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 ...

§. 139. Of seeking a City to come.

OF the forementioned instability of this world Beleevers make this use, to seek that which is stable.

This particle of opposition * 1.1 BUT, intendeth such an inference or use.

a 1.2 The Verb translated seek, is a compound. b 1.3 The simple signifieth to seek, and that with earnestnesse. It is used to expresse our earnest prayer to God, Matth. 7. 7. This compound carrieth an emphasis, and implieth a seeking with a desire to obtain: and is thereupon translated to desire, Phil. 4. 17. It is used to set forth the Gentiles seeking after the things of this world, (Matth. 6. 32.) which is with great desire to obtain them. It is also used of Herods seeking for Peter when he was de∣livered out of prison, (Acts 12. 19.) which was with such a desire to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, as he commanded the Keepers of the prison to be put to death, because he found him not. Finally, It is used in such a sense as here, namely of the Patriarchs seeking a Country to come, Heb. 11. 14. So as the things above are with such diligence to be sought, as we may at length enjoy them. We must labour to enter into the rest to come, See Chap. 4. v. 11. §. 63, 64.

The opposition betwixt the former part of the verse and this, plainly proveth* 1.4 that there is a stable estate. Our English expresseth it under this particle ONE; and it is implied under a c 1.5 relative particle in the Greek: as if he had said, Though there be no stable estate here, yet there is one in the world to come. This stable estate is thus described, A City which hath foundations, Heb. 11. 10. It is so stable as it cannot be moved, Heb. 12. 28. It fadeth not away, 1 Pet. 1, 4. Nor moth, nor rust can corrupt, nor thief st•…•…al the treasures that are there, Matth. 6. 20.

• 1. That City is the place of Gods own aboad, Matth. 6. 9. Psal. 123. 1.
• 2. It is the place and state prepared for the unalterable condition of Saints: and in these respects stable.

• 1. Though the children of this world may seem about the things of this world to be* 1.6 wiser in their generation then the children of light, (Luke 16. 8.) yet herein their egregious folly appeareth, that they so dote upon this world where there is no sta∣ble estate, as they clean lose that stable estate which is to come: like those Israelites who upon some hardnesse in the wildernesse, would return into Egypt, and so neg∣lect Canaan, Num. 14. 4. Men here in this world can preferre perpetuall inheri∣tances before uncertain tenures: Yet the most sure inheritances that men can 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are uncertain.
• ...

• 2. This demonstrateth the wisdom of such, as being inlightned by Gods Word and guided by his Spirit, have learned to discern betwixt the Camps in this world and Cities in the world to come: and answerably preferre these before them. The world many times wondreth at their choice; but it is because they are blinde and cannot rightly judge betwixt things that differ: they who have their eyes rightly enlightned will say, Surely this is a wise and understanding people, Deut. 4. 6.
• 3. This may stay us against the uncertainty of all things here below: against los∣ses, casualties, yea and death it self: because we have in heaven a better and an endu∣ring substance, Heb. 10. 34.

This stable estate is here said, d 1.7 to come; for it is not here enjoyed, but prepared and reserved for us. In this respect this Apostle said, there remaineth a rest. See Chap. 4. v. 9 §. 56.

They have the right to this City to come, who have no City in this world: for the same person is used in both parts of the Text, namely the first person plu∣rall, WE: We have no City, but we seek one to come. They who account this world to be a City, will not seek a City to come: which sheweth that they have no right thereunto: but the seeking of believers giveth evidence of that right which God hath given them unto that which they seek. For it is the Spirit of God which worketh in them a minde to seek.

Hereby men may know their right to that City that is to come.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. See Chap. 3. v. 13. §. 142.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. What seeking here meant.
• * 1.4

  There is sta∣bility.
• c 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.6

  Folly of world about things stable.
• d 1.7

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