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 ...

§. 112. Of Christs declaring Gods Name in mans nature.

THat which Christ declared, is here said to be the Name of God: for it is God,* 1.1 even his Father, to whom Christ here saith, I will declare thy Name.

Under the Name of God is comprised every thing whereby God hath made him∣self known unto us. See more of Gods Name in my Explanation of the Lords Prayer, entituled A Guide to go to God, §. 20, 21.

This phrase, I will declare thy Name, implieth that Christ maketh known what∣soever is meet to be known of God: so much of Gods excellencies, and so much of his counsell as is to be known. Thus is this title Name used, Ioh. 17. 6, 26. That which the Apostle saith of himself, might Christ say most properly, and in the

largest extent, I have not shunned to declare all the counsell of God, Act. 20. 27. For* 1.2 this end did Christ take upon him to be the Prophet of his Church: and that in our nature. He was that Prophet in two respects.

• 1. Because none else knew the Name of God. None else knew Gods excellen∣cies and Gods counte•…•…▪ Thus much is intended under this phrase, No man hath seen God at any time, John 1. 18. and under this, No man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon, Rev. 5. 3.
• 2. Because Christ to the full knew all. For in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2. 3. Thereupon it is said, The only begotten Sonne which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him, Joh. 1. 18. And he hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven seals thereof, Rev. 5. 5, 9.

This Christ did in our nature, because we were not able to endure the bright∣nesse* 1.3 of the divine Majesty to speak unto us: witnesse the affrightment of the Is∣raelites at hearing Gods voice in delivering the Law, Exod. 20. 19. This reason is rendred of Gods making his Sonne a Prophet in our nature, Deut. 18. 15, 16.

Of the difference betwixt Christs and others declaring Gods will, see Chap. 1. §. 14.

The duty hence arising is expresly laid down by Moses, thus, Unto him ye shall* 1.4 hearken, Deut. 18. 15. and by God himself thus, Hear ye him, Matt. 17. 5. See more hereof §. 5. & Chap. 3. v. 1. §. 25. & v. 7. §. 77, 78.

How can we now hear Christ?

Answ. 1. Many of Christs Sermons and instructions are recorded by the Evan∣gelists:* 1.5 so as in well heeding them, we hear Christ.

2. Christ instructed his Apostles in all things needfull for his Church to know. For thus saith he to them, All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you, Joh. 15. 15. and Christ commanded his Apostles to teach people to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them, Matth. 28. 20. and so they did, v. 3. 1 Ioh. 1. 3. Yea Christ gave Pastors and Teachers after them, and endowed them with gifts sufficient for the building up of his Church, Eph. 4. 11, 12. and these stand in Christs stead, (2 Cor. 5. 21.) and Christ speaks in them, 2 Cor. 13. 3. Hereupon saith Christ, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, Joh. 13. 20. Thus we see how Christ may be hearkened unto in all ages, even to the end of the world.

Of Christs being a Preacher, See v. 3. §. 22, 24.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of Name of God. See Ch. 13. v. 15 §. 144
• * 1.2

  Why Christ a Prophet.
• * 1.3

  Why Christ a Prophet in our nature.
• * 1.4

  Hear Christ.
• * 1.5

  How Christ may now be heard.