The great use, benefit and advantage which Believers have by this Grace, is the supporting of their Souls under the troubles and difficulties which they meet withal upon the account of the Profession of what they do believe, Rom. 5. 4, 5. 1 Cor. 15. 19. 1 Thes. 1. 3. Hence in our Christian Armour it is called the Helmet, Ephes. 6. 17. The Helmet of Salvation, that is, the Hope of Salvation, as it is expounded 1 Thes. 5. 8. And for an Helmet the Hope of Salvation. And this is because it bears off and keeps us from being wounded with the sharpness and weight of those strokes, which do and will befall us in Troubles, Persecutions and Afflictions. And hence it is manifest that a valuation and esteem of the things hoped for, are of the Essence of Hope. For whatever expectation we have of them, if we do not so value them, as to find a satisfactory relief in them in all our Troubles, and that which may outbalance our present sufferings, Hope is not genuine and truly Evangelical. And this was now the condition of the Hebrews. They were exposed unto much Tribulation upon the account of the Profession of the Gospel. And the Apostle foresaw that they were yet to be exercised with things more grievous and terrible. That which they had to relieve themselves in this condition, to lay in the Balance against all the evils they suffered or had to conflict withal, were the things that were promised by Christ unto them that believe and obey him. Wherefore an ⟨p. 121⟩assured expectation of these things so infinitely above and beyond what they lost or underwent at present, was absolutely necessary as to their supportment, so unto their encouragement unto a continuance in their Profession. This alone was able to preserve them from fainting and despondencies under a confluence of evils, which also God himself directs unto, Isa. 35. 3, 4. Wherefore this Duty our Apostle frequently exhorts the Hebrews unto in this Epistle, as that which was peculiarly suited unto them, and necessary for them in their present condition. And he lets them know that in its due exercise, it would not only relieve and support them, but enable them in the midst of all their troubles to rejoice and glory; as hath been declared on chap. 3. 6.
The great use, benefit and advantage which Believers have by this Grace, is the supporting of their Souls under the troubles and difficulties which they meet withall upon the account of the Profession of what they do believe, Rom. 5. 4, 5. 1 Cor. 15. 19. 1 Thes. 1. 3. Hence in our Christian Armour it is called the Helmet, Ephes. 6. 17. The Helmet of Salvation, that is, the Hope of Salvation, as it is expounded 1 Thes. 5. 8. And for an Helmet the Hope of Salvation. And this is because it bears off and keeps us from being wounded with the sharpness and weight of those stroaks, which do and will befall us in Troubles, Persecutions and Afflictions. And hence it is manifest that a valuation and esteem of the things hoped for, are of the Essence of Hope. For whatever expectation we have of them, if we do not so value them, as to find a satisfactory relief in them in all our Troubles, and that which may outballance our present sufferings, Hope is not genuine and truly Evangelical. And this was now the condition of the Hebrews. They were exposed unto much Tribulation upon the account of the Profession of the Gospel. And the Apostle foresaw that they were yet to be exercised with things more grievous and terrible. That which they had to relieve themselves in this condition, to lay in the Ballance against all the evils they suffered or had to conflict withall, were the things that were promised by Christ unto them that believe and obey him. Wherefore an ⟨p. 121⟩assured expectation of these things so infinitely above and beyond what they lost or underwent at present, was absolutely necessary as to their supportment, so unto their encouragement unto a continuance in their Profession. This alone was able to preserve them from fainting and despondencies under a confluence of evils, which also God himself directs unto, Isa. 35. 3, 4. Wherefore this Duty our Apostle frequently exhorts the Hebrews unto in this Epistle, as that which was peculiarly suited unto them, and necessary for them in their present condition. And he lets them know that in its due exercise, it would not only relieve and support them, but enable them in the midst of all their troubles to rejoyce and glory; as hath been declared on chap. 3. 6.
