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 ...

§. 20. Of Christ the excellency of his Fathers person.

TO make the forenamed mystery the more cleer, the Apostle addeth another re∣semblance in these words, and the express image of his person.

This, in the general, importeth the same thing which the former did: so as the two metaphors, are like the two visions which Pharaoh saw in a dream: they are doubled, to shew that the Point intended thereby is most certain and sure, Gen. 41. 32.

This phrase, the express image, is the exposition of one Greek word which may* 1.1 thus fitly be translated, character. The Verb, whence the word is derived, signifieth to engrave: and the word here used, the stamp or print of a thing engravened: as the stamp on money coined, the print on paper pressed by the Printer, the mark made by a seal, or any like impression. There is another like word coming from the same root, oft used in the book of the Revelation, and translated g 1.2 a mark: and

in Acts 17. 29. it is translated, stone gravened. But the former significations of the word, stamp, print, seal or mark, are most proper to this place. Nothing can be more like an other, then the picture, or image on the thing stamped, or printed, is to the picture or image, on the tool, mold, seal, or instrument wherewith it is made; the one carrieth the very form of the other. Very fitly therefore is it by our English trans∣lated, the express image.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. insculpere.
• g 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Rev. 13. 16, 17 & 14. 9, 1•…•…, & 15. 2.