Obs. V. It is better to have an example than to be made an ex- ample of divine displeasure; yet this will befall us if we neglect the former: for,— i
Obs. VI. We ought to have no expectation of escaping vengeance under the guilt of those sins which others, in a like manner guilty of, have not escaped.
We are apt to flatter ourselves, that however it fared with others, it will go well with us; like him who blesseth himself, and says he shall have peace, when he hears the words of the curse. This self- pleasing and security variously insinuates itself into our minds, and tenaciously cleaves unto us; but as we have any care of our eternal welfare, we are to look upon it as our greatest enemy. There is no more certain rule for us to judge of our own condition, than the ex- amples of God’s dealings with others in the same. They are all effects of eternal and invariable righteousness; and “ with God there is no respect of persons.” I might here insist on the ways and means whereby this self-flattery imposeth false hopes and expecta- tions on men; as also on the duties required of us for to obviate and prevent its actings, but must not too often digress from our main purpose and design.
VER. 12, 13.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 347
VERSES 12, 13.
These next verses contain a new enforcement of the precedent exhortation, taken from the consideration of the means of the event threatened in case of unbelief. Two things are apt to arise in the minds of men for their relief against the fear of such comminations as are proposed unto them: 1. That their failing in point of duty may not be discerned or taken notice of. For they will resolve against such transgressions as are open, gross, and visible to all; as for what is partial and secret, in a defect of exactness and accuracy, that may be overlooked or not be observed. 2. That threatenings are proposed “in terrorem” only,—to terrify and awe men, but not with a mind or will of putting them into execution. Both these vain pretences and deceiving reliefs our apostle in these verses ob- viates the way of, or deprives men of them where they have been admitted. For he lets them know that they are to be tried by that, or have to do with Him, who both actually discovers all the secret frames of our hearts, and will deal with all men accordingly. More- over, herein he informs them how and in what manner it is neces- sary for them to attend unto his exhortation in the performance of their duty; namely, not in or by a mere outward observance of what is required of them with respect unto profession only, but with a holy jealousy and watchfulness over their hearts, and all the inti- mate recesses of their souls, the most secret actings of their spirits and thoughts of their minds; seeing all these things are open unto cognizance, and subject unto trial.
Ver. 12, 13.—Zaiv yap 6 Abyos rod cot, nal evepyic, nal romsirepos imtp ricav wayaipay Oicromov, xual diixvodmevog Ayps weriomod Luyys re nal avevaros, Gpnay re xual wuEerdv, nal xpitinds evduunoewv nol evvordrv nupoing nal odu tors xrioig apavis evoitiov adrots aévra de yume nal rerpaynrioneva Trois bQbarmore airod, apbs ov Hui 6 Aoyos.
Zav yep, “vivus enim.” Syr. "7 SO, “vivus est;” it supplies "7, “est,” as do all other translations, though there be an emphasis ofttimes in sundry languages in the omission of the verb substantive. Ours, “quick,” improperly ; for that word doth more ordinarily signify “ speedy,” than “ living:” and I doubt not but many are deceived in this place through the ambiguity of that word.
“O Aéyos, “ sermo,” “ yerbum;” so is that word promiscuously rendered by trans- lators, though the first using of “sermo” in John i. 1 caused some stir amongst them who had been long used to “ verbum.” But these words are promiscuously used, both by the ancients and learned men of latter days. Ours, “Theword.” Syr., mpde; the same word that it useth John i. 1, where the person of the Son of God is spoken of.
Kal évepyie, “ et efficax;” so all the Latin translators;—* efficacious,” “ effectual in operation,” “ powerful:” but that denotes the habit, this word intends the act, —* effectually operative.” Syr. 8722 >2°, “ et omnino,” or “ad omnia efficax,”—
348 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IV.
“altogether efficacious;” for évepyys denotes a very intimate, active, powerful operation or efficacy. Rhem. “ forcible.”
Kal roworepos. Vulg. Lat., Ari. Mon., “ penetrabilior.” Scarce properly, for participles in “bilis,’” are mostly passive; and in our language, “penetrable” is the description of a thing that may be pierced, or is easy so to be. Hence the Rhem. render it “ more piercing,” properly. Beza, “ penetrantior,” as Hras- mus. Walla, and from him Erasmus, say they would render it “inciden- tior,” were that a proper Latin word. Ours, “sharper;” not so properly,— “more cutting,” or “ more piercing.” Syr., >9 S271, “et longe penetrantior;” “and much more cutting,” “sharp,” or “piercing.” It adds “cal” and “tab,” to express the form of the comparative degree used in the original. ’
‘Yrto réonv waxerpay diorowov, “super omnem gladium ancipitem,” “ above any two-edged sword.” ‘Yzép being added to the preceding comparative ropa- rspoc, eminently exalts one of the comparates above the other. Syr. )272 32", “ before a sword with two mouths.” Both the Hebrews and the Greeks call the edge of the sword its mouth,—oreua rig wexaipus, “ the mouth of the sword,”—it being that wherewith it devours. Beza, “quovis gladio anci- piti.” Eras., “utrinque incidente.” Arab., “and in cutting sharper than a sword of two edges.” Ethiopic, “than a razor.” Ours, “than any two-edged sword.”