96 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III.
expect it and look for it; but as for these threatenings, they depend on so many conditions, and may so easily at any time be evaded, as that there is no great fear of their execution.’ But what is the ground of this feigned difference between the promises and threat- enings of God, as to their stability, certainty, and accomplishment ? Where is the difference between the two clauses in that text, “ He that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned?” Are not the holiness of God and his faithfulness as much concerned in the comminatory part as in the promissory part of his word? Would not a failure in the one be as prejudicial to his glory as in the other? The principles from which his threatenings pro- ceed are no less essential properties of his nature than those which are the springs of his promises; and his declaration of them is no less accompanied with the engagement of his veracity and faithfulness than that of the other; and the end aimed at in them is no less necessary to the demonstration of his glory than that which he de- signeth in his promises. And we see in this particular instance that they are also confirmed with the oath of God, even as his promises are. And let none think that this was an extraordinary case, and concerned only the men of that generation. This oath of God is part of his law, it abides for ever; and all that fall into the like sin with them, attended with the like circumstances, do fall under the same oath of God,—he swears concerning them, that they shall not enter into his rest. And we little know how many are even in this world overtaken in this condition, the oath of God lying against - them for their punishment, and that eternal. Let men take heed of this great self-deceiving; and let not men be mockers in this matter, lest their bands be made strong; for,—
Obs. XX XIII. When men have provoked God by their impeni- tency to decree their punishment irrevocably, they will find severity in the execution.
“They shall not enter,”—no, not so much as enter. “ Behold,” saith our apostle, “the severity of God: on them which fell, severity,” Rom. xi. 22. Men will find that there is severity in the execution who despised the threatening, and that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” When sinners shall see the whole creation on fire about them, hell open under them, and the glorious, dreadful Judge of all over them, they will begin to have a due ap- prehension of his terror. But then cries, outcries, repentings, and wailings, will be of no use. This is the time and place for such con- siderations, not when the sentence is executed,—no, not when it is irrevocably confirmed.
Obs. XXXIV. It is the presence of God alone that renders any place or condition good or desirable.
“They shall not,” saith God, “enter into my rest.” This makes
VER. 12-14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 97
heaven to be heaven, and the church to be the church ;—every thing answers the manner and measure of the presence of God. And with- out this, Moses expressly preferred the wilderness before Canaan.
VERSES 12-14.
In the close of this chapter the apostle makes application of the example which he had produced out of the psalmist unto his pre- sent purpose; namely, to dehort the Hebrews from that sin which in them would answer unto the unbelief and disobedience of their forefathers, from the pernicious and destructive event which befell them thereon. And it must be still remembered that he presseth on them the consideration of that season of trial which they were then under, and which directly answered unto that time of trial which their fathers had in the wilderness. And there are three parts of that discourse of the apostle which ensueth unto the end of this chapter:—F rst, An exhortation, built upon what he had before laid down and given evidence of, with confirmation unto it by the example produced out of the psalmist, verses 12-14. Secondly, An especial consideration and improvement, unto the end aimed at, of sundry parts of the example insisted on, verses 15-18; and therein many enforcements of the exhortation laid down are contained. Thirdly, A general conclusion is drawn out of his whole previous discourse, and laid down as the ground of his future progress, verse 19.
The first part of this discourse comes now under consideration in the ensuing words :—
Ver. 12-14.— Brémere, ddeAQol, wy wore gorau tv rim bud xapdiae rovnpe amiorins, Vv rh aroorivas ard Ocod Cavros’ "AAAA wupanadAcire Eaurode, nad exchorny hyépay, apis oF Td onwepoy xaAsiras, Ivan wu sHAnpuVdZ rig 25 Yuay aadrn ris Gmapring. Méroyo: yap yeyovamer ro Xpsorov, edv- wep thy apy ris ixoordoews wiyps Terug PeCaiay xardoyapey.
Mg wore. Lloré is omitted or neglected in many translations, as the Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopic; “ne sit,” “ that there be not,” “let there not be.” Wulg. Lat., “ne forte,” “lest haply;” with respect unto the uncertainty of the event: some, “ne quando,” “ne ullo tempore,” “lest at any time,” “that at no time,” with respect unto the season of such event.