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 ...

§. 132. Of imitating Christ.

Verse 13.

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his re∣proach.

FRom Christs accomplishing the forementioned type by suffering without the gate, the Apostle raiseth a tropologicall use concerning Christians imitating Christ therein. This is manifested two waies.

• 1. By this illative Conjunction, a 1.1 therefore: Because Christ did so, Christians must do the like.
• 2. By following that metaphor of going out of the camp.

This particular giveth instance that Christ is a pattern to Christians. I have given you an example, faith Christ, Iohn 13. 15. and again, Learn of me, Matth. 11.* 1.2 29. We must learn both by the word of his mouth, and also by the course of his life. This later is especially intended. So much also is intended under this phrase, Lest thou learn his waies, Prov. 22. 25. And under this, Learn not the way of the heathen, (Jer. 10. 2.) walk not in their way, be not like them.

Concerning the point it self the Church undertaketh for her self and those that belong to her to follow Christ, Cant. 1. 3. So did Paul, and therein makes himself a pattern to other, saying, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ, 1 Cor. 11. 1. Oft doth he exhort Christians hereunto, as Eph. 5. 2. Phil. 2. 5. Col. 3. 13. In this respect is Christ styled a Way; yea, the Way, the Truth and the Life, (Joh. 14. 6.) the only true Way that leadeth unto life.

• 1. This is one principall end of registring those things which Christ did and en∣dured* 1.3 in the daies of his flesh. As they were written that we might beleeve, (Joh. 20. 31.) so also that we might walk in the right way to life. In this respect he is sty∣led, The Captain of our salvation. See Chap. 2. v. 10. §. 95.
• 2. Christ is the best and most perfect pattern that we can have, and that in three respects: as he is
  • 1. Man.
  • 2. God.
  • 3. God-man.

• 1. As man he is a visible pattern and may be seen, and what he did and endured was seen. Thus he might be the better followed.
• 2. As God he was a perfect pattern; he could not erre. Thus we shall not be deceived in following him.
• 3. As God-man he communicateth his Spirit to us, and inableth us to fol∣low him.

• 1. This gives us information of the benefit of Christs incarnation: Thereby he* 1.4 came to be God-man in one person. By this means as he is a perfect pattern, so we may make the better use of him, in that we may cast our eye upon him, and see him going before us, and also be quickened and put on by his Spirit to follow him unto life.
• 2. This gives a demonstration of Christs great care of his Church. He thought* 1.5 it not enough to declare the way to life, and shew how we may walk therein: but also puts himself into that way, and goes before us therein. Thus is he a true Captain and guide unto us. Thus he sheweth that he requireth no more of us then he hath done and endured himself, Iohn 17. 13, 14, 15. Philip. 2. 6, 7.
• 3. This directs us how to keep steddy in the Christian race, so as we turn neither* 1.6 to the right hand nor to the left: Look unto Iesus, Heb. 12. 2. Say to him as Ruth did to her mother in Law, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee, Ruth 1. 16. And in this case say with such a resolution as Elisha did, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee, 2 King. 2. 2. Yea if Christ should say to us as he did to the twelve, Will ye also go away? Answer as Peter did, Lord to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternall life, Joh. 6. 67, 68. Therefore let our eye be upon him, as the eyes of Marriners are on the light of the Admirals ship. Lose not the sight of him, hold as close and near to him as you can▪ so you shall be sure not to wander in by-paths, but to walk in that way which will* 1.7 bring you to life.

That we mistake not our mark herein, it will be meet to consider wherein we

are to follow Christ: For though all things that are written of Christ are for our instruction: yet not all for our imitation. All are for us to look on Jesus: but in some things to look on him by the eye of faith; in others by the way of obe∣dience.

We must therefore wisely weigh the forementioned distinction of Christ being God, Man, and God-man.

As God he did sundry things by a Divine power and prerogative: Thus;* 1.8

• 1. He wrought miracles, Ioh 15. 24.
• 2. He gave the Holy Ghost, Iohn 20. 22.
• ...

  3. He forgave sinnes, Matth. 9. 6.

  None of these are imitable.

Object. 1. The Apostles did all these. For,* 1.9

• 1. By their hands were many signes and wonders wrought, Acts 5. 12.
• 2. They laid their hands on men, and they received the holy Gh•…•…st, Acts 8. 17.
• 3. Paul was appointed an Apostle to the Gentiles, that they might receive re∣m•…•…ssion of sinnes, Act. 26. 17, 18.

Answ.

• ...

  1. They did none of these things as Christ did: by their own power or in their own name.

  Concerning miracles Peter thus saith, Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? Christs Name, through faith in his Name hath made this man strong, &c. Acts 3. 12, 16.

• 2. For giving the holy Ghost, They prayed for them that they might receive the holy Ghost, Act. 8. 15. Thereby they acknowledged that that gift came from above, even from the Father of lights.
• 3. Concerning forgiveness of sinnes the Apostle acknowledged that through Jesus is preached unto men the forgiveness of sinne, Acts 13. 38.

Object. 2. Christ saith, Whose soever sinnes ye remit they are remitted, John 20. 23.

Answ. Christ speaketh of a Ministeriall and declarative act of forgiving sinnes.

All the forenamed points of working miracles, giving the holy Ghost, and for∣giving sinnes, cannot be done by meer men, nor ought to be attempted by any. The very m 1.10 Heathen did imagin that one was cast into hell for •…•…eigning to thunder like God.

Papists blasphemously challenge a power in all these. For,

• 1. Beside their many •…•…eigned miracles, they say that by a Priest bread is turned into •…•…lesh, and wine into blood.
• 2. Their n 1.11 Council of Trent denounceth Anathema against all that shall deny the holy Ghost to be given by sacred Ordination.
• 3. The said o 1.12 Council denounceth A•…•…athema against such as shall say that a Sa∣cramentall absolution is not a judiciall act, but a meer ministry of pronouncing and declaring that sinnes are forgiven, &c.

Obj▪ 3. We are commanded to be followers of God, Eph. 5. 1.

Answ. How farre God is to be imitated or not, See Chap. 4. v. 11. §. 62.

• ...

  2. Christ as God-man and Mediator betwixt God and man did works of merit,* 1.13 〈◊〉〈◊〉, expiation, reconciliation, and intercession. These received dignity and •…•…fficacy from the union of his humane nature with his Divine. But for a meer man to arrogate any such thing to himself is intollerable presumption; and to attri∣bute it to another is abominable blasphemy.

  Papists offend in all these: They ascribe merit and satisfaction to men living.* 1.14 Expiation to their Priests Mass-offering; and reconciliation and intercession to Saints departed.

• 3. Christ as man is most imitable even in such things as were acts of his humane nature.

Yet there are two exceptions in this case:

• 1. Extraordinary matters.
• 2. Temporary.

Extraordinary things done by Christ and not imitable are such as these:* 1.15

• 1. His fasting fourty daies, Mat. 4. 2. Indeed Moses, (Exod. 24. 18.) and 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

• (1 King. 19. 8.) did as much, but it was by an extraordinary assistance: which can∣not be imitated in ordinary cases.
• 2. Christs walking on the water, (Matth. 14. 25.) which when Peter attempted to do he began to sink, only by Christs extraordinary assistance he did the like, Matth. 14. 30, 31.
• 3. Praying all night, (Luk. 6. 12.) though Christ called upon his Disciples in that case to pray with him, yet they could not, but slept, Mat. 26. 40, &c.

2. Temporary matters were such as belonged to the time wherein he lived:* 1.16 as his being Circumcised, celebrating the Passeover, observing sundry Feasts, and other Rites of the Law.

To these may be added occasionall matters: as celebrating the Lords Supper at night, in a private chamber, among men only, with unleavened bread, and sit∣ting as at the Passeover. So his sitting while he preached, (Luk. 4. 20.) his preach∣ing out of a ship, (Luk. 5. 3.) and on a mount, Matth. 5. 1. These being occasi∣oned by present circumstances do not binde us to imitate him therein, but upon like occasions.

Quest. Wherein then is Christ to be imitated.* 1.17

Answ. In these three cases.

• 1. In such generall morall duties as belong to all persons at all times. Such as belong to all persons are not extraordinary. Such as belong to all times are not temporary.
• 2. In such particular duties as belong to the like calling.
• 3. In such as have the like reason and occasion for doing them.

• 1. Generall morall duties expressed in Scripture to be done by Christ for our imitation are these.
  • 1. Meekness, Matth. 11. 29.
  • 2. Humility, Matth. 11. 29.
  • 3. Love, Eph. 5. 2.
  • 4. Forgiving wrongs, Col. 3. 13.
  • 5. Compassion, Luke 10. 37.
  • 6. Patience, Heb. 12. 2.
  • 7. Contempt of the world, H•…•…b. 12. 2.
• 2. Particular duties which Christ did by vertue of his place and calling were such as these.
  • 1. As a Son, he was subject to his parents, Luke 2. 51.
  • ...

    2. As a Minister, he was diligent, Luke 8. 1.

    He was also faithfull, Heb. 3. 2. Ioh. 7. 16.

  • 3. As an husband of his Church he was loving to her, Eph. 5. 25.
• 3. Things which Christ did upon common equity and may be done upon like reason and occasions, were these:
  • 1. Preferring mercy before sacrifice, Matth. 12. 12.
  • 2. Avoiding danger, Luk. 8. 59.
  • ...

    3. Refreshing himself when he was weary, thirsty, hungry, sleepy, &c.

    Ioh. 4. •…•…. &c. Mat. 8. 24.

This sheweth how requisite it is that we acquaint our selves with the life of* 1.18 Christ; and that for this end, to be like him. Herein lieth the difference betwixt sound and formall Christians. All may be acquainted with the story of Christ and be able to discourse thereof, but they are the sound Christians who lay it as a pattern before them. Such vertues as became the Head must needs be∣come the members. They are unworthy such an Head, who preferre honour, riches, pleasures, gay apparell or any thing else before the vertues of their Heads.

Among other motives meditate on these to imitate Christ.

• 1. The excellency of the Guide.
• 2. The perfection of the Pattern.
• 3. The blessed issue that will follow thereupon.

If we be here like to our head in grace, we shall be hereafter like to him in glory.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  Disce puer vir∣tutem ex me, Virg.
• * 1.3

  Why Christ to be imitated.
• * 1.4

  A benefit of Christs incar∣nation.
• * 1.5

  Christs care of his Church in being a pat∣tern to it.
• * 1.6

  Look on Jesus
• * 1.7

  All things done by Christ not imitable.
• * 1.8

  What Christ did as God.
• * 1.9

  How Apostles did what Christ did as God.
• m 1.10

  Salmoneus simulabat non imitabile ful men Vi•…•…g. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•… 6. Papist•…•… pre∣sumption.
• n 1.11

  Coucil. Tri•…•…. de •…•…acram or∣dinis. c•…•…p. 3. Can. 4.
• o 1.12

  Co•…•…cil. Trid. de Absel▪ cap. 6. Can. 9.
• * 1.13

  What Christ did as God∣man.
• * 1.14

  Papists pre∣sumption.
• * 1.15

  Christs extra∣ordinary acts.
• * 1.16

  What temp•…•…∣rary things Christ did.
• * 1.17

  In what Christ to be imitated.
• * 1.18

  Be acquainted with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Christ.