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 ...

§. 192. Of Registring some specialls in publick records. Heb. 11.. 32.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me, to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jepthath, and of David also, and Samuel, and of the Prophets.

THE Apostle having long insisted on a distinct narration of the fruits of the faith of sundry Worthies, he here contracts his Catalogue, that his Epistle might not swell too much.

The Sacred Scripture setteth out the examples of many other Worthies, which the Apostle supposed to be very pertinent to his purpose. Therefore he doth not abruptly break off his induction of particulars: but elegantly contracts it: and that,

• 1. By a bare expression of their names, v. 32.
• 2. By a concise declaration of the common effects of their faith, in the verses following.

He passeth from his distinct description of particulars to a brief enumeration of* 1.1 others, by a transition in these words, What shall I more say? the time would fail, &c.

This transition consists of a Rhetoricall communication; wherein a question* 1.2 is propounded, and an answer made by himself, which maketh it to be a Rheto∣ricall figure.

This question, What shall I more say? implieth, that he had much more to say. In the Greek it runs thus word for word a 1.3 and what do I yet say? which im∣plieth a purpose to break off his former distinct expression of the fruits of the faith of particular persons: though he had much more to say. For in the former Cata∣logue he culled out some only of those who are recorded in the five Books of Moses and in Ioshua, till the Church was brought into the promised land▪ He passed over Enoch, Shem or Melchisedech, Rebekah, Aaron, Caleb, and sundry others: Whereby he hinteth, that God had more Worthies than are requisite to be made known.

• 1. There were more recorded in the old Testament, yea and in the books of Moses and Ioshua, then are here recited.
• 2. There were without question many more in the severall ages of the world* 1.4 than are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the foresaid books, or in any other part of the Bible. It is said of Enoch, that then began men to call upon the Name of the Lord. Gen. 4. 26. Yet none of th•…•… men that did so, are by name registred. It is said of all those pi∣ous long-liv'd atriarks that lived befored and after the Flood, that they be∣gat Sonns and Daughters, (Gen. 5. 4, &c. and 11. 11, &c.) No doubt but that many of those Sonns and Daughters gave good proof of their true faith. Yet are they not by name registred. It is of person, as of things. Many commendable things were done, which are not set down. Heb. 5. 11. John 20. 31. and 21. 25. So many persons that did worthily are not in publick records.

• 1. In regard of those Saints themselves, It was enough that God took speciall notice of them, registred their name in his book of life, gave them evidences of his favour while they lived, received their souls to glory when they died, and gave them assurance of the resurrection of their bodies.
• 2. In regard of others that from time to time lived after them, it is suffici∣ent that God hath afforded them so many patterns and examples registred in his book, as he hath done. By them, direction and encouragement sufficient, and given to run the race, as they did. They who are not moved by them, would not be moved with millions more, if they were registred.

• 1. Considering that many Worthies have had their names buryed with their

• bodies, let not us be over sollicitous about memorialls after our death: but leave* 1.5 it to the divine providence, and to the wisdom of our survivors. There may be a good use of Chronicles, and of Memorialls of some mens names and acts: yet there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be too great excess therein: Some things that in their compass are very use∣full, may beyond their compass be unusefull if not hurtfull. Should there be •…•…emorialls of all good mens names, I suppose the world would not contain them, especially if thereto were added their Meditations, Sermons, Confe∣rences, Works and Labours.
• 2. This may stay those, who in their time and generation do the will of God,* 1.6 faithfully imploying their talent, and doing much good by their words and works, and yet nothing thereof remembred after death. It is enough that in their genera∣tion they have been enabled to do good, and that the present age in which they li∣•…•…ed had the benefit thereof. They may so much the more rest herein, in that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 living God knowes it, remembers it and will aboundantly recompense it. Their works will follow them, Rev. 14. 13.

The answer which the Apostle himself gives to his own question, thus, for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will fail me, being a reason of his forbearing to go on in setting down more particular examples, as he had done before, giveth us to understand, that there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very many more whom he might have produced. The multitude of Believers* 1.7 is very great: very many are registred in sacred Scripture, which the Apostle sti∣•…•… a cloud of witnesses, Hebr. 12. 1. But questionless, there were many more age after age, whose names are concealed. When Elijah thought that he had been le•…•…t alone, God knew seven thousand more, and that in Israel (1 King 19. 18.) besides those that were in Iudah. If there were before Christ was exhibited multi∣tudes of beleevers, what are there since? considering these promises, I will pour out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spirit upon all flesh. Joel 2. 28. And many shall come from the East and West, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sit down with Abraham, &c. Matth. 8. 11. See Chap. 2. ver. 10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 91.

This reason, as it hath reference to the altering of the stile in contracting such* 1.8 points as he more inlarged himself upon in the former examples, sheweth, that •…•…ediousnes must wisely be avoided. Having many things to write unto you, (faith •…•…n Apostle to an Elect Lady) I would not write with paper and ink, 2 Joh. v. 12. The like he saith to Gaius, 3 John v. 13.

Tediousnes dulls the mind, wearies the spirit, hinders devotion, draws away affection, yea and many times deprives people of that comfort which otherwise they might receive from Gods Ordinances. Some who have some while given good attention, and that with cheerfull affection, by overmuch tediousnes have been so d•…•…lled in their devotion, as their former comfort hath been taken away.

It is therefore a point of prudence somewhat carefully to observe ordinary times 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for sacred duties.

There are times wherein men may enlarge themselves, both in praying and preaching, namely, when dayes are set apart for those duties: for then people come prepared to hold out the day.

As for private duties performed by one alone, as any finds the vigor of his spirit to be in him, he may enlarge himself. But we must not measure others spi∣rits by our own. Christ when he was alone spent nights in prayer, Luk. 6. 12. But we do not read that he did so with his Disciples.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Transition.
• * 1.2

  Rhetoricall communica∣tion.
• a 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  More Wor∣thies then re∣gistred.
• * 1.5

  Be not over∣carefull of a memoriall af∣ter death.
• * 1.6

  It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in our genera∣tion to do good.
• * 1.7

  Multitude of Believers.
• * 1.8

  Tediousnes to be avoyded.