Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11:1

SƲbstance] Or, ground, or confidence, or expectation. See Chap. 3. 14.

evidence] Or, conviction, John 16:8. That is, whereby the soule of a beleever is assured of the certain truth of those things which appeare not unto sense, because it resteth it selfe upon the immutable truth of Gods word, and the infinitenesse of his power.

seen] Vers. 7. 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Hebrews 11:2

by it] That is, by the efficacie and power of their faith, enabling them to suffer and to obey, and work miracles and great exploits.

good report] Vers. 39.

Hebrews 11:3

understand] That is, according to all the particular circumstances of the Creation, though somethine thereof may be known by the light of reason, 2 Peter 3:5. Romans 1:20.

the worlds] Genesis 1:1. See Chap. 1. 2.

the word] Psalms 33:6. & 9. 2 Peter 3:5.

appear] But out of nothing.

Hebrews 11:4

Abel] Genesis 4:4.

obtained witnesse] Vers. 2.

testifying] That is, of the acceptance of his gifts, either by fire from heaven, Leviticus 9:24. 1 Reg. 18. 38. 1 Chronicles 21:26. or by some like token. See Genesis 4:4.

yet speaketh] Or, is yet spoken of. Some understand it of his blood crying for vengeance, Chap. 12. 24. Genesis 4:10. Others more probably of his example, whereby he yet preacheth unto the world for imitation.

Hebrews 11:5

Enoch] Genesis 5:24. Wisd. 4. 10. Ecclus. 44. 16. & 49. 14.

translated] Thus Eliah was afterward translated, 2 Kings 2:11. See likewise 1 Corinthians 15:51. & 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

testimony] Either in that it is said, that he walked with God, whence it may be inferred, that he pleased God; or else because God did by some more then ordinary meanes testifie so much of him, as he did of Abels sacrifice, vers. 4.

Hebrews 11:6

without faith] Because Faith is that grace which unites us unto Christ, 2 Corinthians 13:5. Ephesians 3:17. in whom God is well pleased with us, Ephesians 1:6. 2 Peter 1:17. Matthew 3:17.

cometh] That is, for refuge in this life, and salvation in the life to come.

rewarder] Not out of merit, but mercy, Romans 4:4.

Hebrews 11:7

Noah] Genesis 6:13.

seen] Vers. 1.

moved with feare] Or, being wary, or piously fearing. Chap. 5. 7.

by the which] That is, by building of which arke through faith and obedience unto God, he witnessed against the disobedient and ungodly (1 Peter 3:20. 2 Peter 2:5.) of the old world to the greater condemnation of their infidelity.

Hebrews 11:8

Abraham] Genesis 12:4.

he] That is, in his posteritie.

obeyed] Forsaking his Countrey, his kindred and fathers house, Genesis 12:1. which might seem to be against reason, in that he left a certaintie for an uncertaintie.

not knowing] For God did not at first tell him of the place whither he should go, for the greater triall of his faith; Genesis 12:1. but when he was come into Canaan, then he told him that that was the place, Genesis 12:7.

Hebrews 11:9

sojourned] Genesis 17:7. & Genesis 23:4.

strange] For there he was constrained either to buy, or hire, or borrow both a place for his dwelling, Genesis 14:13. as also for the buriall of his dead, Genesis 23:4. &c.

tabernacles] Genesis 12:7.

Hebrews 11:10

foundations] That is, a firme and enduring Citie, which the Apostle opposeth to the tents wherein Abraham dwelt, which had no foundations, but were moveable; hereby is meant heaven, wherein is immutable happinesse, Psalms 16:11. 2 Corinthians 5:1. 1 Pet. 1. 4.

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith] Though weake, for she laught at the promise of a sonne improbable, Genesis 18:12.

Sara] Genesis 17:19. & Genesis 21:2.

her selfe] Though barren, Genesis 11:30.

to conceive] Or, for a foundation of seed, that is, for a foundation to retain feed. It is an allusion unto a building, where the foundation is first laid.

when she was] Gr. beyond the fit time of age, she being ninetie yeeres old before she conceived, Genesis 17:17.

faithfull] Chap. 10. 23.

dead] Romans 4:19.

starres] Genesis 15:5. & Genesis 22:17.

Hebrews 11:13

All] Understand it of Abraham, Sara, Isaac, and Jacob, unto whom the three following verses properly and directly agree.

in faith] Gr. according to faith. That is, persevering in faith.

promises] That is, the Land of Canaan which was promised, and which was a type of heaven.

saw] As Abraham did the day of Christ, John 8:56.

afarre] For Abrahams posteritie had not the possession of the Land of Canaan till above foure hundred yeeres after, Genesis 15:13.

embraced] Laid hold on them. It may be an allusion to the custome of saluting one another by embracings or laying hold of each other. Some are of opinion that the Apostle alludes to the custome of Mariners, who when they see land, joyfully salute it, though afarre off.

confessed] Genesis 23:4. & Genesis 47:9. 1 Chronicles 29:15. Psalms 39:12. & Psalms 119:19.

Hebrews 11:16

But now] That is, seeing that they did not return when they might, hereby they manifestly declared, that they desired a better.

heavenly] 2 Corinthians 5:1.

ashamed] That is, accounted it an honour to be called their God, because by their faith they gave glory unto God, thereby acknowledging his power and faithfulnesse: or, in an especiall manner to be called their God, though he were the God of the whole world, Genesis 24:3.

called] Genesis 26:24. Exodus 3:6. 15. & 4. 5.

prepared] Matthew 27:34. 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Hebrews 11:17

Abraham] Genesis 22:9.

tryed] Psalms 11:5.

offered] James 2:21. That is, in disposition and full purpose and willingnesse of mind, which God accepteth for the deed, 2 Corinthians 8:12.

and he that had received the promises] Or, even he who had received the promises, offered his onely begotten, of whom, &c.

begotten sonne] Of Sara his lawfull wife; or his onely begotten then in his house, for Hagar and her sonne were cast out, Genesis 21:14.

Hebrews 11:18

Of whom] Or, to. So the Greek preposition is used, Chap. 1. 7. & Chap. 4. 13.

That in Isaac] Genesis 21:12. Romans 9:7.

Hebrews 11:19

Accounting] Or, reasoning.

in a figure] Gr. parable; or after a sort. Which is to be understood either of Isaacs issuing from the dead body of Abraham and Sara’s dead womb, Romans 4:19. or of his neernesse unto death, when his Father was about to sacrifice him, Genesis 22:10.

Hebrews 11:20

they passed] Exodus 14:22.

Hebrews 11:21

blessed] Genesis 48:15.

both] Gr. Every one of the sonnes of Joseph, which were but two when Jacob came into Egypt, Genesis 46:27.

worshipped] Genesis 47:31.

staffe] See Genesis 47:31.

Hebrews 11:22

Joseph] Gen. 50. 24, 25.

made mention] Or, remembred. Or, put his brethren into remembrance.

commandment] So did Jacob his Father, Genesis 47:30. both thereby evidently manifesting their faith touching that promise, Genesis 15:13. as also giving a pledge and token thereof.

Hebrews 11:23

By faith] Ground (as it is very probable) on some particular revelation; or, on his generall providence.

Moses] Exodus 2:2. Acts 7:20.

proper child] Or, goodly, or very faire child, or comely.

not afraid] That is, not so much as others.

commandment] Exodus 1:16.

Hebrews 11:24

Moses] Exodus 2:11.

daughter] And so consequently (as is probable) to be the next king of Egypt.

Hebrews 11:25

pleasures of sinne] Or, sinfull pleasures.

season] Luke 12:19, &c.

Hebrews 11:26

of Christ] Or, for Christ. Chap. 13. 13. 1 Corinthians 1:5. Galatians 6:17. It is manifest hence, that Christ was before he was born of the Virgin. See likewise, 1 Corinthians 10:9. John 8:58.

respect] Vers. 6. Ezek. 10. 34, 35. Chap. 12. 2.

Hebrews 11:27

endured] That is, patiently and couragiously persevered through faith, Acts 2:42. Eph. 6. 18. Some conceive, that herein the Apostle alludeth to hounds, who will never give over till they have got the game.

seeing] Psalms 16:8.

invisible] Colossians 1:15. 1 Timothy 1:17.

he kept] Exodus 12:21, &c. Or, celebrated, Matthew 26:18. Luke 22:19.

touch] That is, hurt. See Genesis 16:11. Joshua 9:19. Rth 2:9. Job 5:19. Psalms 105:15.

Hebrews 11:30

the walls] Joshua 6:20.

Hebrews 11:31

the harlot] Joshua 6:23. James 2:25.

that beleeved not] Or, that were disobedient.

she had received] Joshua 2:1.

Hebrews 11:32

time] An hyperbolicall speech, like that John 21:25.

Gedeon] Judges 6:11.

Barak] Judges 4:6.

Samson] Judges 13:24.

Jephthac] Judges 11:1. Though a bastard, yet is here numbred amongst the faithfull; whence it is evident, that bastards were not excluded heaven by that, Deuteronomy 23:2.

David] 1 Samuel 16:13.

Samuel] 1 Samuel 1:20.

Hebrews 11:33

subdued] Judg. 4. & 6. & 15. & 16. 2 Samuel 8:1. Judg. 11. 2 Samuel 2:6.

righteousnesse] That is, that which was right in the sight of God.

promises] That is, the benefit and accomplishment of those particular promises, which were made unto them.

stopped the mouthes of the Lions] Judges 14:5. 1 Samuel 17:34. Daniel 6:22.

Hebrews 11:34

Quenched] Daniel 3:25.

weaknesse] 2 Kings 20:7.

Hebrews 11:35

Women] 1 Kings 17:22. 2 Kings 4:35.

tortured] 2Ma 7:7.

that they] See Vers. 26.

better resurrection] Chap. 10. 34.

Hebrews 11:36

triall of cruel mockings] Chap. 10. 32. 1 Pet. 1. 7. Or, suffered mockings.

Hebrews 11:38

worthy] Notwithstanding they were hated and persecuted of all, Matthew 24:9. and accounted the filth and off-scouring of the world, 1 Corinthians 4:13.

Hebrews 11:39

good report] Vers. 2.

promise] That is, Christ, and the happy and glorious estate of the Church under him.

Hebrews 11:40

having] According to the counsell of his will, whereby he doth dispose of times and seasons, Acts 1:7.

provided] Or, foresceu; or, ordained.

better] That is, a better condition and far greater priviledges for us under the Gospel, in that he hath now sent his Sonne in the flesh, and made him the Mediator of a better Covenant, Chap. 7. 22. & 8. 6. under which the doctrine of salvation is more manifestly revealed, Colossians 1:16. 2 Timothy 1:9-10. and the gift of the Spirit more plentifully powred out, Acts 2:16.

they] Who wer under the law or first Covenant.

should not be, &c.] That is, made partakers of that better condition without us or before us. Some understand it of that perfection whereof all the faithfull shall be made partakers, as well in body as in soule, at the resurrection of the just.