1. Whether this commination may be extended to all ages, times, and seasons? or whether it were confined unto the present state of the Hebrews, with the circumstances they were in? The reasons of the inquiry are, (1.) Because their circumstances were eminently peculiar, and such as cannot befall others in any season. (2.) Be- cause there was a temporal destruction then impendent over them, ready to devour apostates; which cannot be applied unto them who fall into the same sin at other seasons. |
2. Whether the sin intended may include great actual sins after — the profession of the gospel, answering such as under the law were — said to be committed “ with an high hand?”
3. Whether there may be hopes for the persons here intended, though no express provision be made in the covenant for the expia- tion of this sin?
4, Whether there be any defect in the priesthood of Christ, that ita . hath but one sacrifice for sins, which if it be neglected and despised _ can never be repeated, nor can any other sacrifice be added unto it? —
5. If a person who hath voluntarily forsaken and renounced the — gospel, with a great appearance of all the circumstances that concur —
Obx ers aro- Delaeras,
Oucia sept LLU PTIOY.
VER. 26, 27. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 533 f
unto the state of the sin here mentioned, should make profession of repentance, what may be conceived concerning his.eternal condition? what is the duty of the church concerning such an one?
These things shall be spoken unto elsewhere.
Obs. IV. The loss of an interest in the sacrifice of Christ, on what account or by what means soever it fall out, is absolutely ruinous unto the souls of men.
Ver. 27.—“ But a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”
When a man under the law had contracted the guilt of any such’ sin as was indispensably capital in its punishment, for the legal ex- piation whereof no sacrifice was appointed or allowed, such as mur- der, adultery, blasphemy, he had nothing remaining but a fearful expectation of the execution of the sentence of the law against him. And it is evident that in this context the apostle argues from the less unto the greater: ‘If it was so, that this was the case of him who so sinned against Moses’ law, how much more must it be so with them that sin against the gospel, whose sin is. incomparably greater, and the punishment more severe?’
The connection of the words with those foregoing, by the adver- sative 6 for ddAd, includes or brings along with it the verb drove aerus, “there remaineth:” ‘No sacrifice for sin is left or remains; but there doth remain or abide for such persons a fearful expecta- tion of judgment.’ ;
There are two things in these words: 1. The punishment due unto the sins of apostates, which is three ways expressed: (1.) By the gene- ral nature of it, it is “judgment;” (2.) By the special nature of that judgment, it is “fiery indignation ;” (3.) By the efficacy of it unto its end, it “ devours the adversaries.” 2. The certain approach of this judgment, “ there remaineth a fearful expectation.”
1. This last lies first in the words. And,—
(1.) That which we render “ certain,” is in the original only ric. It doth not denote an assured expectation, nor the cer- tainty of the punishment; but only a certain kind of expectation, “a kind of fearful expectation.” Nor is this spoken in the way of diminution, but to intimate something that is inexpressible, such as no heart can conceive or tongue express. 1 Pet. iv. 17, 18, “What shall be the end of them who obey not the gospel?...... Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
(2.) ’Exdox4, an “expectation,” is the frame of mind with respect unto any thing that is future, good or bad, wherein we are concerned, that we are to look for, whatever it be, —which we have reason and grounds to think will come unto us or befall us.
Tis.
"Exdoyn.
534 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. x.
(3.) This expectation is said to be goCepé, “ fearful,” tremendous, which men can neither conflict withal nor avoid, as we shall see further, verse 31;—that which fills the mind with dread and horror, depriving it of all comfort and relief. An expectation of this dreadful and terrible nature may be taken two ways: [1.] For the certain relation that is between the sin and punishment spoken of ; the punishment is unavoidable, as any thing is which upon the most certain grounds is looked 'for. So they are said only metaphorically to look for that which will certainly ensue. [2.] As it expresseth the frame of the minds of them concerning it. And though the assertion may be used in the former sense, yet I doubt not but this latter also is included in it; and that also ontwo accounts: 1st. Because if they did set themselves unto the consider- ation of the event of their apostasy, nothing else could befall their minds, nothing could present itself unto them for their relief; their minds will not admit of other thoughts but what belongs to this dreadful expectation. 2dly. On the account of that dread and terror that God sends at times into the minds and consciences of such per- sons. They may bear it high, and with an ostentation of satisfaction in what they have done, yea, commonly they proclaim a self-justification, and prove desperate persecutors of them who sacredly adhere unto the truth; but as he said of old of tyrants, that if their breasts were opened, it would appear what tortures they have within, I am _per- suaded it is probable that God very seldom lets them pass in this world without tormenting fear and dread of approaching judgments, —which is a broad entrance into hell.