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 ...

§. 274. Of all praise-worthy having their due.

Hebr. 11. 39.

And these all having obtained a good report through Faith, received not the pro∣mise.

THE Apostle having distinctly and largely set out, the vigour of Faith, by the admirable effects thereof, both in doing and enduring, in these two last verses, he giveth the general summe of all: So as here is a a recapitulation, or a brief recollection of the summe of all.

The first word being b a copulative, sheweth that all here ment, did in gene∣rall agree in one, and the same Faith: which made them all praise-worthy.

This is made more cleer by these generall words of reference, c These all. They have reference to all that were before named, and to all that are implied under any of the acts of Faith before mentioned, and all others that were at any time before Christ was exhibited, of the true faith.

This general particle, all is a word of extent, and implyeth all sorts of Believers before Christs time.

This relative, these, is a word of restraint, and excludeth all that are not of the faith before mentioned.

That for which they are here commended is obtaining a good report, this is the interpretation of one d Greek word, whereof, see v. 2. §. 6.

The ground of that good report is here said to be e Faith, even such a faith as is described v. 1. For by it, the Elders obtained a good report, v. 2. §. 6.

This confirmeth, that which hath been noted before, that faith especially makes men praise-worthy. And also that the worth of men hath had due testimony. See v. 2. §. 6.

To shew that all that are praise-worthy have their due, he premiseth this ge∣neral particle, all. He that saith all, excepteth none at all. Take a view of the forementioned Catalogue, and you will find this general exemplified in all sorts of particulars: as in Kings, instance David: and in other Governors, instance Moses, Ioshua, Gideon, and others. In women also, Sara, Rahab, and others: in old men, as Noah; young men, as Isaak, when he suffered himself to be bound, and laid on the altar: honourable men, as Ioseph, the next in dignity to King Pharaoh: mean men basely esteemed, as they that wandred up and down: rich men, as Isaak, (Gen. 26. 13, 19. poor men, as they who were destitute.) There can hardly be named any sort of Believers, that have not obtained good re∣port.

There is no respect of persons with God, Rom. 10. 12. Ephes. 6. 9.

This is a good inducement to all of all sorts to do what they can to get Faith. Let none suffer any external condition to be an impediment thereunto. This inci∣tation is so much the more needfull, because men are too prone to pervert that ex∣ternal condition and state wherein they are, so as to hinder their spirituall good: and that by putting it off from one to another. Great men think it concernes mean men most, because they are well enough with their outward condition: but wretched is that outward estate that is destitute of Faith, though never so great. Mean men put it off to great ones, as having more leysure thereunto: but a man were better find leisure to get faith, than food for his body. It is usual in other diffe∣rent estates to put off all care of getting Faith from one to another: which argueth egregious folly.

Surely such plainly shew, that they are not of the Society of true Saints. They are none of those, nor like those that are mentioned in this Catalogue of praise-worthy persons, that obtained a good report through faith. They are not simply, all, but as is here expressed, all these: Those that are named and others like unto them. Praise-worthy men are a choise sort. Many more than these lived before Christ exhibited: yea, lived in the time and place that some of these did▪ yet received no good report. Cain lived, and offered a Sacrifice with Abel, yet

was none of those. Cham was in the Ark with Shem; Ismael in Abrahams family with Isaak: Esau in the same womb with Iacob, Dathan and Abiram came thorow the red Sea with Caled and Ioshua: many other wicked unbelievers were mixed with Believers, yet they obtained not such good report as Believers 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Though their outward condition were alike, yet their inward disposition was •…•…uch different. Unbelievers had not the same matter of good report in them, as Believers had. No marvel then that they had not such good report.

Quest. May not hypocrites carry themselves as the upright, and so gain such •…•…port?

Answ.

• 1. Before men they may •…•… but not in their own conscience, nor before good Angells: much less before God.
• 2. Hypocrites may appear for a time to be such and such: but when as corn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wants rooting, they wither, when the vail of their hypocrisy falls off, and •…•…ey are discovered, then that report withereth.
• 3. Though their hypocrites should not be discovered in this world, yet in the wo•…•…ld to come it shall be. Then they shall have shame and horrour insteed of good report.

Much are they deceived who conceive that they may partake of the priviledges 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Believers, though they be no Believers. At Christs coming to judgment, two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be in one bed, two grinding together, two in the field together, yet one taken, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other left, Luk 17. 34, 35. An Apostle giveth three famous instances hereof, one of the Angells that stood and fell: Another of them that entred into the Ark, and that refused: the third of the Sodomites and Lot, 2 Pet. 2. 4, 5, 6, 7.

Therefore it stands every one in hand thorowly to try himself, that if he find 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith in himself, he may have the more sound comfort, and expect this good •…•…port: If ye have it not, then to labour for it.

Notes

• a

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

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

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• All get Faith.
• None but Be∣lievers have good report.