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 ...

§. 229. Of receiving Promises.

THE third effect of the Faith of the foresaid Worthies, was this, they obtai∣ned the promise.

Of the Greek word translated, a 1.1 obtained, See Chap. 6. verse 15. §. 109.

Of the other word translated, b 1.2 promises, See Chap. 4. v. 1. §. 6.

To obtain promises, implyeth three things,

• 1. To be accounted in the number of those to whom the promises belong. Act. 2. 39. In this respect, such are called, Heires of the promise, Hebr. 6. 17.
• 2. To believe those promises, and thereby to apply them as matters which concern our selves in particular. Thus to believe and to receive, are put for one, and the same thing, Iohn 1. 12.
• 3. To enjoy the things promised. Thus promises are taken Metonymically, the efficient put for the effect, as Heb. 6. 12. and 10. 36.

All these may well stand together, neither of them cross the other, but do very fitly depend one upon another, as so many links upon one and the same chain. For the Gospell assuring those that live under it, and attend unto it, that the pro∣mises belong to them, and their children, they thereupon believe them, (as Act. 2. 39, 41.) and through this faith they come in time to enjoy the things promi∣sed, as the Saints of old did, Heb. 6. 12.

The last of the foresaid respects, which is to enjoy the things promised, is here especially meant, and that is most agreeable to the word of c 1.3 obtaining, or en∣joying here used by the Apostle.

Object. It is said of the ancient Patriarks, that they received not the promises, v. 13. Yea, as much is said of all that lived before Christ. v. 39.

Answ. 1. There are d 1.4 three distinct Greek words in this, and the two other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of which the objection is raised. Yet I cannot deny but that those three words do oft signifie one and the same thing.

2. We must distinguish betwixt times. The Worthies mentioned v. 17. lived 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before those that are intended in this text. In the former place he speaketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Ioseph, and such as lived before Israels entrance in∣to Canaan: but here of the Iudges, Kings, and Prophets, that possessed that 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Thus the former received not the promises of driving out the Canaanites, inhabiting their Land, and being a populous and setled politie. These did enjoy those promises.

3. Observe the difference of promises. Some were of speciall matters belon∣•…•… to themselves; as a promise was made to Ioshua of subduing the Nations, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1. 5. Promises to severall Iudges of Victory over those enemies, which in their days oppressed the people, Iudg. 4. 7. and 6. 14. To David a Kingdom was promised, 1 Sam. 16. 13. These they obtained. Other promises were of the Mysticall Truth, and spiritual substance of the external and typical promises. That truth and substance, was Christ himself actually exhibited, and all things which he did and endured for mans Redemption and Salvation. None that lived within the time that the Apostle here speaketh of, received these promises, as verse 39.

4. Put difference betwixt an assured * 1.5 expectation, and a present fruition: and betwixt that evidence which faith giveth, v. 1. and that which is by sense. In the former respect, namely in an assured expectation, all the faithfull embra∣ced and received all the promises made to them, even before they were accompli∣shed. Abraham saw Christs day, John 8. 56. Thus David saw Christ crucified, (Psal. 22. 1. &c.) raised (Psal. 16. 10.) ascended (Psal. 68. 18) set at Gods right 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (Psal. 119. 1.) In the latter respect none received the promises, but they that lived when they were actually exhibited, Act. 13. 32, 33.

5. Distinguish betwixt Christ himself, and the things which he did, and en∣•…•… on the one side; and the benefits which slow from thence on the other side, which are remission of sins, and eternall salvation. Though they enjoyed not the former, yet they did these latter, Heb. 6. 12. Act. 15. 11.

This that is here noted as a fruit of their Faith, that they obtained the promises, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 demonstrateth, that divine promises are the ground of Faith, as hath been proved Chap. 6. v. 13. §. 96.

This also doth further demonstrate, that by faith things promised are obtained.* 1.6 By Faith Abraham obtained the promised Son.

By Faith Moses carried the Israelites out of Aegypt. By faith Ioshua vanqui∣shed the Nations, and divided their Land amongst the Israelites. The like •…•…ight be exemplified in all other accomplishments of Gods promises. Hereupon it is said, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established, 2 Chro. 20. 20. On this ground, said old Elizabeth, to the Virgin Mary, Blessed is she that belie∣ved: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord, Luk. 1. 45.

Faith is that means which God hath sanctified to this end. Hereof see more in The Churches Conquest, on Exod. 17. 27. §. 43.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 How promise obtained.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 adepti sunt vulg. Lat. asse∣•…•…uti sunt B•…•…za.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. v. 13. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 33. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. v. 39. Promises how received, how not.
• * 1.5

  Inter spem & rem.
• * 1.6

  Promises, grounds of faith, Promises, re∣ceived by faith.