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 the Apostles setting the more excellent before others.

UPon the foresaid transition the Apostle continues his Catalogue of Worthies, but much contracted.

In this verse he setts them down two ways,

• 1. By their particular name.
• 2. By the function of some of them, in this word, Prophets.

There are six set down by name, whereof four were Judges; One a King; One a Judge and a Prophet both, which is Samuel.

The four Judges are, as the Apostle hath set them down, Gideon, Barak, Sam∣son, and Iephthah.

There were in all betwixt Ioshua their General, and Saul their first King, fif∣teen* 1.1 Judges, 1 Othniel, 2 Ehud, 3 Shamgar, 4 Barak, 5 Gideon, 6 A∣bimelech, 7 Tola, 8 Iair, 9 Iephthah, 10 Ibran, 11 Elon, 12 Abdon, 13 Samson, 14 Ely, 15 Samuel.

Out of these only five are called. The rest were either not worthy to be na∣med,* 1.2 (as Abimelech, who usurped that dignity by fraud and blood) or had no memorable matter recorded of them in their histories, (as Tola, Iair, Ibzan, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Abdon.) The others, as Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and Ely) did no greater matters than those which were done by those who are named: Therefore there was no great need to mention them; especially in this place, where the Apostle labors to contract his discourse.

In the particulars which are set down, the precise order of the history is not* 1.3 observed. For Gideon, who is in the first place, was after Barak: and Samson, the third was after Iephthah: and David the fift was after Samuel.

Hereupon some say, that the Apostle had an eye only on his matter, to set down some choyse Worthies, as they came to his head; but had no respect to method or order. But I suppose that he rather aimed at some special thing in altering the order of these; and that might be, to prefer the more excellent. For thereis a double method.

One of time, which he observed in the former part of his Catalogue.

The other of worth; for Gideon had a more excellent spirit than Barak: and Sampson, than Iephthah.

As for Samuel, he is put after King David, immediatly before the Prophets, because he was a prime Prophet.

We may hence infer, that the greater grace men are endued withall, the more* 1.4 honourably they are to be esteemed.

Grace is the best, the most excellent, most divine, and most honourable qua∣lity, that any can be endued withall.

Labor therefore to abound and excell in grace. See v. 4. §. 11. And Chap. 2. v. 10. §. 91.

Notes

• * 1.1

  15. Judges.
• * 1.2

  Why but five •…•…udges named.
• * 1.3

  Why not in their order.
• * 1.4

  Grace adds honour.