we incur by contemning the only means of forgiveness with God.
With the additional light which the New Testament reflects on this passage, we may see that zee are as much interested in this admonition, as the very per- sons were, to whom it was first given : for, though we have not run to their excess of riot, or caused the offering of the Lord to be so abhorred, yet we have too much disregarded the sacrifice of the Son of God. If we have not openly opposed the atonement of Christ, we have been, perhaps still are, too indifferent about it. The censure therefore in the text, how- severe soever it may appear, lies in full force against us. To neglect the Saviour is in a most fatal manner to sin against God: it is, at the same time, to provoke the Majesty of heaven, and to reject the only Advocate, the only Propitiation for sin. Hence the Apostle asks with such tremendous energy, " How shall ye escape if ye neglect so great salvation^?" Which question, both in import and expression, accords with that in om- text, " If a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him ? "
In this application of the passage we are counte- nanced by a parallel passage in the Epistle to the Hebrews ""j " If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Here the writer states the reason why an apostate from the truth has nothing to expect but wrath and fiery indignation ; the reason is the same as in our text ; he has turned his back on the sacrifice of Christ, and there will be no other sacrifice for sin to all eternity : there is therefore no hope of salvation for him. The Apostle then adds, " He that despised Moses' law, died without mercy, under two or three witnesses : of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath comited the blood of the covenant, wherewith
s Heb. ii. 3. ^ Heb. x. 26—29.