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 ...

§. 32. Of the Cherubims.

THough the Cherubims be here set down, as an ornament of the mercy-seat, thus, and over in the Cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat, Yet they were a distinct type, and may be so considered. The history of them is registred, Exod. 25. 18, 19, 20.

About them these particulars are set down,

• 1. Their title.
• 2. The matter whereof they were made.
• 3. The place where they stood.
• 4. Their manner of standing.

• ...

  1. Their title. a Cherubim is an Hebrew word. Some draw the notation of it from the Hebrew b note of similitude, and a c Chalde word which signifieth a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

  In Hebrew d Cherub signifieth a form or Image of any thing. See Chap. 1. v. 7. §. 84.

  These Cherubims did set out Ang•…•…ls.

  • 2. The Rhemists in their Annotations of this place do justifie the setting up of Images in Churches from this instance: But I return these Answers.
    • 1. We must distinguish between times. Then the Church was in the childhood, much instructed by external, visible and earthly rudiments.
    • 2. This place, where these resemblances were, was the most holy place, kept from the sight of the people.
    • 3. For those Images the Church had an expresse warrant, but Papists have no such warrant for theirs, but rather a contrary inhibition.

Many of the Ancients apply these two Cherubims to the two testaments, The old and the new, and that on these grounds.

• 1. Because they are two.
• 2. Because they agree in one.
• 3. Because they commend unto us the mercy of God.

Answ.

• 1. There is no warrant from any part of Scripture for this application.
• 2. In other places they do apparently set forth Angels: as, Gen. 3. 24. Psal. 18. 10. Ezek. 10. 1.
• 3. Their description declareth them to be Angels.

2. Their matter was of Gold, Exod. 25. 18.

This setteth, forth,

• 1. The excellency and glory of them. For where the Angel of the Lord appeared, it is said the glory of the Lords shone, Luk. 2. 9. See Chap. 1. v. •…•…. §. 90. They are called Cherubims of glory.
• ...

• 2. The purity of their nature. For they continue in that integrity, wherein God at first made them, and thereupon are stiled holy Angels, Mark. 8. 38. See Chap. 1. v. 7. §. 89.
• 3. Their everlasting continuance. For Angels are immortall spirits.

This matter is said to be of beaten work, Exod. 25. 18. So as it was all solid gold: not partly wood, partly gold.

This set out their simplicity: that they were without mixture, spirits without bo∣dies. See Chap. 1. v. 7. §. 86.

This beaten work is said to be in the two ends of the Mercy-seat, Exod. 25. 18.

This declareth that their stability is from Christ. As at first they had their being from Christ, Col. 1. 16. So by him they are established, and so are we also, Eph. 1. 10.

• ...

  3. The place where these Cherubims were set, was in generall the most holy place, which typified heaven.

  Thus heaven is the principal place of Angels aboad: In which respect they are stiled, Angels of heaven, Matth. 24. 36. and Angels which are in heaven, Mark. 13. 32. And an heavenly 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Luk. 2. 13.

  There they were at first placed: and because they remain pure, there they still abide.

  In particular they were placed over the Ark, where God manifested his presence, for they are ever in the p•…•…sence of God (Matth. 18. 10.) that they may still know his will, and that in speciall for the Churches good.

  They were in speciall at each end of the mercy-seat: One at the one end, the other at the other end, Exod. 25. 19.

  This manifested their speciall attendance on Christ. See more hereof Chap. 1. v. 7. §. 97.

• 4. The manner of these Cherubims standing is set down many wayes,

• ...

  1. With wings, Exod. 25. 20.

  This sets out their sweetnesse. Hereof see Chap. 1. v. 7. §. 92.

• ...

  2. With wings covering the mercy-seat, Exod. 25. 20. In this respect the Apostle here saith, that they shadowed the mercy-seat.

  This signified the surpassing and incomprehensable Majesty of Christ: for though he be a mercy-seat, yet is he also a throne of glory, In this respect Angels are set forth with two other wings covering their faces, because they could not en∣dure the brightness of Christs Majesty.

  Should not we then here on earth adore that glorious Majesty?

• ...

  3. With faces looking one to another, Exod. 25. 20.

  This shewed the unity of their minds, and mutuall consent.

  This is a divine and heavenly property.

• 4. With their faces towards the Mercy-seat, Exod. 25. 20.

This manifested their desire to know the depth of Gods counsel concerning his mercy to man: for from the Mercy-seat God caused his will to be kno•…•…, Exod. 25. 22.

In reference hereunto it is said, which things the Angels desire to look into, 1 Pet. 1. 12. How much more ought we to search after those mysteries. The benefit of th•…•… redounds to us.

Notes

• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 What Cheru∣bims signifie.
• b

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Cherubims do not justifie Images in Churches.
• Cherubims of▪ Gold.
• Cherubims of beaten work.
• Cherubims wrought out of the Mercy∣seat.
• The place where the Cherubims stood.
• The manner of the Chru∣bims standing.
• Rev. 6. 16.
• Isay 6. 2.