Secondly, It isa special kind of temple; not like that built of old by Solomon, of stones, cedar wood, silver, and gold, but it is a spi- ritual house, 1 Pet. ii. 5, made up of living stones in a strange and wonderful manner,—a temple not subject to decay, but such as grows continually in every stone that is laid in it, and in the daily new addition of living stones unto it. And although these stones are continually removed, some from the lower rooms in this house in grace, to the higher storeys in glory, yet not one stone of it is, or shall be, lost: for ever.
_ Thirdly, The manner of God’s habitation in this house is peculiar
570 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III. also. He dwelt, indeed, in the tabernacle and temple of old, but how? By sacrifices, carnal ordinances, and some outward appear- ances of glory. In this house he dwells by his Spirit: “ Ye are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit,” Eph. ii. 22; and, “ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Cor. ui. 16. Unspeakable, therefore, is this privilege; and so are the advantages which depend thereon.
VI. The greatness of this privilege requires an answerableness of dut
Thaaiies we are , this house of God, it becometh us to “hold fast our confidence unto the end.” This is particularly expressed; but the reason is the same unto many other duties which on the account of our being the house of God are incumbent on us; as,—1. Universal holiness, Ps. xciii. 5. 2. Especial purity of soul and body, becom- ing a habitation of the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor. ii 16, 17, vi. 19, 20. 3. Endeavours to fill up the place, state, condition, and relation that we hold unto the house, for the good of the whole, Col. ii. 19, Eph. iv. 15, 16. For besides the general interest which all be- lievers have in this house, which is equal in and unto them all, every one hath his especial place and order in this building. — (1.) In the peculiar season, age, or generation wherein our service in this house is expected ; and these require several duties, suited unto the light, enjoyments, and trials, of the whole in them: (2.) In the especial places or offices that any hold in this house: (3.) In the respect that is to be had unto the particular or especial assembly of this house whereunto any living stone doth belong: (4.) With respect unto advantages that any are intrusted withal, for the increase or edifica- tion of the house in faith and love; all which call for the discharge of many especial duties.
VIL. In times of trial and persecution, freedom, boldness, and con- stancy in profession, are a good evidence unto ourselves that we are living stones in the house of God, and duties acceptable unto him.
“ Hold fast,” saith the apostle, “ your raénoiay,”—‘ your free, bold profession of the gospel, and your exultation in the hope of the great promises of it which are in it given unto you. This duty God hath set.a singular mark upon, as that which he indispensably requireth and that whereby he is peculiarly glorified. A blessed instance we have hereof in the three companions of Daniel. They beheld on the one side, “ vultum instantis tyranni,” “the form of whose visage was changed with fury,” “ furiis accensus, et ira terribilis;” on the other, a flaming, consuming furnace of fire, that they were instantly to be cast into if they let not go their profession. But behold their rapjy- ofay, their “boldness” and “confidence” in their profession: Damn. ii,
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VER. 3-6.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 571
16-18, “They answered and said unto the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery fur- nace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king, But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” They do not ask a moment’s space to deliberate in this matter. And a blessed: end they had of their confidence. So Basil answered Julian, when he would have given him space to consult. “ Do,” said he, “ what you intend, for I will be the same to-morrow that I am this day.” This is readiness and alacrity to witness a good confession with boldness. So it is observed of Peter and John, Acts iv. 13. The Jews were astonished, observing their rafénoiav (the word in the text, which we there translate “ boldness”), that is, their readiness and promptitude of mind and speech, in their confession of the name of Christ, when they were in prison and under the power of their adversaries. Hence also they that fail in this duty are termed de/Au, “fearful ones,” and are in the first rank of them who are excluded out of the new Jerusalem, Rev. xxi. 8. Peter, indeed, instructs us to be “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us, were pé€ov,’—“ with fear,” 1 Epist. iii, 15; that is, withreverence unto God and the sacredness of those things wherein his name is concerned. But we must not do it werd desrias, with “a pusillanimous fear,” a fear of men, or respect unto what from them may befall us for our profession. These deAo/, “ fearful ones,” are those “ meticulosi” which shake and tremble at the report of danger; so that when persecution ariseth, straightway they are offended, and give over their profession.