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 ...

§. 77. Of Christs eternal Spirit.

THe ground of that valew and vertue which ariseth from the blood of Christ is thus expressed, who thorow the eternal Spirit offered himself.

Here are two principal causes set down,

• 1. The efficient, The eternal Spirit.
• 2. The matter or thing offered, himself.

By eternal Spirit is here meant the divine nature of Christ. As God he offered 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 his humane nature.

Object. Christ denieth himself to be a spirit, Luk. 24. 37, 39.

Answ.

• 1. Christ speaketh according to their imagination: for they conceited him to be a ghost.
• 2. He denyeth his body to be a spirit: and thereupon bids them handle him, and be∣hold his hands and feet, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones. But here the word spi∣rit is used in regard of the divine nature of Christ, which is of a spiritual sub•…•…ance. For God is a spirit, Ioh. 4. 24. and the Spirit is called eternal, because it is without beginning, as Christ in his divine nature it.

That the divine nature of Christ is here meant, is evident by this act of offering* 1.2 him. For what other Spirit could offer Christ.

• 1. Not the spirit of man; for,
  • 1. That is polluted.
  • 2. Christ was offered for that.
  • 3. That is not eternal.
• 2. Not an Angelical spirit. This action of offering Christ, is too transcendent for a created Spirit. Angels are neither fit nor worthy to offer such a sacrifice as Christ: nor are they properly eternal.
• 3. Not the soul of Christ himself: For that is part of the sacrifice which was offered up. Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, Isa. 53. 10. This Spirit or soul of Christ was made in time: and cannot properly be called eternal.
• 4. Not the Father himself the first person in Trinity. Indeed the Father in regard of his nature is an eternal Spirit: but to him was this sacrifice offered: therefore he did not offer it. He that offered is distinct from him, to whom the offering was made.
• 5. Not the Holy-Ghost the third person in sacred Trinity: who though in re∣gard of his proceeding from the Father and the Son, he be stiled a Spirit, and in his

• nature he be an eternal Spirit: yet he hath not this function of a Priest to offer sa∣crifice to God: and to make satisfaction for sin.

I will not put into this Catalogue, the spirit of beasts or devils. For it is blasphe∣my to have any conceit of their doing that which is attributed to this spirit.

It remaineth that no other spirit can be meant by this eternal Spirit, then the deity of Christ. To which this title Spirit is oft attributed, as Ioh. 6. 63. Rom. 1. 4. 1 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 45.

This title is here used, to set out Christs divine nature.

• 1. By way of distinction from his humane nature, which was true flesh, weak and srail flesh, flesh created in time. Observe most of the places before quoted, and you shall find the word Spirit opposed to Christs humane nature: and that under this title, flesh.
• 2. To shew the ground of the effectual operation of Christs offering himself. This description of Christs divine nature doth confirm sundry great mysteries of our Christian faith, namely these.
  • 1. Christ is true God.
  • 2. He is God eternal.
  • 3. He is of a spiritual substance.
  • 4. He is a distinct person.
  • 5. He is God and man.

This description of Christ is here set down to meet with an objection that might be made against that difference which the Apostle had put betwixt the blood of le∣gall sacrifices, and the blood of Christ: For it might be objected, that Christs blood was a material, external, carnal thing▪ How then could it have such spiritual vi∣gour above other blood.

Answ. Because it was the blood of him that is an eternall Spirit, and offered up* 1.3 by that eternal Spirit. So as his blood was effectual, not simply as it was materiall blood: but as offered by the eternal Spirit whose blood it was. In this case I may say, it is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing, John 6. 63.

This description of Christ teacheth us to worship him in spirit and truth, John 4. •…•…4. To offer up spiritual sacrifices unto him, and with the spiritual eye of faith to look on him, Heb. 11. 27.

Of this Epithite eternal, see §. 65.

Of etemity atttibuted to Christ, see chap. 1. v. 10. §. 129, 145. and chap. 2. v. 16 §. 160.

Much comfort and courage may believers receive against their spiritual enemies, that Christ their head and Lord is an eternal spirit: hereof see more in the whole Armour of God, Ephes. 6. 12▪ Treat. 1. Part. 3. §. 27.

Among other Arguments against Arrius his heresie, concerning Christs being a God made in time, this description of Christs deity is one special one.

This also confirms that which hath been noted of eternal salvation (chap. 5. v. 9. §. 51.) and of eternal redemption, chap. 9. v. 12. §. 65. For Christ our Priest being an eternal spirit, he can provide for, preserve, deliver, and save eternally. From an e∣ternal spirit proceedeth an eternal efficacy. This is the reason why that blood which was shed in time freeth from eternal damnation, because it was offered by an eternal spirit.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Spirit, for Christs divine nature.
• * 1.2

  Several kinds of spirits.
• * 1.3

  How Christs blood more effectuall then others.