proveth as much. The Apostle expresly saith, that Christ dieth no more. Rom. 6. 9. So as no other suffering of Christ is to be expected.

Obj. The Apostle saith, that there is behind of the afflictions of Christ. Col. 1. 24.

Answ. Christs afflictions or sufferings are to be considered two wayes.* 1.6

• 1. In his own person, which he himself suffered in his humane nature.
• 2. In his body, when the members of his mystical body do suffer as members of that body, he is said to suffer with them. Thus when Saul breathed out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord, Christ saith, Saul, Saul, why persecu∣test thou me? Act. 9. 1, 4. This kind of affliction is that which the Apostle calls the afflictions of Christ: but he here speaks of his personal afflictions.

Christ having finished all sufferings on earth, ascended to that glory which he will never leave. But leave it he must, if he suffer again. This should make •…•…s watchful against that apostasie which cannot be recovered without crucifying the Son of God afresh. Heb. 6. 6.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.6

  What suffe∣rings of Christ are behind.