First, We shall therefore consider it in its nature and distinct ageravations.
The ait in general is that which we have spoken to before, namely, sinning wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, and ‘in an absolutely total relinquishment and rejection of the gospel.
1. In the description of the special object of this sin, that which
__. _ 1s first expressed is the person of Christ,—“the Son gan trod of God.” I have on sundry occasions before showed how the apostle doth vary in his expression of Christ. Here he calls him “the Son of God;” and he maketh use of this name to give a sense of the glorious greatness of the person with whom they had to do, against whom this sin was committed. For although he is a man also, who had blood to shed, and did shed it in the sacrifice of himself, and notwithstanding what cursed, blasphemous thoughts they might have of him, yet indeed he is and will appear to be, the eternal Son of the living God.
But how comes this “ Son of God” to be concerned herein? what injury is done him by apostates from the gospel? I answer, that as the Lord Christ in his own person was the special author of the gospel; as his authority is the special object of our faith in it; as his office with all the fruits of it is the subject, sum, and substance ~ of the gospel: so there is no reception of it in a due manner, unto salvation, no rejection of it unto final condemnation, but what is all. of it originally, fundamentally, and virtually contained in the recep- tion or rejection of the person of Christ. This is the life, the soul, and foundation of all gospel truth; without which it is of no power or efficacy unto the souls of men. But I have treated at large of these things elsewhere.* I cannot but observe, that, as whosoever
1 See on Person of Christ, vol. i. of miscellaneous works.—Ep.
VER. 28, 29.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 543
rejects, refuses, forsakes the gospel, rejecteth and forsaketh the per- son of Christ; so on what account soever men take up the profession of it, and perform the duties of it, if the foundation be not laid in a reception of Christ himself, of the person as Christ, all their pro- _ fession will be in vain.
This is the first aggravation of this sin, it. is committed imme- diately against the person of the Son of God, and therein his autho- rity, goodness, and love.
But it may be thought, if the person of Christ be concerned herein, yet it is indirectly or consequently only, and in some small de- gree. ‘No,’ saith the apostle; ‘ but he that is guilty of this sin doth trample on the Son of God, or tread him under foot.’ The word is rendered with great variety, but that of our translation is proper; and itis the highest expression of scorn, con- tempt, and malice amongst men. To “tread under foot,” is to despise and insult over, as is plain in the metaphor. And this contempt respects both the person of Christ and his authority. He is pro- posed in the gospel, was professed by this sort of sinners for a while to be the Son of God, the true Messiah, the Saviour of the world. Hereon faith in him and all holy reverence unto him are required of us, as on him whom God had exalted above all principalities and powers; and whom therefore we ought to exalt and adore in our souls. But now by this sort of persons he was esteemed an evil- doer, a seducer, one not at all sent of God, but one that justly suffered for his crimes. Herein they “ trod under foot the Son of God” with all contempt and scorn.
Again, it respects his authority. This the gospel declared; and _ those who had come unto any profession of it,—as those had done whereof he speaks in this place, and all must have done who contract the guilt of this sin,—did avow, and submit themselves unto. ‘The profession they made was, to observe and do all that he had commanded them, because all power was given unto him in heaven and earth. This they now utterly rejected and despised; as unto the outward observance of his commands, ordinances, and in- ‘stitutions of divine worship, they openly rejected them, betaking themselves unto other modes and rites of divine service, in opposi- tion and contradiction unto them, even those of the law. Neither did they retain any regard in their minds unto his authority.
Obs. III. Though there may be sometimes an appearance of great severity in God’s judgments against sinners, yet when the nature of their sins and the ageravations of them shall be discovered, they will be manifest to have been righteous, and within due measure.
Obs. IV. Take we heed of every neglect of the person of Christ or of his authority, lest we enter into some degree or other of the guilt of this great offence.
Obs. Y. The sins of men can really reach neither the person nor
4 Kararvaricus.
5440 AN EXPOSITION OF THE = SSSI CHAP. x.
authority of Christ; they only do that in desire which in effect they cannot accomplish—This doth not take off or extenuate their sin; the guilt of it is no less than if they did actually trample upon the Son of God. 2. The second aggravation of the sin spoken of, is its oppo- sition to the office of Christ, especially his priestly office, and the T) aljua ras Sacrifice that he offered thereby, called here “the blood