of refusall, as where we say, God forbid that I should do this, or far be it from me. Whereby is implied, that refusing of the Gospel is commonly joyned with indigna∣tion. For the Gospel is worthy of all acceptation, that it cannot be refused but with much indignation. His heart must needs be set against the Gospel, that refu∣seth it: therefore many judicious expositors translate it, despise not, and so was our former English translation.
The next words, him that speaketh, hath relation to the blood that spea∣keth in the foregoing verse. Indeed that is of the neuter gender, having relation to blood. But because it is Christ who speaketh by his blood, the Apostle most fit∣ly changeth the gender, and intendeth the person himself, Christ Jesus, who speak∣eth; whereupon he had good cause to infer the words following, For if they escap∣ed not, who refused him who spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn a∣way from him that speaketh from heaven.
The Apostles manner of expressing the duty here in this word See, which im∣plies great circumspection, gives us to understand, That Circumspection about Gods word is very requisite. This was required of Moses, in regard of Gods direction about legall types, Exod. 25. 40. and of the Iews, in regard of their observation of the Law, Deut. 5. 1. As also of Solomons proverbs, Prov. 5. 1, 2. And of the prophecies of Pro∣phets, as their vehement Rhetoricall Apostrophes, to senselesse, and livelesse crea∣tures demonstrate, Isa. 1. 2. Micah 6. 1, 2. Much more ought circumspection to be used about the Gospel; therefore saith our Saviour, Marke 4. 3, 24. Hearken, Be∣hold, there went out a sower to sow, and v. 24. Christ said, Take heed what ye hear, So likewise, Luke 8. 18. Rev. 2. 7.
The grounds and reasons thereof may be taken
- 1. From the excellency of it. As God himself is without question the most ex∣cellent of all, so his word. See a commendation hereof, Psal. 19. 7, 8, 9. Prov. 8. 6, &c.
- 2. From Sathans malicious endeavour to steal it from us, that so it should do us no good. In that respect he is resembled to fouls which pick up the seed that is sown, Matth. 13. 4, 19.
- 3. From our own in disposition thereto. The more divine, heavenly, and excel∣lent any thing is, the more dull, and heavy, we are thereto by nature; Our hearts being naturally earthly and sensuall. And therefore saith the Apostle, (2 Cor. 3. 5.) We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves; but our sufficiency is of God. It is God that must open the heart, as he did the heart of Lydia, (Act. 16. 14.) before we can attend unto the word of God. This reason is rendred why the Iewes received not the word, Matth. 11. 25. and 13. 11.
- 1. This may inform us in the reason of that small profit which by many is made of Gods word. Gods word is in it self a word of great price, and worth, Psal. 19. 10. Yea it is sweet and comfortable. It hath also a great power and efficacy in it, Rom. 1. 16. Heb. 4. 12. Its an excellent light, and guide, Psal. 119. 24, 105. How is it then that it is no more regarded? Surely by reason of mens supine negligency; and carelessenesse: they do not see to this matter; they do not heed it; they do not consider the worth, the benefit, the comfort of it, and the need wherein we stand of it. If they did more advisedly and seriouslly see to, and consider this matter, they would have the word in more high esteem, and reap more benefit by it.
- 2. How should this stir us up to give diligent heed to Gods word, unto that which above all other things is to be regarded. See to it, that it be not any way slighted. Its the most excellent, Prov. 3. 14, 15. the most comfortable, Psal. 119. 50. and every way most profitable, 1 Tim. 3. 16.