VER. 37-39.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 583
» 1. He respects in this verse the season of the accomplishment of what he now proposeth unto them. And there are three things therein :—
(1.) An acknowledgment that it is not ammediately to be looked | for. For it isa thing yet to be waited for,—‘ Yet there remains some time for its accomplishment.’ And this is that which renders their confidence and patience in sufferings so necessary, as he had before observed.
Obs. 1. The delay of the accomplishment of promises is a great exercise of faith and patience; whence are all the exhortations not to faint in our minds, nor to be weary.
(2.) There is a limitation of the time for the accomplishment of what seems so to be delayed; it is wiampév, “a little space.” ‘Though it seem to tarry, wait for it; it will come, and that ere long,’ or ‘after a short space of time.’
(3.) A further declaration of the nature of this season in these words, doov écov, “ quantum quantum,” or “ quantillum qguantillum.” The reduplication of the word may yield a double sense: [1.] A limitation of the time; ‘a very little, a short space, not to be feared or reckoned on. [2.] On the other
side, a supposition of some duration; ‘ how long soever it be, yet it is but a “little while”’’ According unto either sense the design of the apostle is the same; which is, to satisfy the Hebrews that there shall be no such delay in what they looked after and expected as should be a just cause of despondency or weariness in them. <As if he had said, ‘ My:brethren, faint not, be not wearied nor discou- raged, keep up confidence and patience; you know what you wait for and expect, which will be an abundant recompence unto you for all your sufferings. And whatever appearances there may be of its tarrying or delay, whatever it may seem to you, yet if you have but
a prospect into eternity, be it what it will, it is but a very little while; and so is to be esteemed by you.’
2. That which is proposed unto them under this limitation is this, that “he who shall come will come, and will not tarry.” What the
_ prophet spake of the vision he saw, the apostle applies unto the person of Christ, for the reason before mentioned. ‘O eexowevos, “he that shall come,” is a periphrasis of Christ, frequently used and applied unto him. Once it is used to express his eternity, Rev. i. 8; but generally it hath respect unto the promise of him. The foundation of the church was laid in the promise that he should come; and he came in his Spirit unto them from the foundation of the world, 1 Pet. i. 11, iii, 18-20: yet this was he that should come, as is expressed John i.,—this was his com- ing in the flesh. After his incarnation and ministry, he was now, with respect unto them, he that was come; yea, to deny him to
Ess yap.
Mixpoy.
Ovov doov.
“O ipxoeeevos.
7 584 AN EXPOSITION OF THE - [CHAP. x.
be come in answer unto that promise, is antichristian, 1 John iv. 8. Yet after this he was to come again, on a double account:—
(1.) In the power of his Spirit and the exercise of his royal authority, for the setting up and settling his church in the world; whereof there are two parts:—
[1.] The assistance of his Spirit, with his miraculous Sperhione unto the ministers of the gospel; which were “the powers of the world to come.” John xvi. 7, 8. This was an illustrious advent of Christ, not in his own person, but in that of his vicar and substi- tute, whom he promised to send in his stead. Hereby he was acquitted from all that dishonour, contempt, and reproach, that were cast on him in the world.
[2.] He was to come for the punishment and destruction of his stubborn and inveterate adversaries. And these also were of three sorts: 1st. Those that were so directly unto his own person, and by consequence unto his gospel. 2dly. Such as were directly enemies unto his gospel, and by consequence unto his person. 8dly. Such as were declared enemies to them both. 1st. Of the first sort were the Jews, who slew him, who murdered him, and cast him out of ” the vineyard, and thereon continued their hatred against the gospel and all that made profession thereof. He was to come to “destroy those murderers, and to burn their city;’ which fell out not long after the writing of this epistle, and is properly intended in this place. See Matt. xxiv. 3, 27, 30; 2 Pet. iii. 4; Jude 14; Rev. i. 7; Mark xiv. 62; James v. 7, 8. For hereon ensued the deliverance of the church from the rage and persecution of the Jews, with the illustrious propagation of the gospel throughout the world. 2dly. The Pagan Roman Empire was the second sort of his adversaries, who were immediate enemies unto his gospel, and consequently to his person. These, after the destruction of the former sort, raged with all blood and cruelty against the church for sundry ages. These, therefore, he promised he would come and destroy; and the faith of the church concerning this his coming was, that “he that should come would come, and would not tarry.” The deseription of this eoming of Christ is given us, Rev. vi. 7-10. 3dly. After this arose a third sort of enemies, who in words owning his person and gospel, opposed all his offices, and persecuted all that would yield obedience unto him in the exercise of them, and were thereby consequentially enemies both to his person and gospel. This was the apostate Christian Church of Rome, or the New Testament Babylon. And in respect of these enemies of his, Christ is still “he that is to come;” and as such is believed in, and his coming prayed for by — all the saints. For he is to destroy the man of sin, the head of that — apostasy, “by the brightness of his coming.” For as the opposition made unto him did not arise suddenly and at once, as those fore- —