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 ...

§. 105. Of multiplication of seed, as a part of Abrahams blessing.

ONe particular instance of the blessing promised to Abraham is thus expressed, Multiplying, I will multiply thee.

The verb translated, a 1.1 multiply, is derived from a noune that signifieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 b 1.2 multitude, (Acts 4. 3•…•….) which noune is derived from another verb that signi∣fieth c 1.3 to fill, (Luk. 5. 7) for by multiplying a thing is made full.

Of the Emphasis of doubling the word, thus, multiplying, I will multiply; See §. 103.

The H•…•…brew, and the Greek LXX on Gen. 22. 17. do adde thy seed, in this last 〈◊〉〈◊〉, thus, I will multiply thy seed. But the Apostle for brevity sake, leaveth it out, and only repeateth this relative pronoune, Thee; For it is apparent, that the multiplication here promised is, of Abrahams seed; A man cannot be multiplied but by his seed.

Quest. How can multiplication of seed be a part of that promise which Abraham is* 1.4 said to obtain (v. 15.) seeing in his life time, he saw no great multiplication?

Answ.

• 1. Abraham saw the beginning and ground-work thereof: for he had

• seed of his own body, and that by Sarah, his first wife; to whom the promise was made, as well as to himself, Gen. 17. 16. and 18. 10.
• 2. He lived to see seed of that seed; for Isaac had two Sons of fifteen years old, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Abraham lived; which thus appeareth. Abraham lived 175. years (Gen. 25. 7.) Isaac was born when Abraham was an hundred years old, (Gen. 21 5.) Isaac was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 years old, when Esau and Iacob were born (Gen. 25. 26) They therefore li∣ved •…•…5, yeares in Abrahams time.
• 3. I might here further adde that I shamael his Son had many children in his time: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that by Keturah he had six Sons (Gen. 25. 2.) every of which might have many chil∣dren in his dayes: But because the multiplication here mentioned is of the promised seed, I pass by this third answer: the two former are sufficient to satisfie the doubt.

But that which yet gives fuller satisfaction is the vigor of his faith, whereby he saw the day of Christ, Ioh. 8. 56. and all that seed according to the flesh and spirit which was promised him. He was by faith as fully assured thereof, as if he had lived to the end of the world, and seen all with his bodily eyes.

Of the seed here especially intended, see §. 104.

The multiplication of seed here promised, being added to Gods promise of bles∣sing* 1.5 Abraham, giveth evidence, that multiplication of seed is a blessing. In this re∣spect it is said, happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them, Psal. 127. 5. Bles∣sing is thus exemplified, Thy wife shall be as a fruitfull Vine, by the sides of the house, thy children like Olive-plants, &c. Thou shall see thy Childrens Children, Psal. 128. 3, 6. On this ground, the Elders of Israel thus blessed Boaz, The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house, like Rachel, and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: Ruth. 4 11.

Object. Multiplication of conception is set down as a curse, Gen. 3. 16.

Answ.

• 1. It is not simply the multiplication of seed that is there made a curse, but pain and sorrow, and danger, which accompany the same. Hereupon this word, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, is inserted thus, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sor∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shalt bring forth Children.
• 2. In Christ that which was at first set down as a curse, is made a blessing, 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. 15.

Multiplication of seed is a meanes not only of encreasing and continuing the world, but also of encreasing and continuing the Church in the world. And in this latter respect it is a blessing. It is the multiplication of an holy seed, whereby Christs Kingdome is encreased and not Satans.

This manifesteth the undue desires of many, who would have no children at all. To prevent children, some will not marry; Others, though they marry, wish that they may have no children: or if any, only one. Others that have many children, with them dead. Herein Christians use to be more faulty then the Jewes were. What other reason can be rendred hereof, then covetousness, distrustfulness, discontented∣ness, and such like corruptions. Let us, for our parts, shake off these corruptions, and depend upon Gods providence for that seed, which he shall be pleased to be∣•…•… upon us. See more hereof, Chap. 11. v. 11. §. 54. And Chap. 13. v. 5. §. 65.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  How Abraham saw his seed multiplied.
• * 1.5

  Many children a blessing.