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 ...

§. 57. Of Christs own blood the price of mans redemption.

THe expression of blood in setting out the truth, as well as in the type, confirm∣eth that which was before noted, that there is no access to God without expi∣ation, and that there is no expiation without blood. Hereof see verse 7. §. 43. 53.

The limitation of the kind of blood in this relative, his own, further manifesteth, that the blood of God is the price of mans sin. In this respect it is said, that •…•…esus sanctified the people with his own blood, see chap. 13. v. 12. §. 129. And that the Sonne of God purged our sin by himself, see chap. 1. v. 3. §. 29. In this sense it i•…•… said, That •…•…ey crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor. 2. 2.

〈◊〉〈◊〉. Is there any blood in God, could God shed blood?* 1.1

Answ. No, the deity simply and singly considered in it self, could not: but

• 1. The person God and man is here joyntly to be considered, and that extended to the divine nature which was proper to the humane. The divine nature so asse∣•…•…ed* 1.2 and united to it self the humane in one person, as properties of the one are at∣tributed to the other. 1 Cor. 2. 8. Iohn 3. 13.
• 2. The divine nature afforded assistance to, and supported the humane nature.
• 3. The divine nature had proper works in the act of mans redemption: as to adde dignity, merit and efficacie to the sufferings of the humane nature.

Thus in regard of the inseparable union of Christs two natures, and of the suffi∣cient assistance which the divine nature afforded to the humane, and of the proper actions of the divine nature, the blood, whereby man was redeemed, may well be •…•…∣led the blood of God.

No less•…•… price could work out so great a work. For infinite wrath was to be pa∣cified, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 justice •…•…o be satisfied, infinite grace to be procured.

• 1. Be•…•…ld h•…•…re the value and worth of mans redemption. Well might the A∣postle* 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it, pre•…•…ious blood, 1 Pet. 1. 19. Nor Christ, nor God himself could pay a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 price. Heaven, Earth, all things in them are not to be compared to this blood.
• 2. Take notice hereby of the vile and cursed nature of sin, which must by such* 1.4 a means be ex•…•…d. N•…•… •…•…ood like to that which causeth death. No death like the death of him that is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God.
• 3. Herein the extent of Christs love is manifested, Eph. 5. 25. Though no lesse* 1.5

• price could redeem the Church, then Christs own blood, yet Christ would not spare that. The great God shed his blood for sinful man.
• 4. O the more then monstrous in gratitude, of such as will spare nothing for* 1.6 Christ their Redeemer: not the vanities of this world, which can do them no true good: not their sins, which make them most miserable.
• 5. Let the consideration of this great price of our redemption, move us to hold* 1.7 nothing too dear for Christ, who thought not his own blood too dear for us. Well might Christ say, If any man come to me, and hate not his Father and Mother, and Wife and Children, and Brethren and Sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my Disciple, Luke 14. 26.* 1.8
• 6. In particular, let it move us to give our selves wholly to Christ. He gave him∣self to death for us. He requires that we give our selves a living sacrifice to him, Rom. 12. 1. He gained nothing to himself by shedding his blood: but we gain re∣mission of sins, reconciliation with God, justification, all happinesse.
• 7. From the foresaid price of our redemption ariseth a firm and sure ground of* 1.9 faith. What place is left for doubting and despairing, when such a price of redemp∣tion as Christs own blood is paid. This price affords two strong props of faith,
  • 1. Infinite mercy.
  • 2. Perfect justice.

Notes

• * 1.1

  How Gods blood.
• * 1.2

  Communicati∣on of pro∣perties.
• * 1.3

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.4

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.6

  Mans ingrati∣tude.
• * 1.7

  Nothing too deare for Christ.
• * 1.8

  Give selves to Christ.
• * 1.9

  Grounds of faith.