Obs. II. The assured salvation of the church of old from the foun- dation of the world, by virtue of the one offering of Christ, is a strong confirmation of the faith of the church at present to look for and expect everlasting salvation thereby. To this end we may con- sider,—
(1.) That their faith had all the difficulties to conflict withal that our faith is to be exercised with, and yet it carried them through them all, and was victorious. Thisargument, for the strengthening of our faith, the apostle insists upon in the whole 11th chapter throughout. In particular, [1.] They had all the trials, afflictions, and temptations, that we have;—some of them unto such a degree
as the community of believers met not withal. Yet was not their
faith by any of them prevailed against. And why should we de- spond under the same trials? [2.] They had all of them the guilé of sin, in the same or the like kind with us. Even Elijah was a man subject unto the like passions with others. Yet did not their sins hinder them from being brought unto the enjoyment of God. Nor shall ours, if we walk in the steps of their faith. [3.] They had all the same enemies to conflict withal that we have. Sin, the world, and Satan, made no less opposition unto them than they do unto us. Yet were they victorious against them all. And follow- ing their example, we may look for the same success.
(2.) They wanted many advantages of faith and holiness which we enjoy. Yor, [1.] They had not a clear revelation of the nature of God’s way of salvation. his is that which gives life and vigour unto gospel-faith. Yet did they follow God through the dark re- presentation of his mind and grace unto the eternal enjoyment of him. We cannot miss our way, unless we wilfully “ neglect so great salvation.” [2.] They had not such plentiful communications of the Holy Spirit as are granted under the gospel; but being faithful in that little which they received, they missed not of the reward. [3.] They had not that light, those directions for the actings of faith unto consolation and assurance, with many more advantages unto
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all the ends of faith and obedience, which believers now enjoy; yet in this state and condition, by virtue of the one offering of Christ, they were all pardoned and eternally saved. The consideration hereof tends greatly to the confirmation of the faith of them who truly believe.
SEconDLY, The latter part of this verse contains the confirmation of the argument proposed in the former, And it consists in a de- claration of the true state, nature, efficacy, and circumstances of the one offering of Christ, now accomplished according unto the will of © God.
There are three things in the words: 1. An opposition unto, or a rejection of the supposition of Christ’s offering himself often since the foundation of the world. 2. An assertion of the use, end, and efficacy of that offering, manifesting the uselessness of its repetition. 3. The means of accomplishing that end, or whereby he came to offer himself.
The opposition unto the rejected supposition is in these words, “But now once in the end of the world.” And every word hath its distinct force in the opposition :—
1, As unto the time in general: “But now.” Noy, “now,” generally is a limitation of time unto the present season; opposed to rére, “then.” But sometimes it is only a note of opposition, when joined with 42, “but,” as in this place. It may be taken in either sense, or include both. In the latter, “ But now,” is no more, ‘ Butit is not so, it is otherwise, and so declared to be; he did not offer himself often since the world began. A limitation of time may also be included in it. ‘ Now, at this time and season, it is declared that things are otherwise ordered and disposed.’ This makes the opposition more emphatical. ‘ Now it is, and now only, that Christ hath suffered, and not before.’
2. He did this “once,” éra%; which is opposed unto woAAdxis, “often.” The apostle useth this word on this occasion, verse, 28, chap. x. 2, So1 Pet. ii 18. So he doth épamaé, “ once for all,” chap. x. 10. He hereby confines our thoughts about the offering of Christ unto that time and action wherein he offered himself unto God in his death. He speaks of it as a thing once performed, and then past; which cannot be referred unto the continual presentation of himself in heaven. ‘Thus it is,’ saith he, in matter of fact, ‘he hath not often, but once only, offered himself.’
3. He confirms his opposition unto the rejected supposition by
‘Ee) per. on especial denotation of the time when he once offered asi civ aid himself. He did it “in the end of the world,”’—é=) ow- ae? rereig, rav aidvov: In opposition unto dard xara€orgs xdowov. ‘Not then, but now; not often, but once; not from the foundation of the world, but in the end of it.’
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VER., 26. ] _ EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. ~ 401
There is no question as unto the thing itself, or the time intended