Obs. VII. Many to whom the promise of the gospel is proposed and preached do, or may, through their own sins, come short of the en- joyment of the things promised.
The caution here given unto the Hebrews, with the foundation of it in the example of those who did so miscarry, not only warrants, but makes necessary this observation from the words. And I wish it were a matter of difficulty to confirm the truth of what is here observed. But what is affirmed is but expressive of the state and condition of most of those in the world to whom the gospel is preached. They come short of all benefit or advantage by it. It ever was so, and it may be, for the most part, ever will be so in this world. That sentence of our Saviour contains the lot and state of men under the dispensation of the gospel: “ Many are called, but few are chosen.” It is true, “faith cometh by hearing,” but bare hearing will denominate no man a believer; more is required thereunto. Men, indeed, would probably much esteem the gospel, if it would save them merely at the cost and pains of others in preaching it. But God hath otherwise disposed of things; their own faith and obedience are also indispensably required hereunto. Without these, the promise considered in itself will not profit them; and as it is proposed unto them it will condemn them. What are the ways and means whereby men are kept off from enjoying the promise, and entering by faith into the rest of God, hath been declared on chap. iii. 12. Again,—
Obs. VIII. Not only backsliding through unbelief, but all appear- ances of tergiversation in profession and occasions of them, in times. of difficulty and trials, ought to be carefully avoided by professors: “Lest any of you should seem.” Not only a profession, but the beauty and glory of it is required of us.
We have often observed that it was now a time of great difficulty and of many trials unto these Hebrews. Such seasons are of great concernment to the glory of God, the honour of the gospel, the edi- fication of the church, and the welfare of the souls of men. For in.
VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 227
them all the things of God, and the interests of men in them, have a public, and as it were a visible transaction in the world. Now, therefore, the apostle would not have the least appearance of tergiver- sation, or drawing back, in them that make profession of the truth So he gives us caution elsewhere with the same respect, Eph. v, 15, 16, “ Walking circumspectly, redeem the time, because the days are evil.” The reason of both the duties enjoined is taken from the consideration of the evil of the days, filled with temptations, perse- cutions, and dangers. Then in all things professors are to walk axpibaic, “exactly,” “circumspectly,” “accurately.” And there are two heads of circumspect walking in profession during such a season. The first is, to “ adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things,” Tit. 11. 10; xoowodvreg viv didxoxxd/av,—rendering beautiful, lovely, comely, the doctrine of truth which we profess. Kosuéw is so “to adorn” any thing, as a bride decketh or adorneth herself with her jewels, to appear lovely and desirable,—an allusion which the Scrip- ture elsewhere maketh use of, Isa. lxi. 10, and by which Solomon sets out the spiritual glory and beauty of the church in his mystical song. This is a season wherein, by all accurate cireumspection in their walking and profession, believers ought to render what they believe and profess glorious and amiable in the eyes of all. And this for two ends:—1. That those who are of “the contrary part,” those that trouble and persecute them, may have pdtv guvaoy to say of them, Tit. ii. 8,—“ nihil improbum aut stultum,”—no wicked, no foolish matter to lay to their charge. And though the conviction that falls upon ungodly men may have no effect upon them, but a secret shame that they should pursue them with wrath and hatred against whom they have no evil or foolish matter to say, but are forced openly to fall upon them in things only “concerning the law of their God,” as Dan. vi. 5, yet God makes use of it to check and restrain that wrath, which if it brake forth would not turn to his praise, 1 Pet. ili. 16. 2. That others, who by their trials may be oceasioned to a more diligent consideration of them than at other times, may, by the ornaments put upon the truth, be brought over to a liking, approbation, and profession of it. In such a season be- lievers are set upon a theatre and made a spectacle to all the world, 1 Cor. iv. 9-13 ;—all eyes are upon them, to see how they will acquit themselves. And this is one reason whence times of trouble and persecution have usually been the seasons of the church’s growth and increase. All men are awakened to serious thoughts of the contest which they see in the world. And if thereon they find the ways of the gospel rendered glorious and amiable by the conversation and walking of them that do profess it, it greatly disposeth their minds to the acceptance of it. At such a season, therefore, above all others, there ought to be no appearances of tergiversation or de-