This tite apostle iy down as a thing well known unto the He- brews, namely, that the law, which was delivered unto them by angels, received such a safietion from God, after it was established as the covenant between him and the people, that the transgression of it, so as to disannul the terms and conditions of it, had, by divine constitution, the punishment of death temporal, or excision, ap- pointed unto it. And this in the next words he proceeds to improve unto his purpose by the way of an argument “& minori ad majus:” “‘ How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation,” ete.
There is an antithesis expressed in one branch, as we observed before, between the law and the gospel, namely, that the law was the word spoken by angels, the gospel being revealed by the Lord himself, But there are also other differences intimated between them, though expressed only on the part of the gospel; as that it is, in its nature and effects, “great salvation ;” that is, not absolutely only, but comparatively unto the benefit exhibited to their forefathers by the law, as given on mount Horeb. The confirmation also of the gospel by the testimony of God is tacitly opposed unto the confir- mation of the law by the like witness. And from all these con- siderations doth the apostle enforce his argument, proving the punishment that shall befall gospel neglecters.
In the words, as was in part before observed, there occur:— 1. The subject-matter spoken of,—‘“ so great salvation.” 2. A fur- ther description of it; (1.) From its principal author,—it “ began to be spoken by the Lord;” (2.) From the manner of its propaga- tion,— it “was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (3.) From its confirmation by the testimony of God ;—which, (4.) Is exempli- fied by a distribution into, [1.] Signs; [2.] Wonders; [3.] Mighty works; and [4.] Various gifts of the Holy Ghost. Whereof there is, 3. A neglect supposed,—“ if we neglect.” And, 4. Punishment thereof intimated ; wherein, (1.) The punishment itself, and, (2.) The manner of its expression, “ How shall we escape,” are to be con- sidered. All which are to be severally explained.
1. The subject-matter treated of is expressed in these |, words, “ So great salvation.” And it is the gospel which pe tigaing is intended i in that expression, as is evident from the
Micbarodocia.
278 AN EXPOSITION OF THE _ (CHAP. IL
preceding verse; for that which is there called “the word which we have heard,” is here called “great salvation:” ag also from the fol- lowing words, where it is said to be declared by the Lord, and further propagated by them that heard him, And the gospel is called “ salvation” by a metonymy of the effect for the cause: for it is the grace of God bringing salvation, Tit, 11, 11; the word that is able to save us; the doctrine, the discovery, the imstrumentally- efficient cause of salvation, Rom. 1 16; 1 Cor. i. 20, 21. And this salvation the apostle calls great upon many accounts, which we shall. afterwards unfold. And calling it, “so great salvation,” fie refers them unto the doctrine of it, wherein they had been instructed, and whereby the excellency of the salvation which it brings is de- clared.
Now, though the apostle might have expressed the gospel by “The word which was declared unto us by the Lord,’ as he had done the law by “'The word spoken by angels;” yet to strengthen his argu- ment, or motive unto obedience, which he insists upon, he chose to. give a brief description of it from its principal effect; it 1s “great. salvation.” The law, by reason of sin, proved the ministry of death and condemnation, 2 Cor, iti, 9; yet, being fully published only by) angels, obedience was indispensably required unto it;—and shall. not the gospel, the ministry of life, and great salvation, be attended unto?
2. He further describes the gospel, (1.) From its principal author or revealer. It “began to be spoken by the Lord,” dpxav, rAaCotow AwAs7odus. The words may have a twofold sense;- for apx#v may denote either “ principium temporis,” “the beginning of time;” or “ principium operis,”’ “the beginning of. the work.” In the first. way, it asserts that the Lord himself was. the first preacher of the gospel, before he sent or employed his apostles and disciples in the same work; in the latter, that he only began the work, leaving the perfecting and finishing of it unto those who were chosen and enabled by him unto that end. And this latter sense is also true; for he finished not the whole declaration of. the gospel in his own person, teaching “ viva voce,” but committed. the work, unto his apostles, Matt, x. 27. But their.teaching from him being expressed in the next words, I take the words in the first. sense, referring unto what he had delivered, chap. 1 1, 2, of God’s. speaking in these last days in the person of the Son. Now, the. gospel hath had a threefold beginning of its declaration :—First, In, prediction, by promises and types; and so it began to be declared. from the foundation of the world, Luke i. 70, 71. Secondly, In an. immediate preparation ; and so it began to be declared in and by the ministry of John the Baptist, Mark i.1, 2. Thirdly, In its open, clear, actual, full revelation; so this work was begun by the Lord