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§. 30. Of declaring before hand the utmost danger.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have tasted of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come:
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance: seeing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
IN these three verses a strong reason is rendred to press the Hebrewes on 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 in their progress of Religion. This causal particle, FOR, implieth as much.
It may have reference either to the Apostles promise, v. 3. or to his exhortati•…•…,* 1.2 v. 1. Both tend to the same end: for his promise is to help them on in that where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he exhorted them. Applyed to his exhortation, it implyeth thus much, be yo•…•… carefull to go on unto perfection, lest you fall into the fearfull estate of Apo•…•… Applyed to his promise, it implyeth that he would not fail to do his best 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to help them on to perfection, lest they should fall backward so far as to pro•…•…▪ postates.
The reason then is taken from the danger which they may fall into, who, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well begun, go not on forward, till they come to perfection. That da•…•…ger 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out in the estate of Apostates; which is a most desperate estate.
The Apostles argument may be thus framed.
Whatsoever may bring professors unto Apostacy is carefully to be avoyded.
But negligence in going on unto perfection, may bring professors unto Apo•…•…. Therefore such negligence is to be avoyded.
To inforce this argument the further, he describeth the wofull estate of Apo∣states: and that in such a manner, as the very hearing thereof may well wo•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men Belshazzars passion, Dan. 5. 6.
By this it is evident that the utmost danger, where into professors may fall, 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.3 be laid before them. This did God, when he said to man, In the day that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…∣est of such a tree, thou shalt surely die, Gen. 2. 17. so did Moses in those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 curses that he denounced against Gods people for their transgressions, Lev. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Deut. 28. 15. This was usuall with the Prophets (Isai. 5. 5. Hos. 1. 9.) with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ runner of Christ (Mat. 3. 10.) with Christ himself (Mat. 23. 35.) Rev. 25. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. 16.) and with his Apostles, Rom. 11. 21.
This may be an especiall meanes to make men circumspect in avoyding all thi•…•… which may bring us into that danger. Sea-faring men, that are before hand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such and such quick-sands, Rocks, Pirats, or other like dangers, will, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they can, avoid them all. Of the great need wherein we do stand of circum•…•…∣on in avoyding spirituall dangers, and particularly in doing all we can to p•…•… Apostacy. See Chap. 3. v. 12. §. 122.
- 1. This is a good warrant, yea, and a motive also for Ministers prudently to •…•…∣serve the danger whereunto people are subject, and plainly to declare as much •…•…∣to them. Cry aloud, spare not, &c. saith the Lord to a Prophet in such a case (〈◊〉〈◊〉 58. 1.) If Ministers in this case hold their peace, their people may fall into that •…•…∣ger, and the blood of people be required at the Ministers hand, Ezek. 3. 18.
- 2. This should make people patient in hearing such kind of doctrine: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 think and say, as many use to do, our Preachers are more terrible then God: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God were not more mercifull then they, we should all be damned. To remove 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scandall, let these considerations be duly observed.
- 1. As Prophets and Apostles of old denounced such judgements as Gods Sp•…•… suggested to them, so we their successors denounce such as they have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…∣corded for all ages.
- 2. This is but an ancient cavill, which was made against Gods own Proph•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ieremiah they said, he is mad, Jer. 29. 26. and of Paul, he was beside •…•…∣self, Acts 26. 24. yea Ieremiah was further charged that he sought 〈◊〉〈◊〉