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 ...

§ 92. Of the Seed promised in Isaac.

ISaac is made the stock of the blessed Seed, but the privilege is applyed to A∣braham in this relative, thy, especially as it hath reference to the verb called, thus, a 1.1 shall be called to thee, that is, accounted unto thee for that Seed, which as a blessing hath been promised to thee; so doth the Apostle expound it in this phrase, the Children of the promise are b 1.2 counted for the Seed; Rom. 9. 8.

This importeth an especial prerogative: and so it was in sundry respects.

• 1. It was that numerous seed that was promised, Gen. 15. 5.

Obj. That seed is no where called by Isaac's Name.

An.

• 1. They are stiled the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, Jer. 33. 26.
• 2. They are expresly comprised under this name, Isaac; and they are stiled, The house of Isaac, Amos. 7. 16. Indeed there is a change of

• two Hebrew letters, which is usual in other words. Both names set out the same thing.
• 3. They are frequently called by the name of Isaac's Son, which was Israel, and this is all one.
• 4. The like may be objected against Abraham, for his name is not put for the posterity.

• 2. It was that truely and properly blessed Seed, who was blessed in himself, and in whom all Nations are blessed: even Jesus Christ, Gal. 3. 16.
• 3. It was that confederate Seed, with which God entred into special covenant, Gen. 17. 7. And to which appertained the prerogatives mentioned, Rom. 9. 4. Gen. 17. 19.
• 4. It was that spiritual Seed, which by reason of faith are called the Children of Abraham, Gal. 3. 7. and the Israel of God, Gal. 6. 16. for proof hereof read, Rom. 9. 7. &c.

The word translated, c 1.3 shall be called, intendeth two things,

• 1. A real performance▪ of a thing.
• 2. A manifestation thereof. It here then intendeth that Gods purpose shall in time be manifestly accomplished. In this sense it is said of Christ, before he was born, he shall be called the Son of God, Luk 1. 35. This is expresly in the sense affirmed Act. 13. 32, 33.

• 1. Perfect is the purpose and Counsel of God, therefore it shall stand. Psal. 33. 11.
• 2. The Truth of God is unchangeable, it is as his essence, Mal. 3. 6. Iam. •…•…. 17. See Chap. 6. v. 18. §. 135. &c.

• 1. This teacheth us to acquaint our selves with the Counsell of God, so far as i•…•… is revealed, for revealed things belong to us and our Children, Deut. 29. 29.
• 2. In faith to pray for the accomplishment thereof. Certainty of accompli∣•…•…ing that for which we pray is a strong motive to pray for it. See a worthy pat∣•…•… hereof, Dan. 9. 2. and the ground hereof, Ezek. 36. 37.
• 3. With patience to wait for it, Hab. 2. 3.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉