2. The prophet expresseth the subject spoken of indefinitely, US yASs —“«A man his neighbour, a man his brother;” that is, any man: the apostle by the universal éxaoros, “every man;” which is also reducible unto any one,—every one that is or may be called to this work, or hath occasion or opportunity for it. For of this teach- ing, the rule is ability and opportunity;—he that can do it, and hath an opportunity for it.
3. That which they taught or intended in that expression, “Know the Lord,” is the same with what is promised in the latter part of the verse, where it must be spoken unto. |
Some things, according to our method and design, may be ob- served from the exposition of these words.
Obs. XVIII. The instructive ministry of the old testament, as it was such only, and with respect unto the carnal rites thereof, was a ministry of the letter, and not of the Spirit, which did not really effect in the hearts of men the things which it taught.—The spiritual benefit which was obtained under it proceeded from the promise, and not from the efficacy of the law, or the covenant made at Sinai. For as such, as it was legal and carnal, and had respect only unto outward things, it is here laid aside.
Obs. XIX. There is a duty incumbent on every man to instruct others, according to his ability and opportunity, in the knowledge of God; the law whereof, being natural and eternal, is always ob- ligatory on all sorts of persons.—This is not here either prohibited or superseded; but only it is foretold, that as unto a certain man- ner of the performance of it, it should cease. That it generally ceaseth now in the world, is no effect of the promise of God, but a cursed fruit of the unbelief and wickedness of men. The highest degree in religion which men now aim at, is but to attend unto and learn by the public teaching of the ministry. And, alas, how few
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VER. 10-12. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 165
are there who do it conscientiously, unto the glory of God and the spiritual benefit of their own souls! The whole business of teaching and learning the knowledge of God is generally turned into a formal spending, if not misspense of so much time. But as for the teaching of others according unto ability and opportunity, to endeavour for abilities, or to seek for opportunities thereof, it is not only for the most part neglected, but despised. How few are there who take any care to instruct their own children and servants! but to carry this duty farther, according unto opportunities of instructing others, is a thing that would be looked on almost as madness, in the days wherein we live. We have far more that mutually teach one another sin, folly, yea, villany of all sorts, than the knowledge of God and the duty we owe unto him. This is not what God here promiseth in a way of grace, but what he hath given up careless, unbelieving professors of the gospel unto, in a way of vengeance.
Obs. XX. It is the Spirit of grace alone, as promised in the new covenant, which frees the church from a laborious but ineffectual way of teaching.—Such was that in use among the Jews of old; and it is well if somewhat not much unlike it do not prevail among many at thisday. Whoever he be who, in all his teaching, doth not take his encouragement from the internal, effectual teaching of God under the covenant of grace, and bends not all his endeavours to be subservient thereunto, hath but an old testament ministry, which ceaseth as unto any divine approbation.
Obs. XXI. There was a hidden treasure of divine wisdom, of the knowledge of God, laid up in the mystical revelations and institu-
' tions of the old testament, which the people were not then able to
look into, nor to comprehend.—The confirmation and explanation of this truth is the principal design of the apostle in this whole epistle. This knowledge, those among them that feared God and believed the promises stirred up themselves and one another to look after and to inquire into, saying unto one another, “ Know the
Lord;” howbeit their attainments were but small, in comparison of
what is contained in the ensuing promise.
Obs. XXII. The whole knowledge of God in Christ is both plainly revealed and savingly communicated, by virtue of the new covenant, unto them who do believe, as the next words declare.
The positive part of the promise remaineth unto consideration. And two things must be inquired into: 1. Unto whom it is made. 2. What is the subject-matter of it:—
1. Those unto whom it is made are su expressed in the prophet, poi owWpH? DAD. The expression of them absolutely, and then by a distribution, is emphatical. The former the apostle renders in the plural number, as the words are in the original, révre¢ abrav: but the terms of the distribution he ren-
Tldéyres avray.
166 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. VIII.
dereth in the singular number, which increaseth the emphasis, awd Minpod abrav EwS mEyaroU HTD.
The proposition is universal, as to the modification of the subject, wévres, “all;” but in the word airéy; “ of them,” itis restrained unto those alone with whom this covenant is made.