This, then, is of excellent use, provided,—1. That the arguments in it proceeded on be solid and firm (such as in this case are every- where laid down by our apostle), that our foundation fail us not in our work, Earnest exhortations on feeble principles have more of noise than weight; when there is an aim of reaching men’s affec-
20 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP III.
tions, without possessing their minds with the due reasons of the things treated about, it proves mostly evanid, and that justly.
2. That the exhortation itself be grave and weighty, duty ought to be clothed with words of wisdom, such as may not, by their weak- ness, unfitness, uncomeliness, betray the matter intended, and expose it unto contempt or scorn. Hence the apostle requires a singular ability unto the duty of admonition, Rom. xv. 14, “ Filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”
3. That the love, care, and compassion of them who manage such exhortations and admonitions be in them made to appear. Preju- dices are the bane and ruin of mutual warnings. And these nothing can remove but a demonstration of love, tenderness, and compassion, acting themselves in them. Morose, peevish, wrathful admonitions, as’ they bring guilt upon the admonisher, so they seldom free the admonished from any. This course, therefore, the condition of them that are tempted,—who are never in more danger than when they find nota necessity of frequent warnings and exhortations,—and the duty of those who watch for the good of the souls of men, require to be diligently attended unto.
Secondly, The manner of the introduction of the persuasive ex- ample proposed is to be considered, “As saith the Holy Ghost.” The words are the words of the psalmist, but are here ascribed unto the Holy Ghost. Our apostle, as other divine writers of the New Testament, useth his liberty in this matter. Sometimes they ascribe the words they cite out of the Old Testament unto the penmen of them; as to Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the like,—Luke xxiv. 27; Matt. 1. 17, iv. 14; John xii. 41; Acts 11, 25: sometimes to the books wherein they are written; as, “It is written in the book of Psalms,” Acts i. 20: and sometimes they ascribe them unto the principal author, namely, the Holy Ghost, as in this place. Now, as they used their liberty therein, so it is not to be supposed that they fixed on any particular expression without some especial reason for it. And the ascribing of the words of the psalmist in this place immediately unto the Holy Ghost, by whom he was inspired and acted, seems to have been to mind the Hebrews directly of his authority. His intention from the words was, to press a practical duty upon them. In reference unto such duties the mind ought to be immediately inflamed by the authority of him that requires it. ‘Consider,’ saith he, ‘that these are the words of the Holy Ghost’ (that is, of God himself), ‘so that you may submit yourselves to his authority.’ Besides, the apostle intends to manifest that those words have respect unto the times of the gospel, and in an especial manner unto that season of it which was then passing over the Hebrews. He therefore minds them that they were given out by the Spirit of prophecy, so that the concernment of the church in all ages must
VER. 7-11.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 21
lie in them. “The Holy Ghost saith;” that is, as he spake to them of old in and by David (as it is expressed, chap. iv. 7), so he continues to speak them unto us in the Scripture, which is not only his word, but his voice, his speaking, living, and powerful voice, for so we may comprise both senses before mentioned. .
Obs. III. Exhortations unto duty ought to be well founded, to be built on a stable foundation, and to be resolved into an authority which may influence the consciences of them to whom they do be- long.
Without this they will be weak and enervous, especially if the duties exhorted unto be difficult, burdensome, or any way grievous. Authority is the formal reason of duty. When God gave out his law of commandments, he prefaced it with a signification of his sove- reign authority over the people, “I am the Lorp thy God.” And this is our duty in giving our exhortations and commands from him, The engagement of his authority in them is to be manifested. “Teach men,” saith our Saviour, “to do and observe whatsoever I have commanded,” Matt. xxviii. 20. His commands are to be pro- posed to them, and his authority in them to be applied unto their souls and consciences. To exhort men in the things of God, and to say, ‘This or that man saith so,’ be he the pope or who he will, is of no use or efficacy. That which you are to attend unto is what the Holy Ghost saith, whose authority the souls of men are every way obnoxious unto.
Obs. LY. Whatever was given by inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and is recorded in the Scripture for the use of the church, he conti- nues therein to speak it to us unto this day.
As he lives for ever, so he continues to speak for ever; that is, whilst his voice or word shall be of use to the church. “ As the Holy Ghost saith ;” that is, speaks now unto us. And where doth he speak it? In the 95th Psalm; there he says it, or speaks it unto us. Many men have invented several ways to lessen the authority of the Scripture, and few are willing to acknowledge an immediate speak- ing of God unto them therein. Various pretences are used to sub- duct the consciences of men from a sense of his authority in it. But whatever authority, efficacy, or power the word of God was accom- panied withal, whether to evidence itself so to be, or otherwise to affect the minds of men unto obedience, when it was first spoken by the Holy Ghost, the same it retains now it is recorded in Scripture, seeing the same Holy Ghost yet continues to speak therein.