A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

That is the second thing to be enquired into, namely, what is this Hope that is set before us, and how it is so. (1) Most Expositors take Hope here ¹by a Metonymy of the Subject for the thing hoped for; that is, Grace and Glory, Justification and Salvation by Jesus Christ. These things are the subject matter of the Promises, which we desire and hope after. And unto these we may be said to fly for Relief or Refuge, when in our expectation of them we are supported and comforted. (2) Some take Hope subjectively for the Grace of Hope it self. And this we are said to fly unto, that is, speedily to betake our selves unto the exercise of it, as founded in the Promises of God, foregoing all other expectations, wherein we shall find assured Consolation. (3) Hope, by a metonymy of the effect for the Cause, may express the Promise it self, which is the cause and means of ingenerating Hope in us. And this I take to be the proper meaning of the place, and which is not exclusive of the other senses mentioned. The Promise being proposed unto us is the Cause and Object of our Faith on the account of the Faithfulness of God therein. Faith brings forth Hope, whose Object is the same Promise, or the good things thereof, as proposed from the same Faithfulness. Thence is it self called the Hope, as that without which we could have none, there being neither Cause of it, nor Object for it. And this Hope is said to be set before us, or to be proposed unto us, which it is in the Declaration of the Promise, or the Dispensation of the Gospel. Therein it is proposed as the Object of our Faith and Hope, as the means of the strong Consolation which God is so abundantly willing that we should receive. And this renders the whole Metaphor plain and easy. For it is evident how the Promise and all that we hope for thereby is set before us and proposed unto us in the Gospel, as also how we fly or betake our selves thereunto in all distresses for Relief. And it is more natural to allow of this metonymical expression in the word Hope, than to admit of so rough a Catachresis in the other part of the words, wherein the Grace of Hope within us, should be said to be set before us.

That is the second thing to be enquired into, namely, what is this Hope that is set before us, and how it is so. (1) Most Expositors take Hope here ¹by a Metonymy of the Subject for the thing hoped for; that is, Grace and Glory, Justification and Salvation by Jesus Christ. These things are the subject matter of the Promises, which we desire and hope after. And unto these we may be said to fly for Relief or Refuge, when in our expectation of them we are supported and comforted. (2) Some take Hope subjectively for the Grace of Hope it self. And this we are said to fly unto, that is, speedily to betake our selves unto the exercise of it, as founded in the Promises of God, foregoing all other expectations, wherein we shall find assured Consolation. (3) Hope, by a metonymy of the effect for the Cause, may express the Promise it self, which is the cause and means of ingenerating Hope in us. And this I take to be the proper meaning of the place, and which is not exclusive of the other senses mentioned. The Promise being proposed unto us is the Cause and Object of our Faith on the account of the Faithfulness of God therein. Faith brings forth Hope, whose Object is the same Promise, or the good things thereof, as proposed from the same Faithfulness. Thence is it self called the Hope, as that without which we could have none, there being neither Cause of it, nor Object for it. And this Hope is said to be set before us, or to be proposed unto us, which it is in the Declaration of the Promise, or the Dispensation of the Gospel. Therein it is proposed as the Object of our Faith and Hope, as the means of the strong Consolation which God is so abundantly willing that we should receive. And this renders the whole Metaphor plain and easie. For it is evident how the Promise and all that we hope for thereby is set before us and proposed unto us in the Gospel, as also how we fly or betake our selves thereunto in all distresses for Relief. And it is more natural to allow of this metonymical expression in the word Hope, than to admit of so rough a Catachresis in the other part of the words, wherein the Grace of Hope within us, should be said to be set before us.