This is the scope of the apostle in these verses, this the import--
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VER. 2-4. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 289
ance of the several things contained in them. His main design and intendment is, to prevail with the Hebrews unto a diligent attend- ance unto the gospel that was preached unto them; which he urgeth by an argument taken from the danger, yea certain ruin, that will undoubtedly ensue on the neglect of it; whose certainty, unavoid- ableness, greatness, and righteousness, he manifests by the considera- tion of the punishment assigned unto the transgression of the law, which the gospel on many accounts doth excel.
The observations for our own instruction which these verses offer unto us are these that follow:—
I, Motives unto.a due valuation of the gospel and perseverance in the profession of it, taken from the penalties annexed unto the neglect of it, are evangelical, and of singular use in’the preaching of the word: “ How shall we escape, if we neglect ?”
This consideration is here managed. by the apostle, and that when he had newly set forth the glory of Christ, and the greatness of the salvation tendered in the gospel, in the most persuading and attrac- tive manner. Some would fancy that all comminations and threat- enings do belong unto the law, as though Jesus Christ had left himself and his gospel to be securely despised by profane and. im- penitent sinners; but as they will find the contrary to their eternal ruin, so it is the will of Christ that we should let them know it, and thereby warn others to take heed of their sins and their plagues.
Now, these motives from comminations and threatenings I call evangelical,—
1, Because they are recorded in the gospel. There we are taught them, and by it commanded to make use of them, Matt. x. 28, xxiv. 50, 51, xxv. 41, Mark xvi. 16, John iii. 36, 2 Cor, 11. 15, 16, 2 Thess. i, 8, 9, and in other places innumerable. And to this end are they recorded, that they may be preached and declared as part of the gospel. And if the dispensers of the word insist not on them, they deal deceitfully with the souls of men, and detain from the counsel of God, And as such persons will find themselves to have a weak and an enervyous ministry here, so also that they will have a sad account of their partiality in the word to give hereafter. Let not men think themselves more evangelical than the author. of the gospel, more skilled in the mystery of the conversion and edification of the souls of men than the apostles;—in a word, more wise than God himself; which they must do if they neglect this part of his ordinance.
2. Because they become the gospel. It is meet the gospel should be armed with threatenings as well as attended with promises; and that,—
(1.) On the part of Christ himself, the author of it. However the world persecuted and despised him whilst he was on the earth,
284 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IL
and he “threatened not,’ 1 Pet. ii. 23, on his own account,—however they continued to contemn and blaspheme his ways and salvation,— yet he lets them know that he is armed with power to revenge their disobedience. And it belongs unto his honour to have it declared unto them. A sceptre in a kingdom without a sword, a crown with- out a rod of iron, will quickly be trampled on. Both are therefore given into the hand of Christ, that the glory and honour of his dominion may be known, Ps. ii. 9-12.
(2.) They become the gospel on the part of sinners, yea, of all to whom the gospel is preached. And these are of two sorts:—
[1.] Unbelievers, hypocrites, apostates, impenitent neglecters of the great salvation declared in it. It is meet on this account that the dispensation of the gospel be attended with threatenings and comminations of punishment; and that,—
1st. To keep them here in awe and fear, that they may not boldly and openly break out in contempt of Christ. These are his arrows that are sharp in the hearts of his adversaries, whereby he awes them, galls them, and in the midst of all their pride makes them to tremble sometimes at their future condition. Christ never suffers them to be so secure but that his terrors in these threatenings visit them ever and anon. And hereby also doth he keep them within some bounds, bridles their rage, and overpowers many of them unto some ‘usefulness in the world, with many other blessed ends not now to be insisted on.
2dly. That they may be left inexcusable, and the Lord Christ be: justified in his proceedings against them at the last day. If they should be surprised with “fiery indignation” and “ everlasting burn-: ings” at the last day, how might they plead that if they had been warned of these things they would have endeavoured to flee from “the wrath to come;” and how apt might they be to repine against his justice in the amazing greatness of their destruction! But now, by taking order to have the penalty of their disobedience in the threat- enings of the gospel declared unto them, they are left without excuse, and himself is glorified in taking vengeance. He hath told them beforehand plainly what they are to look for, Heb. x. 26, 27.