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 ...

§. 154. Of the Passeover.

THat Object whereabout Moses testified his obedience, and manifested his Faith, is here stiled the a 1.1 Passeover. Some would have this Greek word from a verb that signifieth to b 1.2 suffer. That derivation might be fit enough, but that it is evident, that the Greek, as also the Latin, are taken from the He∣brew c 1.3 The Hebrew root signifieth, to passe over; thence a d 1.4 noun which sig∣fieth, a passing over. The e 1.5 Calde and Syriack do hold the same letters; but add thereunto another letter, which we pronounce A. In like manner both the f 1.6 Greek and the g 1.7 Latin retain a word of the like pronunciation, which is,

〈◊〉〈◊〉. Our English Passeover fitly setteth out the meaning of the name. The occasion of giving this name Passeover, to the Ordinance intended,* 1.8 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

• 1. In reference to the first time that it was observed, namely to be a signe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, and an assurance that the Destroyer which slew the first born in eve∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Egyptians would passe over the houses of the Israelites, and destroy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in them, if they observed that which was enjoyned about this Passover. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12. 11, 12, 13.
• •…•…. In reference to after-times, to put people in mind of Gods passi•…•…g over, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the houses of the Children of Israel, when he smote the Egyptians. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12. 27, 28.

I find this word Passeover used in four distinct respects.

• 1. In reference to the whole feast, with all the rites and circumstances thereof.* 1.9 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12. 11.
• •…•…. In reference to the Sacrifices that were offered up at that feast. Deut. 1•…•…. •…•….
• 3. In reference to the Lamb, that was then to be killed and eaten. In this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is said, they rosted the Passeover with fire (2 Chro. 35. 13.) that is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which was the Sacramental Element thereof.
• 4. In reference to the truth and substance of that type, which was Christ, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is thus said, Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us. 1 Cor. 5. 7,

The word Passeover is here taken in the first and largest sence, namely, for the* 1.10 〈◊〉〈◊〉 feast with all the rites of it. In this sence it may be thus described.

The Passeover was an ordinary Sacrament of the Iewes, wherein by eating a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after the manner prescribed under a temporal deliverance, mans spiritual 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eternal deliverance was signified and sealed up unto them.

Ten distinct points are observable in this distinction.

• 1. It was a Sacrament; for the Lords Supper was substituted in the room 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Matth. 26. 19, 26. And it had like Rites to the Lords Supper, Luke 22. 1•…•…, 16, 17. And the same substance was sealed up by both, namely Christ. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 5. 7.
• •…•…. It was a Sacrament of the Iewes, to distinguish it from the Sacraments of Christians. The Sacraments of the Iewes were types of things to come; but the Sacraments of Christians are memorials of things to come.
• 3. It was one of their ordinary Sacraments, to distinguish it from their ex∣ordinary Sacraments, which were but for the time of their abode in the wilder∣•…•…. Of the several kinds of Sacraments, See Chap. 9. v. 20. §. 108.
• 4. It is said to be one of their ordinary Sacraments, to distinguish it from Cir∣•…•…, which was the other. Gen. 17. 9.
• 5. The outward element therein was a Lamb. Exod. 12. 3. For this creature 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fitly set out Christ the substance of that Sacrament. Therefore he is oft 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Lamb. Iohn 1. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 19.
• 6. That Lamb was to be eaten, to shew their participation of Christ. Iohn 6. 53.
• ...

  7. That it was to be celebrated after the manner prescribed, is evident by this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 junction, Ye shall keep the Passeover in his appointed season, according to all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of it, &c. Numb. 9. 3. The distinct Rites are expresly set down, Exod. 12. •…•…. &c. They concerned either the preparation to the Passeover for the partaking thereof.

  Rites concerning the Preparation to the Passeover were these.

  • 1. A choice Lamb. v. 5.
  • 2. A keeping of that Lamb from the dam four daye•…•…. v. 6.
  • 3. Killing that Lamb. v. 6.
  • 4. Sprinckling the blood thereof. v. 7.
  • 5. Rosting it whole. v. 8, 9.

  Rites concerning the partaking of the Passeover were these.

  • 1. Eating the flesh of the Lamb, and that all of it. v. 8, 10.
  • 2. Eating it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. v. 8.
  • ...

• ...
  • 3. It must be eaten with their loynes girded, their shooes on their feet, their staff in their hand, and that in hast, v. 11.
  • 4. It was to be eaten in one house, v. 46.
• 8. Those Rites were to be a sign and seal. v. 13.
• 9. The temporal deliverance thereby intended, was preservation of their first∣born from that destruction which fell upon the first-born of the Egyptians: and from the place and state of their bondage. v. 17, 27. Exod. 13. 3.
• 10. The spirituall deliverance typified hereby, was their deliverance from their bondage under sin and Sathan. 1 Cor. 5. 7. Iohn 1. 29.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Transiliit.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Transitus.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

  Pascha.
• * 1.8

  The occasion of the name Passeover.
• * 1.9

  The divers re∣spects wherein the word Pass∣over is used.
• * 1.10

  A'description of the Pass∣over.