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 ...

§. 126. Of the meaning of Heb. 13. 11.

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.

THe causal Conjunction a 1.1 FOR in this place, intendeth both a proof, and also an illustration, which is taken from a solemn Rite under the Law: which was a burning of a Sacrifice without the Camp: so as the Priest who served in the Ta∣bernacle, nor might, nor could eat thereof.

The Illustration is by way of resemblance, thus, As the Priest under the Law ser∣ving in the Tabernacle, neither might nor could eat of that Sacrifice which was burnt without the Camp▪ So they who under the Gospel serve the Tabernacle, cannot partake of Christ who was the truth of that Type.

The Apostle writing to the Hebrews, who were well acquainted with the legal Rites, and too much addicted unto them, doth oft strike on this string of the Ju∣daical Law: both in shewing the impotency of those Rites, and also in framing Ar∣guments from them, to alienate their minds from them. Thus he fighteth against them with their own weapons. See Ch. 9. v. 13. §. 68.

The word translated [b 1.2 Beasts,] according to the notation thereof sig∣nifieth a living creature: For the Sacrifices, before they were slain, were living.

Our English according to the c 1.3 Latine, cals them Animals: and we style a man that wants understanding, An Animal. This word is applied to those living Spirits which attend the Throne of God, (Revelation 4. 6.) By reason of their resemblance in Courage, in Strength, in Speed, and other like Excellencies, to some particular Beasts. But here it is taken in the most usuall sense, for bruit Beasts: For such were offered up for Sacri∣fice.

The Beasts here meant, were such clean Beasts as were appointed for Sa∣crifice.* 1.4

In particular here may be understood:

• 1. The red Heiser, of whose ashes the purifying water was made, Numb. 19. 2, &c.
• 2. The Bullock that was offered for the Priests sin, Levit. 4. 3, &c.
• 3. The Bullock that was for the sinne of the whole Congregation, Numb. 4. 14, &c.
• 4. And that most especially, the Bullock, and the Goat that were both slain on the solemn annual day of Atonement, Levit. 16. 27.

The d 1.5 Body of these beasts are expresly mentioned, because their life was taken away before they were burnt: For they were slain at the Altar, Numb. 4. 4. So as by their bodies he means their carcasses, under which these particulars are expressed, The skin of the Bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung, Num. 4. 11.

As for the e 1.6 Bloud of these Beasts, it is here said to be brought into the San∣ctuary.

O•…•… the word f 1.7 Sanctuary, See Chap. 8. v. 2. §. 4.

Here under the word Sanctuary, both parts thereof are intended, both the out∣ward part called the Holy place, and also the innermost called the most Holy. For the bloud here mentioned was brought into both, and sprinkled in them both, Levit. 16. 14, 15, 16.

This bloud did typifie the bloud and death of Christ, whereby Satisfaction was made for sinne. Therefore it is here said, That the bloud was brought for sinne: namely to cleanse and take away sinne: both from the Priest himself, and also from the people: For it is expresly said, That he shall offer his Bullock of the sinne▪ offering, which is for himself, and make an ato•…•…ment for himself and his house, (Levit. 16. 6.) It is also added, That he shall make an aton•…•…ment for the people, ver. 24.

Of the Priests offering for himself and the people, See Chap. 5. v. 3. §. 14. Yea it is said, That he should make an atonement for the Holy place, and the Taber∣nacle, and the Altar, (Levit. 16. 16, 20.) For this end the bloud was sprink∣led before, and upon the Mercy-seat (Levit. 16. 15.) to shew the concurrence of Divine Justice and Mercy. For that bloud did typifie the bloud and death of Christ, whereby Satisfaction was made for sinne. Gods Justice being satisfied by Christs bloud, way was made thereby for approaching to the Mercy-seat, and obtaining mercy.

The things in the Holy▪ place, and the Altar, were sprinkled with bloud to take away that guilt of sin, which man brings upon himself, and upon all that he useth, or is used for his good.

The word translated g 1.8 brought, is a Compound: and to expresse that compo∣sition it may be translated, brought in, thus, h 1.9 brought in into the Sanctuary. For the Preposition [in] i•…•… twice used, 1. with the Verb in composition, and then joyned with the Noun Sanctuary. It sheweth, that the beast was slain, and so his bloud shed without those two holy places: namely, at the Altar, and from thence carried into those places.

Thus Christ was offered up on earth: there was his bloud shed: but he carried it with him into heaven, and there presents it to his Father at the Throne of grace. Hereupon it is that his bloud or death hath a virtue, and efficacy to cleanse away our sinnes, and to take away the guilt and curse which we have brought upon all things that we use, and upon all things that we do and undertake.

The foresaid bloud is here said to be brought by the Highpriest.

Of an Highpriest, See Ch. 2. v. 17. §. 172.

The Highpriest is said to carry in this bloud.

• 1. Because none else might enter into the most holy place, Chap. 9. vers. 7.
• 2. Because Highpriests were ordained for men in things pertaining to God, Heb. 5. 1.
• 3. Because the Highpriest was an especiall Type of Christ, who by pre∣senting his own bloud at the Throne of grace, maketh atonement for the sins of all Gods people.

Of the resemblances betwixt an Highpriest and Christ. See Chap. 8. v. 1. §. 4.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 contract. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, vivo. Ind•…•… 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, animal.
• c 1.3

  Animalia.
• * 1.4

  Beasts offered for Sacrifices.
• d 1.5

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• h 1.9

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