Hebrews 1

THe Apostle Paul observing, that the Hebrews (at least and considerable part of them) were ready to fall from the faith of Christ into their former Iudaisme, by reason of those cruell persecutions which they suffered, hence tooke occasion to write this Epistle unto them, wherein he laboureth to confirme them in the faith, which they had received, and to stirre them up to stand stedfast in it; and that by divers arguments: as, first, from the excellency of Christs nature, person, and offices; but chiefly of his Priestly office above that of of Aarons. Secondly, from the danger of Apostasie. Thirdly, from the excellency and great power of faith. Fourthly, from the gracious effects and fruits of affliction. And then concludes the Epistle with exhortations to divers Christian duties, both generall and particular.

Hebrews 1:1

GOD] That is, the Father; for when the name [God] is mentioned in the Scriptures, with relation unto the Sonne, thereby we are to understand God the Father.

at sundry times] Or, by, or, in sundry parts. The Originall word signifieth those severall parts or degrees wherewith the doctrine of the Gospel was revealed unto the Fathers; that it was not at once altogether revealed, but a little: now this, now that, as God in his wisdome saw most requisite.

divers] Thereby is meant those severall and different kindes or sorts of revelation, whereby the word God was revealed, as sometimes by Angels, sometimes by Angels, sometimes by visions in the day, sometimes by dreams in the night, &c. sometimes more plainly, sometimes more obscurely. Numbers 12:6.

in time past] That is, both before and under the Law.

by] O, in. Both prepositions, both in the Hebrew and in the Greek, are promiscuously taken one of the other; yet this latter seems to be more emphaticall in this place, intimating that God moved their hearts and tongues, Matthew 10:20. 2 Corinthians 13:3. 1 Pet. 10, 11, 21. A king speaketh by, he doth not speak in his Ambassadour; God doth both.

Hebrews 1:2

in those last dayes] Esther 2:2. Mic. 4. 1. Acts 2:17. 1 Pet. 1. 20. See the Notes on Genesis 49:1.

spoken] That is, fully and plainly.

by] See vers. 1.

Sonne] Deuteronomy 18:15. compared with Acts 3:22. and Acts 7:37. Matthew 17:5. John 1:18. That is, his naturall Sonne, coessentiall, or of the same essence with the Father, called therefore the onely begotten, John 1. 14. & 3. 16. for others are called the sonnes of God by grace and adoption. John 1:12. Romans 8:14. Galatians 4:6.

appointed heir] That is, ordained Possessor, Lord, and Dispenser; which is not to be understood of that essentiall dominion, or Lordship, which he had common with the Father, and the holy Ghost, being God equall unto them; but of that oeconomicall, dispensed, or delegate dominion or Lordship, hwereunto he was foreordained before the foundations of the world, being appointed the Medatour of hte new Testament, and wherein he was actually constituted and placed, after that he had finished the work of mans redemption. Psalms 89:27. Matthew 28:28. Luke 24 26. John 5:27. Acts 2:36. Romans 14:9. Ephesians 1:20. Philippians 2:9-10, &c. Revelation 4:11.

all things] Whether they belong to this life, or the life to come: so that whatsoever we want, we must seek in and through him. John 3. 35. & 13. 3.

by whom] Proverbs 8:27-30. John 1:3. 1 Corinthians 8:7. Colossians 1:16. Hebrews 1:10. I is not as by as instrument or inferiour cause, but by him, as by his eternall wisdome, and by way of a conjoyned, cooperating and equal cause; so that by this particle [by] is meant onely and order of working; it is the Father by the Sonne; and not the inferioritie of causes.

made] That is, created, as John 1:3. Colossians 1:16.

the worlds] That is, the worlds continuation through its severall ages, and all things visible and invisible, measured by time, or whatsoever hath any duration or succession. Chap. 11. 3. Nehemiah 9:6.

Hebrews 1:3

Who being, &c.] Wisd. 7. 26. John 1. 14. Phil. 2. 6. Col. 1. 15.

brightnesse] Or, sent forth light. The speech is metaphoricall, taken or borrowed from a lightsome bodie, and the beams or splendor which it sends forth: God the Father being herein compared unto the lightsome body, God the Sonne unto the beam of splendour sent forth; and so are the words following, wherein God the Father is compared unto a Seal, God the Son unto a impression resulting from the Seal. Now the Sonne of God may be called the sent forth light of his Fathers glory, and the imprinted form of his Essence or person; either in respect of his Deitie, and then thereby is signified, both the manner of his essentiall generation; viz. that it was eternall from his Father, as also his consubstantiality with the Father; that is, that he is of the same essence with him: or else in respect of his incarnation, or manifestation in the flesh, because in Christ manifested in the flesh the Glory and Majestie of God the Father shined forth, which otherwise was invisible, and could not be beholden.

expresse image] Or, imprinted forme. See the former note.

upholding] That is, continuing their natures, and governing of them. Numbers 11:14. Deuteronomy 1:9.

by the word] That is, by his powerfull word, or by his words of power, by his mighty command, and according to his own will and pleasure. Chap. 11. 3.

by himself] That is, the sacrifice of himself: whereby is implyed the superexcellency of Christs sacrifice above all others. See Ch. 9. v. 12, 14, 26.

purged] That is, taken away the guilt of our sinnes, by making satisfaction unto the justice of God for them. Chap. 9. 22, 23. Ephesians 5:26. Titus 2:14. John 1:1; John 1:7. 1 Peter 1:2. Revelation 1:5.

sate down] Herein the Apostle alludeth to the custome of Kings, who place him at their right hand whom they put next in authoritie and power under them; so that hereby is denoted the supreme and high dignitie, power and dominion, which Christ obtained when he ascended into heaven. Chap. 12. 2. Matthew 26:64. Romans 8:34. Colossians 3:1.

of the Majestie] That is, of God the Father. See Chap. 8. 1.

Hebrews 1:4

Being] At this verse. S. Paul begins to confirme that which he had before spoken, touching the excellency of Christs person, by preferring him unto Angels, and consequently unto all other Creatures.

made] The Originall word doth not onely signifie being made, but also simply being, John 1:15. Acts 7:38. and not only so, but being declared or acknowledged, Romans 3:4. James 1:12.

inheritance] Christ hath a double inheritance; one as the naturall Sonne of God by eternall generation; another, as God and man, or as the Mediatour of the New Testament: both may be understood in this place. See verse. 2.

more excellent] Ephesians 1:21. Philippians 2:9. That is, more honourable and glorious Titles and Attributes, or greater Honour, Power, Dominion, Majestie and glory then the Angels.

Hebrews 1:5

Thou art my Sonne] The place of the Psalmist, Psalm, 2. 7. in the literall sense, is to be understood of David, as the Type, who after many troubles, was at length settled in his Kingdome, which God had promised him; but in the mysticall sense it is understood of Christ the truth: Now Christ may be said to be the Sonne of God, and to be gotten of him in a three-fold respect. First, of his eternall generation; see v. 2. Secondly, of his incarnation, Luke 1:35. Thirdly, of his resurrection, whereby he was begotten unto an eternall Kingdome and Priesthood.

I will be] This place is of the like nature with former; in the literall sense it is meant of Solomo the Type, but in the mysticall, or Christ the truth. See 2 Samuel 7:14. 2 Chronicles 22:10.

Hebrews 1:6

And agian] Or, And when he bringeth his first begotten again; or,the second time. Whether we understand the place either of Christs coming, that is in the flesh; or else of his second, that is, to judgement, it proves the truth intended, viz. that Christ is more excellent then the Angels.

first-begotten] Romans 8:29. So called, to denote his excellency above his brethren in nature, office, glory, dominion, Exodus 4:22. Psalms 89:27. Jeremiah 31. as also in that love wherewith God the Father loveth him above all his brethren. Deuteronomy 21:16. Micah 6:7. Zechariah 12:10.

And let all] Psalms 97:7.

Hebrews 1:7

maketh] Psalms 104:4.

spirits] That is, as the windes, See the Note following.

as a flame] Or, as the lightnings, By both which we are to understand their readinesse to execute Gods will; for as the windes and lightnings suddenly passe from one end of earth to the other, so te Angels presently fulfill Gods will. Matthew 6:10.

Hebrews 1:8

Thy throne] Psalms 45:6. Esa. 9. 7. The Psalm whence this is taken is allegoricall; see the notes thereon; expressing the spirituall marriage betweene Christ and his Church; and therefore here it is properly applyed.

Hebrews 1:9

both anointed thee] Esa. 24. 1. & 61. 1.

Hebrews 1:10

And thou] Psalms 102:25. Esa. 34 4. Vers. 2.

Hebrews 1:13

Sit] Reigne: as it is expounded, 1 Corinthians 15:25.

footstood] It is an allusion unto a custome in the Eastern parts, where they were wont to put their feet upon the necks of those whom they have conquered; So that hereby we are to understand that perfect victory which Christ had over all his enemies. Esa. 8. 8. Joshua 10:24. 2 Samuel 22:41.

Hebrews 1:14

Are they, &c.] V. 7. 2 Kings 2, 11. & 6. 17. Psalms 34:7. & 91. 11, &c.

heirs of salvation] Titus 3:7. James 2:5. 1 Peter 3:7.