2. He expresseth the concernment of these Hebrews in those bonds of his: cvveradjoure, they suffered together with him therein. They were not unconcerned in his suffer- ings, as being satisfied with the own freedom, as is the manner of some. Now, compassion consists in these things. (1.) A real con- dolency, grief, and trouble of mind, for the bonds of others, as if we ourselves were bound. (2.) Continual prayers for their relief,
Lurabioars.
570 AN EXPOSITION OF THE: [CHAP. x.
supportment, and deliverance; as it was with the church in the case of Peter in his bonds, Acts xii. (8.) A ministration unto them, as unto the things that may be outwardly wanting; as many did to Paul, Acts xxiv. 23. (4.) The owning and avowing of them, as not being ashamed of their chains, bonds, or sufferings, 2 Tim. i. 16, 17. (5.) A readiness to undergo hazards, difficulties, and dangers, for
them who are called thereunto, Rom. xvi. 4. It is not a heartless, °
fruitless, ineffectual pity that the apostle intends, but such a frame of mind as hath a real concernment in the sufferings of others, and is operative in these and the like duties towards their good. These things are required in us towards all those who suffer for the gospel, according as we have opportunity for their exercise. Where this 1s wanting, we can have no solid evidence of our being one with them in the same mystical body. The remembrance of this frame, and the discharge of all those duties towards them who have suf- fered, are of singular use to prepare our minds for, and to confirm our hearts in our own sufferings, when they do approach.
Secondly, He minds them of their deportment under their own sufferings: “they took joyfully.”
1. That which they suffered in was their drdpyovra, “their out- ward substance,” and present enjoyments. It is ex- tended unto houses, lands, possessions, whatever right- fully belongs unto men and is enjoyed by them. But it is especially applied unto things of present use, as the goods of a man’s house, his money, corn, or cattle, which are more subject to present rapine and spoil than other real possessions, lands or inheritances. These are the things of men’s present supportment, without which ordi- narily they cannot live nor subsist. And therefore, in persecutions, the enemies of the gospel do usually fall on these in the first place; as supposing that the loss of them will reduce their owners unto all sorts of extremity, especially when they have no pretence or war- yanty as yet to destroy their persons. They will take from them the bread that they should eat, the clothes that they should wear, the beds whereon they should lie,—whatever is of use unto them and their families. And this must needs be a sore trial unto men, when not only themselves, but their relations also, their wives and children, some perhaps in their infant age, are reduced unto all extremities.
2. The way whereby they were deprived of their goods was aprayh,—it was by “rapine and spoil.” What pretence of law or constitution of the rulers they who did it had for what they did, I know not, but the way of execution was with savage rapine and spoil, as the word signifies. They violently tare away from them what they did enjoy: not aiming to take all the spoil merely unto their own advantage,—wherewith yet the minds
“orcepecovrey.
Aprayn.
.
VER. 82-84.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 571
of some cursed enemies are influenced,—but at the satisfaction of their rage and malice in the ruin of the saints of Christ. This, it seems, had been the state of things with these Hebrews, which had now passed over for that season, but in all probability would quickly again return, as the warning here given them by the apostle did plainly intimate. And it is the way of the world in such persecu- tions, after they have vented their rage and malice for a while, and satisfied themselves with their own cruelty, to give over until some new cause, pretence, or new instigation of the devil, sets them at work again.
3. The frame of mind in the Hebrews as unto this part of their suffering is, that they took their losses and spoils “ with joy.’ Nothing doth usually more affect the minds of men than the sudden spoiling of their goods, what they have laboured for, what they have use for, what they have provided for themselves and their families. We see in ordinary cases what wailings and lamentations do accompany such occasions. But these Hebrews received and accepted of this rapine of their goods, not only patiently and.cheerfully, but with a certain peculiar joy.
4. The ground hereof the apostle declares in the close of this verse, “ Knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”
Some copies of the original, and some ancient translations, as the Vulgar Latin, read the words é odpavo%. And I sup- qydenevres pose the difference arose from the order of the words tx ty ta in the text, or the placing of év éavro7s not immediately “* after ywéoxovrec, but interposing zy«v between them. Hence the words may be rendered as we do, “knowing in yourselves that ye have a better substance;” or as they lie in the original, “knowing that ye have a better substance in yourselves.” In this latter way it is evident that there is no place for that addition, “in heaven,” which is necessary in the former. For it is not proper to say, “ know- ing that ye have in yourselves in heaven;’ though it be most pro- per to say, “knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven.” I confess I should absolutely embrace the latter reading, “knowing that ye have in yourselves,” and so leave out that, “in heaven,” for evident reasons, did not the authority of the most ancient copies and translations of the best note require the retaining of it. How- ever, I shall open the words according to both readings.