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 ...

§. 6. Of Promises of Rest.

IN setting down the danger to be feared, the Apostle takes it for grant that we have a promise of entring into Gods rest, in this phrase, Lest a promise being left us of entring into hie rest.

The a 1.1 Noun translated promise is a compound. The simple b 1.2 Verb whence it is derived, signifieth to declare, or to bring tidings of a thing. Thence the word c 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which signifieth a Messenger, is derived. The d 1.4 Verb compounded signi∣fieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 promise, which is to declare ones mind before-hand, Act. 7. 5. A promise the•…•… is A declaration before-hand of some good intended: yea such a declaration as binds the promiser to perform what he hath declared: so as he who is faithfull, will answerably do it, 1 Thess. 5. 24.

There are sundry promises of rest in sacred Scripture. Some typicall, prefigu∣ring* 1.5 the rest here intended: Others plainly expressing it, in the inchoation or con∣summation of it.

Promises of typicall rest were these:* 1.6

• 1. The Sabbath, Deut. 5. 14.
• 2. The Passeover, (Exod. 12. 16.) and sundry other Feasts.
• 3. Every seventh year, Lev. 25. 4.
• 4. Every fiftieth year called the Jubilee, Lev. 25. 10.
• 5. The Land of Canaan, Deut. 3. 20.
• 6. Freedom from enemies, 1 Chron. 22. 9.

The true rest, in regard of the inchoation, and beginning thereof, Is* 1.7

• 1. Peace with God, Rom 5. 1. Phil. 4. 7. This Christ calleth his peace, Joh. 14. 27. & 16. 33.
• 2. Quiet of minde, Exod. 33. 14. Matth. 11. 28, 29.
• 3. Joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17.
• 4. Communion with Christ, Eph. 2. 5, 6.
• 5. Rest in the grave, as in a bed, Isa. 57. 2.

The true rest, in the consummation and perfection thereof, shall be injoyed in heaven, 2 Thess. 1. 7.

The Gospel-promises of the true rest, both in the beginning and also in the full accomplishment thereof, are here especially intended: as Peace with God, quiet of minde, rest in the grave, and fruition of heavenly glory This last is the most principall, and promised under sundry other titles: as Immortall inheritance, (1 Pet. 1. 4.) Kingdom, (Luk. 12. 32.) Crown of glory, 1 Pet. 5. 4.

• 1. God in his unsearchable wisdom seeth it meet to set a long date before he* 1.8 give his children full fruition of the things which he hath determined for their good. Seventy years were set for the return of the Jews out of the Babylonish Captivity, Ier. 25. 11, 12. Four hundred years for the setling of Abrahams seed in Canaan, Gen. 15. 13. Four thousand years almost for the Redeemer of mankinde to be actually exhibited. Six thousand years are going a pace for the last coming of the great Judge, foretold by Enoch, Jude v. 14.
• 2. In like wisdom God oft brings his children to many trials. Instance the case of Israel in Egypt and in Babylon.

In these respects the Lord, to upold the faith of them to whom those good things are intended, maketh promises of them before-hand.

The expectation of the Rest of Canaan promised to Abraham and his seed, s•…•…∣ported the spirits of the beleeving Israelites in Egypt, and in the wildernesse. M•…•… more will the heavenly Rest promised, uphold the hearts of beleeving Christians These things, saith Christ to his Disciples, I have spoken unto you, that ye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have peace, &c. Upon the promise of this Rest, the Apostle makes this conclus•…•…▪ Comfort one another, 1 Thess. 4. 18.

That we may be the bette established by these promises, we ought to set this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before us, and much to meditate thereon, as Moses did, Heb. 11. 26. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heb. 12. 2. Of applying promises, See The whole Armour of God, Treat. 2. Par•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on Eph. 6. 16. Of Faith, §. 71.

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 〉.
• d 1.4

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

  Promises of Rest.
• * 1.6

  Typicall Rests
• * 1.7

  True Rest.
• * 1.8

  Why promises of things to come.