§. 97. Of divine indignation incensed by apostacy.
THis phrase, and fiery indignation, is added as an aggravation of the former point, which was stiled, fearfull judgement. The copulative and, joyneth these two phrases, fearfull looking for, and fiery indignation, together: for they are both of the same case: and both brought in, in opposition to the deniall of a sacrifice, thus, there remaineth no more sacrifice, but a fearfull looking for of judgement. And again, there remaineth no more sacrifice, but fiery indignation.
The Greek word translated a 1.1 indignation is that which usually is put for zeal. b 1.2 The verb from whence it is derived signifieth to wax hot, or to to boyle with heat. Thence the noune here used is by a metaphor put for the heat of affections: and that sometimes in liking of a thing, and then it signifieth heat of desire. Thus it* 1.3 is used, Col. 4. 13. In this phrase, he hath a great zeal for you: that is, a great desire of your good: and where the Apostle giveth advise, desire spirituall gifts (1 Cor. 14. 1.) The word desire is expressed under the verb, from whence the word of my Text* 1.4 is derived.
It is also used in dislike of a thing, and that either in the evill part, and tran∣slated as here, indignation, Act. 5. 17. or in the good part, anger or grief (Iob. 2. 17.) The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up: that is, anger and grief which I conceive upon the profanation of thy house hath so wrought upon me, as it hath even eaten me up, and consumed me. In this sense some here take it, and expound it, fiery in∣dignation. In the Greek it is thus word for word, d 1.5 indignation of fire. The substantive fire is by an Hebraisme put for an adjective, fiery. This addeth much emphasis, and sheweth that it is as fierce as fire can be.
Others take the word, zeal, properly, for heat or fervour: and so make it an E∣pithite to fire, as if he had said, fervour of fire, or fervent fire.
The former interpretation includes this latter: for by fiery indignation, may be understood such indignation as causeth fire: that is, such torment as tortureth a man as much as any fire can do: yea infinitely more.
This is added to shew that Apostates much incense Gods wrath. The word tran∣slated indignation intendeth thus much, as hath been before noted. Hereupon God denounceth this threatning against them, My soul shall have no pleasure in them, v. 38. This is further manifest by the severall judgements denounced against the Churches of Asia for their Apostacy. Rev. 2. 5, &c. God destroyeth such as go a wh•…•…ring from him, Psal. 73. 27. Instance the old world, Gen. 6. 7. The revolt of the ten tribes, 2 King. 17. 7, &c. And Iudahs captivity, 2 Chro. 36. 16.
Nothing is more dishonorable to God: No greater disparagement to Christs sa∣crifice: No more despight to the Spirit of God can be done: no greater disgrace to the Church of God, and to the Gospel of grace and professors thereof, and no grea∣ter advantage to the enemies of Gods people, whether devils or wicked men, then the Apostacy of professors.
This affords a good caveat for using all meanes that may be to avoid that sinne which incenseth such indignation. The wise man saith, that the Kings wrath it as