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 ...

§. 64. Of persevering in Faith.

Heb. 11. 13.

These also dyed in faith, not having received the promises, but having 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them afar off, and were perswaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth.

THe Apostle, from the beginning of this verse to the seventeenth, inserteth a general commendation both of those whom he had named, and of others also.

This commendation is propounded in this verse, and amplified in the three verses following.

Some extend this general phrase, a 1.1 these all, both forwards and back∣wards. Forwards, to such as were named before; Backwards, to such as are named in the other part of the Chapter. He useth this relative, these, because he wrote this Epistle, and expressed all the names in this Chapter, before they to whom it was sent, should read it. So as to them he might say, all these that are set down in this Catalogue. This is the rather supposed to be the extent of this phrase, because it is agreeable to the two last verses of this Chapter.

By this it appeareth, that true faith exerciseth the like vigour in all of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For under this general particle, all, sundry sorts of persons are comprized, as male, female, old, young, great, mean, and other sorts.

I•…•… it the same spirit that worketh in all, and sheweth forth his power in all, 2 •…•…or. 4. 13.

The perseverance of all the Believers here intended, is set down in this phrase, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in faith. This word b 1.2 dyed, is in Greek a compound, whereof see Chap. 7. v. 8. §. 51.

It here implyeth, that their faith continued all the daies of their life, so long as they had use thereof, even till death, when in soul they attained to the frui∣•…•…ion of that which they believed.

The faith wherein they dyed, is the same that is described in the first verse, •…•… justifying, saving faith. In this faith they are said to dye, because they pos∣sessed not the things promised in this life.

The preposition translated, in, properly signifieth c 1.3 according to; imply∣ing, that their faith remained in them till death.

Obj. It is expresly said of Enoch, that he was translated that he should not* 1.4 see death, v. 5.

Answ. 1.

• This may be taken of all that dyed, as it is said, that Iacob brought all his Seed with him into Egypt (Gen. 46. 7.) namely, all that were with him: for Ioseph was before him in Egypt.
• ...

• 2. The phrase may be taken synechdochically for the greatest part, onely one being excepted. Thus it is said, that Athaliah destroyed all the Seed Royal, yet Ioash, the youngest of the Kings Sons, was not destroyed, 2 King. 11. 1, 2.
• 3. Though Enoch did not dye as others, yet he was translated, and his mo•…•…u∣lity turned into immortality, which was a kind of death.
• 4. As long as he lived, he continued to live by faith, which is' the main thing here intended.
• 5. While he lived, he had not the fruition of what he believed.

Of persevering in faith, which is the main thing here intended, see Chap. 3. v. 6. §. 68.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, se∣cundu•…•….
• * 1.4

  How Enoch may be rec∣koned among those that dyed.