The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 68

great salvation" is this. 2. Salvation by great .Agents and means. Not by angels or by men, but by "God manifest in the flesh." "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself; " " What the Law could not do in that it was weak throucrh the ~csh, God sendi_ng his own Son," etc. (Rom. viii. 3, 4). The "strong Son of God" 1s the great Sav10ur of men. Then think of the distinguished means which he employed in effecting salvation. His marvellous incarnation, bis simple and sublime teaching, his holy and beautiful life, his sacrificial sufferings and death, etc. "Ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things," etc. And in bringing this salvation near to men's ~earts another great Agent is employed, even the Holy Spirit (see John xv. 26, 27; XVL 7-15). 3. Salvation to great glory. This salvation raises man to a more glorious condition than was his before he ruined himself by sin: It saves from the lowest degradation to the highest perfection. It rescues from hell and introduces to heaven. It includes pardon, peace, purity, perpetual progress, fellowship with God, etc. 4. SaJvat-ion of a qreat multitude. "Many shall come from the east and west," etc. (Matt. viii. 11). Our Lord will bring "many sons unto glory." "In my Father's house are many mansions;" "I saw, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number," etc. (Rev. vii. 9, 10). "So great salvation." How immeasurably greater, then, are our privileges than _those of the men who lived under the Mosaic economy !-W. J. Vers. 1--4.-The more solemn responsi"bilities of Christians. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed," etc. AB a necessary sequel to our former homily on these verses, let us now consider- I. THAT THEY TO WHOM ARE OFFERED THE GREATER PRIVTI.EGES OF Tms CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION ARE UNDEB GBEATEB OBLIGATIONS THAN THEY OF THE EARLIER DISPEN- SATION WEBE. In human relations as well as in the Divine government this principle is generally acknowledged and acted upon, that "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required ; and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more." This principle underlies the reasoning of our text. Our greater privileges bring us under greater responsibilities in this way. 1. The more amply verified revelation has the more imperative claim on our belief. The more convincing the evidence by which a truth is supported, the more binding is the obligation to believe that troth. 'l'o doubt the truth of that which bears the manifest seal of God is to rebel against the Divine claims upon our credence. 2. The more graci()'ll,S revelation has the greater claim upon our loving acceptance. The gospel appeals not only to the reason and conscience, as the Law did, but also to the heart. It is :fitted to inspire us with gratitude; it would enkindle our affections; it 'would secure our willing obedience by :first eliciting our hearty trust in God. And this involves an increase of 0111' obliga- tions. 3. That our responsibilities are measured by our privileges is an immutabl6 principle of the Divine government. "That servant which knew his lord's will," etc. (Luke xii. 47,48); "A man that bath set at nought Moses' Law," etc. (eh. x. 28, 29); "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh," etc. ( eh. xii. 25). Very great are our advantages, equally great are our responsibilities. lL THAT IF THESE GBEATEB PRIVILEGES, WITH THEIR CORnEBP0NDING ODLIGATJONS, ARE DISREGARDED BY us, A TERRIBLE RETRIBUTION WILL OVERTAKE us. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" 1. We may neglect this salvation. Though it is provided for us, offered to us freely, and we are entreated to accept it, yet we may neglect it. (1) The fact of our moral agency shows this. (2) The method of God's dealing with UB shows it. He respects our moral freedom. He invites, entreats, reasons with, warns, and draws us; but he does not force or compel us. (3) 'l'be hypothesis of the text also showR this. The" lest" (ver. 1) shows that we may" be diverted from" (Alford), or "drift away from" (Revised Version)," the things which we have beard." 'l'he "if" (ver. 3) shows that we may" neglect so great salvation." 2. Should we neglect this salvation, nothing can avert Jrom us a terrible retributiO'II. "How shall we escape?" etc. A forcible way of expressing the impossibility of escape. Under the Law" spoken through angels n retribution was certain-" every transgres- sion and disobedience received a just recompense of reward." How much more certain is it uuder the gospel I 'l'he far superior dignity of him through whom it WBB first spoken attests with greater forco the reliableness of its retributions. The increased Oil. II, 1-18.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 69