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 ...

§. 97. Of Gods confirming his promise by oath.

GOd that made the aforesaid promise to Abraham, did most solemnly confirm it by his oath. Thus it is here taken for granted, in that he sets down the bo•…•…d, whereby he bound himself, together with the reason thereof, in this manner, be∣cause he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself. Here therefore is to be con∣sidered.

• 1. This act of swearing atributed to God,
• 2. That object by whom he swore, himself.
• 3. The reason hereof, He could swear by no greater.

Of the notation of the Hebrew word translated swearing, of the generall nature of an oath, of this act attributed unto God, and of the bonds whereby God •…•…yeth him∣self in his oath, See Chap. 3. v. 11. §. 114, 115. Of the certainty or infallibility of Gods oath, See Chap. 3. v. 3. §. 26.

God is oft said to swear in wrath, as we may see in the places whereunto refe∣rence is made. But here his swearing is in mercy, for confirmation of his pro∣mise made for the good of Abraham and his seed. Thus he confirmed the promise of Christs Priest-hood, Psal. 110. 4. And of the everlasting continuance of Da•…•…ids Kingdome, Psal. 13•…•…. 11. And of the calling of the Gentiles, Isai. 45. •…•…3. And of the prosperity of the Church. Esai. 62. 8.

This manner of Gods confirming his promise, may not be imagined to arise from* 1.1 any variableness in God: but rather from his tender respect to man: partly to strengthen his faith the more, and partly to move him with patience to ex∣pect

Gods season for the accomplishment of his promise.

Object. Abraham gave testimony of his faith, what need was there then that God* 1.2 •…•…ld swear to him?

Answ.

• 1. Though in some things he testified a strong faith, Rom. 4. 18. &c. Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8. &c. Yet he being a man was subject to humane frailties. Instance his twice 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all of Sarah to be his wife; and that for fear, Gen. 12. 12. and 20. 2. This phrase also, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? (Gen. 15. 8.) And his going in unto Hagar (Gen. 16. 4.) imply a kind of distrustfulness. We read •…•…e like of David, a man of great faith, as is evidenced by his setting upon a Lyon and a Bear, and a Giant, 1 Sam. 17. 36. And by his long bearing out Sauls per∣secution: yet afterwards he manifested great weakness, when he said in his heart, I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now perish one day by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam. 27. 1. And when in his haste he 〈◊〉〈◊〉, all men are lyers, (Psal. 116. 11.) which he especially intendeth of such Pro∣•…•…ts as told him he should be King.
• 2. Gods oath was needfull for, and usefull to Isaac, who was newly delivered 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the very jawes of death, and then present when God confirmed his promise to Abraham by oath (Gen. 22. 12. &c.) for the promise concerned Isaac as well as Abraham.
• 3. That oath was needfull to, and usefull for the seed of Abraham, generation after generation; for the promise concerned them all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Why God swears.
• * 1.2

  Why God sware to A∣braham.