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 ...

§. 8. Of the generall intendment of particular Epistles.

Quest. WAs this Epistle written for the Hebrews only?

Answ. Though it were in speciall manner directed to them, yet* 1.1 was it not written only for their use; but for the use also of the whole Christian Church: and therefore it hath ever been read in all C•…•…urches. The Apostle giveth a charge to particular Churches, to whom in speciall he directed his Epistles, to cause them to be read in other Churches, Col. 4. 16. For the matter of Apostolicall Epistles, consisted of generall doctrines and directions fit for all Christians to know, beleeve and obey. That which Christ saith of the word, which he preached to his Disciples in particular (Mark. 13. 37.) What I say unto you, I say unto all, may be ap∣plied to the Epistles of the Apostles: For in them they intended the good of all Christians. The particular inscription of their Epistles to particular Churches or persons, was as the ordinary dedication of books to particular persons, which are intended to the good of all.

S^t Luke dedicated his histories of the Gospel of Christ, and Acts of the Apostles, to* 1.2 one man, and by name to Theophilus: yet he intended them to the good of all. S^t Paul in that Epistle which he directed only to Titus by name, concludes with this generall benediction, Grace be with you all, Tit. 3. 15. The Epistle to Philemon was written upon a speciall occasion, yet so carried as sundry generall instructions, meet for all Christians to know, are couched therein. All Christians therefore are to read and hear the Epistles of the Apostles, as heedfully as they were bound to do, unto whom in speciall they were directed.

As for this Epistle to the Hebrews, it may seem, in sundry passages thereof, to be written by a propheticall spirit, to meet with sundry heresies, that were in future times to be broached, rather then such as at that time were discovered: such as these; A true, reall, propitiatory sacrifice, to be daily offered up: yea such a sacrifice to be unbloody. Sonnes of men to be sacrificing Priests properly so called. Many Inter∣cessors and Meaiators to be under the Gospel: and sundry other which have been published by Papists, long since this Epistle was written. So as this Epistle, in sundry respects, may be as usefull to us, who live in the time of Popery, and are much infested with popish heresies, as to the Hebrews, if not more. Hitherto of the Title.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Memento Apo∣stolicas Epistolas non els tantum script•…•…s, qui tempore illo quo scribebantur au∣di•…•…baut, sed e∣tiam nobis; non enim ob aliud in Ecclesia reci∣tantur. Aug. contr. Crescon. gram. l. 1. c. 9.
• * 1.2

  Luk. 1. 3. Acts 1. 1.