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 Doctrines arising out of the 8. and 9. verses.

I. MOre excellent things are spoken of the Sonne of God then of Angels. This parti∣cle* 1.1 BUT being here used in opposition to that which was before said of Angels, declares as much. See §. 104.

II. God would have the excellencies of his Sonne to be known. For To the Sonne he saith, namely, that others might hear it and know it. So Psa. 2. 6, 7. Ioh. 5. 20, 23.

III. Christ is true God. The Title God is here properly applied to him. See §. 107.

IV. Christ is a King. The Ensigns of a King; Throne and Scepter are attributed to him; yea, an expresse mention is made of his Kingdom, See §. 112. Christ there∣fore is every way to be esteemed as a King.

V. Christ as King judgeth. A Throne is a place of judgement, 1 King. 7. 7. Christ now judgeth the world, Ioh. 5. 22, 23. But his full and finall judgement will be at the end of the world, Act. 17. 31.

VI. Christ is an everlasting King. (See §. 108, 110.) This Throne is for ever and ever.

VII. Christ hath a peculiar Kingdom. This relative THY is discriminative and appropriative. It putteth a difference between his and others Kingdom; It sheweth that this Kingdom is proper to Christ, See §. 112.

VIII. Christ orders the matters of his Kingdom as he will. The Scepter attributed to Christ intendeth, that as a King by moving his Scepter he manifesteth his minde, and that answerably obedience is yeelded to him. See §. 111.

IX. Christ ordereth the affairs of his Kingdom most uprightly. His Scepter is in that respect stiled a Scepter of rectitude: See §. 113.

Both these are here commended in Christs example.

X. Righteousnesse is to be loved.* 1.2

XI. Iniquity is to be hated.

XII. Love of righteousnesse put Christ on to deal uprightly. The inference of this

verse upon the former demonstrateth as much, See §. 115. Love of righteousnesse will put us on to do the like.

XIII. Love of righteousnesse and hatred of iniquity go together. They are here joyn∣ed together in Christ: And wheresoever the one is there will be the other. Righ∣teousnesse and iniquity are so directly opposed and contrary each to another, as they do in a manner force from men contrary affections. See §. 116.

XIV. God is in an especiall manner the God of Christ. See §. 118.

XV. God hath the power of deputing and enabling men to their Function. Annoint∣ing, which is here attributed to God, implieth both these. See §. 119.

XVI. Christ was deputed by God to his Function.

XVII. Christ was enabled by God well to execute his Function. God that annointed him did both these. They are both grounds of faith to trust in Christ, and of obe∣dience to submit to him.

XVIII. The Spirit was in Christ. This may be gathered from the metaphor of Oyl. To give a visible evidence hereof the Spirit from heaven descended like a dove and lighted upon Christ, Mat. 3. 16. Hence is it that the Spirit is also communicated to beleevers. For they are members of his body.

XIX. The holy Ghost causeth gladnesse; He is this Oyl of gladnesse. See §. 121.

XX. Christ with much alacrity did and endured whatsoever he undertook▪ See §. 121.

XXI. The Sonne of God made himself equall to Sonnes of men. They are his fellows, Psa. 41. 9. & 55. 13. See §. 122.

XXII. The gifts of Christ far surpassed the gifts of all others. See §. 123.

XXIII. Christs glory may and must be declared even to himself. This I gather from the Apostrophe, whereof see §. 106. and 125. in the end of it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Verse 8.
• * 1.2

  Verse 9.