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 ...

§. 83. Of Gods trying Abraham.

Heb. 11. 17, 18, 19.

V. 17.

By Faith Abraham when he was tryed offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises, offered up his onely begotten Son.

V. 18.

Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy Seed be called.

V. 19.

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from whence also he received him in a figure.

IN these three verses the Apostle produceth a further confirmation of Abra∣ham's faith: The verses betwixt the tenth and the first of these, may be in∣cluded in a parenthesis, and so these verses follow upon those which before set forth the faith of Abraham in particular. Two evidences were given before of the truth and soundness of his faith.

One was, his leaving of his own Country, v. 8.

The other was, his so journing in a strange Country, v. 9, 10.

This is a third evidence; and though the last, yet not the least of the three, but rather the greatest, yea the greatest of all that are given of others faith. I suppose I may further say, the greatest that ever was given by any mee•…•… man.

Of the kind of faith, and of the name of the person, Abraham, see v. 8. §. •…•…6.

This instance of Abraham's obedience, together with others going before, and following after, being attributed to faith in this phrase, By faith, sheweth, that faith puts one on to any kind of obedience, even to do that which otherwise he would not.

For faith perswades the soul of Gods Soveraignty, Wisdom, Righteousness, Faithfulness, Power, Truth, Providence, and other Excellencies.

We may from hence infer an especial reason of the scantyness of mens obe∣dience, namely, want of faith.

The Idolater that will not leave his Idols, or the Swearer his Oaths, or the Voluptuous person his Pleasures, or the Lustfull person his Lusts, or the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 person his strange Attire, or other Sinners their Sins, want faith.

Among other motives, this is an especial one to stir us up to get, preserve, and exercise faith.

Herein appears the greatness of his faith, that he believed the promise of Isaac's* 1.1 Seed, and yet by faith is ready to null that promise, by sacrificing Isaac before he had any Seed at all. How admirable is the power of faith!

This phrase, a 1.2 when he was tryed, (or, being tryed) sets forth the mind of God in that case; namely, that God enjoyned him to offer up Isaac; not simply, that he should so do, but to try whether he were willing upon Gods command to do so or no, Abraham then knew not that God commanded him to offer up Isaac meerly upon trial.

The Apostle, that relates as much, setteth down this end of God, because the event did demonstrate as much: But before the event, nor Abraham, nor any other, did know the mind of God. But the Historie, that was penned after Gods mind was manifested, doth expresly say, that God did tempt Abraham, Gen. 22. 1. Therefore the Apostle might well say, that Abraham was tryed. For to tempt is to try.

Of the meaning of the word here used by the Apostle, and of divers kinds of trying, or tempting, see The Guide to go to God, or, An Explanation of the Lords Prayer, on the sixt Petition, §. 170. Of the many waies of tempting m•…•…n, see Chap. 2. v. 18. §. 185.

The trial, or proving here meant, hath reference to Gods charge about offering* 1.3 •…•…p Isaac, Gen. 22. 2.

Obj. It was an unnatural murther to do so.

Answ.

• 1. Gods will is not onely the rule, but also the ground of goodness: whatsoever God willeth, is in that respect good and just.
• 2. A special charge of God doth dispense with a general Law; and that in regard of particular and present circumstances. Witness the Israelites spoyling of the Egyptians, Exod. 12. 35, 36. and the wounding of the Man of God, 1 King. 20. 35, 36.
• 3. God did not intend the taking away of Isaac's life. He meant to prevent Abraham therein.

Quest. 1. Did God know Abraham's mind, that he would indeed have sa∣crificed his Son, if he had not been prevented?

Answ. Surely he did, even as he did know the patience and faith of Iob, He understandeth our thoughts a•…•…ar o•…•…f, Psal. 139. 2.

Quest. 2. What need was there that God should try Abraham?

Answ.

• 1. For Abraham's own sake, that he might the better know the power of that grace which God had conferr'd on him. For, as God tryes some, to dis∣cover their weakness unto themselves (so he tryed Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32. 31.) so he tryes others, to manifest that grace that is in them, as he did the Canaanitish Woman, Matth. 15. 25.
• 2. For the sake of others, that Abraham might be an example to them. It pleased God to cull out Abraham to be a Father of the Faithfull: therefore he would shew to all ages what grace he had conferr'd upon him; what a worthy Father, and what a worthy Pattern he was.

By this it is manifest, that God tryes his best Children: he began with* 1.4 Ad•…•…m, and that in his Innocency, and hath continued so to do in all ages. Among others, Abraham was oft tempted, as appears by these Texts, Gen. 12. 1, 11. & 13. 7. & 14. 14. & 15. 13. & 16. 5. & 17. 24. & 18. 12, 13. & 19. 24. & 20. 2. & 21. 11. but never so sorely as in this particular.

Two special ends there be hereof; One, to manifest the grace that is in his Children, as in the case of Iob. The other, to discover inward corruptions, as in the case of Hezekiah.

We may not therefore think it strange, that Gods Children are tryed.

We ought rather so to purge out our corruptions, and so to labour for strength of grace, as our trials may be our glory.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Faith makes obedient.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. God tempted Abraham.
• * 1.3

  How God commanded a Father to of∣fer his Son.
• * 1.4

  God tries the best.