2. A time of persecution is such a season, yea, it may be the prin- cipal season here intended ; for hence arose the great danger of these Hebrews in the course of their profession, as our apostle declares at large, Heb. x. And this is the greatest trial that in general God exer- ciseth his church withal. In such a season some seed quite decayeth, some stars fall from heaven, some prove fearful and unbelieving to their eternal ruin. And few there are but that, where persecution is urgent, it hath some impression upon them to their disadvantage. Carnal fears, with carnal wisdom and counsels, are apt to be at work in such a season; and all the fruit that comes from these evil roots is bitter. Hence many make it their only design, in such a season, to creep through it and live; to be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” unto the performance of all the duties which the gospel requireth, and as it requires them, they have no design. But by this means, as God hath no revenue of glory from them, nor the church of advantage, so they will scarce find inward peace when out- ward trouble is over. This, then, is a season wherein, if ever, an especial address is needful for especial aid.
3. A time of temptation is such a season. Our apostle found it so when he had the “ messenger of Satan sent to buffet him.” Thrice did he pray and cry out for especial assistance against it, or deliver- ance from it; and he got assurance of them both. This, added to the former, completed the condition of these Hebrews. With their per- secutions they had manifold temptations. These made it a time of need unto them. In reference to this season and the power of it doth our apostle give that great caution, “ Let him that thinketh he
436 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. Iv.
standeth take heed lest he fall,’ 1 Cor. x. 12. And wherein doth this heedfulness principally consist? In an application to him who is “ faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it,” verse 13; that is, who will give out sea- sonable help, “ help in a time of need.”
4, A time of spiritual desertion is such a season. When God in any way withdraws himself from us, we shall stand in need of special assistance. “Thou didst hide thy face,” saith David, “and I was troubled.” Trouble will ensue on God’s hiding himself from us. But this is of the mystery of his grace, that when he withdraws him- self from any soul as to sense and experience, whereby it is troubled, he can secretly communicate of himself unto it ina way of strength whereby it shall be sustained.
5, A time wherein we are called unto the performance of any great and signal duty is such a season also. So was it with Abraham when he was called first to leave his country, and afterwards to sacrifice his son. Such was the call of Joshua to enter into Canaan, pro- posed to our example, Heb. xiii. 5; and of the apostles to preach the gospel, when they were sent out “as sheep in the midst of wolves.” Now, although we may not perhaps be called in particular to such duties as these, yet we may be so to them which have an equal great- ness in them with respect unto us and our condition, Something that is new, that we are yet unexperienced in, something that there is great opposition against, somewhat that may cost us dear, some- what that as to the state of the inward and outward man we may seem to be every way unfit for, somewhat that the glory of God is in an especial manner concerned in, we may be called unto. And there is nothing of this nature which doth not render the time of it a sea- son wherein we stand in need of especial aid and assistance.
6. Times of changes, and the difficulties wherewith they are at- tended, introduce such a season. ‘Changes and war,” saith Job, are against me,” chap. x. 17. There is in all changes a war against us, wherein we may be foiled if we are not the more watchful, and have not the better assistance. And freedom from changes is in most the ground of carnal security: Ps. lv. 19, “ Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Changes will beget fear; they are trials to all that are subject unto them. And these we are in all instances of life continually obnoxious unto. No man can enumerate the vicissitudes of our course; yet no one of them can we pass through in a due manner without renewed especial assistances of grace.
7. The time of death is such a season. To let go all hold of pre- sent things and present hopes, to give up a departing soul entering into the invisible world, and an unchangeable eternity therein, into
VER. 16.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. *. SST
the hands of a sovereign Lord, is a thing which requires a strength above our own for the right and comfortable performance of.