Ver. 19-23.—Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and [having] an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near
with a true heart, in aaa assurance of faith, having our VOL, XXIIL 32
: >t = ee 498 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [cHAp. x.
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of [owr] faith without wavering: (for he [%s] faithful that promised.)
Tn these words the apostle enters on the last part of the epistle, which is wholly parenetical, or hortatory. For though there be some occasional intermixtures of doctrines consonant unte them before insisted on, yet the professed design of the whole remainder of the epistle is to propose unto and press on the Hebrews such duties, of various sorts, as the truths he had insisted upon do direct unto and make necessary unto all that believe. And in all his ex- hortations there is a mixture of the ground of the duties exhorted unto, of their necessity, and of the privilege which we have in being admitted unto them and accepted with them; all taken from the priesthood and sacrifice of Christ, with the effects of them, and the benefits which we receive thereby.
In these words there are three things:—1. The ground and reason of the duty exhorted unto, with the foundation of it, as the special privilege of the gospel, verses 19-21. 2. The way and manner of our using this privilege unto that end, verse 22. 3. The special duty exhorted unto, which is, perseverance and constancy in be- heving, verse 23. .
In the first we have, 1. A note of inference, or deduction of the following exhortation from what was before discoursed; od», “ there- fore.” 2. A friendly compellation of them to whom he spake, used formerly, but now repeated after a long interruption; d@é:Ago/, “brethren.” 3. The privilege itself, which is the foundation of the exhortation; ixorres wosdinciaw sig viv sicodey ry &yiav, “ having bold- ness to enter into the holiest.” 4. The means whereby we attain the privilege which fits us for this duty; é r¢ aiuars Ineo’, “ by the blood of Jesus,” verse 19. 5. The means of using and exercising it as a privilege in a way of duty; “the way is consecrated for us,” verse 20. 6. A further encouragement unto it, from the consideration of our high priest; “ having an high priest,” verse 21.
1. The apostle repeats his obliging compellation, “ Brethren.” And herein he hath a peculiar respect unto those among the Hebrews who had received the gospel im sincerity. For although there was a natural brotherhood between him and the ~ whole people of Israel, and they were always wont to call them- selves, “ brethren” in general, on the account of their original stock and separation from the rest of the world, as Acts xxviii 21, yet this word and name is used by the apostle on the account of that spiritual relation which was between them “which believe in God through Jesus Christ.” See chap. ili. 1, and the exposition of it —
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VER. 19-23.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 499
And the apostle by the use of it here testifies unto two things: (1.) That although they had not as yet a full understanding of the nature and use of all legal institutions and sacrifices, nor of their abolishing by the coming of Christ, and the discharge of his office, yet this had not forfeited their interest in the heavenly call- ing; on account whereof he dealt with them as with brethren. (2.) That this difference, so far as it had yet continued, had no way alienated his mind and affections from them, though he knew how _ great their mistake was, and what danger, even of eternal ruin, it exposed them unto. Hereby were the minds of those Hebrews secured from prejudice against his person and his doctrine, and in- clined unto a compliance with his exhortation. Had he called them heretics and schismatics, and I know not what other names of re- proach,—which are the terms in use upon the like occasions amongst us,—he had, in all probability, turned that which was lame quite out of the way. But he had another Spirit, was under another con- duct of wisdom and grace, than most men are now acquainted withal. Obs. I. Tt is not every mistake, every error, though it be in things of great importance, while it overthrows not the foundation, that can divest men of a fraternal interest with others in the heavenly calling 2. There is a note of inference from the preceding discourse, de- _ daring it the ground of the present exhortation; ofy, : “therefore:” ‘Seeing that these things are now aoade - manifest unto you,—seeing it is so evidently testified unto that the old covenant, sacrifices, and worship, could not make us perfect, nor give us an access unto God, whereon they are removed and taken away, which the Scripture fully testifies unto; and seeing all this is _ effected or accomplished in the office and by this caeaifien’ Gh Christ, _ which they could not effect, and privileges are thereon granted unto __ believers which they were not before made partakers of; let us make % Piped them unto the glory of God and our own salvation, in the duties which they necessarily require.’ And we may observe, that the apostle applies this inference from his discourse unto the use and improvement of the liberty and privileges granted unto us in _ Christ, with the holy worship belonging thereunto, as we shall see in opening of the words) Howbeit there is another conclusion im- plied in the words, though not expressed by him; and this is, that _ they should cease and give over their attendance unto the legal worship and sacrifices, as those which now were altogether Rem cil being indeed abolished. This is the principal design of the apostle in the whole epistle, namely, to call off the believing Hebrews from _ adherence unto and conjunction in Mosaical institutions; for he knew the danger, both spiritual and temporal, which would accom- yany and arise from such an adherence. For,—