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 ...

§. 3. Of Faith being the substance of things present.

OF the Greek word translated a substance, see Chap. 1. v. 3. §. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and Chap. 3. v. 14. §. 152. In general, it signifieth that which hath

a subsistence or being; that which is indeed, and so subsisteth. Thus it is taken as it is simply considered in it self: But as it hath reference to other things, it importeth that which giveth a kind of being to that whereunto it hath reference; so as believers rest confident thereupon. In which respect this word is translated confidence, Chap. 3. v. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 4. & 11. 17.

This property or effect, substance, is here attributed to faith in reference to the object thereof, which are things hoped for. Things hoped for are future, they are to come: But things to come have no present being.

Quest. How can faith give a being to things that are not?

Answ. We speak not of a natural being in regard of the things themselves, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith did simply make that to be which is not: But of a being to the mind of the believer; which (if we may so speak) is a mental being; such a being as the believer is confident of, as if they had a natural present subsistence. This is not a meer imagination, but as true as any thing can be. For faith resteth on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 principal and infallible truth that can be, namely, Gods promise. What he promiseth shall without question be accomplished; and faith resteth upon it as accomplished.

That faith giveth a being to things that are not, is evident by the Patriarchs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the promises which they received not, v. 13. In Christ are hid all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God; and faith is that hand whereby Christ is received, Ioh. 1. 12. Now all things tending to life, being in Christ, that which hath Christ hath all.

Faith is herein much commended; and that,

• 1. By the Excellency of it. It is a kind of Creator, in giving a being to things.
• 2. By the Necessity of it. Our chief happiness is to come; as perfection of sanctification, full freedome from all misery, resurrection of the body, eternal life: Faith gives a present being to all these.
• 3. By the Benefit thereof. Through faith we reap good by things before they are: For faith gives not onely a title, but a kind of possession of that which we •…•…ope for.

This giveth an answer to those that make temporal blessings the onely ground 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the faith of the antient Fathers; and that because Evangelical and Celestial blessings were not then exhibited.

The Answer is this; They hoped for those Evangelical and Celectial truths, and thereupon their faith gave a being unto them. In this respect the Gospel was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto them, Heb. 4. 2.

Evangelical and Celestial truths were promised before hand; now faith giveth so full assent to that which God hath promised, as it rests as c•…•…nfidently upon it before it be actually accomplished, as if it were indeed really accomplished. We may therefore conclude, tha•…•… the antient Fathers who believed, made Evan∣gelical and Celestial truths the object of their faith, and rested thereupon.

A proper object of faith is that which is hoped for; and that is not seen (as is shewed Chap. 6. v. 19. §. 156.) In this respect faith is the substance of it, and gives a being unto it. Thus there is a mutual relation betwixt faith and hope. We wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, Gal. 5. 5. See more hereof in The whole Armour of God, Tract. 2. part. 7. on Eph. 6. 17. §. 3. 5.

Notes

• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• How faith gives a being.
• Faiths excel∣lency.