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 ...

§. 154. Of the Certainty of Hope.

THese two Epithites, Sure and stedfast, are so expressed as they may have refe∣rence either to the grace it self, which is Hope; or to the Metaphor, whereunto the grace is resembled. For they are all of the same case, gender and number. In sense both references tend to the same issue: for if it be referred to the metaphor, it implyeth, that hope is not only like an Anchor, but also like a sure and stedfast An∣chor.

The first a 1.1 Epithite translated sure, is a compound. The b 1.2 simple verb from whence it is derived signifieth to weaken, or overthrow. The verb is compounded with a privative proposition, and signifieth, to make fast and sure, or to keep safe, Matth. 27. 64, 65, 66. Act. 16. 28. Thence the c 1.3 adjective here used is derived: which signifieth certain, sure, safe; and d 1.4 a substantive that signifieth certainty, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 surenesse, or safety: Luk. 1. 4. Act. 5. 23. And e 1.5 an adverb which signifieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉, surely, safely, Act. 16. 23. Mark. 14. 44.

This Epithite applied to an Anchor signifieth such an one as abideth fast and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the ground, and suffereth not the ship to be carried away, but keepeth it safe.

Of the other Epithite, translated f 1.6 stedfast, see Chap. 2. v. 2. §. 11. and chap. 3 v. 6. §. 68.

These two Epithites are joyned together with g 1.7 a double copulative, (which our English thus expresseth, both sure and stedfast.) To set out more fully and to the life the certainty of hope: according to that which Ioseph said of Pharach•…•… two dreames, It is because the thing is established by God, Gen. 41. 32. This then giveth evident proof, that a believers hope is firm and stable. See v. 11. §. 80.

The former of the foresaid Epithites being sometimes used for safe, and joyned* 1.8 with the other, that signifieth stedfast, giveth us further to understand, that the spi∣rituall safety of a Christian dependeth on the assurance of his hope: as the safety of a ship dependeth on the surenesse of the Anchor: For he that wavereth, is like a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Sea, driven with the wind and tossed. Jam. 1. 6. Hereupon the Apostle ex∣horteth to be stedfast and unmoveable, 1 Cor. 15. 58.

Sathan will not cease to raise stormes against us by himselfe and Ministers: if therefore our Anchor be not sure and stedfast, we shall be exposed to very great danger.

This should the more incite us to give all diligence to have our hope established. See v. 11. §. 80.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Labe facto, eve•…•…to.
• 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 〉.
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  Christians safety depends on assurance of hope.