§. 30. Of remembring encouragements to hold out.
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you, as unto children, My Son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.
A Third motive to stir us up to persevere in the faith, notwithstanding our suffer∣ing for the same, is taken from the Author of our sufferings, which is God him∣self.
The first motive was taken from the example of former Saints, v. 1.
The second from Christs pattern, v. 2, 3, 4.
Thus this is the third.
The first particle a 1.1 And, being a copulative, sheweth, that that which follow∣•…•…, is in generall of the same kind that that which went before was.
The word which we thus translate b 1.2 y•…•… have forgotten, is a compound, and •…•…ere only used in the New Testament. But the same simple verb, compounded with c 1.3 another preposition which intendeth the same thing, is frequently used, and tran∣slated, as this word, to forget. It is used thrice in this Epistle, Chap. 6. v. 10. Chap. 13. v. 2, 16
To forget is at least an infirmity, and so it is here taxed.
Some, to aggravate the reprehension, set it down interrogatively, thus, Have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forgot? But this phrase ye have forgotten is the more pertinent, because the Apostle here setteth himself with all mildnesse to manifest their weaknesse.
Which way soever we read it, it is apparent, that to forget the encouragements which God affords, is a fault. It is taxed in the ancient Iewes, Psal. 78. 11. and 106. 13, 11. It is expresly forbidden, Deut. 6. 12.
It is a branch of that corruption, which seized on man by his fall: for thereby, as* 1.4 other powers of a mans soul, and parts of his body were depraved, so his Memory, which was placed in man, as an usefull treasury, to lay up, and fast hold the directi∣•…•…, and consolations of Gods Word.
- 1. People are to take heed of this fault: for hereby the use of good directions, and consolations is lost.
- 2. Ministers, as they see occasion, must lovingly put their people in mind hereof.
- 3. Means must be used for strengthening memory.
The inference of this taxation upon v. 3. where he giveth a hint of their weari∣somenesse, and fainting in their minds, sheweth, that forgetting grounds of encou∣ragements is an occasion of fainting.
This was it that made the Disciples afraid, Matth. 8. 25. Man by nature hath a fainting spirit in himself, he is like a lamp, that will faile to give light, if there be not a continuall supply of oyle. So a fire, without supply of fuell, will go out.
This may be a motive well to heed the encouragements of Gods Word. While men well consider the same, they think all the power, and terror of hell, cannot make them shrink. But if those encouragements be forgotten, every little blast makes them shake like an Ashen leafe.