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 ...

§. 55. Of Christ consecrating the way to Heaven.

THe aforesaid way is described, first, by the manner of preparing it, in this word consecrated.

This is that word which was used, Chap. 9. v. 18. §. 98. And translated dedicated.* 1.1 The differences betwixt them is that that was of the a 1.2 passive voice: this of the b 1.3 active.

This way is here said to be consecrated, c 1.4 for us. That is fitted and prepared for our use: so as we may now boldly walk in it, and make use of it: as the Jewes might boldly use their houses, their grounds, and other things after they were once consecrated. Christ did not consecrate the way for himself. That need∣ed not. But for us sinners.

The consecration here intended was by the blood of Jesus, as, things under the* 1.5 law were consecrated by the blood of beasts.

This phrase consecrated for us, in reference to the foresaid way, giveth us to un∣derstand, that Christ hath made the way to heaven sit for us. He hath prepared it: he hath so ordered all things that we may now freely walke in that way.

In the former verse it was implyed that heaven was opened for us. Here Christ is set forth to be the ladder which being set on earth reached to heaven, Gen. 28. 1•…•…. For Christ, as man, was set upon the earth, as God, he reached to heaven. Here∣unto allusion is made by Christ himself, Iohn 1. 51. In this respect Christ is stiled the way, the truth and the life, (John 14. 16.) that is, the only true way that lead•…•…th unto lise. And in this respect also he is stiled a doore, (Iohn 10. 7.) as he is the meanes of our entring into heaven.

Christ hath consecrated the way as aforesaid in regard of his three offices. For,

• ...

  1. As a Priest he hath truly consecrated and dedicated it: and that by his own blood: as by the blood of sacrifices things were consecrated and dedicated under the law.* 1.6

  Christ by his blood hath taken away our sins (1 Iohn 1. 7.) which made the

• ...

  way to heaven impassible. Thus also hath he consecrated us, and thereby made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…t to go on in that way.

• 2. As a Prophet he hath revealed, and made known this way to us. This he did while he was on earth by himself: and since his taking into heaven, he hath done it by all sorts of true Ministers extraordinary and ordinary, Eph. 4. 11.
• 3. As a King, he causeth the way to be laid out, fenced and made common for all his people: So as it may well be stiled d 1.7 the Kings high way.
  • 2. He sendeth his servants to make that way plain, Isa. 40. 4.
  • 3. He hath appointed watch-men to keep this way safe, and to conduct his peo∣ple through it. These watch-men are magistrates and Ministers.
  • 4. As a guide he hath gone before us, and in this respect is stiled e 1.8 the Prince of life, or chief guide, Act. 3. 15. and (f) Captain of Salvation, Heb. 2. 10.

This is a forcible motive to stir us up to enter into this way, and never to wan∣der out of the same: but to hold on therein, till we come to the end thereof. Thus it will never repent the Lord Jesus, that he hath consecrated it for us.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What to con∣secrate.
• a 1.2

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  The way to heaven conse∣crated for us.
• * 1.6

  How Christ consecrateth.
• d 1.7

  Via regid.
• e 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.