VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 219
boldness, enlargedness of mind, and plainness of speech, in crying, “ Abba, Father.”
Thirdly, Evangelical rest consists in a delivery from the yoke and bondage of Mosaical institutions. Yor as the people of old had a spirit of bondage within them, so they had without upon them Zbyo», “a yoke;” and that not only in itself ducCéoraxrov, “heavy and grievous to be borne,” but such as eventually they could not bear, Acts xv. 10. They could never so bear or carry it as to make com- fortable work under it. ‘O véijuog réiv évrordiv év déymaor, “the law of commands,” that principally consisted in commandments, and those greatly multiplied, as we have showed elsewhere, being also positive, absolute, severe, or dogmatical, was burdensome unto them, Eph. ii, 15, This yoke is now taken away, this law is abrogated, and peace, with rest in Christ, in whom we are “complete,” Col. i. 10, and who “is the end of the law for righteousness,” are come in the room of them. And this rest in the consciences of men from an obligation unto an anxious, scrupulous observation of a: multitude of carnal ordinances, and that under most severe revenging penal- ties, isno small part of that rest which our Saviour makes that great encouragement unto sinners to come unto him, Matt. xi. 28-30.
Fourthly, This rest consists in that gospel-worship whereunto we are called. This is a blessed rest on manifold accounts:—1. Of that freedom and liberty of spirit which believers have in the obedience of it. They obey God therein, not in the “oldness of the letter,” év roruirnri ypdjuar0¢,—in that old condition of bondage wherein we were when the law was our husband, that rigorously ruled over as,
_—but éy zawérnr: Tvebuarcs, in the “newness of the Spirit,” or the ‘strength of that renewing Spirit which we have received in Christ Jesus, Rom. vii. 6, as was before declared. 2. Of the strength and assistance which the worshippers have for the performance of the worship itself in a due and acceptable manner. The law prescribed many duties, but it gave no strength to perform them spiritually. Constant supplies of the Spirit accompany the administration of the gospel in them that believe. There is an émyopnyia rod Mvebuuros, Phil. i. 19, “a supply of the Spirit,” continually given out to believ- ers from Christ, their head, Eph. iv. 15,16. Xopnyia, or xophynua, is a sufficient provision administered unto a person for his work or busi- ness; and éaryopnyia is a continual addition unto that provision, for
“every particular act or duty of that work or business; “ prioris sup- peditationis corollarium,’—a complemental addition unto a former supply or provision. This believers have in their observance of gospel-worship. They do not only receive the Spirit of Christ, fit- ting and enabling their persons for this work in general, but they have continual additions of spiritual strength, or supplies of the Spirit, for and unto every special duty. Hence have they great
220 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [cHap. Iv.
peace, ease, and rest, in the whole course of it. 3. The worshzp it- self, and the obedience required therein, is not grievous, but easy, gentle, rational, suited unto the principles of the new nature of the worshippers. Hence they never more fully partake of spiritual rest, nor have clearer evidences of their interest and entrance into eternal rest, than in and by the performance of the duties of it.
Fifthly, This is also God’s rest ; and by entering into it believers enter into the rest of God. For,—l. God resteth ultimately and absolutely, as to all the ends of his glory, in Christ, as exhibited in the gospel,—that is, he in whom his “soul delighteth,” Isa. xlii. 1, and “in whom he is well pleased,’ Matt. xvii. 5. In him his wis- dom, righteousness, holiness, and grace, do rest, as being exalted and glorified according to his purpose. 2. Through him he rests in his love towards believers also. As of old, in the sacrifices which were types of him, it is said that he “smelled a savour of rest,” Gen. viii. 21, so that on his account he would not destroy men, though sinners ; so in him he is expressly said to “rest in his love” towards them, Zeph. iii. 17. 3. This is that worship which he ultimately and unchangeably requires in this world. He always gave out rules and commands for his outward worship, from the foundation of the world; but he still did so with a declaration of this reserve, to add what he pleased unto former institutions, and did accordingly, as we have declared on the first verse of this epistle. Moreover, he gave intimation that a time of reformation was to come, when all those institutions should expire and be changed. Wherefore in them the rest of God could not absolutely consist, and which on all oeca- sions he did declare. But now things are quite otherwise with respect unto gospel-worship; for neither will God ever make any additions unto what is already instituted and appointed by Christ, nor is it liable unto any alteration or change unto the consumma- tion of all things. This, therefore, is God’s rest and ours.
Obs. IV. It is a matter of great and tremendous consequence, to have the promises of God left and proposed unto us.