person here, is set 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Any
one that despiseth, or setteth at nought, Moses Law,
the man that will doe presumptuously, and will not hear∣ken
to the Priest, or to the Judge, Deut. 17. 12. such
an one, as when his fact is competently proved against
him, he must die without mercy: And that is also the
meaning of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, there remains
no longer any sacrifice for sin. It is such a sin for which
the High-priest among the Jewes was not allowed to
offer sacrifice for expiation. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
saith Josephus, l. 2. cont. Apion, there was no
deprecating, no possibility of averting the punishment
of death which belonged to such. Accordingly we see
the practice in Maimonides (in the title of dressing ob∣lations,
cap. 3. num. 3, 5.) that no sacrifice should be
made for Apostates, though for Ethnicks there might.
So again appears v. 29. by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, trampling on the Son of God, that is, contemptu∣ously
using him, as these Apostatizing desertors did,
counting the blood of the covenant an unholy thing,
(as Ezech. 22. 26. to the Priests 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 violating Gods
Law, is added their profaning Gods holy things) con∣temning
the Covenant sealed by the blood of Christ,
by which they have obliged themselves to adhere to
him, and contumeliously using the Spirit of grace, that
is, again despising and throwing away those pretious
advantages of the Spirit of God which had been be∣stow'd
upon them, but now are repell'd and rejected
by them, as in the Canons of the Councils, they that
have undertaken the office of Church-widows, and af∣ter
marry, are said to do•• despite to the grace of God:
(see Conc. Wormac. cap. 45.) for which S. Paul hath
casting off their first faith, 1 Tim. 5. 12. By all which
appears what the nature and aggravations of this sin
was, A forsaking the Christian orthodox, and going
over to the heretical Gnostick way, which was a down∣right
Apostasie from Christ to Antichrist. And for
such an one the punishment is figuratively express'd
by, there remains no farther, or no longer, sacrifice
for sins: that is, either the blood of Christ trampled on
by him, v. 29. will not prove beneficial to him, and
so, because there is no other sacrifice, he is capable of
no mercy; or else the prayers and oblations of the
Church, which are used for those that they have any
hopes of, belong not to him. See Note on chap. 6. b.
and 1 John 5. c.
[ c] V. 38. Draw back] What is here meant by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
we have two waies of discerning; first, by con∣sidering
the word in the few other places of the New
Testament: Act. 20. 20. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I did not withdraw, or
hold back, from declaring to you any of those things
that were profitable for you, and almost in the same
words and sense v. 27. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
&c. I did not withdraw, or withhold, my self from
declaring to you the whole counsel of God. So in Pha∣vorinus,
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 hiding himself,
getting out of the way, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
the word used c. 12. 25. for detractare, to get off from
any employment, to be unwilling to enter upon it, to
hang back, to refuse; so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Gal. 2. 12.
he slunk away, withdrew himself, got out of their
company, and that as an effect of fear, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.
fearing the Jewish Christians. So Phavorinus again,
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, fear∣ing,
running away. And so here the matter of the dis∣course
being exhortation and encouragement to con∣stancy
in the Christian profession, in despight of all the
terrors and assaults that lay on them from the Jewes
at that time, and that upon constant expectation of re∣ceiving
a rich reward, deliverance here within a while,
if they live and continue constant, and eternal blisse in
another world, for all that they could suffer here,
(which is the meaning of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 confidence, &c.
ver. 35.) it will be most agreeable that the just man's
living by faith in the beginning of v. 38. should be
his patient, cheerful, constant continuance in the Chri∣stian
profession, meerly upon the strength of the pro∣mises
that are made to courage and constancy, the pro∣mised
deliverance in this, v. 36, & 37. and eternity in
another world: and contrary to that, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
drawing back here, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 39. must needs be
a fainting in the course, a pusillanimous falling off, a
detractation or failing in point of perseverance, caused
by fear or pusillanimity. And this will likewise appear
by a second medium, by looking into the prophet Ha∣bakkuk,
ch. 2. 4. from whence 'tis clear those words
immediately precedent are cited, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the just shall live by faith. If that place of
Habakkuk be observe carefully in the Septuagint
and the Hebrew, it will not be improbable which some
have surmised, that the Septuagint read the Hebrew
words a little otherwise then now we read them; not
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, arrogans fuit, was lifted up, as we read in
the beginning of the verse, nor 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 his soul, but
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for the former, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 my soul for the lat∣ter.
Now the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which they are surmised to
have read there, is perfectly answerable to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
here (as the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 my soul is rendred here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
my soul, otherwise then the Hebrew there will re∣gularly
bear it) for the Hebrew signifies primarily te∣xit,
covered, (and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was rendred by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
being hidden, out of Phavorinus) and then al∣so
it signifies turbatus fuit, was frighted, or troubled,
(which they that are, slink, or hide themselves out of
the way.) So Isa. 50. 20. Thy children 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the
Chaldee reads, were troubled, the Septuagint, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
were in distresse or great fear; and Jonah 4. 8. 'tis
rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was ready to faint; and so Am. 8.
13. the Targum explain it by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they shall be
weary, or faint, and so in other places, the Septuagint
render it by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fainting or failing: and so the
Septuagint, if they read as is surmised, will seem to
have taken it in Habakkuk, He that falls off, or
faints, the cowardly or fearful, my soul doth not like
him. But others that have considered that place in
Habakkuk, conceive the ordinary Hebrew reading may
be well retained, the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being of the same sig∣nification
with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Jonah 4. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & defecit,
and so Isa. 51. 20. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 thy sonnes have fainted.
Thus Rabbi Tanchum renders it by withdrawing him∣self,
being far removed, and that is all one with our
notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And the Arabick word which
is answerable to it signifies negligere, aliò animum
avertere, to neglect, to turn away his mind; and so that
is agreeable also. Thus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which in the latter part
of the verse ordinarily signifies right, is frequently
rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pleased, and so is all one with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
and then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 his soul may be retained also, mean∣ing
Gods soul, from whom he averts, which therefore
the Septuagint thought fit to expresse by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, my,
that is, Gods soul, in like manner as they have done
Psal. 5. 9. where the Hebrew hath, his strength, and
they read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, my strength. See Mr. Pocock
Miscell. p. 45. And all this sets down the true notion
of the word in this place, thus; But if he that should
live by his faith, shall cowardly withdraw himself
from the publick worship of Christ, v. 25. (as Ignatius
faith they did which had received the infusions of the
Gnosticks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ep. ad
Smyrn. they abstain from the Eucharist, and from pray∣er,
that is, publick assemblies, and exhorts them to
mend that fault, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ad
Polyc. Let there be more frequent assemblies, and so
again ad Ephes.) if they withdraw from the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
the patient, magnanimous encounter of af∣flictions,
v. 32. from the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or confident professi∣on
of the truth, v. 35. (in expectation of the future