These are the ends for which it is here called for by the apostle. These Hebrews were yet entangled in their old Judaism, and by reason of their temptations, prejudices, and persecutions, were ready to decline from the truth. To free them from the one, and to pre- vent the other, the apostle calls them to the consideration of what he had delivered, and what he was yet to deliver, concerning the person, offices, and work of Christ. This being the principal inten- tion of the place, we shall abide a little in the confirmation and application of our observation.
What is in this duty considered subjectively was declared in the exposition of the words; what is in its manner of performance, and especial object, must be now further unfolded. And,—
1. There are in it these things ensuing :—
(1.) A diligent searching into the word, wherein Christ is re- vealed unto us. This himself directs unto, John v. 89. The Scrip- tures reveal him, declare him, testify of him. To this end are they to be searched, that we may learn and know what they so declare and testify. And this Peter tells us was done by the prophets of old, 1 Pet.i.10,11. They “searched diligently” into the revelation made in them by the Spirit of the person, sufferings, and grace of Christ, with the glory that ensued thereon. Christ is exhibited unto us in the gospel; which is therefore called “The gospel of Christ,” and “ The word of Christ,’—that is, concerning him, as our apostle declares, Rom. i. 1-8. Both the prophets of old, saith he, and the gospel also, treat concerning the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. Herein, then, consists the first part of this great duty. “ SEARCH the Scriptures,” with all the advantage of help afforded, that you may find out, discern, and understand, what is revealed concerning him in them, as he is the end of the law and the ful- ness of the gospel, the centre in whom all the prophecies, pro- — mises, rules, and precepts of them do meet. Without this aim in our reading, hearing, searching the word, we labour in vain, and
VER. 1, 2.] _ EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 519
contend uncertainly, as men beating the air. Unto him, and the knowledge of him, is all our study of the Scripture to be referred. And the reason why some, in the perusal of it, have no more light, profit, or advantage, is, because they have not more respect unto Christ in their inquiry. If he be once out of our eye in searching the Scripture, we know not what we do, nor whither we go, no more than doth the mariner at sea without regard to the pole-star. Truths to be believed are like believers themselves. All their life, power, and order, consist in their relation unto Christ; separated from him, they are dead and useless.
(2.) Meditation upon what is discovered unto us is also in- cluded in this duty. When a revelation was made of Christ and his work unto the blessed virgin his mother, it is said, she kept the sayings, ‘and pondered them in her heart,” Luke ii. 19; as Eliphaz adviseth all to do, Job xxii. 22. And the apostle bids us take care that “the word of Christ may dwell in us richly,” Col. iii. 16 ;—that it may not pass through our minds with some transient effects, as it doth in reading and hearing, if it only casts some glances of light upon the understanding, some motions on the affections; but make its abode and dwell with us, that is, by constant meditation. But this duty is by many spoken unto, and the evil of the neglect of it sufficiently declared.
(3.) A spiritual endeavour, in this search and meditation, to bring the soul unto a conformity with that revelation which is made of Christ in the word. This is the genuine effect of them, if duly attended unto, 2 Cor. iii.18. The glory of Christ is revealed in the gospel, as a face is represented ina glass. This we behold by a spiri- tual search into it, and meditation on it. By this intuition we are assimilated unto the glory so revealed. The Holy Ghost thereby brings upon our hearts that very likeness and image which we so contemplate. And although properly this be rather an effect of the duty treated of than any part of it, yet because it is that which we ought continually to aim at, and without the attainment whereof we labour in vain, I reckon it thereunto. When the image of Christ is wrought upon our hearts, and the dying and life of Christ made manifest in us, 2 Cor. iv. 10, then hath this duty its perfect work.
2. The object of it is to be considered. This in our proposition, following the apostle, is confined unto his person, his offices, and his work. These he dealeth with the Hebrews about.
(1.) He treateth about his person, and concerning that pro- poseth two things especially unto consideration ;—[1.] His glorious excellency; [2.] His condescension and grace. The one is the sole subject of the first chapter; the other the principal subject of the second. [1.] He calls them to consider the glorious excellency of the person of Christ. He had instructed them how in his divine nature