VII. The spiritual mysteries of the gospel, especially those which concern the person and offices of Christ, require deep, diligent, and attentive consideration.
This is that which the Hebrews are here exhorted unto: Karavo7y- ours, “ Consider attentively,” or “diligently.” This is assigned as one means of the conversion of Lydia, Acts xvi. 14. Wpo0éyss,—she attended diligently to the things spoken by Paul, as an effect of the grace of God in opening her heart. Careless, wayside hearers of the
word get no profit by it, Matt. xiii 19. Their nature and worth, with our own condition, call for this duty.
1. In their nature they are mysteries; that is, things deep, hid- den, and full of divine wisdom: 1 Cor. ii. 7, Sopia @cod ev wuornpiw, —“The wisdom of God in a mystery;” such as the angels desire to bow down (not in a way of condescension, but of endeavour, earrbunotios wrapaxt-pas) and look into, 1 Pet. i. 12. For in Christ, and through him in the gospel (¢¢ ériyvwow rod puornpion rod Xpsoroi, gy @, “unto the acknowledgment of the mystery of Christ; in whom,” or “wherein”), “ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” Col. ii. 2, 3. And hence are we directed to cry after knowledge, to apply our hearts to understanding, to “seek her as silver, to search for her as hid treasures,” Prov. ii. 3, 4; and not to consider these things as easily exposed to every wandering eye and lazy passenger. Such persons find not mines of silver or the hid treasures of former generations. Of this search the prophets and holy men of old are proposed for our example, 1 Pet. i. 10,11. Unto this purpose they are said épevav, to “investigate” or “diligently search” into the Scrip- tures; as we are commanded to do if we intend to attain eternal life, John v. 39. For the most part men content themselves with an
500 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IIT.
overly consideration of these things. Itis the xépepyoy of their lives, —what they do-on the by, or when they have nothing else to do; whereby they come to know no more of them than they must, as it were, whether they will or no,—which upon the matter is nothing at all. Carnal sloth is not the way to an acquaintance with spiritual things or mysteries.
2. The worth and importance of these things bespeaks the same duty. Things may be dark and mysterious, and yet not weighty and worthy, so that they will not defray the charge of a diligent search after them. Solomon’s merchants would not have gone to Ophir had there not been gold there, as well as apes and peacocks. But all things are here secure. There are unsearchable treasures in these mysteries, Eph. iti. 8, rrotrog dveErvinoros,—riches not in this world to be searched out to perfection. No tongue can fully express them, no mind perfectly conceive them. Their root and spring lies in the divine nature, which is infinite, and therefore inexpressible and inexhaustible. There isin them wapyapirns rorbri- wos, Matt. xiii. 46, “ an exceeding precious pearl,” a pearl of great and invaluable price;—a stone which, though by some rejected, is yet esteemed of God “elect and precious ;” and so also by them that be- lieve, 1 Pet. ii. 6, 7. “The merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold: it is more precious than rubies,” Prov. ii. 14, 15. Whatever is of worth and value in the glory of God, and the everlasting good of the souls of sinners, is wrapped up in these mysteries. Now, every thing is (at least comparatively) despised that is not esteemed according unto its proper worth. So undoubtedly are these things by the most of them to whom they are preached.
3. Our own condition calls for diligence in the discharge of this duty. We are for the most part, like these Hebrews, vadpo? vais dnoatg, chap. v. 11,—“slothful,” or “ dull in hearing.” We have a natural unreadiness unto that hearing whereby faith cometh, which is the consideration here called for; and therefore cannot sufficiently stir up our spirits and minds unto our duty herein. The manner of the most in attending unto the mysteries of the gospel should cause our sorrow here, as it will theirs (if not prevented) unto eternity.
Secondly, The object of this consideration is Christ Jesus, who is the apostle and high priest of our profession. Together with the espe- cial indigitation of the person intended by his name, “ Christ Jesus,” we have the description of him as he is to be considered, by his offices, an “apostle,” and a “high priest;” with their limitation, “ of our profession.” .
1. He is said, and he is here only said, to be an “ apostle,” or “the apostle.” An apostle is one sent, a legate, ambassador, or public messenger. And this is one of the character-
Tov doroorovoy.
VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 501