The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 184

unto me." Such conduct showed fo.ith, courage, and kindness, and redounded to tho honour of the Na.ma of God, and glorified him in the presence of the children of men. Mutual love among Christians was noticecl as a peculiarity nnd distinction by Lucian and the Emporor J uliau. "By this she.JI all men know that ye are my discipleR if yo he.vo love one to another" (John xiii. 35). In the spirit of Christ, who would not "break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax," the author of the Epistlo noticos the signs of their spiritual life, and instructs them to look forward to the time when they who cast their bread on the waters shall find it after many days; for God. is not only not unrighteous to forget, but delighted to honour and recompense all service rendrre1l to his people and for the glory of his Name. II. THE EARNJ!ST EXHORTATION TO THE REALIZATION OF THE PRIVILEGE OF CHRISTIAN HOPE. 'l'he scope of the appeal reminds us of the words of Paul, who said that he bad not attained; but, leaving the things that were behind, he was pressing forward to those that were before. 'l'he ideal Christian, in the parable of our Lord, represents unbroken progress from blade to ear, and from the ear to full corn in the ear. Believers ara to seek the full assurance of hope, which has a mighty and purifying power; for "we are saved by hope;" and if it is like a ship with outspread sails under a vigorous breeze, the vessel moves with speed to the desired haven. To enjoy this hope there must be a resistance to that torpor and drowsiness which lead us to say, "A little more sleep, a little more slumber, 'and a little more folding of the hands to sleep." The voice of inspiration is, "Be vigilant;" "Let us not sleep, as do others ; " "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise, and Christ shall give thee light." Encouragement is supplied to perseverance from the success which others have attained. "The spirits of just men made perfect" are already ,reaping the blessed results· of their earnest pursuH and unwearied diligence. Faith prompted them to begin and continue the career, and gave them patience to endure the contrast between present trial and future glory. To stimulate in this course, believers are urged to imitate their example, that they may share in the blessedness which they now enjoy.-B. Vers. 13-20.-The encouragements to cherish the hope of eternal life. These assume that there is a strong disposition in men to doubt the veracity of the Divine promise, and in adorable condescension God gives us ample evidence to justify our faith and perseverance. It must be confessed that the abandonment of the Jewish Law, separa- tion from the synagogue, the surrender of earthly pleasure, and submission to manifold trials, require varied reasons to convince and to maintain the conviction of the claims of the gospel. The encouragements consist of the following facts:- I. THE EXAMPLE OF THE PROMISE AND OATH VOUCHSAFED TO AJIRAHA.111 AND SDl'CE GLORIOUSLY REALIZED. The patriarch was called by the voice of God to offer up his son on Mount Moiiah. It was the highest proof of his faith in J ehova.h, and although he received him back in a figure of a nobler sacrifice," to will was present," and God accepted the purpose of his believing soul. "In the mount of the Lord it was seen" that where there was the sternest trial of his faith there came the most blessed mauifes- tations of the Divine favour, both for himself, his descendants after the flesh, and his more numerous spiritual progeny. God said, "By myself have I sworn, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son : that in blessing I will bless thee, and in mulLiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore" (Gen. xxii. 16, 17). He waited patiently, and obtained the promise in the birth of Isaac; and afterwards he saw the day of Christ, the seed in whom all nations are blessed, The latest portions of the New Testament verify the promise contained in the earliest part of the Old; and John said, after the sealing of the hundred and forty and four thousand of the tribes of Israel," After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a. loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" (Ilev. vii. 9, 10). ".And if ye be Christ's, then are ye .Abraham's seed, and heirs accord- ing to the promise" (Gal. iii. 29). II. TnE EXTENSION OF THE DLESSING CONTAINED IN THE PROMISE, AND SANCTIONED 'IT THE OATH, TO ALL RELIEVERS, 'l'he_words of grace which were spo!rnn to .'\braham liEBBEWII. N  178 THE EPISTLE TO THE HEDREWS. LCll, VI. 1-20.