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 ...

§. 102. Of the resolution of Hebr. Chap. 11. v. 17, 18, 19.

Vers. 17.

By faith Abraham when he was tried, offered up Isaac: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten Son.

Vers. 18.

Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called

Vers. 19.

Accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead: from whence also he received him in a figure.

THe Sum of these three verses, is a further declaration of the power of faith. Hereabout two things are expressed.

• 1. The partie whose faith is commended, Abraham.* 1.1
• 2. The proof of the power of his faith; This is first Propounded, secondly Amplified.

In propounding the point is noted,

• 1. The occasion of the proof, When he was tried.
• 2. The kind of proof, he offered up.
• 3. The subject offered, Isaac.

In the Amplification there is,

• 1. A further description of the parties concerned: which are of two sorts; Agent and Patient.
• 2. An express declaration of the inward motive that put on Abraham to give this proof of his faith.

The Agent or Person, that offered up, is described by a double relation.

• 1. By his relation to the promises, thus, he that had received the promises.
• 2. By his relation to the sacrifice, which was, his only begotten Son.

Here is set down a fourefold gradation,

• 1. A Son.
• 2. His Son.
• 3. A begotten Son.
• 4. His only begotten Son.

The Patient is also described by a double relation.

One to his Father, in the foresaid phrase, His only begotten Son.

The other to his posterity, vers. 18. In setting down this latter relation is no∣ted,* 1.2

• 1. The ground thereof, which was Gods appointment, in these words, To whom it was said.
• 2. The kinde thereof. Herein observe,
  • 1. The parties betwixt whom this latter relation passeth. These are
    • 1. The stock, Isaac.
    • 2. The sprouts, in this word, •…•…eed.
  • 2. The manifestation thereof in this word, shall be called.

The inward motive that put on Abraham to give the aforesaid proof of his V. 19. Faith is declared, v. 19. About it we may observe,

• 1. The substance thereof.
• 2. An inference made thereupon.

The substance setteth out,

• 1. An act of Abraham, in this word, accounted.
• 2. The object of that act. This is
  • 1. Generally propounded, in this phrase, That God was able.
  • 2. Particularly exemplified, thus, To raise him up from the dead.

In the inference there are two points.

• 1. A benefit received.
• 2. The manner of receiving it.

The benefit is

• 1. Propounded.
• 2. Amplified.

It is propounded in this word, received.

It is amplified,

• 1. By the object him.
• 2. By the danger in this word, from whence.

The manner of receiving the benefit, is thus expressed, in a figure.

Notes

• * 1.1

  V. 17.
• * 1.2

  V. 18.