2. The temptations which are prevalent, and which unavoidably we are exposed unto. Every age and time hath its especial temp- tations; and it is the will of God that the church should be exer- cised with them and by them. And it were easy to manifest, that
108 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. VIII.
the darkness and ignorance of men, in not discerning the especial temptations of the age wherein they have lived, or neglecting of them, have been always the great causes and means of the apostasy of the church. Hereby hath superstition prevailed in one age, and profaneness in another; as false and noxious opinions in a third. Now, there is nothing that God requires more strictly of us, than that we should be wakeful against present prevalent temptations; and he chargeth us with guilt where we are not so. And those which are not awake with respect unto those temptations which are at this day prevalent in the world, are far enough from walking before God unto all well-pleasing. And sundry other things of the like nature might be mentioned unto the same purpose,
Obs. III. God often surpriseth the church with promises of grace and mercy.—In this place, where God complaineth of the people, findeth fault with them, chargeth them for not continuing in his covenant, and declares, that, as unto any thing in themselves, he “regarded them not,” it might be easily expected that he would proceed unto their utter casting off and rejection. But instead hereof, God surpriseth them, as it were, with the most eminent pro- mise of grace and mercy that ever was made, or could be made unto them. So he doth in like manner, Isa. vii, 18, 14, lvii. 17-19. And this he will do,—
1. That he may glorify the riches and freedom of his grace. This is his principal end in all his dispensations towards his church. And how can they be made more conspicuous than in the exercise of them then, when a people are so far from all appearance of any desert of them, as that God declares his judgment that they deserve his utmost displeasure?
2. That none who have the least remainder of sincerity, and de- sire to fear the name of God, may utterly faint and despond at any time, under the greatest confluence of discouragements. God can come in, and will ofttimes, in a way of sovereign grace, for the relief of the most dejected sinners. But we must proceed with our ex- position.
The SECOND thing contained in this verse, is the testumony itself insisted on. And there is in the testimony, 1. The author of the promise declared in it, “ He saith;” as afterwards, “Saith the Lord.” 2. The note of tts introduction, signalizing the thing intended, “ Be- hold.” 8. The time of the accomplishment of what is here fore- told and here promised, “ The days come wherein.” 4, The thing promised is “a covenant:” concerning which is expressed, (1.) He that makes it, “I,”—“TJ will make;” (2.) Those with whom it is made, “the house of Israel, and the house of Judah;” (3.) The manner of its making, cwvreAzow; (4.) The property of it, it is “a new covenant.”
VER. 8.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 109
‘J. He who gives this testimony is included in the word Aéye, “he
saith,”’—“ For finding fault with them, he saith.’ He who complains of the people for breaking the old cove- nant, promiseth to make the new. So in the next verse it is ex- pressed, “ Saith the Lord.” The ministry of the prophet was made use of in the declaration of these words and things, but they are properly his words from whom they are by immediate inspiration.
Obs. IV. “ He saith,’—that is, 717) DN3, “saith the Lorp,’—is the formal object of our faith and obedience.—Hereinto are they to be referred, herein do they acquiesce, and in nothing else will they so do. All other foundations of faith, as, ‘Thus saith the pope,’ or ‘Thus saith the church,’ or ‘Thus said our ancestors,’ are all but delusions. “Thus saith the Lorp,” gives rest and peace.
2. There is the note of introduction, calling unto attendance, N31, *1d0v, —“ Behold.” It is always found eminent, either in itself or in some of its circumstances, that is
thus prefaced. For the word calls for a more than ordinary dili- gence in the consideration of and attention unto what is proposed. And it was needful to signalize this promise; for the people unto whom it was given were very difficultly drawn from their adherence unto the old covenant, which was inconsistent with that now pro- mised. And there seems to be somewhat more intimated in this word than a call unto special attention; and that is, that the thing spoken of is plainly proposed unto them concerned, so as that they may look upon it, and behold it clearly and speedily. And so is this new covenant here proposed so evidently and plainly, both in the entire nature and properties of it, that unless men wilfully turn away their eyes, they cannot but see it.
Obs. V. Where God placeth a note of observation and attention, we should carefully fix our faith and consideration.—God sets not any of his marks in vain. And if, upon the first view of any place or thing so signalized, the evidence of it doth not appear unto us, we have a sufficient call unto further diligence in our inquiry. And if we are not wanting unto our duty, we shall discover some especial impression of divine excellency or another upon every such thing or place.