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 ...

§. 62. Of the subjection of all things to Christ.* 1.1

TO make Christs rule the more absolute, this is further added, Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. This is the rather added to make up that part of the assumption which seemed to be wanting, v. 5. The whole assumption was to have been this, To Christ he hath put in subjection the world to come, but to Angels he hath not put it in subjection. The later part is there set down: the former here: at least in the full sense, though not in the very words: for instead of the world •…•… come, he here saith, all things, which is more then that. It is a Logicall and true principle, that under the greater the lesse is comprized. Now all things may well be accounted the greater, in reference to the world to come.

Again, where he there said, unto them, he here saith, under his feet, which im∣plyeth a greater degree of subjection on their part who are put under: and of do∣minion on his part, under whose feet they are put.

This phrase, under his feet, implieth that they are brought as much under him, as any can be brought. They are not beside him, as the Princes stood beside the King of Iudah, Jer. 36. 21. but under him. Not under his hand, as souldiers under the hand of their Captain, 2 Sam. 18. 2. but under his feet. Not at his feet, as the ten thousand that went at Baraks feet, Judg. 4. 10. but under his feet. Lower then un∣der ones feet, cannot any be put. Thus therefore do the people of God expresse the subjection of Gentiles under them, He shall subdue the people under us, and the* 1.2 Nations under our feet. It doth withall imply that there is no fear of any creatures freeing themselves from subjection under Christ. They who are under ones feet, are kept down from rising up against him.

The phrase applied to Christs enemies, implieth an utter subduing of them, and his Just indignation against them, as hath been shewed, Chap. 1. §. 154.

Not enemies only, but all of all sorts are thus put in subjection under Christ; which intimateth that all yield obedience unto him: Some, as his enemies, per force: others willingly, (Psal. 110. 2, 3.) So as Christs dominion is not a meer titular matter. As he hath power to command, so subjection is yielded to his command.

It is therefore a point of egregious folly to be like unto those who sent this mes∣sage* 1.3 after this Lord, We will not have this man to rule over us, Luke 19. 14. All are put under his feet: will they, nill they, they shall be subject unto him. Who hath resisted his will▪ Rom. 9. 19.

In the daies of his flesh, Fishes, (Luk. 5. 6.) Windes, sea (Matth. 8. 27.) Diseases (Luke 4 39.) The worst of men (John 2. 15. & 18. 6.) and devils themselves (Mark 1. 27.) were all subject unto him. Mark what a Gentile said, of the commanding and overruling power of Christ, Luke 7. 7, 8.

As it is our duty, so it will be our wisdom, voluntarily to submit to Christ, and* 1.4 to yield willing obedience to him.

This is the property of his people, Psal. 110. 3. Thus shall we make a virtue of necessity. We are put under Christs feet. There is therefore a necessity of submit∣ting. But free and willing subjection is a virtue.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Verse 8.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 47. 3.
• * 1.3

  A folly to re∣fuse to be sub∣ject to Christ.
• * 1.4

  Willingly o∣bey Christ.