That this confidence hath this “recompence of reward,”—that is, it gives a right and title unto the future reward of glory; it hath it in the promise and constitution of God. Whoever abides in its _ exercise shall be no loser in the issue. They are as sure in divine promises as in our own possession. And although they are yet future, faith gives them a present subsistence in the soul, as unto their power and efficacy.
Obs. I. In the times of suffering, and in the approaches of them, it is the duty of believers to look on the glory of heaven under the notion of a refreshing, all-sufficient reward.
Ver. 36.—“ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
The apostle in these words confirms the necessity of the exhorta- tion he had insisted on. He had pressed them unto nothing but what was needful for them. For whereas there were two things proposed unto them; one in the way of duty, namely, that they should do the will of God; the other in the way of reward, or what they should receive upon their so doing; things were so ordered in the sovereign pleasure and will of God that they could believe neither of them, not only without the duty which he exhorted them unto, but without a continuance therein. And indeed the exhorta-
VOL. XXIII. ; 37
578 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. x.
tion not to cast away their confidence,—that is, to abide in it, and to improve it against all difficulties and dangers,—doth include in it. that patience which he affirms that they stand in need of. Wherefore there are three things in the words: J]. The confirmation of the preceding exhortation by this reason, that “they had need of patience.” 2. The teme and season wherein that patience was so needful as unto them; and that was whilst they were doing the © will of God. 8. The end whereunto it was necessary; which is the receiving of the promise. ;
1. The rational enforcement is introduced by the redditive yap, “for.” ‘This is that which you must apply your minds unto, or you cannot attain your end.’
2. That which he asserts in this reason is, that “they had need of patience.” He doth not charge them with want of patience, but declares the necessity of it as unto its continual exercise. ‘Yrouwovh, is “a bearing of evils with quietness and com- placency of mind, without raging, fretting, despondency, or inclina- tion unto compliance with undue ways of deliverance.” “In pa- tience possess your souls.” Tw«fsyoim, or “confidence,” will engage men into troubles and difficulties in a way of duty; but if patience take not up the work and carry it on, confidence will flag and fail. See chap. vi. 11, 12, and our exposition thereon. Patience is the perfecting grace of suffering Christians, James i. 4, 5; and that which all tribulations do excite in the first place unto its proper actings, whereon the exercise of other graces doth depend, Rom. v. 4, 5.
‘This,’ saith the apostle, ‘you have need of.’ He speaks not ab- solutely of the grace itself, as though they had it not; but of its” continual exercise in the condition wherein they were, or where- into they were entering. Men for the most part desire such a state wherein they may have as little need and use of this grace as pos- sible; for it supposeth things hard and difficult, about which alone it is conversant. But this is seldom the estate of the professors of the gospel; for besides the troubles and afflictions which are common unto, and almost inseparable from this life, they are for the most part continually exposed unto all sorts of troubles and miseries, on the account of their profession. He that will be the disciple of Christ must take up his cross. The necessity here intimated of patience is grounded on these two suppositions: (1.) That those — who profess the gospel in sincerity shall ordinarily meet with trials, tribulations, and sufferings, upon the account of that profession. This the Scripture and the experience of all ages do abundantly testify; and in particular, it was the condition of these Hebrews, as it was of all the primitive churches, (2.) That without the constant exercise of patience, none can pass through those tribulations unto
Tp.
“LY xopovns.
VER. 35, 36.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 579
the glory of God, and their own advantage, as unto the great end of the obtaining the promise of eternal life. For without it men will either faint and give way to temptations that shall turn them aside from their profession; or will misbehave themselves under their sufferings, unto the dishonour of God and the ruin of their own souls. Patience is not a mere endurance of trouble, but it is ~ indeed the due exercise of all graces under sufferings; nor can any grace be acted in that condition where patience is wanting. The exercise of faith, love, and delight in God; the resignation of our- selves to his sovereign will and pleasure; the valuation of things eternal above all things of this present life; whereby the soul is kept - quiet and composed, free from distractions, fortified against tempta- tions, resolved for perseverance to the end: this is patience. It is therefore indispensably necessary unto this condition.