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 ...

§. 70. Of purifying Water.

THe other means joyned with, blood, for purifying the flesh is thus set down, and * 1.1 the Ashes of an heifer. This hath reference to that type of a red cow, which i•…•… distinctly set down, Numb. 19. 2, &c.

Concerning that type, sundry speciall points are observable.

• 1. It was an heifer. In Greek the title translated a 1.2 heifer is derived from a verb that signifyeth b 1.3 to tame. For such an heifer was one of the tame creatures which men use. It here hinteth the kind, the sex and the age of the beast.
  • 1. The kind was of the herd, or greater sort of cattel. For it was appointed to a very solemn use.
  • 2. The sex was the female: and that in two respects.
    • 1. The female is the most useful in regard of the fruitfulness, that it breed∣eth calves and giveth milk.
    • 2. Females as well as males, were solemn sacrifices, to shew that male and fe∣male are all one in Christ, Gal. 3. 28.
    • 3. The age was but young, for an heifer is so called before it hath a calf: So as it was betwixt a young calf, and an old cow: It was offered up in the prime age.
• 2. The colour of it was red, Numb. 19. 2. Red heifers are counted the strongest, and such as give the best milk. Besides red is a bloody colour, and it typified the red apparell of Christ being sprinkled with blood, Isa. 63. 2. Rev. 19. 13.
• 3. It was without spot, to set out the purity of Christ.
• 4. Yoke never came upon it. Thus it typified Christs freedome from all subje∣ction to others, in himself, and in that right that belonged unto him, Matth. 17. •…•…6. All the subjection that he yeelded to others was meerly voluntary, Phil. 2. 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10. 18.
• 5. This heifer was to be slain and that without the camp. This typified Christs death without the gate of the City, Heb. 13. 12.
• 6. The blood of this heifer must be sprinkled seven times. This typified the ap∣plication of Christs blood from time to time, so long as there was need: for seven is a number of perfection. And this was to be done before the Tabernacle o•…•… the •…•…∣gregation. That is, the Church of God, Numb. 19. 4.
• 7. The heifer must be burnt, to set out the fire of Gods wrath which Christ en∣dured.
• 8. The skin, flesh, blood and dung must be all burnt, Numb. 9. 5. To shew that Christ suffered in the whole man: and that in his suffering, great reproach, as dung, was cast upon him.
• ...

• 9. Cedar-wood, and hysop and scarlet was cast into the midst of the burning of the Heifer▪ These were means of sprinkling the blood: so as the means used for apply∣ing Christs blood unto our selves, are sanctified by the passion of Christ.
• ...

  10. The Ashes of the •…•…aid Heifer were to be gathered up and laid in a clean place. The gathering of Ashes intended the continuance of the merit of Christs sacrifice.

  The laying them up in a clean place prefigured the Church of God which Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cleansed by his blood. This circumstance, without the camp, may here in∣•…•… the Church of the Gentiles.

• 11. With these ashes running water must be mixed: which was called a water of •…•…tion, in that it was for those who by any uncleanness were separated from the congregation: but being sprinkled with this water, he was purified, and so again admitted to the congregation▪ Therefore it is also stiled, a purification for sin, Numb. 19. 9.

Thus the word ashes here in the Text is synecdochically put for the water also,* 1.4 with which it was mixed and made a purifying water: and giveth evidence that God affordeth to his Church means of cleansing such as are unclean. Though he that is washed, needeth not to be washed all over again: yet he needeth to wash his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 13. 10.

Though he need not another regeneration: yet he needeth daily a renewing of his repentance. For this end as God appointed sundry sacrifices, washings and sprink∣lings under the law: So hath he ordained the Ministery of the word, administration of the Sacraments, and other ordinances under the Gospel.

All these are conscionably to be used according to our continuall need thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The type of the red cow.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: juvenca.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. domo.
• * 1.4

  Ashes put for water.