Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

§ 6 The business of God with Abraham at this time was to renew unto him the Promise of the Blessing Seed, and to confine it unto his Posterity by Sarah, now when he was utterly hopeless thereof, and began to desire that Ishmael might be the Heir thereof. Unto this signal work of mercy, was adjoined the intimation of an eminent effect of Vindictive Justice, wherein God would set forth an Example of it unto all ensuing Generations, in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. And both these were the proper works of him, on whom the Care of the Church was in an especial manner incumbent, all whose blessedness depended on that Promise: and to whom the Rule of the World, the present and future Judgement thereof is committed; that is the Person of the Son. And hence in the overthrow of those Cities, He is said to set forth an ensample of his future dealing with ungodly men, who is to be their Judge, 2 Pet. 2.6.

§ 6 The business of God with Abraham at this time was to renew unto him the Promise of the Blessing Seed, and to confine it unto his Posterity by Sarah, now when he was utterly hopeless thereof, and began to desire that Ishmael might be the Heir thereof. Unto this signal work of mercy, was adjoyned the intimation of an eminent effect of Vindictive Justice, wherein God would set forth an Example of it unto all ensuing Generations, in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. And both these were the proper works of him, on whom the Care of the Church was in an especial manner incumbent, all whose blessedness depended on that Promise: and to whom the Rule of the World, the present and future Judgement thereof is committed; that is the Person of the Son. And hence in the overthrow of those Cities, He is said to set forth an ensample of his future dealing with ungodly men, who is to be their Judge, 2 Pet. 2.6.

§ 7 Aben Ezra reflects with scorn on the Christians, who from this Place, because three men are said to appear unto Abraham, and he calls them My Lord, would prove the Tri-personality of the Deity. [Greek or Hebrew], Because of the appearance of three men, God is three, and he is one, and they are not separated or divided. How then doth he answer what they say? [Greek or Hebrew]; Behold they forget that there came two Angels unto Sodom. That is, that two of those who appeared were Angels and no more. But if any Christians have taken these three Persons to have been the three Persons of the Trinity, it were an easy thing to out-balance their mistake, with instances of his own and companions pernicious Curiosities and Errors. It is true, a Trinity of Persons in the Deity cannot be proved from this place, seeing one of them is expressly called Jehovah, and the other two in distinction from him are said to be Angels; so, and no more; Chap. 19.1. But yet a distinction of Persons in the Deity, although not the precise number of them is hence demonstrable. For it is evident that he of the three that spake unto Abraham, and to whom he made his supplication for the sparing of Sodom was Jehovah the Judge of all the world, v. 22, 25. And yet all the three were sent upon the work, that one being the Prince and Head of the Embassy; as he who is Jehovah, is said to be sent by Jehovah,