VERSE 27.
But a certain fearfull looking for of Judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.
When a man under the Law had contracted the guilt of any such sin, as was indispensibly capital in its punishment, for the legal expiation whereof no Sacrifice was appointed or allowed, such as Murder, Adultery, Blasphemy, he had nothing remaining but a fearful expectation of the Execution of the sentence of the Law against him. And it is evident that in this Context, the Apostle argues from the less unto the greater; If it was so, that this was the case of him who so sinned against Moses Law, how much more must it be so with them, that sin against the Gospel, whose sin is incomparably greater, and the punishment more severe?
The Connexion of the words with those foregoing, by the Adversative 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, includes or brings along with it the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, there remains; No Sacrifice for sin is left or remains; But there doth remain or abide for such persons a fearful expectation of Judgment.
There are two things in these words.
1. The punishment due unto the sins of Apostates which is three waies ex∣pressed. (1.) By the general nature of it, It is Judgment. (2.) By the special nature of that Judgment, it is fiery indignation. (3.) By the efficacy of it unto its end, it devours the adversaries.
2. The certain approach of this Judgment, there remains a fearful expecta∣tion. This last lies first in the words. And,
1. That which we render certain, is in the Original only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: It doth not denote an assured expectation, nor the certainty of the punishment; but only * 1.1 a certain kind of expectation, a kind of fearful expectation. Nor is this spo∣ken in the way of diminution, but to intimate something that is inexpressible, such as no heart can conceive, or tongue express; 1 Pet. 4. 17, 18. What shall be the end of them who obey not the Gospel? Where shall the sinners and ungod∣ly appear.
2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an expectation, is the frame of mind with respect unto any thing * 1.2 that is future, good or bad, wherein we are concerned, that we are to look for what ever it be, which we have reason and grounds to think it will come unto us or befal us.
3. This Expectation is said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, fearful, tremendous, which men can neither conflict withall, nor avoid, as we shall see further, ver. 31. That * 1.3 which fills the mind with dread and horror, depriving it of all Comfort, and relief. An expectation of this dreadful and terrible nature, may be taken two