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 ...

§. 181. Of the people for whom reconciliation is made.

THe persons for whom Christ is here said to make reconciliation, are thus ex∣pressed, The people.* 1.1

By people are here meant the whole number of Gods elect, for whom God hath entred into a New Covenant in and with Christ, of whom God saith, Th•…•… art my people, Hos. 2. 23. These are stiled The people.

• 1. In allusion to the custome of Priests under the Law who made an atonement for the people, Num. 16. 47.
• 2. By way of exclusion, to shew that the reconciliation were not for his own sins but for the sins of others, which are stiled the people: Herein Christ the true High-Priest differed from the High-Priest under the Law, who made atonement for himself and for the people, Lev. 16. 24. But Christ for the people alone.
• 3. For limitation sake; To shew that Christ made not reconciliation for all and every man, but only for such as may be comprised under this word the people, which is restrained by this relative HIS, his people, Mat. 1. 21.

Some here restrain this Title The people to the Nation of the Jews, but that is directly contrary to the end of Christs coming, which was to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles unto God; For he is our peace who hath made both one, and hath

broken down the middle wall of partition between us, Eph. 2. 14.

I will not deny but that the Jews may typically be put for the number of the Elect, and so they comprised under this word. They only who are chosen out of the world and given to Christ, are the people here intended. Thus this phrase setteth forth the same persons that were set forth by these phrases, the seed of Abraham, v. 16. Children, v. 14. Brethren, v. 12. Of restraining the benefit of what Christ did and suffered to the Elect, See §. 81, 113, 133, 162.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Of the nota∣tion of this word See cha. 4. v. 9. •…•… •…•…57.