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 ...

§. 36. Of Abraham, his Faith, and Calling.

Hebr. 11. 8.

By Faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

THE fourth Worthy produced for proof of the vigour of Faith, is Abraham.

The proof of his Faith is more largely set out by the Apostle than the Faith of any other of the Worthyes, for it continueth to the end of the nineteenth 〈◊〉〈◊〉; Onely two verses are inserted, viz. the eleventh and twelfth, concerning Sa•…•…ahs faith: which also tends to the amplification of Abrahams.* 1.1

As the Faith of others before mentioned, so Abrahams was a true justifying Faith, as is evident by the Apostle's explanation thereof, Rom. 4. 1, 2, &c. Gal. 3. 6. Though instances of sundry temporal things be brought in as evi∣dences of his Faith, yet many of them were types of spiritual and heavenly matters, v. 10. 16. and withall the temporal things noted were appendices to spiritual and heavenly.

Of the notation of Abraham's name, of the dignity of his person, and ex∣cellency of his faith, see Chap. 6. v. 13. §. 91, 92, 93, 94.

The first particular that the Apostle setteth down, is the warrant which Abra∣ham had to do what he did, thus expressed, when he was called, or word for word, a 1.2 being called.

This is the same word that is used Chap. 5. v. 4. §. 20. It implyeth a mani∣festation of Gods pleasure, namely, that it was his will that Abraham 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do that which is here said to be done by him. For it is thus in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, The Lord said unto Abraham, Get thee out of thy Country, &c. Gen. 12▪ 1. Act. 7. 2, 3. Under this word is comprized a clear manifestation of Gods mind to him, as if by name he had called him. Of the divers waies of Gods revealing his will, see Chap. 1. v. 1. §. 11.

Hereby Abraham shewed, that Gods will was his rule, as was before no•…•…ed of Noah, §. 27.

This particle, called, is in Greek set immediately before this noun, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Hence b 1.3 many Expositors, both antient and modern, referr it to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself, and thus translate it, By saith he which is called Abraham obeyed. So the Rhemists in imitation of their Vulgar Latin. Thus this par•…•…iciple is but as a complement, which may well be left out. Besides, if we strictly consider cir∣cumstances,* 1.4 we shall find that he was not then called Abraham; that name wa•…•… given unto him four and twenty years after this which is here set down, Gen. 17. 5.

Our English hath so set the words, as the true sense is clearly manifested* 1.5 thereby; namely, that the reason of Abraham's leaving his Country, was Gods calling him out of it.* 1.6

Have Papists this warrant for their pilgrimages to the place where the Temple of Ierusalem was? or the Sepulcher of our Saviour? or to Rome to visit the Pope? or to the Lady at Loretto, or at Hails? or other like places where they conceive Saints Reliques to be? or to their Shrines, here and there set up?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Abraham's faith a justi∣fying faith.
• a 1.2

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

  Chrysost. Theodor. Oecum. Erasm.
• * 1.4

  Fide qui voca∣tur Abraham obedivit. Vat. Lat.
• * 1.5

  Theophylact. Syr. Beza, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  Gods call was Abraham's warrant.