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 ...

§. 14. Of the Sanctuarie, or Holy place.

THe place wherein the foresaid types were, was called a Tabernacle, in the begin∣ning of this verse. Of that title see Chap. 8. v. 2. §. 5. Here it is called San∣•…•…. a 1.1 The Greek word is an adjective; By the termination thereof it may be of the feminine gender singular, or of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gender plural, which makes it 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Every of the types before mentioned, are of the feminine gender: so as this added as an epithite to each of them, may imply a quality of holinesse be∣longing to them, as an holy b 1.2 Candlestick, an holy c 1.3 table, an holy d 1.4 shew∣b•…•…ead. But being compared with the next verse, where a like phrase is thus used, (〈◊〉〈◊〉 is called the Holiest of all,) it will appear to be here used in the neuter gen∣der, and plural number, and put for a place. Thus heaven is set out by a e 1.5 word of the plural number and neuter gender, Eph. 1. 20. and 2. 6. and 3. 10. This is an 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and carrieth with it much emphasis.

Things are stiled holy in a double respect.* 1.6

• 1. In regard of their pure quality.
• 2. In regard of their sacred use.

In the former respect God is most properly by a kind of excellency stiled 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Isa. 6. 3. Rev. 4. 8. For God i•…•… both originally, and also infinitely holy. By vertue of communication, Angels are stiled holy, (Mark. 8: 38.) By reason of that holinesse wherein God at first made them, and to distin∣•…•… them from those Angels that fell and lost their holinesse. Men also are called holy, by reason of the work of the holy Ghost, which sanctifyeth them, and thereby reneweth that Image of God in them, in which man was at first created, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4. 24.

In the latter respect concerning a sacred use, such things are stiled holy, as are by

divine institution set apart to that use: and that whether it be for once only, as the ground where Moses stood, Exod. 3. 5. Or for perpetual use, Thus sundry persons, vestures, instruments, rites, dayes, and places under the law are stiled holy. Thus un∣der the Gospel, the word, the ministery thereof, Sacraments, other ordinances, as∣semblies of Saints, are stil•…•…d holy.

Such things as in Gods word are stiled holy, ought holily to be used. On this ground, the place whereon Moses stood was for that time holy, Moses was com∣manded to put off his shooes; Exod. 3. 5. That implyed the laying aside of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 af∣fections, when we have to do with God.

This title, Sanctuary; or (as it is in the (f) Hebrew and (g) Greek) holies; was* 1.7 purposly given to the place, to stir them up to have it in high and holy account, and* 1.8 in an holy manner to perform the services thereof.

The more to heighten their esteem the title given to the other part of the Sanctua∣ary* 1.9 is doubled: and to adde the more emphasis, the words doubled are in the ab∣stract thus, holinesse of holinesses (Exod. 26. 33.) as song of songs (Cant. 1. 1.) and God of Gods.

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

  How things are holy.
• * 1.7

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 san∣•…•….