Page 276
§. 31. Of Exhortations spoken to all of all sorts.
THat which the Apostle taxeth them for forgetting, is here stiled, The exhortation. Of the a 1.1 verb whence this noun b 1.2 exhortation is derived, see Chap. 3. v. 13. §. 143.
Some translate the noun here Consolation, and so it is oft used, as Luk. 2. 28. 2 Cor. 1. 3. So it doth also signifie, exhortations, as Act. 13. 15. Rom. 12. 8.
Here this word hath reference to the text of Scripture that followeth: which in regard of this sweet compellation, My Son, is a great consolation, and in reference to the manner of expressing the poynt, thus, despise not, nor faint, It is an exhor∣tation. So as either signification may be used in this place. It is a consolatory ex∣hortation, and an exhortatory consolation. To the metaphor of running here used by the Apostle, the latter word, Exhortation, is the more proper: For runners in a* 1.3 race, by exhortations, and acclamations, are much quickned. Whereby it appear∣eth how usefull exhortations are. See more hereof, Chap. 3. v. 13. §. 143.
This relative c 1.4 which, hath reference to that exhortation which is quoted in this verse. It is an elegant figure: for a voice, or faculty of speaking is attributed to the exhortation recorded in Scripture. So as the word written, is as a Sermon preached, it hath a kind of voice, whereby it speaketh to us: as Chap. 3. v. 7. §. 74. in the end.
The word translated d 1.5 speaketh, is a compound, and signifieth more then a sim∣ple speaking, namely a reasoning, or disputing, or convincing a man of the equity of what he speaketh, Mark. 9. 34. Act. 17. 17. and 19. 8, 9. e 1.6 The title of the art of reasoning is set down under a word derived from the same root.
The persons to whom this was spoken are comprised under this relative,f 1.7 unto you. He means hereby those to whom he wrote; which were, both these Hebrewe, and all other Christians, that should read, or hear this Epistle; For God in his word, speaketh to all of all sorts, to all of all degrees, to all of all places, to all of all ages, to all of any other distinction whatsoever. This Christ thus plainly ex∣presseth, What I say unto you, I say unto all, Mark. 13. 37. and Moses thu•…•…, Neither with you only do I make this covenant; but with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him, that is not here, Deut. 29. 14, 15. Thus may, thus ought every one to apply the word of God, wherein it concerneth him, to himself, though at first it were spoken to others. See Chap. 13. v. 5. §. 68.