John Trapp on Hebrews 1

CHAP. I. Verſe 1. God who at ſundry times, &c.]

SEe my True Treaſure, Page 1, 2, 3.

Verſe 2. Heir of all things] Be married to this heir, and have all, Vbitu Caius, ego Caia, may the Shulamite ſay to her husband, as the Roman Ladies ſaid to theirs.

Verſe 3. Vpholding all things] Both in reſpect of being, excellencies and operations. Seneca rendering the reaſon why Jupiter was by the Ancient Romans ſirnamed Stator, ſaith it was, Quia ejus bene ficio ſtant omnia, becauſe all things are upheld by him. How much better may this be ſaid of Chriſt? Sin had hurled confuſion over the world, which would have fallen about Adams ears (ſaith one) had not Chriſt undertaken the ſhattered condition thereof, to uphold it. He keeps the world together, as the hoops do the barrell.

Purged our ſins] By his merit and ſpirit.

Verſe 4. Better then the Angels] Therefore is his doctrine, the Goſpel, with more heed to be heard, then the law ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediatour, that is Maſes, Gal. 3.19.

Verſe 5. This day] Either the day of eternity, and ſo it is meant of Chriſts eternall generation; or elſe the fulneſſe of time, wherein God brought his firſt begotten into the world, and mightily declared him to be the on of God by the reſurrection from the dead, Act. 1.33. Rom. 1 4.

Verſe 6. And let all the Angels of God] The manhood of it ſelf could not be thus adored (becauſe it is a creature)Phil, 2.8. but as it is received into unity of perſon with the Deity, and hath a partneragency therewith, according to its meaſure, in the work of redemption and mediation.

Verſe 7. A flame of fire] Hence they are called Seraphims, becauſe they flame, like heavenly Salamanders in the fire of pure and perfect love to God and his people: And Cherubims from their winged ſwiftneſſe, ſwift they are as the winde: which may ſeem to be the ſenſe of this text, compared with Pſal. 104.4, 5.

Verſe 8. Thy throne, ô God, is forever] Chriſt is God then, as is here ſet forth by many arguments. God hath laid help in one that is mighty. I and the Father am one.

Verſe 9. Hath anointed thee] This imports two things. 1. Ordination to his office, and ſo the Godhead alſo of Chriſt was anointed. 2. Qualification for it, and ſo the manhood only, And as the holy oil was compounded of divers ſpices, ſo was Chriſt filled with all gifts and graces, Act. 10.38. but eſpecially with wiſdome, as a Prophet, holineſſe as a Prieſt, and power as a King.

Verſe 10. The Works of thy bands] Pſal. 8.3. they are called the works of Gods fingers, artificially elaborated; that heaven of heavens eſpecially, whole artificer and workman is God, Heb. [non-Latin text not transcribed].11.10. The Apoſtle there intimates, that it is c̄uriouſly and cunningly contrived.

Verſe 11. They ſhall periſh] The viſible heavens are defiled with mans ſin, and ſhall therefore be purged by the laſt fire, as the veſſels that held the ſin offering were to paſſe the fire.

They ſhall all wax old] See the Note on Rom. 8.22.

Verſe 12. But thou art the ſame] As in effence, ſo in will and counſel. Repentance with man is the changing of his will: Repentance with God is the willing of a change: Mutatio rei, non Dei, effectus non affictus, facti non confily.

Verſe 13. Sit on my right-hand] As mine equall in honour and power.

Verſe 14. Sent forth to minister, &c.] The Saints are the Spouſe, the bride, yea the members of Chriſt; and ſo in nearer union then Angels, or any creature. This the devil envied, and fell from his ſtation.