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 ...

§. 112. Of Christ ever the same.

Verse 8.

Iesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

THough in this verse there be no particle of connexion or relation that may di∣rect* 1.1 us to the dependance of it upon that which goeth before, or followeth: yet the very subject matter thereof evidently sheweth that it hath a fit reference both to the verse before it, and also to that which followeth.

In the former verse the Hebrews were exhorted to follow the faith of their Guides which had been before them. This verse layeth down a forcible reason to move them thereto. The reason is taken from the object of their faith; which was Jesus Christ, who remains still the same object of faith: whereupon it becomes those that live after them, to follow that very faith.

In the following verse they are dehorted from following strange doctrines; A reason to enforce that dehortation is laid down in this verse: which is, that Jesus Christ who is the foundation and very substance of all sound, true doctrine, ever continues the same: So as they have no cause to be carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

Of this title Iesus, See Chap. 2. v. 9. §. 73.

Of this title Christ, See Chap. 3. v. 6. §. 54.

Of these two titles Iesus Christ, joyned together, See Chap. 3. vers. 1. §. 29.

This note of distinction of time, a 1.2 yesterday, doth properly signifie the day immediatly before: as Ioh. 4. 52. Acts 7. 28. But tropically, by a Synecdoche, it is put for time past; whether it consists of many daies or years: as where the Lord saith of Israel, He that was yesterday my people, (Mich. 2. 8.) that is, here∣tofore in former time. Where it is said, Tophet is ordained of old, (Isa. 30. 33.) in Hebrew it is, from yesterday. So much is noted in the margin of our English Bible. The sense is well thus rendred, of old. Here under this word yesterday may be comprised,

• 1. All that time wherein Christ lived upon earth.
• 2. All the time from his first incarnation till that present wherein the Apostle wrote.
• 3. All the time from whence Christ was typified in the Mosaicall Rites, to that time wherein they were abolished.
• 4. All the time that hath passed from the first promise that was made of Christ, Gen. 3. 15.
• 5. Eternity it self in reference to former times. For Christ from all eternity was the same.

The second note of distinction, b 1.3 to day, signifieth the time present. Hereof see more, Chap. 1. v. 5. §. 61. & Chap. 3. v. 7. §. 76.

The third note of distinction c 1.4 for ever, setteth out the time future: and that

• 1. Indefinitely, time after time.
• 2. Determinatly, to the end of the world.
• 3. Everlastingly, beyond all end whatsoever. Of this phrase, for ever, See Chap. 1. v. 8. §. 108.

Thus these three distinctions of time do set out Christ as these three like distin∣ctions, which is, and which was, and which is to come, Rev. 1. 4.

The Greek word translated d 1.5 the same, signifieth he himself: and implieth that

he is ever himself without any alteration or change: and fitly is it translated the* 1.6 same, both in this and sundry other places. It is applied to Christ to set forth his immutability, Chap. 1. v. 12. §. 141. There are shewed sundry particulars wherein and whereby the immutability of Christ is manifested.

Besides the particulars there noted, Christ ever was, is and will be,

• 1. The same object of faith, Ioh. 3. 14, 15, 16.
• 2. The same means of salvation, Acts 4. 12.
• 3. The same foundation of his Church, 1 Cor. 3. 11.
• 4. The same in all his Offices: as he is an everlasting King, Heb. 1. 8. 2 Pet. 1. 11. so he hath an unchangeable Priesthood, Heb. 7. 24. In like manner his other Offices are without alteration.
• 5. The same in efficacy of what he hath done and endured for mans redemption and salvation. In this respect he is said to be, a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Rev. 13. 8.
• 6. The same in the identity or sameness of the faith of all true believers in all ages. Abrahams faith was such a faith as the faith of Christians is; and their faith such a faith as his was, Rom. 4. 24. Gal. 3. 7. The like may be said of all true belie∣vers, Jews or Gentiles.

• 1. That which the Apostle hath noted concerning Christ being ever the same, discovereth sundry errours: as
  • 1. That believers before Christ was exhibited, had another ground of faith and hope then such as have lived since.
  • 2 That the place of rest whither the souls of believers, before Christ exhibi∣ted, went after their decease, was another, (which they call Limbus Patrum) then that whereunto the souls of deceased Saints now go.
  • 3. That traditions of men, and that concerning articles of faith, may be ad∣ded to the Gospel of Christ.
  • 4. That there are other Mediators and Intercessors besides Jesus Christ.
  • 5. That the Messiah is yet to come: whom the unbelieving Jews still expect.
• 2. The foresaid doctrine concerning Christ to be ever the same, requires that we be well instructed in the Types and Prophesies concerning Christ before he was exhibited, and in those mysteries which are since more clearly revealed of him: as in his Titles, and the meaning of them: in all his Offices and undertakings; in whatsoever he hath done and endured for mans Redemption and Salvation: all set out the same Christ.
• 3. As we know him, so we ought according to that which is set forth in the Old and New Testament, to respect him; and to have him in as high account as ever any had, because he is still the same. We ought to rest only on him, and place our whole confidence on him, and subject our selves wholly to him, as to our only Lord, Saviour, and Redeemer, even the only Head and Foundation of the Church: Ever the same.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The depen∣dance.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Yesterday how farre ex∣tended.
• b 1.3

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 See Chap. 1. v. 8. §. 108. For ever how taken.
• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.6

  How Christ ever the same. Of the uses of Christs im∣mutability, See Chap. 1. v. 8. §. 145.