Obs. V. There is an inseparable concatenation between apostasy and eternal ruin. i Obs. VI. God oftentimes visits the minds of cursed apostates'’
with dreadful expectations of approaching wrath.
Obs. VII. When men have hardened themselves in sin, no fear of punishment will either rouse or stir them up to seek after relief.
Obs. VIII. A dreadful expectation of future wrath, without hope of relief, is an open entrance into hell itself.
2. This dreadful punishment is described by the general nature of it. -
(1.) It is xpiois, “judgment.” It is not a thing that is dubious, that may fall out, or may not do so. Itis not an unaccountable severity that they are threatened withal; but it is a just and righteous sentence, denouncing punishment proportionate unto their sin and crime. “Judgment” is taken sometimes for punishment itself, Ps. ix. 16; James ii. 13; 1 Pet. iv. 17; 2 Pet. ii 3. But most com. ~ monly it is used for the sentence of judicial condemnation and trial, determining the offender unto punishment; and so it is most com- monly used to express the general judgment that shall pass on all
Dobepe.
Kpictws.
VER. 26, 27. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. bab
mankind at the last day; Matt. x. 15, xi. 22, 24, xii. 86; Mark vi. 11; 2 Pet. ii. 9, 11.7; 1 John iv. 17. I doubt not but that in the word as here used both these are included, namely, the righteous sentence of God judging and determining on the guilt of this sin, and the punishment itself which ensues thereon, as it is immediately described, And although respect be had herein principally to the judgment of the great day, yet is it not exclusive of any previous judgments that are preparatory unto it and pledges of it; such was that droadful judgment which was then coming on the apostate church of the Hebrews.
Obs. 1X. The expectation of future judgment in guilty persons is, or will be at one time or another, dreadful and tremendous.
(2.) The punishment and destruction of those sinners is described by its particular nature ; it is a “fiery indignation,” —supi¢ Cijdos. For these words do not relate unto éxdoy7, as xpicew¢ doth, nor are regulated by it, (it is not the expectation of fiery indignation,) but refer immediately unto daodcireras, As there remains an expectation of judgment, so there is a fiery indig- nation that remains. And so the words following, “which shall,” #2Arovros, refer to “ fire,” rupés, and not to “indignation,” @jA0s ;— the indignation, the vehemency, the power of fire.
_ What is this fire? and what is this indignation of it?
God himself is in the Scripture said to be “a consuming fire,”
Deut iy. 24, ix. 3; Isa. xxxiii, 14; Heb, xii. 29. What is intended thereby is Be slascd 4 in a word, Deut: iv. 24, @ndérumog, as here Z7rog avpég. The essential holiness and righteousness of God, whereby he cannot bear with the iniquities and provocations of men who betake not themselves unto the only atonement, and that “he will by no means quit the guilty,” are intended in this metaphorical expres- sion. _~ The judgment of God concerning the punishment of sin, as an effect of his will in a way consonant unto the holiness of his nature and the exigence of his righteousness, is called “ fire,” 1 Cor. iii. 13. But that is not the fire that is here intended. It is devouring, consuming, destroying, such as answereth the severity of God’s justice unto the utmost, as Isa, ix. 5, xxx. 33, Ixvi. 15; Amos vu. 4; Matt. xviii. 8; 2 Thess. i. 8; Ps. xi. 6; Deut. xxxii. 22. Therefore this “indignation,” or “fervour of fire,” hath respect unto three things: [1.] The holiness of the nature of God; from whence originally this judgment doth proceed, as that which is most suitable there- unto. [2.] Zhe righteous act of the will of God; sometimes called his wrath and anger from the effects of it, being suitable unto the holiness of his nature. [3.] The dreadful severity of the judgment in itself, in its nature and effects, as it is declared in the next words.
‘
Tlupds Cros.
536 - AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. X.
I doubt not but respect is had unto the final judgment at the last day, and the’ eternal destruction of apostates. But yet also it evidently includeth that sore and fiery judgment which God was bringing on the obstinate, apostate Jews, in the total destruction of them and their church-state by fire and sword. For as such judg- ments are compared to and called “fire” in the Scripture, so this was so singular, so unparalleled in any people of the world, as that it might well be called “fiery indignation,” or “fervour of fire.” Be- sides, it was an eminent pledge and token of the future judgment, and the severity of God therein. Wherefore it is foretold in expres- sions that are applicable unto the last judgment. See Matt. xxiv. 29-31; 2 Pet. iii, 10-12.
(3.) This indignation, to be executed by fire, is deveibeds in the last place by its efficacy and effects. It is the fire that shall “de- vour ” or eat up “the adversaries.” The expression is taken from Isa. xxvi. 11. For, “the fire of thine enemies,” is there, not that which the enemies burn with, but wherewith they shall be burned. Concerning the efficacy and effect of this fire we may consider, [1.] The season of its application unto this effect, wérrovrog. [2.] The object of it, “the adversaries.” [3.] The way of tts operation, “it | shall devour them.”