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 ...

§. 175. Of Duties arising from Christs Priesthood.

SUch an Office, so excellent, so needfull, so usefull to us, as Christs Priesthood is, cannot but require much duty from us. By vertue thereof Christ gave himself for us. Do not we then owe our selves, and all that we have, and all that we can* 1.1 do, to Christ? But in speciall we ought so to account of Christ, and so to use him as the Jews did their Highpriests.

• 1. Negatively, they might not curse the Ruler of their people, (Exod. 22. 28.)* 1.2 Thereby was meant their Highpriest: for so it is applied, Act. 23. 4, 5. Under this negative is comprised an high esteem and honourable mention of their Priest. Much more must we so respect Christ.
• 2. In matters of Controversie, they were to go unto the Priests, and do accor∣ding* 1.3 to the sentence which the Priest should give, Deut. 17. 8, 9. Christ declareth hi•…•… sentence by his written word, to that therefore must we stand.
• 3. In case of uncleannesse the Jews went to the Priest to judge thereof, and to be* 1.4 cleansed there from, Lev. 13. 2, &c. It is the blood of Christ that cleanseth from all spirituall uncleannesse, 1 Ioh. 1. 7. Go to Christ therefore to be cleansed.
• 4. The Jews brought all their oblations and sacrifices unto their Priests, Lev. 5.* 1.5 8, 12, 16, 18. We must do all in the Name of Christ, Col. 3. 17. That generall is ex∣emplified in the particulars following:
  • 1. Miracles were done in the Name of Christ, Mark 16. 17.
  • 2. Baptism was administred in his Name, Act. 2. 38. So the Lords Supper.
  • 3. Christians assembled together in the Name of Christ, 1 Cor. 5. 4.
  • 4. They executed Ecclesiasticall censures in the Name of Christ, 2 Thess. 3. 6, 12.
  • 5. They prayed in the Name of Christ, Ioh. 14. 13. & 16. 23.
  • 6. They gave thanks in his Name, Eph. 5. 20. Heb. 13. 15.
  • 7. All things wherein we have to do with God are to be done in the Name of Christ, Heb. 5. 1.
  • 8. All other lawfull things, as eating, drinking, doing the works of ou•…•… Calling, exercising works of justice, works of mercy, and all lawfull works are to be in the Name of Christ, Col. 3. 17.
• 5. Christ by his Priesthood hath made us Priests, Rev. 1. 6. We therefore must* 1.6 offer such sacrifices unto God as are warranted in Gods Word. Particulars are these:
  • 1. Our bodies, Rom. 12. 1.
  • 2. Our hearts, Prov. 23. 26. especially broken hearts, Psal. 51. 17.
  • 3. Prayers, Psal. 50. 13, 15. & 141. 2.
  • 4. Praises, H•…•…s. 14. 2. Heb. 13. 15.
  • 5. Fruits of righteousnesse, Psal. 4. 5. Mich. 6. 8.
  • 6. Our riches, Prov. 3. 9. These are made sacrifices,

• ...
  • ...
    • 1. By benevolence to the poor, Heb. 13. 16.
    • 2. By releeving Ministers, Phil. 4. 18.
• 7. Our lives, Phil. 2. 17.
• 8. Such as are under our charge, Iosh. 24. 15.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Give all to Christ.
• * 1.2

  Highly esteem Christ.
• * 1.3

  Obey Christ.
• * 1.4

  Be cleansed by Christ.
• * 1.5

  What things to be done in the Name of Christ.
• * 1.6

  Sacrifices of Saints.