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 ...

§. 226. Of the Analysis of, and Observations from

Hebr. 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 Jephthah, of David also, and Samuel, and of the Prophets.

THE sum of this verse is a succinct Catalogue of sundry Worthies. Herein we may observe,

• 1. A Transition.
• 2. An Induction.

In the Transition observe,

• 1. The Manner.
• 2. The Matter.

The Manner, is by way of Interrogation.

The Matter noteth out,

• 1. An extent.
• 2. A restraint.

The extent implyeth, that there were more Worthies, than he reckoned up.

The restraint implieth, that it was not meet for him to reckon up all.

The induction setteth down sundry particular persons, and that two wayes,

• 1 By their distinct names, which are in number six.
  • 1. Gideon.
  • 2. Barak.
  • 3. Samson.
  • 4. Iephthah.
  • 5. David.
  • 6. Samuel.
• 2. By their function. Prophets.

Doctrines.

• I. FAith is the grace that much commends men. All here set down, are com∣mended by their faith, as the inference of this Catalogue upon the former sheweth.
• II. God had more worthies than are requisite to be made known. This interroga∣tion, What should I more say? intendeth as much. See §. 192.
• III. Great is the multitude of Believers. Time would fail to reckon them up all. See §. 192.
• IV. Tediousness is to be avoided. This is the reason why the Apostle forbeareth to go on, as largely as he had done before, See §. 192.
• V. Grace maketh honourable. All these that for honour sake are put into this Ca∣talogue, were endued with Grace.
• VI. God enableth men to accomplish what he calleth them unto. All these here mentioned, were called unto great atchievements, and answerably enabled.
• VII. A mean man may be enabled to great matters. So was Gideon. See §. 195. &c.
• VIII. Such as are weak in Faith may become strong. So did Barak. See §. 198.
• IX. God can give strength to admiration. Instant. Samson.
• X. Grace lost may be recovered. So it was in Samson.
• XI. Men of eminent parts are subject to Gross Sins. So was Samson, and other of the Worthies here mentioned. Of these three last Doctrins, See §. 199. &c.
• ...

• XII. Bastardy is no bar to regeneration. Jephthah was base born, yet new born. See §. 207.
• XIII. Rash vows are dangerous, Witness Iephthahs vow, See §. 208.
• XIV. Best Saints are subject to soarest trialls. Witness David. See §. 212.
• XV. God punishes sin in his dearest children. So he did in David, and in Samson before him. See §. 213.
• XVI. God can make a child to be a Prophet. So he made Samuel. See §. 220.
• XVII. The most faithfull Governour may be rejected. So was Samuel. See §. 222.
• XVIII. God of old had extraordinary ministers of his Word. See §. 225.
• XIX. Faith exerciseth it self in men of extraordinary parts. Such were the Pro∣phets, and such were all the extraordinary persons, who are commended. See §. 225.