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 ...

§. 91. Of Esau, and his impious disposition.

THe person in whom the instance of profanesse is given, is Esaus. Grammarians and Etimologists of Hebrew names, give the notation of the name to be a work done, because he was born hairy all over, as if he had been fully wrought in his Mo∣thers wombe. Hereunto the Holy Ghost seemeth to allude, Gen. 25. 25. He is branded by the Holy Ghost for a very reprobate, a despiser of God, of goodnesse, and goodmen. He it was of whom God said, Esau have I hated, Mal. 1. 3. Rom. 9. 13.

As he was rough in the constitution of his body, so also in the disposition of his soul. He in his person was contrarily affected to his brother Iacob, the beloved of God; and his posterity to the children of Iacob, the Church of God. The Psal∣mist complaineth much of the hatred of the Edomites, which were the posterity of Esau; and so do the other Prophets.

From this Esau proceeded Amaleck (Gen. 36. 12.) the despitefullest enemy that Isra•…•…l ever had. The first that annoyed them after their deliverance out of Egypt, Exod. 17. 8. Deut. 25. 18, 19. But concerning the very person of Esau himself,* 1.1 these particulars are given of his impious disposition.

• 1. His calling was to be a cunning, wild and fierce hunter, Gen. 25. 27. He so pur∣sued his pleasures, as it made him faint again.
• 2. He contemned his birth-right, which is the particular specified by the Apostle here; whereof more hereafter.
• 3. He married wives of the accursed Nation, the Hittites, which were a great grie•…•… to his Parents, Gen. 26. 34, 35.
• 4. His heart was set on the things of this world.
• 5. He hated and thought to destroy his pious brother, for his prudence in getting the birth-right and blessing: and to aggravate his impiety herein, he appointed the time of murthering his brother, to be in the dayes of mourning for his Father, Gen. 27. 41.
• 6. Notwithstanding his former impiety in marrying daughters of the Hittites, he added to those wives another wife, not much better, being the daughter of Ishmael the scoffer and persecuter of his Father Isaac, Gen. 28. 9.
• 7. Twenty years absence of his brother Iacob could not asswage his wrath, ha∣tred and envy. For hearing of his brothers return from Padan Aram, he went out with 400. Souldiers to meet him and slay him. But God changed his purpose, Gen. 32. 6.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 impious disposition.