The nature of this mutual exhortation among Christian believers in church societies hath been discoursed on chap. iii. Here it is opposed unto the evil dehorted from, “ Forsake not, ...... but exhort one another.” Wherefore it is comprehensive of the general nature of all the duties of believers in church societies, and it hath a spe-- cial respect unto constancy and perseverance in the profession of the faith, and diligent attendance unto the duties of gospel-worship, as is evident from 1 the whole context. This is the duty of all pro- fessors of the gospel, namely, to persuade, to encourage, to exhort one another unto constancy in profession, with resolution and forti- tude of mind against difficulties, dangers, and oppositions;—a duty
"AAAL rae puxarouvres.
VER. 25.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 525
which a state of persecution will teach them, who intend not to leave any thing of Christ’s. And it is never the more inconsiderable because the practice of it is almost lost out of the world, as we said before.
The motive unto these duties is, “the approach of the day.” Wherein we have, 1. A degree added unto the performance of these duties from this motive, Tosotrw p&rrov,—* So much the more.” 2. The motive itself, which is, “The approach of the day.” 3. The evidence they had of it, “ Ye see.”
1. There is from this motive an especial degree to be added unto the performance of the duties before mentioned. ‘They are such as ought always to be attended unto, howbeit this is a season wherein it is our duty to double our diligence about them.’ For this, “so much the rather,” refers distinctly unto all the duties before men- tioned, being to be repeated, dd rod xvod. Wherefore, although the word of Christ, in his institutions and commands, doth make duties constantly in their performance necessary unto us, yet there are warnings and works of Christ whose consideration ought to excite us unto a peculiar diligence in attendance unto them. And,—
(1.) Such warnings of Christ there are unto his church, both by his word and by his providence. For although he speaks not now immediately unto them by revelations, yet he speaks unto them mediately in his word. All the warnings he hath left on record in the Scripture, given unto his churches in the various conditions wherein they were,—as, for instance, those in the second and third of the Revelation,—are given likewise unto all the churches now that are in the same.state or condition wherein they were. And he doth it by his providence, in threatenings, efficacious trials, and per- secutions, 1 Cor. xi. 30-32.
(2.) The principal end of these warnings is, to stir us up unto more diligence in attendance unto the duties of his worship in the assem- blies of the church; as is manifest in all his dealings with the seven churches, as types of all others. For, [1.] Our neglect therein is the cause of that displeasure which he in his warnings and trials calls us unto: “For this cause many are weak and sickly, and many
sleep.” “ Because thou art lukewarm, I will do so and so.” [2.] Because without a diligent care we cannot pass through trials of any nature, in persecution, in public calamities, unto his glory and our own safety; for by a neglect of these duties all graces will decay, carnal fears will prevail, counsel and help will be wanting, and the soul will be betrayed into innumerable dangers and_perplexities. [3.] Without it, it will not be to the glory of Christ to evidence his presence amongst them in their trials, or give deliverance to them.
Wherefore we may consider what belongs unto this, “and so much the rather,” what additions unto our performance of those duties is required from this motive:—
526 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. X.
(1.) A recovery of ourselves from outward neglects in attendance upon church-assemblies. Such there have been amongst us, on various pretences: which if, on renewed warnings, we recover not ourselves from, we are in danger of eternal ruin; for so the case is stated in this place.
(2.) A diligent inquiry into all the duties which belong to the assemblies of believers is comprised here by the apostle, under the general head of mutual consideration, provocation, and exhortation, that we be not found defective through our ignorance and unac- quaintedness with what he doth require.
(3.) Spiritual diligence in stirring up our hearts and minds unto sincerity, zeal, and delight in the performance of them; in all labour- ing after a recovery from our decays and backslidings: which is the design of most of the epistles of Christ unto the seven churches. Wherefore,—
Obs. VII. When especial warnings do not excite us unto renewed diligence in known duties, our condition is dangerous as unto the continuance of the presence of Christ amongst us.
2, The motive itself is, “the approach of the day.” Concern-
ing which we must inquire, (1.) What day it is that Evyicouew is intended. (2.) How it did approach. And then, TAY NLEPaY. < . . . . how it did evidence itself so to be, as they saw it.
(1.) The day, +jv juzpav, “an eminent day.” The rule whereby we may determine what day is intended is this: It was such a day as was a peculiar motive unto the Hebrews, in their present circumstances, to attend diligently unto the due per- formance of gospel duties. It is not such a day, such a motive, as is always common to all, but only unto those who are in some measure in the same circumstances with them. Wherefore it is neither the day of death personally unto them, nor the day of the future judgment absolutely that is intended: for these are common unto all equally, and at all times, and are a powerful motive in general unto the performance of gospel duties; but not an especial, peculiar motive at some time unto peculiar diligence. Wherefore this day was no other but that fearful and tremendous day, a season for the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, city, and nation of the Jews, which our Saviour had forewarned his disciples of, and which they had in continual expectation.