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 ...

§. 108. Of Abrahams patient enduring.

Heb. 6. 15.

And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

THese two particles, a 1.1 And, so, imply a consequence following upon that which went before. The consequence hath reference to Gods promise con∣firmed to Abraham by oath: which Abraham believing obtained the benefit thereof, which is here set down in this verse. That benefit is the consequence here intended.

This phrase b 1.2 After he had patiently endured, is the interpretation of one Greek participle, which being of the first aorist, that setteth out the time past, may be th•…•…s also translated, having patiently endured. Both translations make to the same pur∣pose, and shew that the reward of obtaining the promise followed upon his patient enduring.

Of the notation of the word translated patiently endured, See v. 12. §. 86. It im∣plyeth two things: * 1.3 Patience, and Perseverance. For it signifieth, long to en∣dure with a meek and quiet minde. Thus it is applied to God himself, c 1.4 Luk. 18. 7 d 1.5 •…•…. Pet. 3. 9. and to a wise husbandman, Iames 5. 7. Under whose exam∣ple* 1.6 the emphasis of the word is fitly set forth. For the husbandman wai•…•…es for •…•… crop from the Seed-time to the harvest: and in that time he oft findes hard nippi•…•… frosts, blasting winds, scorching heat: yea, sometimes drought through want of rain: and sometimes floods through a great abundance of rain: yet he contin•…•…th to waite till the time of harvest: and, if he be not a covetous worlding, he •…•…aites with a quiet mind, still hoping for a good crop: for in that hope he soweth his seed.

This patient enduring hath reference both to a long date, which requireth endu∣ring, and also to such difficulties as may fall out in that long time, which require patience.

That Abraham did long endure, and that with patience, is evident by the history of his life registred in sacred writ.

A childe was one speciall thing comprized under the promise; For it he waited* 1.7 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was an hundred year old. Was ever the like heard of any since the flood? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…em was an hundred year old, before he begat Arphaxad: but he was born, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lived a great part of his time before the flood. The other Patriarchs that lived 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Shem and Abraham had children before they were forty. Only Terah the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Abraham was seventy year old, before he had a childe: but the thirty 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which Abraham waited, after the seventieth year of his age, were much more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first seventy. It is said of Zacharias and Elizabeth his wife, that they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in years, (Luke 1. 7.) but their age was not comparable to Abrahams. He endured all his life long, for the promised inheritance. That Abraham endured all that time patiently with a meek and quiet minde, is evident by that constant, cheerfull, ready obedience, which he yeelded to God upon all occasions: never gain∣•…•…, or making question of any thing which God said: never fretting, nor mur∣•…•…ring against any part of Gods word. This may be exemplified in sundry par∣ticulars.

• 1. Upon Gods command, he went out of his country, and from his kindred, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…is fathers house, Gen. 12. 1.
• 2. Upon Gods appointment, he lived all his dayes in a strange Countrey, Heb. 11. 9.
• 3. Fam•…•…nes and other difficulties did not move him to return to the place from whence God had called him: but other where he provided for himself, Gen. 1 210.
• 4. Because God would have him onely there to sojourn, he was content to dwell in Te•…•…ts, Gen. 12. 8. and 18. 1. Heb. 11. 9. He built no Palace, Castle, or House for himself.
• 5. In his ninety ninth year at Gods command, he was circumcised, and all his house at that time, Gen. 17. 23, 24. He feared not any such danger as befell the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon a like occasion, Gen. 34. 25. &c.
• 6. Upon Gods command he cast Ishmael out of his house, though it were grievous to him, Gen. 21. 12, 14.
• 7. Upon God promise, against hope he believed in hope, that he might become the father of many Nations, Gen. 17. 17. Rom. 4. 18.
• 8. Upon God•…•… command, he was ready to sacrifice his only, his beloved Son, the Son of promise, Gen. 22. 2, 10.
• 9. He purchased a burying place for his wife, himself, and other Patriarchs, in testimony of his faith, that his posterity should enjoy that Land. Gen. 22. 17. &c.
• 10. He would not suffer his Son to be carried to the Countrey, out of which God had called him, Gen. 24. 6.
• 11. He would not make affinity with thos strangers, that were to be rooted out of that land, but sent to take a wife unto his Son from among his kindred, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 24. 3▪ &c.
• 12. He preferd the Son of promise, before all other his children, and sent the•…•… all away from Isaac, Gen. 25. 6.

Of the difficulties which Abraham passed over. See v. 13. §. 94.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  Of patience, See v. 1•…•…. Sect. 86.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.6

  * Of perseve∣rance, See chap. 3. v. 6. Sect. 68, &c.
• * 1.7

  Abrahams long endu∣ring.