Obs. VI. This name, “the living God,” is full of terror or comfort unto the souls of men.
Secondly, The event. of the sin spoken against, as unto its penne with respect unto God, is called “ falling into his hands.” The assertion is general, but is particularly applied unto this case by the apostle. To “ fall into the hands,” is a common expression with reference unto any one falling into and under the power of his enemies.
None can be said to fall into the hands of God, as though they were not before in his power. But to fall into the hands of God absolutely, as it is here intended, is to be obnoxious to the power and judgment of God, when and where there is nothing in God himself, nothing in /his word, promises, laws, institutions, that should oblige him to mercy or a mitigation of punishment. So when a man falls into the hands of his enemies, between whom and him there is no law, no love, he can expect nothing but death. Such is this falling into the hands of the living God; there is nothing in the law, nothing in the gospel, that can be pleaded for the least abate- ment of punishment. There is no property of God that can be im- plored. It is the destruction of the sinner alone vanes they will all be glorified.
There is a falling into the hands of God that respects temporal ‘things only, and that is spoken of comparatively. When David knew that an afiliction or temporal punishment was unavoidable, he chose rather to fall into the hands of God as unto the immediate in- fliction of it, than to have the wrath of men used as the instrument thereof, 2 Sam. xxiv. 14. But this appertains not unto our present purpose.
Thirdly, Hereof the apostle affirms in general, that it is potepév, a
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556 AN EXPOSITION OF THE _ [CHAP. x.
“fearful, dreadful thing;” that which no heart can conceive, nor tongue express. Men are apt to put off thoughts of it, to have slight thoughts about it; but it is, and will be, dreadful, terrible, and eternally destructive of every thing that is good, and inflictive of every thing that is evil, or that our nature is capable of.
Obs. VII. There is an apprehension of “ the terror of the Lord” in the final judgment, which is of great use unto the souls of men, 2 Cor. v. 11, It is so to them who are not yet irrecoverably en- gaged into the effects of it. %
Obs. VIII. When there is nothing left but judgment, nothing re- mains but the expectation of it, its fore-apprehension will be filled with dread and terror.
Obs. 1X. The dread of the final judgment, where there shall be no mixture of ease, is altogether inexpressible.
Obs. X. That man is lost for ever who hath nothing in God that he can appeal unto, nothing in the law or gospel which he can plead for himself; which is the state of all wilful apostates.
Obs. XI. Those properties of God which are the principal delight of believers, the chief object of their faith, hope, and trust, are an eternal spring of dread and terror unto all impenitent sinners: “The living God.”
Obs. XII. The glory and horror of the future state of blessedness and misery are inconceivable either to believers or sinners.
Obs, XIII. The fear and dread of God, in the description of his wrath, ought continually to be on the hearts of all who profess the gospel.
Herein, by this general assertion, the apostle sums up and eloseth his blessed discourse concerning the greatest sin that men can make themselves guilty of, and the greatest punishment. that the right- eousness of God will inflict on any sinners. Nor is there any reach- ing of either part of this divine discourse unto the utmost. When he treats of this sin and its aggravations, no mind is able to search into, no heart is able truly to apprehend the evil and guilt which he chargeth it withal, No one can express or declare the least part of the evil which is comprised in every aggravation which he gives us of this sin, And in like manner concerning the punishment of it, he plainly intimates it shall be accompanied with an incompre- hensible severity, dread, and terror. This, therefore, is a passage of holy writ which is much to be considered, especially in these days wherein we live, wherein men are apt to grow cold and careless in their profession, and to decline gradually from what they had at- tained unto. To be useful in such a season it was first written; and it belongs unto us no less than unto them unto whom it was ori- ginally sent. And we live in days wherein the security and con-
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VER. 82-34. ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 557
tempt of God, the despite of the Lord Christ and his Spirit, are come to the full, so as to justify the truth that we have insisted on.
_
VERSES 32-3-4.
*Avausuvhoneobe OF reas apdérepov Nucpas, ev als Qwriodévres, roAAHY ZOAnOW imeushare radnudray, roUro mtv, dvesdsomorg re xal SAiLeor JearpsCowevor, TOUTO OF, KOWWVO Ta OUTWS cyaoTpEPomEVeY yevndevrese Kal yap roi deomorg fou ouveradjoare, nal civ aprayhy raw imupydvrov Iuav mere yupis Tpo- oedeEaobs, yivdonovres even ev Eaurois xpsirrova UrapSiv ev ovpavors, xal péevovocey,”