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 ...

§. 62. Of the resolution of Hebr. 11. 11, 12.

V. 11.

Through Faith also Sarah her self received strength to conceive Seed, and was delivered of a Child when she was past age, because she judged him faithfull who had promised.

V. 12.

Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the Stars of the Skye in multitude, and as the Sand which is by the Sea-shore, innumerable.

IN these two verses there is a commendation of a Womans faith. In it is set down,

• 1. The thing commended.
• 2. The arguments by which it is commended.

In the former there is expressed,

• 1. The particular grace, Faith.
• 2. The name of the person in whom that grace was, Sara.

The commendation it self is taken from two arguments.

• 1. From the effects of her Faith.
• 2. From the consequence that followed thereupon.

Two effects are,

• 1. Propounded.
• 2. Amplified.

The effects propounded, were,

• 1. To conceive Seed.
• 2. To be delivered of a Child.

These are amplified three waies.

• 1. By the ground of them, She received strength.
• 2. By the seeming impossibility, When she was past age.
• 3. By the proper cause of all, Because she judged, &c.

In setting down the cause, we may observe,

• 1. Her act, she judged.
• 2. The object of that act, which was God; who is described,
  • 1. By his goodness in making promise.
  • 2. By his faithfulness in performing what he promised.

The consequence of Sarahs faith is,

• 1. Generally hinted in this particle of reference, Therefore.
• 2. Particularly exemplified.

The exemplification noteth out,

• 1. The kind of blessing, in this word, Sprang there▪
• 2. The greatness of it. This is set down two waies.
  • 1. By the meaness of the beginning.
  • 2. By the greatness of the issue.

The meaness of the beginning is manifested,

• 1. By the singularity of the person, Even of one.
• 2. By the improbability of the means, and him as good as dead.

The greatness of the issue is set out two waies.

• 1. Comparatively.
• 2. Simply.

The comparison is taken from two innumerable things▪

• 1. Stars of the Skye.
• 2. The Sand which is by the Sea-shore.

The simple expression of the issue is in this word, Innumerable.