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 ...

§. 86. Of Patience added to Faith.

TO Faith the Apostle addeth Patience, as another and a joynt meanes for obtain∣ing good thing•…•… promised.

The Greek word translated patience, is a compound, and that of an a 1.1 adjective that signifieth long; and a substantive that signifieth the b 1.2 mind, and the com∣motion thereof, Luk. 4. 28. This compound then signifieth a long forbearing to be moved. The c 1.3 compound verb is translated to bear long, Luk. 18. 7. to suffer 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Cor. 13. 4. 2 Pet. 3. 9. Patiently to endure, Heb. 6. 15. To have patience, Matth 18. 26, 29. To be patient, 1 Thes. 5. 14. James 5. 7, 8.

This compound noune is translated long suffering, Rom. 2:4. 2 Cor. 6. 6. and patience as here, and Iames 5. 10.

There is another d 1.4 Greek word ordinarily translated patience, which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 joyned with this wo•…•…d in my Text, as e 1.5 setting forth the same thing Col. 1. 11. 2 Tim. 3. 10. f 1.6 That is compounded of a verb that signifieth to abide, and a p•…•…po∣sition which signifieth under. This notation doth fitly set out the nature of pati∣ence.

So also doth this word in my Text: it implyeth a long enduring, with a meek mind, free from fretting and grudging. For patience is that grace, whereby we quietly endure, and hold out against every thing that might hinder us, or keep us from the fruition of that which God hath promised and faith believeth. In this respect it is resembled to shooes, or to Souldiers greeves, Eph. 6. 15. A pati•…•… mind doth quietly and contentedly wait for the effecting of what it believeth. In this respect as here, so in sundry other places, these two graces, faith and patience, are oft coupled together; as a Thes. 1. 4. Rev. 2. 19. and 13. 10. It is needfull that patience be added to faith for two especiall reasons,

• 1. For the tryall of faith.
• 2. For the supporting of it.

• 1. Patience gives evidence and proof of the truth of Faith. The trying of 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.7 wo•…•…keth patience, Jam. 1. 3. Hereupon, •…•…e that believeth will not make haste, Isa. 28. 16. The honest and good heart having heard the word, keeps it and brings forth •…•…it wit•…•… patience, Luk. 8. 15. Many hypocrites making at first a fair flourish, but wanting patience, vanish to nothing, and waxing weary, they fall away.
• 2. Patience is needfull for supporting faith in three especiall respects.* 1.8
  • 1. In regard of the long date of many of Gods promises.
  • 2. In regard of the many troubles, whereunto we are subject in this world.
  • 3. In regard of our own weakness.

Of these three, and of the nature and ground of Patience, and meanes whereby it is wrought; and necessity and use of it. See The whole Armour of God, Treat. 2. Part. 5. on Eph. 6. 15. §. 2. &c.

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 〉. mane•…•….
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. sub.
• * 1.7

  Patience gives proof of faith.
• * 1.8

  Patience sup∣ports faith.