He further yet describes the gospel (3.) By the divine attestation given unto it, which also adds to the force of his argument and exhortation: Zuverimaprupotvrog rov cod. The word is of a double composition, denoting a concurring testimony of God, a testimony given unto or together with the tes- timony and witness of the apostles. Of what nature this testimony was, and wherein it consisted, the next words declare, “ By signs
Zvverynp~ Tupouyros.
VER. 2-4. } EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 281
and wonders, and mighty works, and distributions of the Holy Ghost ;” all which agree in the general nature of works supernatural, and in the especial end of attesting to the truth of the gospel, being wrought according to the promise of Christ, Mark xvi. 17, 18, by the minis- try of the apostles, Acts v. 12, and in especial by that of Paul himself, Rom. xv. 19, 2 Cor. xii. 12. But as to their especial difter- ences, they are here cast under four heads :—
The first are onwetu, nix, “signs;” that is, miracu- lous works, wrought to signify the presence of God by his power with them that wrought them, for the approbation and confirmation of the doctrine which they taught. The second are répara, OND, “ prodigies,” ‘“ wonders,’ works beyond the power of nature, above the energy of natural causes; wrought to fill men with wonder and admiration, stirring men up unto a diligent attention to the doctrine accompanied with them: for whereas they surprise men by discovering +) Seto, “a present divine power,” they dispose the mind to an embracing of what is confirmed by them. Thirdly, duvéwers, NVA, “mighty works,” wherein evidently a mighty power, the power of God, is exerted in their operation. And fourthly, Mvedwaros &yiou peprouol, MIP MA NAD, “sifts of the Holy Ghost,” enumerated 1 Cor.xii., Eph.iv. 8; yapiowara, “ free gifts,” freely bestowed, called wepiouos, “ divisions,” or “ distributions,” for the reason at large declared by the apostle, 1 Cor. xii, 7-11. All which are intimated in the following words, Kara& rjyv adrot Séanow. It is indifferent whether we read airot or airot, and refer it to the _ will of God, or of the Holy Ghost himself, his own will, which the apostle guides unto, I Cor. xu. 11.
As we said before, all these agree in the same general nature and kind of miraculous operations, the variety of expressions whereby they are set forth relating only unto some different respects of them, taken from their especial ends and effects. The same works were, in different respects, signs, wonders, mighty works, and gifts of the Holy Ghost; but being effectual unto several ends, they received these various denominations.
In these works consisted the divine attestation of the doctrine of the apostles, God in and by them giving testimony from heaven, by the ministration of his almighty power, unto the things which were taught, and his approbation of the persons that taught them in their work, And this was of especial consideration in dealing with the Hebrews; for the delivery of the law and the ministry of Moses having been accompanied with many signs and prodigies, they made great inquiry after signs for the confirmation of the gospel, 1 Cor. i, 22; which though our Lord Jesus Christ neither in his own person nor by his apostles would grant unto them, in their time and manner,
Snusia.
Téparc.
Avvd esis.
Mspicpeoi.
282 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [cHa?. 11.
to satisfy their wicked and carnal curiosity, yet in his own way and season he gave them forth for their conviction, or to leave them in- excusable, John x. 38.
8. The gospel being of this nature, thus taught, thus deli- vered, thus confirmed, there is a neglect of it supposed, verse 3, “ If we neglect,” dusajoarrss. The conditional is included in the manner of the expression, “If we neglect,” “if we regard not,” “if we do not take due care about it” The word intimateth an omission of all those duties which are necessary for our retaining the word preached unto our profit, and that to such a degree as utterly to reject it; for it answers unto those transgressions of and that stubborn disobedience unto the law, which disannulled it as a covenant, and were punished with excision or cutting off. “ Tf we neglect,’—that is, if we continue not in a diligent observa- tion of all those duties which are indispensably necessary unto a holy, useful, profitable profession of the gospel.
4. There is a punishment intimated upon this sinful neglect of the gospel: “ How shall we escape,”’—* flee from,” or “avoid?” wherein both the punishment itself and’ the manner of its expression are to be considered. For the punishment itself, the apostle doth not expressly mention: it; it must therefore be taken from the words going before. “ How shall we escape;” that is %d:xov wiodamodoo/av, “a just retribution,” “a meet recompence of reward?” The breach of the law had so; a punishment suitable unto the demerit of the crime was by God assigned unto it, and inflicted on them that were guilty. So is there unto the neglect of the gospel, even a punishment justly de- served by so great a crime; so much. greater and more sore than that designed unto the contempt of the law, by how much the gospel, upon the account of its nature, effects, author, and confirma- tion, was more excellent than the law: xeipay riywwpia, “a sorer punishment,” as our apostle calls it, chap. x. 29; as much exceeding it as eternal destruction under the curse and! wrath of God exceeds all temporal punishments whatever. What this punishment is, see Matt. xvi. 26, xxv. 46; 2 Thess. i. 9. The manner of ascertaining the punishment intimated is by an interro- gation, “ How shall we escape?” wherein three things are intended: —(1.) Adenial of any ways or means for escape or deliverance. There is none that can deliver us, no way whereby we may escape. See 1 Pet. iv. 17,18. And, (2.) The certainty of the punishment itself. It will as to the event assuredly befall us. And, (3.) The ineapress- ible greatness of this unavoidable evil: “How shall we escape?” We shall not, there is no way for it, nor ability to bear what we are liable unto, Matt. xxiii. 83; 1 Pet. iv. 18,