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 ...

§. 10. Of the resolution of Heb. Chap. 10. V. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Vers. 1.

For the Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very Image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect.

V. 2.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered, because that the Worshippers once purged, should have had no more conscience of sin?

V. 3.

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

V. 4.

For it is not possible, that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 1. THe sum of these four verses is, A Declaration of the impotency of the Law.

This is set out four wayes.

• ...

  1. By the end or use of the Law, v. 1.

  Here-about are set down,

  • 1. The use it self.
  • 2. A consequence following thereupon.
    • The use is propounded two wayes.
      • 1. Affirmatively.
      • 2. Negatively.
    • The affirmative manifesteth.
      • 1. The meannesse of the use, in this word, shadow.
      • 2. An excellency in that meannesse, in this phrase, of good things to come.
    • The negative removeth from the law a speciall excellency, in this phrase, Not the very Image of the things.
  • The consequence is, that it could not make perfect. This is amplified.
  • 1. By the meanes which could not do it, The sacrifices. These are described,
    • 1. By the Act done, offered.
    • 2. By the time when; This in two branches,
      • 1. Year by year.
      • 2. Continually.
• 2. By the persons whom they could not make perfect, the commers thereunto.

Vers. 2. 2. The impotency of the law is set forth by the frequent use of the same things. This is,

• 1. Propounded.
• 2. Confirmed.

In the proposition we may observe.

• 1. The manner of setting it down, by way of interrogation, would they not?
• 2. The matter, have ceased to be offered?

The confirmation is taken from sin remaining in the conscience.

Here about two things are noted.

• 1. A description of the persons, and that by their disposition, worshippers: and by a supposition, once purged.
• 2. A declaration of the sin remaining; they should have had no more conscience of sin.

Vers. 3. 3. The impotency of the law is manifested by a remembrance again of sins. This is amplified two wayes.

• 1. By the same kind of sacrifices, in those sacrifices.
• 2. By the time, Every year.

Vers. 4. 4. The impotency of the law is confirmed, by the kind of sacrifices. Here about four particulars are observable.

• 1. The intimation of the sacrifice, blood.
• 2. The kind of beasts that were sacrificed, Bulls and goats.
• 3. The effect denyed, take away sins.
• 4. The manner of expressing it, it is not possible.