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 ...

§. 110. Of Jacob's trialls.

THough Abraham were brought to one greater triall than Iacob, which was the offering up of his Son, (whereof see §. 93.) yet the trials of Iacob in number exceeded those whereunto both the other Patriarchs, his Father and Grand-father, were brought. They were these that follow, and such like.

• 1. Iacob had war in his mothers womb. Gen. 25. 22.
• 2. His good Father set his heart more upon prophane Esau than upon himself: which could not be but a great grief to him. Gen. 25. 28.
• 3. He was forced to get the blessing by deceit. Gen. 27. 6, &c.
• 4. He was thereupon in fear of his life, by reason of Esau's envy. Gen. 27. 41.
• 5. He was sent with his staff alone, without other company, a long journey. Gen. 28. 5. and 32. 10.
• 6. He was fain to serve a prentiship for a wife. Gen. 29. 18.
• 7. He was deceived in his wife, though he had served for her. Genes. 29. 25.
• 8. His wages was changed ten times, notwithstanding his hard service. Gen. 31. 40, 41.
• 9. By his wives importunity he was forced to go in to their maids. Gen. 30. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 9.
• 10. He was forced to fly by stealth from his Uncle. Gen. 31. 20.
• 11. He was in great danger by his Uncles pursuing him. Gen. 31. 23.
• 12. He was also in danger by his brother Esau's pursuing him. Gen. 32. 6.
• 13. His Daughter was ravished. Gen. 34. 2.
• 14. His Sons so cruelly slaughtered and plundered a City, as the Nations round about might have been incensed to have destroyed them all. Gen. 34. 25. &c.
• 15. His Eldest son defiled his Concubine. Gen. 35. 22.
• 16. He lost his beloved Rachel in his journey, and in her travell. Genes. 35. 19.
• 17. The rest of his sons so envyed Ioseph, whom he most loved, as they sold him to strangers, and made Iacob believe that he was torn with beasts: where∣with Iacob was as much perplexed, as if indeed it had been so. Gen. 34.
• 18. Simeon another of his sons was given by him for lost. Gen. 42. 36.
• ...

• 19. He was forced, to the great grief of his heart, to let go his youngest son, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 son of his old age, even Benjamin. Gen. 43. 11.
• 20. Through famin, he was forced with all his family, to go into Egypt. Gen. 46. 5.

On these and other like grounds, he might well say, few and evill have the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the years of my life been. Gen. 47. 9.

Behold here, into what trialls a true Saint may be brought: and withall con∣•…•… how his faith and patience remained Light and sound.

Behold also, how God recompenced his tryalls in the priviledges, which he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him above the other Patriarchs, whereof, See §. 109.