§. 13. Of this word, Seem.
THere is further in this Admonition a word inserted, worthy our due conside∣ration. It is this, * 1.1 should seem. There are sundry respects in which it may be brought in: As
- 1. To mitigate the sharpness of his admonition: In that he doth not positively conclude, that he took them for Apostates, but only implieth that they may seem to be in hazard of that case. It intends as much as a 1.2 the insinuation doth, whereby he seems to call back or correct that, which might be so taken, as if he had surmi∣sed that they would prove Apostates, Heb. 6. 7.
- 2. To stir up their fear the more: even against such coldness and dulness as might hazard the prize set before them. To such a purpose, he saith, I am jealous over you with godly jealousie, 2 Cor. 11. 2.
- 3. To manifest the extent of a Christians watchfulnesse: which must be against a seeming, or appearing to be an Apostate. We may not think it enough that we do not utterly fall away: but that we do not seem so to do: and that we do not give occasion to other Christians to think that we are fallen, or like to fall. The Apostle to this purpose giveth this advice, Abstain from all appearance of evil, 1 Thess. 5. 22.
- 4. To demonstrate the condition of hypocrites, who seem to be what they are not, They think they stand, 1 Cor. 10. 12. That shall be taken from them, which they seem to have, Luk. 8. 18. This an Apostle doth thus clear, They went out from us, but they were not of us: For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have con∣tinued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us, 1 Joh. 2. 19.
- 5. To aggravate the fault of backsliders. Through want of the foresaid Chri∣stian fear, they seem, or appear, or give evidence that they will come short of the prize. For to seem is oft put for an evidence. Iames, Cephas and Iohn seemed to be pillars, Gal. 2. 9. that is, they evidently appeared to be so.
Of the word here used, See more Chap. 10. 29. §. 108.