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 ...

§. 2. Of the Excellency of this Epistle.

ADmirable is the Excellency of every part of sacred Scripture, which savour∣eth* 1.1 of more then an humane spirit. And this Epistle hath sundry Excellen∣cies which in a peculiar manner do commend it unto us. As

• 1. The Mysteries couched therein. The greatest and profoundest Mysteries of our Christian Religion are therein propounded: concerning God the Father, Son and holy Ghost: Concerning the Natures, Person and Offices of Christ: Concern∣ing the sufficiency of Christs Sacrifice, and efficacy of his Intercession: Concerning the excellency of the New Covenant: Concerning the life of Faith: and concerning the priviledge of these later times, &c.
• 2. The variety of Histories therein recollected. We have in it a rehearsal of most of the memorable Histories from the beginning of the world to the last Age thereof: and not only of such as are registred in holy Writ, but also of such as fell out since the Prophets ceased to record any.
• 3. Explication of legal Types: and Application of them to their distinct Truths. No other book is herein comparable to this Epistle.* 1.2
• 4. Confutation of Heresies. It may be termed the Maul of Popery, which is a Mass of Heresies. Popish Heresies are most against the Offices of Christ; Especial∣ly against his Priesthood. Those Heresies are so fully met withall in this Epistle, as if it had been written sine Popery began: God fore-seeing what poisonous heresies would be broached, prepared this Antidote against them.
• 5. The pithy Perswasions unto all holiness and new obedience: the powerfull Encouragements to constancy and perseverance: the dreadfull Denunciations against Apostasie and Impenitency: the sweet Consolations to such as for Christs sake endure the Cross: which are here and there thorowout in this Epistle mixed.

Thus much in general to commend this Epistle unto us.

The Title thereof is next to be considered.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Philast. Catat▪ hares. c▪ 48.
• * 1.2

  Vide Whitak. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quo fragmenta ve•…•…e∣rum baerc•…•…i 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 iudicantur ad constituendum Ecclesiae Ponti∣ficiae 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 collata.