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578 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. V.
3. They are such, as that if they are not duly learned, rightly understood, and if the mind be not possessed with them, all en- deavours after higher attainments in light and knowledge are preposterous, and will prove fruitless. Yea, some are reaching; and among others, sundry consequents, all of them dangerous, and some of them pernicious, do ensue on this neglect. For, (1.) Some are apt to be reaching after abstruse speculations, both in them- selves and in the manner of their revelation, before they have any acquaintance with those “‘first principles of the oracles of God.” And constantly one of these events doth ensue; for either they are “al- ways learning, and never come to the knowledge of the truth,” weary- ing themselves in the search of such things as they cannot comprehend nor be led into a right understanding of ; or else are “vainly puffed up in their fleshly minds,” upon a presumption that they know some marvellous thing beyond the common rate of other men, when they know nothing as they ought, nothing with respect unto its proper principles. (2.) This is the cause whence so many persons, using in- dustry and diligence in the hearing of the word, do yet learn, thrive, and profit so little as they do. All preaching, at least for the most part, supposeth a knowledge of these first principles; with- out which not one word that is spoken therein can well be under- stood. Many, therefore, being unacquainted with them, must of necessity lose that advantage by the preaching of the word which otherwise they might attain. And this was the very case in hand between our apostle and the Hebrews, which put him to such a strait. He knew that it was his duty to declare to the church “the whole counsel of God,” and that in the deepest and most mysterious truths of the gospel, so carrying them on to perfection; but he also found that these things would prove unprofitable to many, because their minds were not as yet well inlaid with the “ first principles of the oracles of God.” This put him to the strait he expresseth in the beginning of the sixth chapter. And so it falls out among our- selves. It is ofttimes a grief unto us, to consider how many of our hearers seem to have little advantage by the best of our endeavours, because of their ignorance. in the supposed principles and founda- tions of what we deliver. Hence they hear, and go away altogether unconcerned in what they have heard; and,it may be, complain of the sermon or preacher, when the fault was solely in their own under- standings. But as we ought, for the sake of some who are real beginners, to divert unto their instruction in those fundamental principles of religion ; so we ought not, in a compliance with their sloth and negligence who have carelessly omitted the acquainting of themselves with them, cease our endeavour to carry on more diligent and thriving souls toward perfection,—nor would Paul do so in this place. In the meantime, parents, masters, ministers, all in
VER. 12-14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 579
their several stations and capacities, ought to consider of how great importance it is to have all those committed to their care, or under their inspection, well instructed in those “ first principles of the ora- cles of God.” (3.) Hence it is that multitudes are so easily seduced unto foolish and sottish errors, and such as overthrow the founda- tion of truth and faith in them who do entertain them. Things are proposed unto them under specious pretences, which at first seem to have somewhat excellent and peculiar in them, and, as far as they can discern, are of no evil tendency; but after they have embraced them, and are brought under their power, it is found, when it is too late, that they have virtually renounced the foundation of the gospel, and are now taken in the snare that cannot be broken, for it is for their life.
4, These principles are such, as that if they alone are known, received, believed, obeyed, provided their progress in knowledge be not obstructed by men’s own negligence, prejudices, or lusts, they may attain the end of faith and obedience, in the salva- tion of their souls. They are such, as without the express know- ledge whereof in those that are adult, the Scripture speaks nothing of any possibility of attaining unto life and immortality. And as was declared before, the knowledge of them, where they are not duly improved unto an increase of light, according to the means we do enjoy, is no way available; but upon a supposition that a man is brought unto an acquaintance with these principles of the oracles of God, in the want of means and advantages to carry him on towards perfection in the knowledge of other principles of truth, useful and necessary in their places and circumstances, though he should be ignorant of them, or fall into errors about them, not incon- sistent with or destructive of the principles he hath received, they are sufficient in their own kind to lead and conduct him unto rest with God. And as this consideration will not give the least countenance unto the sloth or negligence of any who do or may enjoy the ad- vantage of growing in the knowledge of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ ; so it is a relief with respect unto their condition who, by reason of the blindness of their pretended guides, or on any other occasion, are not supplied with the means of a further improvement.