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 ...

§. 122. Of the Christians Altar.

Verse 10.

We have an Altar, whereof they have no right to eat, which serve the Ta∣bernacle.

Verse 11.

For the bodies of those beasts, whose bloud is brought into the Sanctuary by the High-priest for sin, are burnt without the Camp.

Verse 12.

Wherefore Iesus also, that he might sanctifie the people with his own bloud suffered without the gate.

THe Apostle here produceth another Argument to draw the Hebrews from do∣ting upon legal Rites. The former Argument was taken from the unprofita∣blenesse of them, v. 9. §. 119. This other is from the damage they bring to them∣selves thereby. They deprive themselves of all benefit which they might otherwise receive from Christ.

Of the notation of the word a 1.1 Altar, See Chap. 7. v. 13. §. 72.

It is here taken tropically; and that in a three-fold respect:

• 1. By a Metonymy of the Subject. The Altar is put for the Sacrifice laid there∣on. This is evident by the act of eating attributed thereto, thus, We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat. The Israelites did eat of the Sacrifice, not of the Altar. Thus metonymically is Altar used in these phrases, They are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the Altar: and partakers of the Altar, 1 Cor. 9. 13. & 10. 18. that is, of the Sacrifices offered upon the Altar.
• 2. By a Synecdochy, one of the legal Rites, namely, Altar, is put for all the rest: as meats were, §. 119.
• 3. By a Metonymy of the Adjunct, a type is put for the truth, a shadow for the substance, an earthy Altar and Sacrifice for the celestial Altar and Sacrifice, which is Jesus Christ. Thus much may be inferred from the singular number Altar, here used, not Altars. The Apostle maketh a like collection from the word, seed, in the singular number, thus, He saith not, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ, Gal. 3. 16.

In this respect we Christians, who professe the Gospel of Christ, and believe on him, are said to have this Altar. As it was ordained before the world, so in this later age of the world it is exhibited, and by the Gospel offered, and by faith received. Thus beleevers have it.

There is no other Altar in the New Testament warranted to Christians, but Jesus Christ the truth of the legal Altars.

The Iews themselves at this day have no earthy Altar.

For Christians to frame to themselves earthy Altars, as Papists do, is worse then Judaism.

True it is, that the ancient Fathers make frequent mention of an Altar and a Sa∣crifice; which titles they give to the Table of the Lord, and to the sacramental bread and wine set thereon; but metaphorically, not properly.

The Apostles never use this word Altar, in reference to the Lords-Table (but this phrase, The Lords Table is expresly used, 1 Cor. 10. 21.) nor this word Sacrifice in reference to sacramental bread (yet this word bread is expresly used in that re∣spect, 1 Cor. 18. 16, 17.)

Altar and Sacrifice in reference to the Lords Table, and sacramental bread, have been abominably abused by Antichristians, even unto plain and palpable Idolatry. As they pretend true Altars and Sacrifice: so also true reall sacri∣ficing Priests: which Title is not once, no not metaphorically attributed to a Minister of the Gospel, as he is a Minister: yet in a metaphoricall and spirituall sense, it is oft attributed to beleevers in regard of spirituall Sa∣crifices of prayers and praises, which they offer to God, 1 Peter 2. 5. Revel. 1. 6.

But Christ who is the truth and substance of legal Priests, Sacrifices and Altars,* 1.2 and in that respect most truly and properly a Priest, Sacrifice and Altar, hath these Titles in the New Testament attributed to him.

• 1. He is styled a Priest, Heb. 5. 6. This he is in his Person, as he is God∣man.
• 2. A Sacrifice, Eph. 5. 2. This he is in his humane Nature: for his body was the offering, Heb. 10. 10.
• 3. An Altar, Revel. 8. 3. This is in regard of his Divine Nature: for his hu∣mane Nature, the Sacrifice, was laid upon the Divine Nature, being united unto it: and the Divine Nature sanctifieth the humane Nature, which is the property of an Altar, Mat. 23. 19.

It hath been shewed, Chap. 7. v. 3. §. 25. that there were many Types of Christ. Among others, the Altars were special Types. Of them there were two sorts:

• One was the great brazen Altar for Sacrifice, Exod. 27. 1, &c.
• The other was the Altar of gold for Incense, Exod. 30. 1, &c.

Christ was typified by the former, in regard of the Sacrifice of himself, Ephes. 5. 2.

He was typified by the later, in regard of his Intercession, whereby he ma∣keth

our persons, prayers, and other holy services acceptable to God, Rev. 8. 3.

• 1. This truth of Christ being our Altar, doth much commend the state of the Christian Church above the state of the ancient Jewish Church: and amplifieth the goodnesse of God towards us above that which was shewed to them.
• 2. This directeth us to be well informed in that Sacrifice which was offer∣ed up upon this Divine Altar: that we may with greater confidence rest there∣upon.
• 3. This phrase, We have an Altar, encourageth us to bring all our warranta∣ble, spiritual Sacrifices thereunto; and to offer them thereupon: and in faith in Christs Intercession to offer up all our prayers and praises; and to rest for accept∣ance thereupon. This use the Apostle himself teacheth us to make hereof, vers. 15. As a Type hereof, the Jews were to offer up their Sacrifices on the Altar in the Tabernacle, Levit. 17. 4. Ios•…•…. 22. 16, &c.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  Christ the only true Priest, Sa∣crifice and Al∣tar.