2. Danger should not deter us from duty. Because some have miscarried in this matter, we ought not therefore wholly to neglect it, there being so great a concernment of the glory of God and our own good enwrapped therein. Had others erred or wandered in- deed, because they had neither way to walk in nor guide to attend unto, it had been sufficient to restrain us from attempting any thing in this matter; but whereas it is evident that they wilfully neglected the way, or pressed farther than the paths of it led them, and de- spised their guide, following their own imagination instead thereof, shall others be discouraged in their duty, whereas they may avoid their miscarriages? Wary, indeed, this may and ought to make us in our inquiries, but not neglective of our duties. We have the word of God for our way and guide. If we go not besides it, if we go not beyond it, we are as safe when we treat of angels as if we treated of worms. We have seen in part of what signal use their ministry is as unto our good, and the glory of Jesus Christ. And it is pride to the height, not to inquire after what may be known, because there are many things that we may not know nor compre- hend. If that take place, it will debar us from all search into the mysteries of the gospel; for upon our utmost attainment we know but in part. God’s revelation is the object of our knowledge. So far as that is made and given, so far we may inquire and learn. Besides, it is the height of ingratitude, not to search after what may be known of this great privilege and mercy whereof we are made partakers in the ministry of angels. God hath neither appointed nor revealed it for nothing; he expects a revenue of praise and glory for it; but how can we bless him for it when we know nothing of it? This ministry of angels, then, is that which, with sobriety, we are in a way of duty to inquire into.
3. Let us on this account glorify God and be thankful. Great is the privilege, manifold are the blessings and benefits, that we are made partakers of by this ministry of angels. Some of them have
256 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. II.
been before recounted. What shall we render for them? and to whom? Shall we go and bow ourselves down to the angels them- selves, and pay our homage of obedience unto them? They all ery out with one accord, “See you do it not; we are your fellow-ser- vants.” What shall we do then? Why, say they, “ Worship God.” Glorify and praise him who is the God of all angels, who sends them, who employs them, unto whom they minister in all that they do for us. Let us bless God, I say, for the ministry of angels.
Moreover, these words afford us other instructions, which I shall only name, and put a close unto our discourses on this chapter; as,—
III. The Socratical fancy of one single guardian angel attending every one, as it is, if admitted, a real impeachment of the consola- tion of believers, so a great inducement unto superstition and ido- latry. The further evidencing of this truth I remit unto what hath been already delivered about the ministry of angels in general.
IV. Believers obtain heaven by inheritance and free gift of their Father, and not by any merit of their own. Heirs among men claim their inheritance “jure nascendi,” because they are born unto it, not because they deserve it better than others. Believers look for theirs “jure adoptionis,’ by right of adoption, whereby they become sons, heirs of God, and co-heirs with Jesus Christ, -
CHAPTER II.
In this second chapter the apostle declares his design, and what his especial aim was with respect unto them to whom he wrote. It was not merely their instruction, or the information of their minds and judgments that he intended; though that also was in his eye, and necessary unto his principal purpose. They had, by their insta- bility and fainting in trials, administered occasion unto him of other discourse. Besides, he foresaw that they had great difficulties and temptations to contend withal, and was jealous lest they should miscarry under them, as he also was over other professors, 2 Cor. xi, 2,3. His principal end, therefore, in this whole epistle, (as hath been declared,) was to prevail with the Hebrews unto steadfastness in the faith of the gospel, and diligence in attendance unto all those ways and means whereby they might be established. The founda- tion of his exhortations unto this purpose he lays in the incom- parable excellency of the Author of the gospel. Hence just and cogent inferences unto constancy in the profession of his doctrine — and obedience unto him, both absolutely and in respect of the com- petition set up against it by Mosaical institutions, do naturally flow.
VER, 1.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, 257
And these considerations doth the apostle divide into several parts, interposing, in great wisdom, between the handling of them, those exhortations which pressed towards his especial end, before men- tioned. And this course he proceeds in for several reasons; for,—
First, He minds them and us in general, that in handling of the doctrines of the gospel concerning the person and offices of Jesus Christ, we should not satisfy ourselves in a bare notional speculation of them, but endeavour to get our hearts excited by them unto faith, love, obedience, and steadfastness in our profession. This doth he immediately apply them unto, Instances unto this purpose doth he give us in this chapter, upon his foregoing declaration of the excellencies of Christ and the glory of his kingdom, that so his hearers might not be barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of him.