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 ...

§. 144. Of Christs last comming without sin.

IT is said of Christs last comming, that it shall be a without sin. Hereby this second comming is distinguished from Christs first comming into the world, and appearing therein. The difference lyeth herein.

He came at first to be a surety for sinners, and to bear the sins of many, as was shewed, §. 139.

But now shall he appear in another estate.

• 1. Not bearing a burden, but bringing a discharge; not as a surety, to discharge a debt, but as a pay-Master that hath discharged it.
• 2. Not as a sheep to the slaughter, or a sufferer, but as a Conquerour and delive∣rer from all sin and punishment.
• 3. In no manner of businesse, meannesse, or weaknesse, occasioned by sin, but in glory, and Majesty, as triumphing over sin, death, and devil.
• 4. Not with a body subject to any affliction, but an impassible and glorious body.
• 5. Not in his own person only, but in his whole mystical body, full and com∣pleat in all the members thereof, without sin; even without spot or wrinckle, as Eph. 1. 27.

Thus it appears that as Christs glorious comming to judgement, the utter abo∣lishment of sin shal be manifested. He shal appear without sin. This is further evi∣dent by Christ then destroying the last enemy, which is death, •…•… Cor. 15. 26. For then wil he cast death it self into the lake of fire, Rev. 20. 14. The destroying of death presupposeth an utter abolishing of sin. This utter abolishing of sin, is effected by the perfection of Christs Sacrifice and intercession. By the Sacrifice full satisfaction is made, by his intercession, a sufficient application thereof to every one of the elect, the number of whom shall be then fully accomplished.

• ...

  1. If Christs first comming in the flesh, were a matter of great comfort and joy to •…•…e faithful, in that he came to take upon him our sins, that we might be freed from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 same; what is this, which shal be without sin. Upon consideration of that first •…•…ming; saith God, Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, Isa. 40. 1. And again, Rejoyce •…•…ly, O daughter of Sion; shout, O daughter of Ierusalem. Behold thy King com∣•…•… unto thee, &c. Zach. 9. 9. The very Angels rejoyced at his first comming, Luk. •…•…. 13. And they who lived to see him first exhibited, much blessed God, as old Si∣•…•…, and Annah the prophetesse, Luk. 2. 20, 28. &c.

  What comfort then, and matter of rejoycing and praising God doth this second •…•…ming minister unto us? especially if we well weigh the difference betwixt the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the other, which was in part observed before.

• 2. A great encouragement this is to strive against sin, to stand against Satan, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to faint, but to resist unto blood, as Chap. 12. v. 4. This comming of Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sin, gives assurance of full conquest to all his members.
• 3. It is a matter of terrour to such as live and die in sin, and are not in this world •…•…eed from it. There can be no hope of freedome for such. This phrase, without 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…eweth that Christ will no more come, as a surety, and a Sacrifice. There re∣•…•… no more Sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgement, &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10. 26, 27.

Notes

• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Difference be∣twixt Christs first and se∣cond com∣ming.
• Sin utterly abolished at Christs second comming.