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it 352 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II.
dantly shows that little weight also is to be laid on that duration which he hath here in this world, in that he takes many from the very womb, who scarce ever beheld the light, into the participation of his own eternal glory.
Thirdly, This earthy, frail man hath made himself yet more un- speakably vile by sin. This sets him at the utmost distance from the glory of God, and utterly soils every thing that is in him which of itself is worthy of consideration.
All these things being put together, they make the condescension of God in remembering man, and setting his heart upon him, ex- ceedingly to be admired and adored. And this also will further appear if we might consider what are the blessed effects of this mindfulness of him; but these the apostle insists upon in the next verses, whither we may refer our meditations on them. Only the duty itself arising from hence may be here pressed upon us; and this is, that upon the accounts mentioned we should live constantly in a holy admiration of this infinite condescension and grace of God. To this end,—
First, Let us exercise ourselves unto holy thoughts of God’s infinite excellencies. Meditation, accompanied with holy admiration is the fountain of this duty. Some men have over busily and curiously inquired into the nature and properties of God, and have foolishly endeavoured to measure infinite things by the miserable short line of their own reason, and to suit the deep things of God unto their own narrow apprehensions. Such are many of the disputations of the schoolmen on this subject, wherein though they have seemed wise to themselves and others, yet indeed for the most part they have “waxed vain in their imaginations.” Our duty lies in studying what God hath revealed of himself in his word, and what is evidently suitable thereunto, and that not with curious searchings and specu- lations, but with holy admiration, reverence, and fear. This the apostle adviseth us unto, Heb. xii. 28, 29. In this way serious thoughts of God’s excellencies and properties, his greatness, immen- sity, self-sufficiency, power, and wisdom, are exceeding useful unto our souls. When these have filled us with wonder, when they have pros- trated our spirits before him, and laid our mouths in the dust and our persons on the ground, when the glory of them shines round about us, and our whole souls are filled with a holy astonishment, then,—
Secondly, Let us take a view of ourselves, our extract, our frailty, our vileness on every account. How poor, how undeserving are we! What is a little sinful dust and ashes, before or in the sight of this God of glory? What is there in us, what is there belong- ing unto us, that is not suited to abase us;—alive one day, dead another ; quiet one moment, troubled another; fearing caring, re- joicing causelessly, sinning always; in our best condition ef altogether
® VER. 5-9.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 353
vanity?’ Though much may be said unto this purpose, yet it must be said after all that in ourselves we are inexpressibly miserable, and, as the prophet speaks, “less than vanity, and nothing.’ Would we be wise ?—we are “like the wild ass’s colt;” would we be honourable?— we have “no understanding, but are like the beasts that perish ;” would we be strong?—we are “as a reed shaken with the wind.” And,—
Thirdly, Let the result of these thoughts be a holy admiration of God’s infinite love, care, grace, and condescension, in having any regard unto us. So doth the psalmist teach us to do. Hence will praise, hence will thankfulness, hence will self-abasement ensue. And this will be a good foundation, as of obedience, so of comfort and supportment in every condition.
Ver. 9.—8. These things being spoken indefinitely of man by the psalmist, the apostle, in the application of them unto his present purpose, proceeds to show who it is that was especially intended, and in whom the words had their full accomplishment. “But,” saith he, “we see Jesus,” etc. Many difficulties the words of this verse are attended withal, all which we shall endeavour to clear,— first, by showing in general how in them the apostle applies the testimony produced by him unto Jesus; secondly, by freeing them from the obscurity that ariseth from a obyyvors, or transposition of expression in them; thirdly, by opening the several things taught and asserted in them; and, fourthly, by a vindication of the whole interpretation from exceptions and objections.
(1.) The apostle positively applies this testimony unto Jesus, as him who was principally intended therein, or as him in whom the things that God did when he minded man were accomplished. And this the Syriac translation directly expresseth: NENPD 12 TDP wie PIF I; “ But him whom he made lower a little while than the angels, we see that it is Jesus.” That is, it is Jesus concerning whom the psalmist, spake, and in whom alone this testimony is verified. Two things are expressed concerning man in the words: —[1.] That he was made lower than the angels; [2.] That he had all things put in subjection unto him. ‘Both these, saith the apostle, ‘we see accomplished in Jesus;’ for that is the meaning of that ex- pression, “ We see Jesus,’—that is, these things fulfilled in him. And as he had before appealed unto their belief and experience in his negative, that all things are not made subject to man in general, so doth he here in his affirmative, “ We see Jesus.” Now, they saw it, partly by what he had before proved concerning him; partly by the signs and wonders he had newly spoken of, whereby his doctrine was confirmed and his power over all things manifested; partly by his calling and gathering of his church, giving laws, rules, and worship unto it, by virtue of his authority in and over this new world. And as unto the former part of the testimony, it was evident by what