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 ...

§. 175. Of Gods removing stumbling blocks out of his Peoples way.

THis phrase, By faith the walls of Iericho fell down, giveth proof, that faith may* 1.1 work upon senseless creatures. Not that senseless creatures are capable of re∣ceiving or rejecting faith; but that believers by their faith may have power even over senseless creatures. The other phrase, quenched the violence of fire, [v. 34] is attributed to faith, in such a sense, as the point in hand is.

That which is said of senseless, may be applyed to unreasonable creatures; for believers by their faith have stopped the mouth of Lions, v. 33.

Faith is set on him who hath an absolute power over reasonable, unreasonable, senseless, and all sorts of creatures. That what he can do, faith, in that course which he prescribeth, may be said to do, in that it is the means which h•…•… hath sanctified for the manifestation of his power.

The falling of the walls of Iericho doth further shew, that God can and will* 1.2 remove such stumbling blocks as lye in that way, thorow which he will have his people to pass. This City was a block in their way to the other part of Canaan: and the walls of the City were a block to keep them from entring into the City. Therefore he caused the walls to fall, and the City to be destroyed. Thus he divi∣ded the Sea [Exod. 14. 21.] and Iordan, 2 King. 2. 8. Christ setteth down this in two extraordinary instances. One is, in removing a mountain, Matth. 17. 20. The other is, in plucking up a Sycamore-tree by the roots, and planting it in the Sea. Luke 17. 6.

Object. All these are extraordinary.

Answ. Yet they are of force, and fit to prove Gods power and goodness in re∣moving ordinary obstacles: and that by an argument from the greater to the less, which may be thus framed;

If God upon an extraordinary faith work extraordinary matters, much more will he work ordinary matters upon an ordinary faith. Christ himself maketh this inference, Mark. 11. 23. 24. So doth his Apostle, Iam. 5. 16, 17, 18. Both of them from extraordinary instances prove the ordinary power of prayer.

Wherefore when Sathan, or wicked men, or our own sins, or any kind of temptations stand, as Iericho, in our way to Canaan, Pray to him that is able

to remove these stumbling blocks, and believe as Christ adviseth, Matth. 11. 24.

We have the more cause to believe in such cases, because mens greatest defences* 1.3 are nothing against God. The walls of Iericho were thick, and high, and they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shut up because of the Children of Israel, Josh. 6. 1. Yet those walls of that City fell down, when God would have it so. So did Goliah that great Giant fill, 1 Sam. 17. 49. and Senacherib with all his Host, 2 King. 19. 35, 37.

Mans preparations, and defences, without a divine blessing, are as walls dau∣•…•… with untempered morter, Ezek. 13. 11, 13. and as an house built upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Matth. 7. 26, 27.

It is therefore an egregious point of folly to spend a mans wit, to use all his* 1.4 paines, to put forth his utmost strength, and to make the greatest defence that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ against, or without the Lord, Isa. 30. 1. Numb. 14. 40.

Men in matters against God are like blind Bayards, which rush on to their own destruction. The men of Iericho might have considered that it was as easy for God to break open their gates, or beat down their walls, as to divide the red Sea, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iordan. Rahab considered as much, Iosh. 2. 10. And the Gibeonites, Josh. •…•…3. &c. But where mens minds are blinded, and their senses stupified, folly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it self. Such folly manifesteth it self in most men: they trust to their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Skill, Strength, Multitude of men, and preparations which themselves make; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seek not to the Lord. In sicknesses, like Asa, they trust to Physitians, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto the Lord, 2 Chro. 16. 12. If the enemies come against them, they do as the men of Iericho did. Iosh. 6. 1. but seek not to the Lord. This is it that God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much tax in his own people, Isa. 22. 8, 9. &c.

This may stir up such as have the Lord on their side, and are by him set apart to any work, boldly to go on, notwithstanding the opposition that is made against them.

Mans oppositions are no more than the high, and strong walls of Iericho▪ Note 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resolution, 1 Sam. 14. 21.

The like is noted of Asa, 2 Chro. 14. 11.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Faith works on senceless creatures.
• * 1.2

  God removes impediments.
• * 1.3

  Mens defences against God are nothing.
• * 1.4

  Folly to at∣tempt against God.