496 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III,
false apostles, raised their attention, prepared them every way for instruction, and won them over to Christ. Blessed Jesus! what cause have we to mourn when we consider the pride, covetousness, ambition, wrath, negligence, self-seeking, and contempt of thy flock, which are found amongst many of them who take upon themselves to be dispensers of thy word, whereby the souls of men are scanda- lized and filled with offences against thy holy ways every day!
III. Believers are all related one unto another in the nearest and strictest bond of an equal relation. They are all brethren, “holy brethren.” .
So the Holy Ghost calls them in truth; so the reproaching world calls them in scorn. They have “one Father,” Matt. xxii. 8, 9; one elder Brother, Rom. viii. 29, who is “not ashamed to call them brethren,” Heb. ii. 11; and have “one Spirit, and are called in one hope of calling,’ Eph. iv. 4, which being a Spirit of adoption, Rom. vill. 15, interesteth them all in the same family, Eph. 1 14, 15, whereby they become “joint-heirs with Christ,” Rom. viii. 17.. The duties of unity, love, usefulness, and compassion, which depend on this relation, are more known than practised, and ought to be con- tinually pressed, Ps. exxxill. 1, Heb. xiii. 1. Of old, indeed, the Pagans spake proverbially of the Christians, “See how they love one another!” in a way of admiration. The contrary observation hath now prevailed, to the shame and stain of the profession of these latter days. What through dissensions and divisions amongst them who have any real interest in the privilege of sonship; what through an open, visible defect as to any relation unto God as a father, or unto the Lord Christ as an elder brother, in the most of them that are called Christians,—we have lost the thing intended, and the name is become a term of reproach. But when iniquity abounds, love will wax cold. In the meantime, it were well if those who are brethren indeed could live as brethren, and love as brethren, and agree as brethren. The motives unto it are great and many. That mentioned in the business of Abraham and Lot seems to me of weight: Gen. xui. 7, 8, “There was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be men that are brethren.” Abraham and Lot were brethren na- turally, as near kinsfolk, for Abraham was Lot’s uncle; and spirit- ually, as the children of God. A difference happening between their herdmen, Abraham, as a wise man, fears lest it should proceed to some distance and variance between themselves. Thereupon he takes into consideration the state of things in the place where they were. “The Canaanite and the Perizzite,” saith he, *are in the
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VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 497
land;”—‘ The land is full of profane men, enemies to us both, who would rejoice in our divisions, and take advantage to reproach the religion which we profess.’ This prevailed with them to continue their mutual love, and should do so with others. But our condition is sad whilst that deseription which the Holy Ghost gives of men whilst uncalled, whilst unbelievers, is suited unto them who profess themselves to be Christians. See Tit. iii. 3.
TY. All true and real professors of the gospel are sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and made truly and really holy.
So Paul here terms those Hebrews, exercising towards them the judgment of charity, declaring what they ought to be, and what they professed themselves to be, what he believed them to be, and what, if they were living members of Christ, really they were. It is true, some that profess holiness may not be really holy. But, first, If they do not so profess it as not to be convinced by any gospel means of the contrary, they are not to be esteemed professors at all, Acts viii. 20-23; Phil. iii. 18, 19; 2 Tim. iii. 5. Secondly, Tf that holiness which men profess in their lives be not real in their hearts, they have no right to the privileges that attend profession, John iii. 5.
VY. No man comes unto a useful, saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in the gospel, but by virtue of an effectual heavenly calling.
These Hebrews came to be “holy brethren,” children of God, united unto Christ, by their participation in a “ heavenly calling.” We are “called out of darkness into his marvellous light,” 1 Pet. ii. 9; and this not only with the outward call of the word,—which many are made partakers of who never attain the saving knowledge of Christ, Matt. xx. 16,—but with that effectual eall, which, being granted in the pursuit of God’s purpose of election, Rom. viii. 28, is accom- panied with the energetical, quickening power of the Holy Ghost, Eph. ii. 5, giving eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to obey the word, according unto the promise of the covenant, Jer. xxxi. 33, 34. And thus no man can come to Christ unless the Father draw him, John vi. 44,