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 ...

§. 159. Of the priviledge of Beleevers above Angels.

TO shew that that very mercy which was not vouchsafed to Angels, was vouch∣sated to men, the Apostle doth not only use this particle of opposition, * 1.1 BUT, (which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in like cases frequently useth: as Prov. 10. 2.) but also he repeateth the same word again wherein the grace not granted to Angels, is comprized: which is this, b 1.2 He took on him: so as to man was granted that which was not vouchsafed to Angels. Of that grace see §. 157.

This is such an evidence of Gods peculiar respect to man, as it made the Angels themselves desire to behold the riches of Gods mercy herein, 1 Pet. 1. 12.

If to this generall we adde other particular exemplifications of Gods mercy to man, over and above that which he shewed to Angels, we shall more clearly discern the exceeding greatnesse of Gods favour to man. Some particulars are these.

• 1. Christ is given a Saviour to lost man, Luk. 2. 11. No Saviour is afforded to An∣gels.
• ...

• 2. Men are as members of one body mystically united to Christ their Head 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as they altogether with the Son of God are one Christ, 1 Cor. 12. 12. No such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nour is vouchsafed to Angels.
• 3. All things are put in subjection to man. Not so to Angels, v. 5, 6, & •…•….
• 4. Men shall judge the Angels, 1 Cor. 6. 3. Angels shall not judge men.
• 5. Angels are ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them that shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 salvation, Heb. 1. 14. Men are not sent forth to minister for Angels.

Some make the reason of that difference which God put between men and An∣gels to be this, that all the Angels fell not: and thereupon they inferre that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not take on him the nature of Angels for the good Angels sake, because 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were but a part: for he will take the nature for all or none. This reason 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hold, in that he took mans nature, for the good and benefit only of the seed of Ab•…•…∣ham. See §. 162.

Others put the reason of the foresaid difference between men and Angels in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hainousnesse of the sinne of Angels: and thereupon they aggravate the sin•…•…e▪ Angels by sundry circumstances: as, that they were the more excellent creatures that they had more light of understanding: that they first sinned: that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not tempted •…•…o sin as man was: and that they tempted man and so were murder of man, Ioh. 8. 44.

I will not assay to extenuate any of these aggravations: But this I may bo•…•… say, that these and other like reasons taken from difference in creatures much •…•…∣gate from the supream Soveraignty of God, who thus saith, I will be gra•…•…▪ whom I will be gracious: and I will shew mercy, on whom I will shew mercy, Exod▪ 19. That which about Gods Soveraignty exercised on man and man, in refere•…•… to the Elect and reprobate is distinctly set down by the Apostle (Rom. 9. 21, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may not unfitly be applied to his Soveraignty exercised on men and Angels. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not the Potter power over the clay of the same lump, to make one vessel unto honour, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another unto dishonour? &c. Is it not lawfull for me, saith the Lord, to do what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with mine own? This then is the reason that we must rest upon, So was Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pleasure▪ He would not shew that mercy to Angels, which he did to men.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 peculiar love to man, see my Treatise entituled A plaister for the plate on Nu•…•…. 16. •…•…6. § 34, 35.

The privileages which God hath given to men more then to Angels aggrav•…•…* 1.3 their •…•…ge who adore Angels. Therein they dishonour God in giving▪ creature that honour which is due only to the Creator: and they do too 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in dejecting themselves below those, above whom God hath•…•… vanced them. A good Angel would not accept of such adoration, Revel. 19. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 2•…•…. 8, 9.

The foresaid priviledge doth further aggravate mans backwardnesse about 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 things that make to the honour of God, God having honoured men above Ang•…•… equity and gratitude require that men should endeavour to honour God more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Angel 〈◊〉〈◊〉: but they fail so much herein as they come very short of other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tures in glorifying God. Behold the heavens: they declare the glory of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Psal. 19. 1. The whole host of heaven constantly keepeth that course wherein 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at first set them. Those starres that are called wandring, wander according▪ their appointed course; and are constant therein. Look down upon the earth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you shall finde all manner of trees and plants bringing forth their fruit in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 son, according to the first appointment, Gen. 1. 12. Yet men exceedingly fail those courses which God hath appointed unto them. We may justly take up 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prophets complaint in this respect and say, Hear O heavens, and give ear O 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. Isa. 1. 2, &c. Let the consideration of Gods respect to man above A•…•… quicken us up to out-strip, if it were possible, the very Angels in glorifying 〈◊〉〈◊〉 At least let our endeavour be to come as near them therein as possibly we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 This is a point intended in the third petition; where Christ directeth us to pray, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, Matth. 6. 10.

Consider therefore what is said of Angels, They excell in strength, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.5 Commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his Word, Psal. 103. 20. They 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto God, Dan. 7. 10. They do alwaies behold the face of God, (Matth. 18. 10.) 〈◊〉〈◊〉

to know his will what they should do. They suddenly upon all occasions assemble in multitudes to praise God, Luke 2 13, 14. There is joy in the presence of the An∣gels of God over a sinner that repenteth, Luke 15. 10. In these and other like duties that concern us we ought to be followers of them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

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

  Angels not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…hipped.
• * 1.4

  Aggravation of mans back∣wardnesse •…•… duty.
• * 1.5

  Angels to be imitated.