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 ...

§. 83. Of the Title Angel given to Christ.

THere is one eternall, uncreated Angel, oft mentioned in Scripture, even the* 1.1 Sonne of God, the second Person in sacred Trinity: For it pleased the Father to communicate his secret counsell and sacred will to Sonnes of men by his own Sonne; who was in that respect a kinde of messenger from his father to men, and stiled an Angell; yea, and appeared to men before his Incarnation, in that form and manner which Angels did; yet are there manifest evidences to demonstrate that the Sonne of God is meant, when this Title Angel is attributed to him; such as these that follow.

• 1. Arch-Angels, Iude v. 9. By this Title the Prince and head of Angels which is Christ Jesus is set out; For he is there called Michael, which name is given to Christ, Dan. 10. 13. 21. & 12. 1. Rev. 12. 7. The notation of the name Michael, who* 1.2 as God, importeth as much. He is also called Iehovah, Zech. 3. 2. It is said, that Ieho∣vah* 1.3 buried Moses Deut. 34. 5, 6. And surely the same Iehovah, this Michael, suffered not Satan to discover the place where Moses was buried; We reade but of one Arch-Angel in sacred Scripture.
• 2. Head of Principalities and Powers, Col. 2. 10. This the Apostle speaketh of Christ.
• 3. Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3. 1. That Angel in whom Gods Covenant with man is made and confirmed.
• 4. Angel of Gods presence, Isa. 63. 9. Or, word for word, Angel of his face, that is,

• ... the express image of his Person, who is ever before Gods face to make intercession for us.
• 5. Gods proper Title which is Iehovah: wheresoever he that appeared as an Angel, and is stiled an Angel, hath this Title Iehovah attributed to him, there Christ Jesus is meant: On this ground it is evident that the Angell which appeared to Moses in the burning bush was Christ, because he is called Iehovah, Exod. 3. 3, 4. By a like evidence it is manifest that the Angell which spake to Iacob in a Dream, was Christ, because he said of himself, I am the God of Bethel, &c. Gen. 31. 11. 19.
• 6. When the Name is declared to be secret or wonderfull, as Iudg. 13. 8. Wonder∣full, is one of the Titles whereby the Sonne of God, true Iehovah, is set out: Isa. 9. 6.
• 7. When divine effects are wrought by him that is stiled Angell, as, to deliver from all evil (Gen. 48. 16.) to put fear and terrour into the heart of stout enemies, (Exo. 14, 19, 24, 25.) And to bring Israel out of Egypt, after such a manner as they were brought out, Numb. 20. 16.
• 8. When divine worship is rightly given to him that is called Angel, I say right∣ly, because divine worship may and hath been given to created Angels, Col. 2. 18. Rev. 19. 10. & 22. 8, 9. But by divine worship rightly and duely given, one of the Angels that appeared to Abraham is manifested to be Iehovah, Gen. 18. 2. And the Angel with whom Iacob wrestled, Gen. 32. 26. for Iacob made supplication unto him, Hos. 12. 4.

This uncreated Angel the Sonne of God, true Iehovah, is not meant by the Apo∣stle in this Text; For he speaks in the plurall number (Angels) as of many, and those made or created, yea, and Ministers; Nor doth he mean Sonnes of men: For he stiles them spirits, meaning Angelical and celestiall spirits; who are usually and properly called Angels. These are here intended.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In multis locis dominus noster atque Salvator Angelus Dei dicitur. Hier. comment. in Agg. 1.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.3

  Quis sicut De∣u•…•… vel quis par Deo. Michaelem Christum intel∣lige. Aug. in Apoc. Hom. 9. Salvator Ange∣lus Testamenti appellatur. Hier. Com. in Mal. 3.