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 ...

§. 8. Of the meaning of Hebr. 11. 3.

Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

THis verse gives another general proof of the vertue and vigour of Faith. It is somewhat more general than the former.

The former was restrained to Elders: This is so indefinitely set down, as it is extended to all Believers, in all ages.

The persons are not distinctly expressed, but comprised under the first person plural of the verb, thus, a 1.1 We understand.

The verb translated, b 1.2 Understand, is derived from a noun that signifieth c 1.3 the mind, Tit. 1. 15. It importeth therefore an action of the mind. But in that it is here inferred upon Faith, it appears, that such an act is here meant, as is not wrought by the strength of natural reason, but by that credence which is given to the Word of God, and from a perswasion of the heart concerning the truth thereof.

The word d 1.4 Faith, is here indefinitely used in the dative case, without any preposition at all, as in the other verses following.

For there is a e 1.5 rhetorical figure, whereby all the distinct commendations of faith, in the several instances thereof, are set down in the beginning of every clause, which setteth down a new instance.

The word translated f 1.6 Worlds, is the same that was used Chap. 1. v. 3. §▪ 18. and taken in the same sense, namely, for all manner of Creatures.

Of the worlds it is here said, that they were g 1.7 framed.

Of the derivation and composition of this word, see Chap. 13. v. 21. §. 172. It implyeth a full and perfect finishing of a thing, so as there remaineth no* 1.8 want, no defect, no imperfection therein. Thus much doth the Hebrew word intend, in this phrase, Thus the Heaven and the Earth were h 1.9 finished, Gen. 2. 1.

The means of framing the worlds is here said to be i 1.10 the Word of God. Some by the Word of God here understand the Son of God, who is called the Word, Ioh. 1. 1. of whom it is also said, that All things were made by him, Joh. 1. 2. But there are two different k 1.11 terms in that and in this place, used by the Penmen of the one and the other, whereby they are distinguished in the Greek, though not in our English. So as there the Author or Efficient may be set forth,* 1.12 here the Means of making the world. k 1.13 The term here used was used be∣fore, and applyed to the providence of God, called the Word of his power. See Chap. 1. v. 3. §. 25.

By Gods Word is here meant the manifestation of Gods Will. It is Meta∣phorically spoken of God, and that after the manner of men, who ordinarily manifest their mind and will by their word.

This point, that the world was made by Gods word, gives proof of Faith▪ and of the vigour thereof. For it may be evinced by reason, that the world was* 1.14 made. Many Philosophers have demonstrated as much, by arguments fetcht from

reason. But that it should be made meerly by the Word of God, is a point of faith. This is believed, because in sacred Scripture it is so revealed. From that evidence of faith the Apostle inferreth this consequence, So that things which are seen, &c.

Here must be l 1.15 supplyed, to make up the sense full and clear, the prin∣cipal verb, in the former part of the verse; as if it were thus set down, So that we understand that things which are seen, &c.

For things were not made because we believe them, but because we believe that they were made by Gods word, we understand that things which are se•…•…, were not made of things which do appear. k 1.16 Things seen comprize all visible things, whether they be actually seen, or no. This is the same word that was used §. 4. It is not to be taken exclusively, as if it did exclude things invisible; For all things, visible and invisible, were created (Col. 1. 16.) and that of no∣thing. But because the greatest question is about things visible, and such as are seen, and because there is the most direct opposition betwixt things which are seen, and things which do not appear, he fitly useth this phrase, things which are seen. Thus doth Moses exemplifie the creation of the world in and by things that are seen: and these are the things which by Philosophers are ac∣counted to be created.

The negative in this phrase, were not made, is to be referred to this verb, m 1.17 appear, as if it had been thus placed, were made of things which do not* 1.18 appear. Though they were made, yet they were not made of any thing that did or could appear. There was no pre-existent matter whereof they were made; so as this phrase directly implyeth, that the worlds were made of nothing.

Because the Philosopher could not by natural reason discern how any thing could be made of nothing, he denyed the Creation of the World. But by faith we believe it, because Gods word hath revealed as much.

The very first phrase in Scripture, In the beginning, intendeth as much. For before the beginning of things there could be nothing, but the Creator who gave them a being. If there were any thing before, that had not been the be∣ginning.

This instance of believing the world to be made of nothing; giveth proof of the latter clause, of the description of faith, v. 1. namely, that it is the evidence of things not seen.

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 〉 Mens. Crea∣tion not un∣derstood by reason.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  Creation per∣fect.
• h 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 o•…•…, perfecti sunt.
• i 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• k 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.12

  World made by Gods word.
• k 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.14

  Plato in Ti∣maeo.
• l 1.15

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• k 1.16

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• m 1.17

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. See Chap. 9. v. 8. §. 47.
• * 1.18

  Creation of nothing.