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§. 47. Of adding this clause, Whereof we speak.
THis correlative, whereof, hath reference to the word, world, going before: for they are both of the same gender, namely the femmine. The word here translated world, is the very same that is used, chap. 1. v. 6. in this phrase, When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world. The world may there be taken in a larger extent, then here, by reason of this restrictive Epithete, to come.
Though world in the former place may comprise under it the whole earth and all the inhabitants thereon: yet doth it most especially intend the militant Church. For as Christ gave himself for the Church (Eph. 5. 25) so God in special gave Christ to his Church: and he brought his first begotten into the world for his Churches sake. Had not the Church been in the world, God would not have brought his first begotten into the world.
Besides the world there spoken of may well be accounted the same that is here meant, even the world to come, because Gods first begotten was then brought into the world when it began to be actually that world to come which was before pro∣phesied of. It was the exhibition of Christ that made it another world, a new world, a world to come. In that Christ by being brought into the world accomplished all the Types, Shadows, Prophesies and Promises concerning himself, the world thet was accounted the world to come.
In regard of the sense and intent of the Apostle, this phrase, whereof we speak, may also have reference to the last daies, mentioned Chap. 1. ver. 2. For this world to come is in those last daies, in which God speaks unto us by his Son.
It may further have reference to the last clause of the last verse of the first Cha∣pter. For the heirs of salvation are the most speciall and principall inhabitants in this world to come. Yea they are the only true members thereof: so as in speaking of the world to come he speaks of the heirs of salvation.
Finally, All that in the former part of this Chapter is spoken of the Gospel, and of the duty that belongs to those that enjoy the priviledge thereof, and of the mani∣fold means whereby God confirmed it unto us, all these things concern this world to come. So as in all these also he speaketh of the world to come.
The Apostle here useth a Verb of the present tense (thus, whereof we speak,) not of the preter tense, or time past (whereof we have spoken) to shew that all his dis∣course appertains to this world to come.