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 ...

§. 1. Of the Analysis of HEB. Chap. XI.

THE Apostle having prescribed Faith in the latter end of the former Chapter as an especial meanes of perseverance, In this Chapter he dot•…•… further describe it, and set it out by the excellent effects thereof. So as the sum of this Chapter is, A declaration of the excellencie of Faith.

Hereof are two parts.

• 1. A description of Faith, v. 1.
• 2. An exemplification of that description.

The exemplification is set out by the Effects of Faith: and that in such as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 indued therwith.

These are set out,

• 1. Indefinitely, v. 2, 3.
• 2. Expresly by name; These may be ranked under four heads.
  • 1. Such as lived before the Flood, from v. 4. to v. 8.
  • 2. Such as continued from the Flood to the time of the Law, from v. 8. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 30.
  • 3. They that were in the Church of Israel till the Captivity, from v. 30. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 v. 34.
  • 4. They that remained from the Captivity till Christs coming, from v. 34. to the end.

• I. Of them that lived before the Flood three are mentioned.
  • 1. Abel. v. 4. His faith was manifested by his sacrifice.
  • 2. Enoch. v. 5, 6. His, by pleasing God.
  • 3. Noah. v. 7. His, by building an Ark.
• II. Of those that lived betwixt the Flood and the Law, there are mentioned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by name, and others indefinitely implyed.
  • 1. Abraham, whose faith is manifested by four effects.
    • 1. His going whither God called him, v. 8.
    • 2. His so journing in a strange Country, v. 9. This is amplified by that heavenly City which he looked for, v. 10.
    • 3. The numerous of-spring that he had, v. 12.
    • 4. His offering up Isaac, v. 17, 18, 19.
  • ...

    2. Sarah, Whose faith is evidenced by bearing a Child in her old age, v. 11.

    The faith of these, and others that lived as they did, is amplified by their perseverance therein: for they died in Faith, v. 13. This is proved,

    • 1. By their con•…•…ession, That they were strangers, v. 13, 14.
    • ...

      2. By omitting the opportunity of returning to their Country, v. 15.

      This is amplified by the kind of Country which they sought, v. 16.

  • 3. Isaac, Whose faith is set out by blessing his two sons, v. 20.
  • 4. Iacob, Who in faith blessed the two sons of Ioseph, v. 21.
  • 5. Ioseph, Who commanded his bones to be carried out of Egypt into Ca∣naan, v. 22.
  • 6. The Parents of Moses, whose faith shewed it self in their preserving their Son Moses against the Kings Edict, v. 23.
  • 7. Moses his fai•…•…h was demonstrated five waies.
    • 1. By refusing the honour of Egypt, v. 24.
    • 2. By suffering affliction, v. 25.
    • 3. By highly esteeming the reproach of Christ, v. 26.
    • 4. By s•…•…saking Egypt, v. 27.
    • 5. By keeping the Passover, v. 28.
  • 8. The Israelites which came out of Egypt, and passed thorough the Red Sea, v. 29.
• ...

• III. Of those that were betwixt the Law and the Captivitie, seven are num∣bred up by name, and sundry others under general terms intended.
  • 1. Ioshua, and the Isralites under his Government, gave proof of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith by the fall of the walls of Iericho, v. 30.
  • 2. Rahab testified her faith by entertaining the Spies, v. 31.
  • 3. Gideon. 4. Barak. 5. Samson. 6. Iephtha. 7. David. 8. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, are produced by name. 9. The Prophets are indefinitely set down, v. 32.

  The effects of sundry of these are set down, v. 33, 34.

• IV. Of those that were from the beginning of the Captivity to Christs time, none are mentioned by name, but the faith of many of them is demonstrated by sundry great effects. These effects were their sufferings for maintaining the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith; whereof sundry distinct kinds are mentioned, v. 35, 36, 37, 38.

The conclusion of the whole is set down by an approbation of their faith, (they obtained a good report) and an illustration thereof in this phrase, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not the promise: As if he had said, by Faith they held out, though they receiv•…•…d not the promise.

Of that illustration a reason is rendred, v. 40. namely, Gods reserving the better things to our times.