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18 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III.
3. There is the “causa proegoumena,” or “ producing cause” of the punishment mentioned, in the resolution that God took and ex- pressed concerning the persons sinning: which also hath a double aggravation :—(1.) From the manner of his declaring this resolution ; he did it by an oath, “ Unto whom I sware;” (2.) From the frame of his spirit; it was in his wrath, “Unto whom I sware in my wrath.” (8.) The punishment of the sin itself, expressed negatively, “Tf they shall enter into my rest;” that is, they shall not do so. And this also hath a double aggravation:—[1.] From the act de- nied; they should not “ enter,”—not so much as enter: [2.] From the object; that was the rest of God,—*“ They shall not enter into my rest.”
We have so particularly insisted on the opening of the words of this paragraph, that we may be the more brief in the ensuing ex- position of the design and sense of them; wherein also we shall interpose the observations that are to be improved in our own practice.
First, The illative, “wherefore,” as was first observed, denotes both the deduction of the ensuing exhortation from the preceding discourse, and the application of it unto the particular duty which he enters upon, verse 12. “ Wherefore;” that is, ‘Seeing the Lord Christ, who is the author of the gospel, is in his legatine or prophetical office preferred far above Moses in the work of the house of God, as being the son and lord over that house as his own, wherein Moses was a servant only, let us consider what duty is incumbent on us, especially how careful and watchful we ought to be that we be not by any means diverted or turned aside from that obedience which he requires, and which on all accounts is due unto him.’ This he pursues unto verse 11, where the hyperbaton that is in these words is issued,
Obs. I. No divine truth ought in its delivery to be passed by, without manifesting its use, and endeavouring its improvement unto holiness and obedience.
So soon as the apostle had evinced his proposition concerning the excellency of Christ in his prophetical office, he turns himself unto the application of it unto them that are concerned in it. Divine knowledge is like a practical science; the end of all whose principles and theorems is in their practice; take that away and itis of no use. It is our wisdom and understanding how to live unto God; to that purpose are all the principles, truths, and doctrines of it to be improved. If this be not done in the teaching and learning of it, we fight uncertainly, as men beating the air.
Obs. II. In times of temptations and trials, arguments and ex- hortations unto watchfulness against sin and constancy in obedience
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VER, 7-11.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 19
are to be multiplied in number, and pressed with wisdom, earnest- ness, and diligence.
Such was the season now with these Hebrews. They were ex- posed to great trials and temptations: seduction on the one hand by false teachers, and persecution on the other hand by wrathful adversaries, closely beset them. The apostle, therefore, in his deal- ing with them adds one argument unto another, and pursues them all with pathetical exhortations. Men are often almost unwilling to be under this advantage, or they quickly grow weary of it. Hence our apostle closeth this hortatory epistle with that entreaty, chap. xiii, 22: “Suffer the word of exhortation.” He was afraid they might have thought themselves overburdened with exhortations. And this befalls men on three accounts :—
1. When they are grieved by their multiplication, as if they pro- ceeded from a jealousy concerning their sincerity and integrity; so was it with Peter, John xxi. 17.
2. On a confidence of their own strength, which they would not have suspected ; as with the same Peter, Matt. xxvi. 33.
3. From a secret inclination lying against the thing exhorted unto, or to the thing dehorted from.
But these are the ordinances of God for our preservation in such a condition; and these our necessities in it do call for. And preg- nant instances hereof are given by our apostle, especially in this epistle and in that unto the Galatians, whose condition was the same with that of these Hebrews. Both of them were in danger to be seduced from the simplicity of the gospel by inveterate prejudices and the subtilty of false teachers; both of them were encompassed with dangers, and exposed unto persecutions. He understood their temp- tations and saw their dangers. And with what wisdom, variety of arguments, expostulations, exhortations, and awakening reproofs, doth he deal with them! what care, tenderness, compassion, and love, do appear in them all! In nothing did the excellency of his spirit more evidence itself, than in his jealousy concerning and ten- der care for them that were in such a condition. And herein the Lord Christ set him forth for an example unto all those to whom the work of the ministry and dispensation of the gospel should afterwards be committed. In this care and watchfulness lie the very life and soul of their ministry. Where this is want- ing, whatever else be done, there is but the carcass, the shadow of it.