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 ...

§. 35. Of Heaven the place of Christs exaltation.

THe place, where Christ is exalted, is here indefinitely set down to be on high. Though the word be but of the positive degree, yet is it to be understood of the highest degree that can be: so high as none higher. Therefore the superlative degree is elsewhere used to set out the very same place that is here meant: as where the Angels say, Glory to God in the HIGHEST. The Apostle, to shew that this place, and withall this dignity whereunto Christ was exalted, farre surpasseth all other, useth a compound word, which is not throughout all the new Testament* 1.1 used, but in this only case: and it implieth an exaltation above all other exalta∣tions. The word is used Phil. 2. 9. It may be thus translated, super-exalted. Our English, to express the emphasis of that compound word, useth these two words, highly exalted. If ever any were highly exalted, much more Christ. Therefore other translators thus express the foresaid emphasis, exalted into the highest height.* 1.2 The word is used to set out the highest exaltation that can be, even beyond all ex∣pression or comprehension.

To shew that Christs exaltation is indeed a super-exaltation; the Apostle advan∣ceth it farre above all other; even the highest and most excellent creatures that be, Ephes. 1. 21. Thus he is said to be higher then the Heavens. See Chap. 7. v. 26. §. 110.

More expresly this supereminent place is said to be the Heavens, Chap. 8. v. 1. The plural number is used to shew that he meaneth the highest Heavens: that which in Canaans dialect is stiled the Heaven of Heavens (2 Chron. 2. 6. and 6. 18.* 1.3 Neh. 9. 6.) even that which compriseth in it all the other Heavens, it being over all. In relation to two inferior Heavens, it is stiled the third Heaven, 2 Cor. 12. 2. For the Scripture maketh mention of three Heavens. The first a•…•…d lowest is the aiery Hea∣ven, in which feathered fowls fly, Gen. 1. 8. The second and middlemost is the Starry Heaven, in which the Sunne, the Moon, and all the Starres are contained, Gen. 15. 5.

The third and highest is that where Christ now sitteth. This distinction giveth light* 1.4 to that phrase, farre above all Heavens (Eph. 4. 10.) whereby the supereminent height of Christs exaltation is set forth. He there meaneth all the visible Heavens, whether under or above the Moon. For the humane nature of Christ is contained within the third Heaven, Acts 3. 21.

This place, as well as the other forementioned points, amplifieth the exaltation of Christ.

Summe up the particulars, and we shall finde verified what was said before, that every word hath its weight, and adds something to the excellency of Christs ex∣altation.

• 1. He sits: namely as a Lord: and so continueth.
• 2. He sits by the Majesty: A great honour.
• 3. He sits on the right hand of the Majesty: next to him above all others.
• 4. He so sits on high: namely as high as can be.

When he had by himself purged our sinnes (to do which, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross, Phil. 2. 8.) he sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hitherto of the meaning of the words. The Analysis or resolution of the three first verses followeth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Luk. 2. 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  In summam tu∣lit sublimita∣tem, Beza. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Exalto supra quam dici possit.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In regia c•…•…lo∣rum sedet Iesus ad dextram Pa∣tris. Tertul. de Resur. •…•…arn.
• * 1.4

  Of Christs being in Hea∣ven as our Prince. See Chap. 4. v. 14. §. 84.