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 ...

§. 46. Of the Holy Ghost testifying the uses of the legal types.

Heb. 9. 8.

The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all, was not yet made manifest, while as the first Tabernacle was yet standing.

THe Apostle having declared both the legall types and services which were done by all sorts of Priests, he proceedeth to set out their end and uses, v. 8, 9, 10.

The generall end and principal use of them all was to raise up Gods peoples mindes unto things to come, which were more spirituall and powerfull then the things that they enjoyed.

To move them to whom he wrote, more diligently to heed what he should deli∣ver here-about, he bringeth in the holy Ghost testifying the truth of that which he was about to deliver, thus, The holy Ghost this signifying. Moses declared those types and services which signified that which is here set down. But as other holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost, (2 Pet. 1. 21.) So did Moses.

O•…•… the Holy-Ghost testifying. See chap. 3. v. 7. §. 74.

a 1.1 The word translated, signifying, implyeth a clear and full manifestation of a matter. It is derived from b 1.2 an adjective that signifieth, evident, certain and mani∣fest: as 1 Cor. 15. 27. Gal 3. 11. 1 Tim. 6. 7.

Another Apostle useth this very word of Christ testifying unto him the kind of his death. And it is translated, shewed.* 1.3

Hence then it appeareth, that the testimonies of the holy Ghost are sure and cer∣•…•…. He is the spirit of truth, and leadeth into all truth.

All credence therefore, and all obedience is to be yielded to that which the holy Ghost testifieth.

In that it is said, the holy Ghost signifieth, that such and such types & services had such uses, as hereafter follow, it is evident that both the types and services themselves, and also their use were of divine institution.

This is further evident in that Moses was admonished of God to do thereabout what he did, chap. 8. v. 5.

Such was their institution, that they might be for their time more religiously observed.

And that the faith of Gods people built upon the truths typified by them might have a sure ground, and firm foundation, as divine institution is.

Contrary hereunto are all popish ceremonies which are made signs and significa∣tions of divine matters, without any divine institution.* 1.4

Quest. May not men make spiritual applications of external things, to spiritual and heavenly uses, without an expresse divine institution?

Answ. We must put difference betwixt allusions taken from some resemblan•…•…es of things, and divine significations to assure us of the participation of spiritual benefit signified thereby. We may make allusions of outward matters to put us in minde of heavenly things. As, from washing our hands, we may make an allusion of cleansing our souls by Christs blood, from putting off and putting on our apparel; we make an allusion of putting off the old man, and putting on the new man. But for such significations as shall assure us in a right use of such and such external matters, to partake of such and such spiritual blessings, we must have a divine warrant which is a divine institution. Such a warrant we have for Baptisme and the Lords Supper, and the sacramental rites thereof.

In that the holy Ghost signified evangelical mysteries by legal types, it will be good pains to search into those types and mysteries couched under them: as hath been shewed. See chap. 4. v. 8. §. 50. and chap. 8. v. 8. §. 50.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Iude 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  The Testimo∣ny of the ho∣ly Ghost is
• * 1.4

  How spiritual applications of external truths may be made.