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 ...

§. 72. Of applying Christs blood intended by sprinkling.

THe foresaid sprinkling of blood and water under the law, intended a spiritual application of the blood of Christ to the souls of men. In this mysticall sense, do both Prophets and Apostles use this metaphor of sprinkling: where it is said, He shall sprinkle many nations (Isa. 52. 15.) the meaning is, that Christ by his Spirit would so apply to the Gentiles, his merits, as they should be perswaded to trust in Christ. To like purpose saith God by another Prophet, I will sprinkle clean water

upon you, Ezek 36. 25. Frequently doth this our Apostle in the mystical sense use this word, as Chap. 10. 22. and 12. 24. So 1. Pet. 1. 2.

By this mystical sprinkling, or applying Christs blood, all the benefit thereof re∣dounds to us. It is as laying a plaister to a sore, as drinking a wholsome potion, as swallowing good pils, as eating and drinking meats and drinks, as putting on a garment. The benefit of all these ariseth from the fit application of them; even so it is in the application of the blood of Christ.

Quest. How is this blood sprinkled upon our souls?

Answ. Two wayes.

• 1. By the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 6. 11. which inwardly per∣swades the soul of a right it hath to Christ, and to all that he hath done and en∣dured for mans redemption.
• 2. By faith, Act. 15. 9. This moves us to rest upon Christ for a particular bene∣fit to our selves of his obedience unto death. On this ground the Apostle gives this exhortation, Let us draw neer with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience, and Heb. 10. 22.

The ordinances which God hath sanctified unto his Church, are especial mea•…•… of conveighing Gods Spirit into us: which Spirit in and by those means worketh and encreaseth faith; wherefore as we desire to be sprinkled as aforesaid, and to partake of the benefit of that sprinkling, our care must be, conscionably to attend upon those ordinances.