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 ...

§. 106. Of Saints being Gods first-born.

II. IN that the society to which we are brought by the Gospell, is set out by this phrase, Church of the first-born, we may observe, That all they who are new born, are Gods first-born. For as the believing Jewes were so by vertue of their prio∣rity; so the believing Gentiles, being brought into the Jewes society, and made par∣takers of their priviledge, are so likewise. Where the called of God are compri∣sed under this collective word, Ephraim, they are stiled Gods first-born, Jer. 31. 9. So where the called of God are comprised under this collective word Israel, they are stiled Gods first-born, Exod. 4. 22. The whole Church was comprised under the title Israel. In the same respect all Saints are called Heires, Rom. 8. 17. and Kings, Rev. 1. 6. Yea all, not only one body, as 1 Cor. 12. 13. but also one spouse, Cant. 5. 1. 2 Cor. 11. 2.

The Reasons of Saints being Gods first-born may be

• 1. Their union with Christ. For they are so neerly united unto Christ, as he and they make but one body, which is excellently set down, 1 Cor. 12. 12. By ver∣tue of this union, Christs priviledges are conferred on them. As he is a King, so they: As he a Priest, so they, Rev. 1. 6. As he a Son, so they, Ioh. 1. 12. As he an heir, so they, Rom. 8. 17. As he Gods first-born, Rom. 8. 29, so they.
• 2. Gods equall and impartiall respect to them all. He loves them all with the

• same love: His heart is set on every one of them, as if they all were but one; and therefore they are all stiled a 1.1 dear Children, Eph. 5. 1.
• 3. Their equall right to the priviledges of the First-born. The forementioned titles of heires and Kings prove as much.

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  1. This may inform us in that right which believers have to the heavenly inhe∣ritance, they are first-born, 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4. Though all that are begotten of men are not heirs; but only the first-born; yet all begotten of God are; because they are all first-born.

  Esau had a birth-right, yea and a blessing appertained to him, as he was the first∣born, Gen. 27. 19, 32. so Reuben, 1 Chro. 5. 1.

  The Law expresly provideth, that the first-born have the inheritance, whereunto he hath a right, though his Mother were hated, Deut. 21. 16. Much more have Gods first-born a right to his inheritance, even that heavenly inheritance which the Father hath prepared, the Son purchased, and the Spirit sealed up to their souls. This right therefore commeth not from any worth of theirs: nor from any merit of any thing done by them, but from this prerogative conferr'd upon them. For as the A∣postle Iames expresseth, (Iam. 1. 18.) Of his own will begat he us, with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. Therefore the Apostle Peter, 1 Epist. 1. 3. blesseth God for this priviledge, saying. Blessed be the God, and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead.

• ...

  2. This should also stir us up to search after the evidences of this our right. Heirs of great inheritances will be very diligent herein; yea, and they will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the advise of learned Councel. Should not we much rather use all means to get assu∣rance of this prerogative, to be of the Church, of the first-born? Note the exhortati∣on of the Apostle Peter, in 2 Epist. 1. 10.

  If we be new born, we are first-born; and therefore the evidences of our new∣birth are assured evidences, that we are Gods first-born, therefore well weigh them. You had them in the foregoing Section.

• 3. This may admonish such as are the more eminent of the Church, not to despise them who are in some outward respect inferior to them; be the difference in Wealth, or Honour, or Authority, or Superiority, or Learning, or Witt, or any gift of Body, or Mind, yet in Gods esteeme, and in the greatest priviledge, they are all one; all first-born, all Heires, all Kings, Note Gal. 3. 28. There is neither Iew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Iesus▪ This is it which the Apostle mainly aimes at, 1 Cor. 12. 15, 16, &c. Well weigh this poynt, ye that are any way above others, and consider what the Apostle Iames sayth, Iam. 2. 1, 2, &c.
• 4. This doth afford a ground of consolation to such as are of poore parentage, and can expect no inheritance from their Father on earth, to young brothers, from whom the Elder carriethiall, to females who cannot inherit; they are all Gods first∣born. So to all that are Poore, Mean, Illiterate, Weak, or any way despicable in mans conceit. A great comfort and encouragement it is to such, that they are Gods first-born. Note Iam. 1. 9.
• 5. This doth afford an use of direction.

First in generall, to walk worthy of this priviledge, and prerogative, for it is a great priviledge, an high prerogative.

In particular

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  1. Moderate your care for things here below. For being Gods first-born, ye may rest assured he will provide sufficient for the pesent, and hereafter give you a king∣dome.

  On this ground doth Christ presse this poynt, Luk. 12. 29, 30, 31, 32. I may to these use the Prophets phrase, Ier. 45. 5. Seeke ye great things for your selves? seeke them not. Will a Kings first-born carke and care for Farmes, Offices, or other like meanes of livelihood? much lesse should Gods first-borne carke and care for these earth▪ things.

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  2. Patiently beare temporall losses, reproaches, disgraces, and what else may be endured for thy profession sake,

• ...

  The right of the first-born will recompence all. Note Heb. 10. 32, 33, 34, 35. and 11. 9, 10, 26, 35. This also is well-beseeming Gods first-born.

• 3. Be an example to others how to behave themselves. They who in any respect are above others, must be as lights unto them. The advice of Christ, Matt. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, &c. doth espe∣cially appertaine to such.

Thus may we win and save others, as 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2. 1 Tim. 4. 16.

And this is a great improvement of the talent which God commits to us, where∣by men bring gaine to the Lord, which he will not let passe unrewarded. Read Math. 25. 15, 27.

Thus shall we bring a good repute to our profession, yea and much honour to our Father, Matth. 5. 16.

Notes

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