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 ...

§. 74. Of things unclean.

THe persons that under the law were cleansed, are here said to be a 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The word used by the Apostle is derived from an b 1.2 adjective, that signifi∣eth common, Act. 2. 44. and 4. 32. and also it signifieth, polluted or unclean, Ma•…•…. 7. 2. So it is expounded, Act. 10. 14. Thence a verb which properly signifieth to* 1.3 make common, or to call common, Act. 10. 15. But it is oft used in the New Te∣stament, to defile, or pollute, Matth. 15. 11. Act. 21. 28. From thence this particle here translated unclean.

The ground of this phrase is this. The Jewes were a select people, and by Gods* 1.4 call distinguished from all other nations. Ordinances of piety and religion were proper unto them. What was common to others, was in that respect accounted polluted. All the Gentiles were counted a common, and a polluted people: Such creatures as were forbidden unto them, though they were wholsome food and com∣mon to the Gentiles, yet counted unclean, Act. 11. 8. In regard of this priviledge, the superstitious Jewes accounted all rites and customes, which were not agreeable to the traditions of their elders, to be common, or unclean, Mark. 7. 2.

Concerning the thing it self, sins most properly make men unclean; and they both original and actual. That original sin made a child unclean is evident by the Sa∣crament of circumcision, which was performed, when a child was but eight dayes old, Gen. 17. 12. Hereupon all uncircumcised persons were excluded from the pas∣sover (Exod. 12. 48.) and from all other sacred ordinances; Ezek. 44. 7.

That actual sins also made men unclean, is evident by the prescription of means for cleansing the Priest, the congregation, a ruler and a particular person from their sin, Numb. 4. 3, 13, 22, 27.

There were also sundry other things under the law which made men unclean: though simply in themselves not sinful. Hereof see Chap. 1. v. 3. §. 28.

By this it is evident that such as are unclean, may be made clean. The instances before given prove the point concerning legall uncleaness. Concerning spirituall uncleanness, it is said that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, 1 Ioh. 1. 7.

• 1. This giveth an instance of the free grace, and rich mercy of God to poor sin∣ners.
• 2. This is a strong motive to stir us up to believe in Christ, and to repent of our sins, Isa. 1. 16. Ezek. 33. 11. 2 Cor. 7: 1.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  (c) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Why things common counted pol∣luted.