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 ...

§. 225. Of the speciall evidences of the Prophets Faith.

THE seventh, and last particular is more indefinite than the former were. They were set down by their distinct roomes.

These are many of them implyed under this title of function a 1.1 Prophets. The word is of the plurall number, because there were many included under it.

Of this title, Prophet, Of the function comprised under it, of the distinct 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof; Of their extraordinary endowments, of the reasons why they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up, and of sundry other points concerning them. See Chap. 1. ver. 1. •…•…. 12.

That which I here intend to add about them, is, concerning the speciall evi∣dences of their Faith: for for that end is mention here made of them.

The evidences were these,

• 1. Faithfulnes, in their function, this is manifested two wayes.
  • 1. They delivered nothing but what they had received; hereupon many of their Prophesies began with this stile, Thus saith the Lord, The Word of the Lord Isa. 7. 7. Zec. 4. 6.
  • 2. They concealed nothing they had received; Though it were a bur∣den. This therefore was another phrase of Prophets. The burden of the Lord. Mal. 1. 1. When by reason of the peoples unworthines, Iere∣miah had a thought of concealing Gods Word, it was in his heart, as a burning fire shut up. Jer. 20. 9.
• 2. Diligence in their calling. This is set out by their rising betimes (2 Chro. •…•…6. 15.) And rising up early every day. Jer 7. 25.
• 3. Courage: they would not be daunted with peoples opposition. Their

• ... faces were hardy, strong, as an adamant. Ezek. 3. 8, 9.
• 4. An humble submission, to whatsoever God should call them. Isaiah walked bare•…•…foot. Isa. 20. 3. Ieremiah went with a yoke about his neck, Jere. 27. 2. and 28. 10. Ezek. 1. Elie eat his bread made of all sorts of course corne, min∣gled together, and drunk water by a stinted measure, which was a very small mea∣sure. Ezek. 4. 11, 12.
• 5. Patient bearing of all manner of persecution. Christ testifieth thus much of them, Matth. 5. 12. and Stephen, Act. 7. 52. and an Apostle Iames 5. 10.
• 6. Power in Prayer. Of Samuels power we heard before §. 221. An Apostle giveth testimony of Elijah's power herein, Iam. 5. 17, 18. The like is noted of Isaiah, 2 Cron. 32. 20, 21. and of Daniel, Dan. 2. 18. and 9. 23.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.