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 ...

§. 132. Of holding fast confidence.

Heb. 10. 35.

Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward.

THe illative conjunction a 1.1, therefore, sheweth that this verse is added as a con∣clusion of the former point. Namely, that we should persevere in our holy profession, because it hath so great a reward. By this inference it is evident, that true Christians may have their eye upon the reward that is set before them, in suffering for the Gospels sake. See more hereof chap. 6. v. 18. §. 149.

The duty enjoyned upon aiming at reward, is set down negatively thus, cast no•…•… a∣way your confidence.

Of the composition and diverse acception of the word translated b 1.2, confidence, see chap. 3. v. 6. §. 61. The word signifieth in general a free profession. c 1.3 Some refer it to an open profession of the Christian faith before men. Thus they make it contrary to a mans d 1.4 drawing back, v. 38. But most interpreters take it to be a firm confidence in God, which maketh us free in uttering our mind to him. In this sense it importeth the cause of a free profession of the faith, which is, confidence in God.

This being attained, must be maintained, which for the greater enforcement, the Apostle thus expresseth negatively, e 1.5 cast not away. The word used by the Apostle is a compound; the simple f 1.6 verb signifieth, to cast or lay aside, Rev. 2. 22. & 4. 10. The g 1.7 compound to cast away, as the blind man, that made haste to Christ, cast away his Garment, Mark 10. 50. They that do not fast hold their confidence, cast it away.

Of fast holding confidence, see chap. 3. v. 6. §. 68.

Hereby the folly of proud, secure, carelesse, and fearful Christians is discovered; who after evidence of some confidence given, cast away the shield of faith: like a fearful bragadocia, after one skirmish, casteth away his Armour, and brings upon himselfe a perpetual reproach of a coward.

To encourage Christians to stand to their cause, and to hold their confidence to the end, The Apostle expresly declareth the issue of perseverance in this phrase, which hath great recompence of reward. The relative, h 1.8 which hath reference to confidence; for it is of the same gender, and giveth us plainly to understand, that perseverance procures a blessed recompence. See chap. 3. v. 6. §. 69.

These two words, i 1.9 recompence of reward, are the interpretation of one greek compound word, whereof see chap. 2. v. 2. §. 16. Here it is taken in the better sense, for that reward which is mentioned before, §. 130. concerning which Christ saith, be that endureth to the end shall be saved. Mat. 10. 22. Hereupon Christ himself at the end of his work saith, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, O Father, glorifie thou me, &c. John 17. 4, 5. And this Apostle thus, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousnesse, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.

The reward is given at the end of the work: as in a race, it is given at the Goale, and in the battel, he that overcometh is recompenced, Revel. 2. 7.

Of the benefit of persevering, and dammage of giving over before all is finished, see chap. 3. v. 6. §. 69.

Yet further to amplifie the foresaid reward, the Apostle here stileth it, a great re∣compence of reward.

The excellency of the reward is hereby set down. For this •…•…pithite, great, is attri∣buted to excellent things. In particular, Christ as the most excellent high Priest that ever was, is stiled, a great high Priest, chap. 4. v. 14. §. 83. and the great Shepheard, chap. 13. v. 20. §. 168: Another word, but of the same signification, is attributed to the reward here spoken of, salvation, chap. 2. v. 3. §. 21.

The reward may here be stiled, great.

• 1. In the quality of it: it being the most excellent, delightful, comfortable, and commodious that can be.
• 2▪ In the quantity: it being as much as a man is capable to receive.
• 3. In the continuance: it being everlasting▪ without any date at all.

The Authour of it is a great King. The procuring cause of it is great love. The meritorious cause is a great price, even the blood of the Son of God:

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

  Liberam illa professi∣onem.
• d 1.4

  Beza. 〈 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 〉
• h 1.8

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• i 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Reward afte•…•… work.