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 ...

§. 187. Of the Resolution of Heb. 2. v. 17, 18.

17.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like to his brethren, that he might be a mercifull and faithfull Highpriest, in things pertaining to God, to make re∣conciliation for the sinnes of the people.

18.

For in that he himself hath suffered▪ being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

THe summe of these two verses is a description of Christs Priesthood.

Herein observe,

• 1. The Inference.
• 2. The Substance.

The Inference intends a reason of Christs taking upon him mans nature: which is, that he might be a fit Priest. This is

• 1. Generally propounded, in this particle of inference, Wherefore.
• 2. Particularly exemplified.

In the exemplification is a declaration of Christs humane nature. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which are noted,

• ...

  1. The evidence thereof, Made like to his brethren:

  Here observe,

  • 1. A resemblance, Made like.
  • 2. The parties resembled:
    • 1. Christ himself.
    • 2. His brethren.
• 2. The extent of that evidence, In all things.
• 3. The ground of it, It behoved.

About the Substance of the description of Christs Priesthood observe,

• 1. An expression of the kinde of office, Highpriest.
• 2. An amplification thereof, by two properties, mercifull, faithfull.
• 3. An addition of the ends: which are two:
  • One end hath reference to God, v. 1. 7.
  • The other to man, v. 18.

That which hath reference to God is,

• 1. Generally propounded, in things per∣taining to God.
• 2. Particularly exemplified.

In that particular there is set down,

• 1. The principall work of an Highpriest, To make reconciliation.
• 2. The subject matter for which reconciliation is made, For sinnes.
• 3. The person•…•… who reap the benefit of that reconciliation, The people.

Verse 18. The other end of Christs Priesthood, which hath reference to man, is added as a reason of the extent of Christs conformity to man. See §. 182.

Here is set down,

• 1. The ground of that reason.
• 2. The kinde of it.

The ground was suffering. This is set out

• 1. By the patient that suffered, Himself.
• 2. By the cause of his suffering, being tempted.

The kinde of that end was to succour.

This is amplified,

• 1. By the motive, he is able.
• 2. By the persons succoured, them that are tempted.