Secondly, And to the right performance of it the things ensuing do appertain :—
1. That they who perform it find in themselves an especial con- cernment in the persons and things with whom and about which they treat in their exhortations. It will not admit of any pragma- tical curiosity, leading men to interpose themselves in matters wherein they are no way concerned. “ Knowing,” saith the apostle, viv péCov rod Kupiov, avdpwmoug weidowev, 2 Cor. v. 11;—‘ The reason why we exhort men, or persuade them to their duty, is because of our compassion towards them, inasmuch as we know the terror or dread of God, with whom in this matter they have to do, and that it is goCepdvy, a very fearful thing to fall into his hands when he is provoked, Heb. x. 31. If men find not themselves really concerned in the glory of God, and their hearts moved with compassion to- wards the souls of men, whether they are in office in the church or not, it will be their wisdom to abstain from this duty, as that which they are no way fitted to diseharge.
2. An especial warranty for the particular exercise of this duty is required of us. Our duty it is in general to exhort one another, by virtue of this and the like commands; but as unto the especial instances of it, for them we must look for especial warranty. Those who shall engage into this or any other duty at adventures will but expose themselves and it to contempt. Now this especial warranty ariseth from a due coincidence of rule and circumstances. There are sundry particular cases wherein direct and express rule requires the discharge of this duty; as (1.) In case of sin; Lev. xix. 17, “ Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise re- buke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” For even rebukes belong to this general head of exhortation, nor are they ever to be
140 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IIL
without it. (2.) Of ignorance in the truth: so dealt Priscilla and Aquila with Apollos when they instructed him in the way of God, Acts xviii. 24-26. And many the like cases are instanced in. Add unto such rules a due consideration of circumstances, relating unto times, seasons, persons, and occasions, and it will form the warranty intended.
3. Especial wisdom, understanding, and ability, are hereunto required, It is an easy thing to spoil the best duty in the manner of its performance: and as other things may spoil a duty, so a defect in spiritual skill for the performance of it can never suffer it to be right. If men, then, have not asound judgment and understanding of the matter about which this mutual exhortation is to be exercised, and of the way whereby it is to be managed, they may do well to leave it unto them who are better furnished with “the tongue of the learned to know how to speak a word in season ;’—I mean as to the solemn discharge of it; otherwise occasional mutual encouragements unto faith and obedience are the common and constant duties of all believers. And the apostle speaks of the generality of Christians in those primitive times, that they were so “filled with all knowledge” as that they were “able to admonish one another,” Rom. xv.14; wherein as he requires an ability for it, so he ascribes it unto them. And unto them it belongs to see,—(1.) That it be done with words of truth. It is truth alone that in things of this nature is accompanied with authority, and attended with efficacy. If there be any failure in this foundation, the whole superstructure will sink of itself. Those, then, who undertake this duty must be sure to have a word of truth for their warrant, that those who are exhorted may hear Christ speaking in it; for whatever influence other words or reason- ings may have on their affections, their consciences will be uncon- cerned in them. And this should not only be virtually included in what is spoken, but also formally expressed, that it may put forth its authority immediately and directly. As exhortations that fail in truth materially (as they may, for man may exhort and persuade one another to error and false worship) are pernicious, so those which are not formally spirited or enlivened by an express word of Scripture are languid, weak, and vain. (2.) That it may be managed, unless especial circumstances require some variation, with words good and comfortable, words of consolation and encouragement. The word here used, as hath been shown, signifies to comfort as well as to exhort. Morose, severe expressions become not this duty, but such as wisdom will draw out from love, care, tenderness, compassion, and. the like compliant affections. These open and soften the heart, and make the entrance of the things insisted on smooth and easy into it. (3.) That it be accompanied with care and diligence for a suitable example in the practice and walking of the persons exhorting. An observation of the contrary will quickly frustrate the weightiest words
VER. 12-14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 14]
that look another way. LExhortation is nothing but an encourage- ment given unto others to walk with us or after us in the ways of God and the gospel. “ Be followers of me,” saith our apostle, “as I am of Christ.” And these are some of the heads on which we might discourse of this duty; which in that great degeneracy of Christianity whereinto the world is fallen, were not unnecessary to do, but I must not too much enlarge upon particulars:—