236 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. L
several ages, for the greater pledge of his veracity, typed out: as in the victory of Abraham over the four kings, representing the great monarchies of the world, wherein he had a pledge that he should be heir of the world in his Seed; in the conquest of Canaan, the seat and inheritance of the church, by Joshua; in the successes and victories of David; and by many signal instances given in the visi- ble ruin of the most potent opposers of his interest in the world. And it cannot be that this word of God should be of none effect.
2. The Lord Christ expects this issue and event of all things, and shall not be frustrated in his expectation. Having received the engage- ment and faithful promise of his Father, he rests in the foresight of its accomplishment. And hence it is that he bears all the affronts that are put upon him, all the opposition that is made unto him and his kingdom, with patience, long-suffering, and forbearance. When we consider the injuries, reproaches, oppressions, persecutions, blas- phemies, that he is exposed unto, in his ways, his servants, his Spirit, and worship, we are ready to admire at his patience (as we ought to do) that he breaks not forth against his enemies as a consuming fire, But he knows the time and season that is allotted for the execution of vengeance upon them, and nothing of their pride, rage, boasting, or triumphing against him, shall ever provoke him to anticipate their ruin; so secure he is of their destruction in the appointed season, and so certain of their day that is coming.
3. He is himself furnished with authority and power for the ac- complishment of this work, when and how he pleaseth. He hath not only assurance of the Father’s concurrence, but is himself also tho- roughly armed and furnished with power to destroy all his enemies, even ina moment. And he will not fail to put forth his power in the appointed season; he will “bruise them all with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Though all his enemies should at once combine themselves against him, should the world receive the utmost contribution of craft, subtlety, and strength, that hell is able to afford unto it, what is it all to stand before the in- comprehensible power of Jesus Christ? See Rev. vi. 16.
4, His glory and honour requires that it should be so. This is a thing that he is very tender in. God hath raised him up, and given him glory and honour, and care must be taken that it be not lost or impaired. Now, if his enemies should go free, if they could by any means subduct themselves from under his power, or be delivered from his wrath, where would be his glory, where his honour? Here © they reproach him, blaspheme him, despise him, persecute him. Shall they escape and go free? shall they always prosper? What then would he do to his great name? The glory of Christ indispen- sably requires that there be a season, a day, appointed for the eter- nal ruin of all his stubborn adversaries.
5. His saints pray that it may be so; and that both upon his ac-
VER. 14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 237
count and their own:—Upon his, that his glory, which is dearer to them than their lives, may be vindicated and exalted; their own, that their miseries may be ended, that the blood of their fellow- servants may be avenged, that the whole church may be delivered, and all promises fulfilled. Now, he will not disappoint their prayers nor frustrate their expectations in any thing, much less in those that are of so great importance. He will avenge his elect; he willavenge them speedily.
6. His enemies deserve it unto the utmost; so that as well his justice, as his glory, and interest, and people, is concerned in their destruction. In the most of them their rage against him is no- torious, and visible to the eyes of men and angels; in all of them there is a cruel, old, lasting enmity and hatred, which he will lay open and discover at the last day, so that all shall see the righteous- ness of his judgments against them. God hath given him a king- dom, appointed him to reign; they declare that he shall not do so, and endeavour their utmost to keep him from his throne, and that with scorn, spite, and malice. So that whilst God is righteous, and the sceptre of Christ’s kingdom asceptre of righteousness, themselves call aloud for their own destruction.
The uses of this truth, in the comfort of the disciples of Christ against-all fears, despondencies, and other effects of unbelief, with the terror of wicked men, are obvious and exposed unto all.
VERSE 14.
The apostle having proved the pre-eminence of the Son, as medi- ator of the new testament, above all the angels, from those attribu- tions of honour and glory that are made unto him in the Scriptures, the like whereunto are nowhere made orgiven unto angels, that he may not appear to argue merely negatively, from what is not said concern- ing them, adds in this last verse such a description of their nature and office, or work)and employment, as shows that indeed no such thing can be rightly spoken or affirmed concerning them as he hath before manifested to be spoken and recorded concerning the Son.