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 ...

§. 17. Of the Matter, Workmanship, Pillars and use of the Vail.

THe first particular about the foresaid vail is the matter thereof: which was of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linnen, Exod. 26. 31. It was the finest matter that ever any vail was made of.

1. The fine linnen was a type of the pure righteousness of Christ: even that where∣with* 1.1 the Saints are clothed, Rev. 19. 8.

This linnen is said to be twined and that for strength: which shewed the s•…•…ed∣fastnesse of Christs righteousnesse, and that as apprehended by faith.

The colours were most pretious: such as Princes garments use to be set out with.* 1.2

• 1. Blew. This colour is reckoned as a choyce colour of rich apparel, Ezek. 27. 24. Ier. 10. 9. Our Knights of the Garter, who are of the most honourable order amongst us, weare ribons of blew colour.
• 2. Purple. The rich mans glorious attire is thus set forth, he was clothed in purple, Luk. 16. 19.
• 3. Scarlet. A description of such as were delicatly brought up is thus set out, They were brought up in Scarlet, Lam. 4. 5. In all ages and in these our times Princes, Nobles, and men of great place go in purple and scarlet.

These colours set out blood: and shew that in Christs flesh is that pure blood, whereby his Church is purged, Rev. 1. 5. and 7. 14. It is said of Christ that he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with a testure dipt in blood, Rev. 19. 13. The colours shew the glory of Christ even in his flesh. With his blood he purgeth his Church, Rev. 1. 5.

They further typifie the pretiousnesse of Christs blood, 1 Pet. 1. 19. O trample it not under foot, Heb. 10. 29.

This type affords,

• 1. A motive to endevour to be pure as Christ is pure, 1 Ioh. 3. 3.
• ...

  2. A means of tryal to know whether we are of Christs body, Rev. 7. 14.* 1.3

The second particular of the foresaid vail, was the curious workmanship. This, with the f•…•…re-named colours, was a type of excellent grac•…•…s, wherewith Christ in his humane nature was adorned. In this respect it is thus said of him, Thou art sairer then the children of men: grace is powred into thy lips: God, thy God hath •…•…∣ted thee with the oyle of gladnesse above thy fellows, Psal. 45. 2, 7. For God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him, Joh. 3. 34. This is the rather to be noted, because of his fulnesse we all receive, Joh. 1. 16.

A particular instance of the foresaid curious workmanship were the 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 that were wrought thereupon. These were shapes of young men with wings. They did in particular set out the attendance of Angels on Christ as he was God-man, the head of the Church. For the Angels, are said to ascend, and descend upon the Son o•…•… man, Joh. 1. 51. This is a point of great comfort: for by virtue hereof they are made ministring spirits to us. Heb. 1. 14. and have a charge given them to keep us in all our wayes, Psal. 91. 11, 12. And therefore they pitch their tents about us, Psal. 34. 7. and are ready to carry our souls to heaven when we die.

The thi•…•…d particular of the foresaid vail were the pillars whereon it hung. These* 1.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 four, all of 〈◊〉〈◊〉-wood (whereof see §. 12.) They were covered

with Gold (whereof see §. 8.) and set in sockets of Silver. Silver is also a preci∣ous mettal, next to Gold: and more fit for that use then Gold. The hooks where∣unto the vail was fastned were all of Gold, Exod. 26. 32. The pillars set out the deity of Christ: by which his humanity was supported in all that he did endured. The lookes and sockets of silver set out the union of Christs humane nature with his divine.

Hereby we are taught how to believe in Christ: even as he is Immanuel, God with 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Thus our faith will be better strengthned in all his undertakings and suffe∣•…•….

The fourth particular concerning the foresaid vail, concerns the use of it: which* 1.6 vnto divide between the Holy place, and the most Holy, Exod. 26. 33. This typified 〈◊〉〈◊〉 division and difference between the Church militant and triumphant: Though there were but one intire Sanctuary, yet the parts thereof were severed. So though there be but one intire Church, which is the true Catholick Church: yet it con∣•…•… of two parts. We cannot be in both together: therefore we must be con∣•…•… to abide here in the Church militant till the vail of mor•…•…ality be removed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The matter of the second vail, fine lin∣nen.
• * 1.2

  Various co∣lours.
• * 1.3

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 work-man∣ship of the vail.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, Exod. 26. 31.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  The use of the vail.