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 ...

§. 147. Of diligence in attaining the hope set before us.

AS the foresaid a 1.1 compound implies diligence and speed, it is a metaphor taken from runners in a race, who use to put on with all the speed they can. This sense seems to be the more pertinent in this place, because the words follow∣ing have reference thereunto. For

• 1. b 1.2 To lay hold, hath reference to a prize, for which runners in a race, make the more speed.
• 2. The c 1.3 hope, here mentioned, is that prize.
• 3. This word, d 1.4 set before, useth to be spoken of runners in a race, before whom the prize is set, Heb. 12. 1.
• ...

• 4. There is mention made of a e 1.5 fore-runner, v. 20.
• •…•…. Our old English translation have reference hereunto: for thus they translate it, Which have fled to hold sast the hope laid before us. In this sence do most Expositors 〈◊〉〈◊〉 take this word.

Thus the word implyeth, that diligence must be used for attaining that which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for; hereof see Chap. 4▪ v. 11. §. 64.

The Greek word here translated, f 1.6 to lay hold upon, is the same that is used, Chap. 4▪ v. 14. §. 86. and there translated, hold-fast. As there, so here, it imply∣•…•… perseverance in our Christian course, till we have attained to the end thereof. Of perseverance, see Chap. 3. v. 6. §. 68.

Hope is here taken metonymically for the thing hoped for: as promise for the thing promised, v. 12. §. 87. That which was hoped for, is the very same as was promised, even eternall life. For this is the reward, that is here said to be set be∣fore us.

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 〉.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• f 1.6

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