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 ...

§. 21. Of pleasing God by Faith.

Heb. 11. 6.

But without Faith it is impossible to please him: For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

THis verse hath especial reference to the last clause of the former verse, and is a proof of this main point, That Enoch by faith pleased God. The ar∣gument is drawn from the impossibility of the contrary. It is impossible without faith to please God. Therefore Enoch, who had this testimony that he pleased God, had faith. Faith in this place is to be taken as it was in the first verse, and in other verses following: and in all those places it is taken, as here, for a justi∣fying Faith, as the effects thereof, following in this verse, do prove.

Of this word, impossible, see Chap. 6. v. 4. §. 38.

Here it is taken on supposition of mans corrupt nature. So corrupt is man in soul and body, in every power and part of either, and so polluted is every thing that passeth from him, as it is not possible that he should of and by himself do any thing that is acceptable unto God: but Faith looketh upon Christ, apply•…•… Christ and his righteousness, and doth all things wherein he hath to do with God, in the name, and through the mediation of Jesus Christ. Thus man by faith pleaseth God. Out of Christ, which is without faith, it is impossible 〈◊〉〈◊〉 please God. This manifesteth an absolute necessity of Faith. See the whole Ar∣mour of God, Treat. 2. part. 6. on Eph. 6. 16. §. 8. of Faith.

That which is not possible to attain unto, is, to please God. As the English, so the Greek word, translated c 1.1 to please, is the same that was used d 1.2 in the former verse, and here taken in the same sense, with the same emphasis. It im∣plyeth a performance in the agent, or him that doth a thing; and an acceptance in the object, or him to whom it is done.

That object is here implyed under this relative him; which hath reference to God, mentioned in the last words of the former verse, and in the clause next fol∣lowing in this verse: for it is God whom Enoch pleased, whereof this verse is made a proof, and it is he whom we ought all to please.

There are four things which must concurr to please God: all which are ac∣complished* 1.3 by faith, and by nothing else.

• 1. The person of him that pleaseth God, must be accepted of God. Unto the pure all things are pure, Tit. 1. 15. God had respect unto Abel, Gen. 4. 4.
• 2. The matter that pleaseth God must be agreeable to his will, Hebr. 13. 21. The Apostle thereupon exhorteth to prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, Rom. 12. 2.
• 3. The manner of doing that which pleaseth God, must be with due respect to God: and that is in these and other like particulars.
  • 1. In obedience to God: because he hath commanded it. In this case we must say as Peter did, At thy word I will do it, Luk. 5. 5. This is to do it for conscience sake, and for the Lords sake, Rom. 13. 5. 1 Pet. 2. 13.
  • 2. In humility, denying of our selves, and all conceit in our selves, as he that said, Not I, but the grace of God which is with me, 1 Cor. 15. 10.
  • 3. In sincerity, as having to do with him that searcheth the heart. Th•…•… did Hezekiah, Isa. 38. 3.
  • 4. With sedulity: like the two faithfull servants with whom the Lord w•…•… well pleased; but not like the slothfull servant, Mat. 25. 20, &c.
  • 5. With alacrity and chearfulness: for God loveth a chearfull gi•…•…, 2 Cor. 9. 7.
  • 6. Within compass of our calling, 1 Cor. 7. 17.
  • 7. With constancy. If any draw back, Gods soul will have no pleasure in him, Hebr. 9. 38.
  • 8. In assurance, that God, who accepteth the person, accepteth also the work that is done. Hereby did Manoah's wife inferr, that God was pleased with that which they did, Iudg. 13. 23.
• 4. The end, which is Gods glory, 1 Cor. 10. 31.

The foresaid four general points are those four causes whereby every thing is made perfect.

Faith is the means whereby all of them may be effected and accomplished.

• 1. By Faith in Christ the Person is accepted of God, Eph. 1. 6.
• 2. Faith makes men subject themselves to Gods will.
• 3. Faith makes men have respect, even to the manner of what they do to Godward; that it be done in obedience, in humility, in sincerity, with sedulity, with alacrity, orderly, constantly, and with assurance of Gods acceptance. All these may be exemplified in Enoch.
• 4. Faith, of all graces, most aimeth at Gods glory. Abraham, being strong i•…•… faith, gave glory to God.

Notes

• c 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  What makes men please God.