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 ...

§. 17. Of Enoch's translation.

THE evidence of Enoch's faith is thus expressed, Enoch was translated.

Of the meaning of the a 1.1 word, see Chap. 6. v. 17. §. 135. And Chap. 7. v. 12. §. 67. It is applyed sometimes to things translated from one kind, or condition, unto another; as where it is said, the Priesthood was changed, Heb. 7. 12. And the Galatians were removed from their former Teacher, Gal. 1. 6. Or from one place to another, as the Patriarchs were car∣ried out of Egypt into Sichem, Act. 7. 16. Here it implyeth both. For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was translated from Earth to Heaven, and the mortality of his body was tran∣slated into immortality. For this end of his translation is thus expressed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he should not see death.

The translation here meant was both in body and soul; from Earth into Heaven. Such a translation as Eliah's was, 2 King. 2. 11.

The distinct manner of translating Enoch, is not so punctually set down, as that of Eliah's, 2 King. 2. 11.

We read of Christ, that he also was taken up body and soul into Heaven; but it was after his death and resurrection, wherein his ascension differed from the translation of these two. Acts 1. 9.

These two, Enoch and Eliah, are the onely instances that have been given of Gods extraordinary power in this kind, since the beginning of the world.

Papists have fabulously recorded much of the assumption of the Virgin Mary, but without all warrant.

Those two before mentioned were before Christs time; and that they might

be special evidences of the bodies fruition of eternal life, together with the soul, in Heaven.

Enoch was in the first age of the world, before there was distinction of Iew and Gentile: and so an instance of the glorification of body and soul to the whole world. To assure them the more thereof, while he was on earth, he pro∣phesied of the Lords coming to judgement, Iude v. 14.

Eliah was in that age wherein the partition wall stood between the Jew and Gentile: So as he was a special instance thereof to the Church of Israel.

Christs ascension was yet a more pregnant proof thereof, and that to all Na∣tions to the end of the world. For as he was seen in his body animated by his soul, to ascend into Heaven: so after his ascension was he seen in that body to be in Heaven by Stephen, Acts 7. 56. And by Paul, Act. 22. 14, 17.

There shall be at the moment of Christs coming to judgement, a like, but a more universal rapture; for all then living shall with their bodies and souls united, be rapt up to the judgement seat of Christ. We shall be changed, saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 15. 52. changed both in our place, and in our condition, as Enoch was.

Notes

• a 1.1

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