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 ...

§. 122. Of Reserving Joseph's bones.

ANother evidence of Ioseph's faith, is, a charge that he gave concerning his bones.

The word which we translate, a 1.1 gave commandement, is the same that is used Chap. 9. ver. 20. §. 106. and translated, enjoyned. It implyeth a strict charge, which by no means he would have omitted or neglected. This hath refe∣rence to that oath which Ioseph imposed upon the Children of Israel, Gen. 50. 25. It must needs therefore be a strict charge, whereunto they were bound by oath. A like charge with a like bond did Iacob lay upon his son Ioseph, Gen. 47. 31. So as herein this pious Son imitated his pious Father: as the said Fa∣ther imitated his Father Isaac, in blessing his Son.

The manner of commanding by an oath, doth give warrant for requiring an oath, and for taking an oath. Hereof see more Chap. 6. ver. 16. §. 116, 119.

The matter which so strictly Ioseph commanded, concerned his Bones, namely that they should carry his bones out of Egypt.

Ioseph believed that God would bring the Children of Israel out of Egypt, in∣to the land of Canaan, promised to their Fathers. To give them assurance of his faith therein, and also to strengthen their faith, he giveth this charge. He fore∣saw, that they should abide in Egypt a long while; yea, and that they should there be much oppressed; but yet he believed, that they should be delivered; and that in Canaan should be the continual residency of the Church: There therefore he would have his bones perpetually to lye; as his Predecessors desired to be bu∣ried in a cave that was in that Countrey. Gen. 49. 31.

He maketh mention b 1.2 of bones rather than of body; because they were long to continue in Egypt. For after Ioseph's death, they there abode an hundred and forty years, and after that they were forty years in the wilderness, and they were also sundry years in conquering Canaan; So as from the death of Ioseph, to the buriall of his bones, (Iosh. 24. 32.) might be about two hundred yeares. In this time his flesh, though it were enbalmed, could not but be clean wasted away: yet his bones might remain, being kept dry.

In general we here see, that care of ones dead corps, is a fruit of faith. This* 1.3 made Abraham so carefull of a place for the burial of his w•…•…ves, and his own corps: and Isaac and Iacob carefull to have their own, and their wives corples buried, where Abraham, and Sarah's bodies were. Gen. 47. 30.

Hereby hope of the Resurrection of the body is nourished.

This warranteth a decent funeral. This is promised as a blessing, 1 King. 14. 13. But the contrary is threatned as a curse (Ier. 22. 19.)

• 1. By this means is manifested a difference betwixt the bodies of men and beasts.
• 2. This ministreth comfort, against death: both in regard of our own depar∣ture, and also in regard of our friends that depart before us.
• 3. This is the rather to be done among Gods people, because their bodies while they were living, were Temples of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 6. 19.
• 4. The dead bodies of believers still remain members of Christ.

This therefore as a duty lieth upon surviving friends: who hereby may give testimony of a good respect to their deceased friends.

Neerest, and deerest friends have taken special care hereof: as Children, who have survived their Parents, 1 Gen. 25. 9. And Parents that have survived their Children, Luke 7. 12. And husbands, Gen. 23. 4. And friends, Iohn 11. 17. and 19. 39, 40. Act. 8. 2.

See more hereof in Domest. duties. Tract. 5. Of Children. §. 45.

Papists here raise a use about reserving the Reliques of Saints, and ground it* 1.4 upon this instance, about reserving Ioseph's bones. But to shew the non-conse∣quence thereof, let them know that,

• 1. There is not the like occasion of keeping the bones of Christians, as was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ioseph's bones.
• 2. Ioseph's bones were to be kept, as if they had been buried.
• 3. Ioseph's bones were not carried up and down, for ostentation.
• 4. There was no adoration done to Ioseph's bones.
• 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bones were not substituted instead of Ioseph's true bones, as are in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Popish reliques.

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

  Care of dead corps.
• * 1.4

  Papists Re∣liques.