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 ...

§. 75. Of the Inference of vers. 6. on vers. 5.

Verse 6.

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

IN this verse there is an inference made upon the former promise of Gods not leaving, nor forsaking his. The Conjunction translated, * 1.1 so that, im∣plieth an inference; and such an inference in this place, as teacheth us to make a good use of the forenamed promise. The use here set down is double, one is con∣fidence in God, (the Lord is my helper,) the other is courage against man, I will not fear, &c.

In the former verse the Apostle alledged the promise to disswade from cove∣tousness, and perswade to contentedness. Here he addeth two other ends or use▪ thereof. Hereby it appeareth that Gods promise of never leaving nor forsaking his, is of manifold use: and therefore it is the more stedfastly to be rested on, and more frequently and seriously to be meditated upon.

Hereby it farther appeareth, that many Inferences and sundry Uses may be made of the same Doctrine.

This profession, The Lord is my helper, may also have a more remote reference, both to the vice of covetousnesse forbidden, and also to the virtue of contented∣nesse commanded; and that as another disswasion from the one, and perswasion to the other. For if God be our helper, what need we covet more then he seeth meet to bestow upon us? and why shall we not be content with that which he seeth meet for us? If God be our helper, we may rest upon it that he will help us to whatsoever he seeth needfull, and good for us. Hereupon we need not fear mans spoiling us of that which God seeth fit for us, neither need we fear any thing that man can do to disturb us in that wherein we rest con∣tent.

This Pronoun [b 1.2 WE] being of the first Person and Plural number hath refe∣rence to him that wrote this Epistle, and to those unto whom he wrote it; who li∣ved many hundred years after the fore-mentioned promise was made to Ioshua; yea it hath reference to all Christians that have lived since this Apostles time, and shall live to the end of the world: So as hereby is confirmed that which was noted § 68. of applying Promises made to Saints of old to such as should live long after them.

As this particle [WE] hath reference to the words following, which were the words of David, it sheweth, that not only Gods promises, but also the speeches and actions of Saints in former ages are left upon record for our use; that we up∣on like grounds and occasions should speak as they did, and do as they did. c 1.3 We may say, saith the Apostle: namely, as the Psalmist did in the words following. The same ground of saying what he did, we also have. We have the Lord to be our God, as well as they of old had. God is set forth unto us in all those Divine Excellencies of Power, Wisdom, Truth, Righteousnesse, Goodnesse, Grace, Compassion and Patience, he was unto them. We have also the same Spirit to work in us Knowledge, Faith, Hope, Courage, and otherlike Graces that they had.

On this ground, thus saith the Apostle, We having the same Spirit of faith, accord∣ing as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken: We also believe, and there∣fore speak, 2 Cor. 4. 13.

Faith in such Promises as Saints of old had, will make Saints in later times freely speak such things as they in former times did. Hereof see more in The Saints Sacrifice on Psal. 116. 10. §. 67.

Notes

• * 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 〉.