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1 WHerefore holy brethren a 1.1, partakers of * 1.2 the heavenly calling b 1.3, consider † 1.4 the apostle c 1.5 and high-priest of our profession Christ Jesus d 1.6.
2 Who was faithful to him that * 1.7 appointed him e 1.8, as also † 1.9 Moses was faithful in all his house f 1.10.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses g 1.11, inasmuch as * 1.12 he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house h 1.13.
4 For every house is builded by some man i 1.14, but * 1.15 he that build all things is God k 1.16.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a Servant l 1.17, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after m 1.18.
6 But Christ as a Son over his own house n 1.19, * 1.20 whose house are we o 1.21, † 1.22 if we hold fast the confidence p 1.23, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end q 1.24.
7 Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith r 1.25, * 1.26 To day if ye will hear his voice s 1.27.
8 Harden not your hearts, t 1.28 as in the provo∣cation u 1.29, in the day of temptation in the wilder∣ness w 1.30:
9 When your Fathers tempted me x 1.31, pro∣ved me y 1.32, and saw my works forty years z 1.33.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that ge∣neration a 1.34, and said, They do alway err in their hearts b 1.35, and they have not known my ways c 1.36.
11 So I sware in my wrath d 1.37: † 1.38 They shall not enter into my rest e 1.39.
12 Take heed Brethren f 1.40, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief g 1.41 in departing from the living God h 1.42.
13 But exhort one another daily, whilst it is called, To day i 1.43, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin k 1.44.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ l 1.45, if we hold the beginning of our confidence m 1.46 sted∣fast unto the end n 1.47.
15 Whilst it is said, * 1.48 To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation o 1.49.
16 For some, when they had heard, did pro∣voke p 1.50: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses q 1.51.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years r 1.52? was it not with them that had sinned, * 1.53 whose carcases fell in the wilderness s?
18 And * 1.54 to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest t 1.55, but to them that be∣lieved not u 1.56?
19 So we see they could not enter in, because of unbelief w 1.57.
Several Uses the Holy Ghost makes from ver. 1. of this chapter to the end of chap. 4. Of the Gospel Doctrine of God the Son incarnate, set by the Father in Office, to deal for Sinners towards God as their Great Prophet; the Counsel he giveth, is comprehended in the six first Verses of this Chapter; and as directing these Hebrews to their Duty, so further explaining and confirming his Office to them, by comparing of him with Moses, and setting him as above Angels, so above him, and to be so valued, esteemed and preferred by these Hebrews: Seeing this great Gospel-Pro∣phet was for a little while made lower than the Angels in his Humanity, and it was infinitely beneficial to us upon the account of what he suffered in it in our stead, and purchased by it for our Good; Therefore should those who are partakers of it, being related in the Flesh to him as Hebrews, descending with them from Abraham, consider, but much more as Christi∣ans, Believing and Adopted in him to be God's Children, and sanctified by his Spirit, 1 Pet. 1.1, 2, 3, 4. and 2 Pet. 1.1.
Phil. 3.14.
And made thus a Christian Fraternity by the heavenly calling of them out of the World by the Gospel; when by his Spirit he enlightened their Minds, and renewed their Wills, and made them obedient to it, so as for the temper of their Souls they are made holy, and for their Condition happy; the work of God's Power and Mercy eminently appearing in it: God therein preventing Man, so as he influenceth him to hear him from Heaven, walk worthy of Heaven, and at last to rest in Heaven for ever.
Rom. 15.8. chap. 4.14. and 6.20. and 8.1. and 9.11.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 imports not a bare single act of the Mind to think on, or understand, but a repeated one to think again and again, expressed by that Periphrasis of laying it to heart, pressing on their Spi∣rits the due effort of Faith and Obedience arising out of this Observation, Isai. 52.15. Of God's Messenger, his own Son sent from Heaven to be Incarnate, with Authority to execute in his Humane Nature his Prophetical, as all his Offices, and with Authority to send forth his Apostles to do their part, Iohn 20.21. which is no more than is intimated in that Title, the Messenger of the Covenant, Isaiah 42.19. and Mal. 3.1. That was to propose it to, and confirm it with them. This was he by whom Moses desired God's Message might be sent to them, Exod. 4.13. and whom he foretold should bring it, Deut. 18.15. Acts 3.22, 23.
The Son is the great Gospel-High-Priest to deal in all matters with God for them, chap. 2.17. The Offices divided among other persons in the Old-Testament-Church were all united in his Person, he doth transcend them all, being a High-Priest pe∣culiar to the Called and Sanctified Ones of God, of which all preceeding were faint resemblances and types; He, the most excellent Minister of the Christian Faith and Religion pro∣fessed by them; being Anointed unto all these Offices in the Flesh by the Father with the Holy Ghost, chap. 1.9. and be∣ing Iesus a Saviour, our Emmanuel, God on our side, saving his People from their Sins, and re-uniting them to God, Mat. 1.21, 23. Iohn 17.21, 22, 23.
Gr. made. 1 Sam. 12.6.
The Spirit inforceth the Duty counselled on them from the Fidelity of that grand Gospel-Minister in his Offices; exemplified in a Parallel with Moses whom he did exceed. He did most exactly perform all he was intrusted with, according to the intention and end of his Commission. He did most faithfully reveal God, Iohn 1.18. and his whole saving Will to whom God sent him, Iohn 3.31, to 34. and 5.34. and 8.28, 38. As his great Prophet, Acts 3.22. He as faithfully discharged the Office of his Priesthood in sa∣crificing himself to atone God for Sinners, and as faithfully in∣terceeds for all with him unto this day, and will do so for ever, with all truth and Fidelity discharging his Trust, chap. 7.24, to 28. and 9, 11, 12, 14, 24, 26. He was faith∣ful in fulfilling all his Types, and in changing and finishing all the Ceremonial Constitutions, and filling them up with Gos∣pel ones, according to God's Will revealed to him about it. He was true to his Father who appointed and constituted him to these Offices, and solemnly invested him in them. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here not signifying the making of a Creature, but the making of an Officer, the Person existing before; He puts him into this special Charge and Office by anointing him for it, Acts 2.36.
Num. 12.7.
Moses was the Jewish Mediator, and brought them the Law Moral, Judicial and Ceremonial from God; as he was highly esteemed by them, so God testifieth of his Fidelity. Christ was not only like to him in Fidelity, but as to both the truth and degree of it exceeding him. Mo∣ses kept to his Pattern shewn him in the Mount, and Christ fulfilled intirely his Fathers Will. Iohn 5.30. and 6.38. and is preferr'd to him. Moses was so in the whole Church of Israel, set out by this Metaphor of a House; but Christ in all God's House and Family both in Heaven and in Earth, not the least thing that concerned the Family, but Christ fulfil∣led; not the meanest person in it, but he careth for, and saveth it.
The Spirit proves to the Hebrews, that the Gospel-Pro∣phet was not only like to, but more excellent than their greatest Prophet, and who had familiarity with God beyond others, as God testifieth, Numb. 12.6, 7, 8. This he proves by an undeniable supposition that God is better than Man; such is Christ; which he demonstrates by a Work of God, His making the Church and all things. If he made the Church, then he is better than the whole Church, and worthy of more Honour than Moses who is but a Member of it. For this Man is not in the Original: This Gospel-Prophet, who was God as well as Man, the Apostle and High Priest of Chri∣stians, was esteemed and accounted by God the Father the best Judge of worth, and who appointed him to his Offices: He treated him more honourably than Moses, as he deser∣ved it, having real Excellency and Worth in himself. He was God's Son, Moses his Servant; he lay in God's Bosom, saw his Face, was his Fellow, Zech. 13.7. Iohn 1.14.18. Moses only heard his Voice, and saw his Back-parts, Exod. 33.19, 20, 23. and 34.5, 6, 7. Moses's Face only shined, but Christ's Person was intirely glorious, ver. 29, 30. 2 Cor. 3.7. compare Matth. 17.2, to 6. 2 Pet. 1.17.
Zech. 6.12. Mat. 16.18.
He is the cause Principal, Efficient and Architect of this Building, not a Stone is laid in it without him. By this Metaphor of House to which it relateth, is meant God's Spiritual Build∣ing and Temple, 1 Cor. 3.10, 16, 17. Stiled God's Houshold or Family, Ephes. 2.19, to 22. In sum, God's Church, built by and on Christ, of which Moses was but one living Stone or Member, 1 Pet. 2.4, to 8. Therefore this Builder ought to be esteemed and honoured above the Church, or Moses a Member of it.
The excellency of this Builder is evinced by his Na∣ture and preference beyond his Building, as any Man is be∣yond his; for every Earthly Artificial Building, a material House built for Habitation, though it may Metaphorically and Analogically be understood of a Common-Wealth, or Political one, which is contrived, framed, and raised by some Man; yet an effect can't produce it self, nor a House raise it self; both must have a Cause, both the House wherein Mo∣ses was faithful, and Christ's House.
Eph. 2.10.
But he who built his Church in all Ages, whether the Israelitish or Christian, and all things about it, of which we speak, and all things else, Matth. 16.18. Iohn 1.1, 3. Col. 1.20. He is God essentially; and Christ doing God's work and building all things, is not by Name only, but by Nature, God. The whole World is his Workmanship, but the Church is the most rare, curious, and excellent Piece of it. Christ is not part of the House, as Moses is, but the Builder of it; He is the Creator and Builder▪ both of the Church and Him, and so infinitely above him.
The Gospel-Minister, doth not only excel Moses as much as a Builder doth his Work; but as a Son doth a Servant, pro∣ved in this, and ver. 6. Your great Legal Prophet, in whom many of you Hebrews trust, Iohn 5.54. did truly and fully reveal and do what God charged him, in ministring his Will to his Church, Exod. 40.16, to 34. He did not diminish from, nor add the least to God's Charge, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Numb. 12.7. As a Minister, Moses was a faithful as any God had, not a Slave or a Drudge, but a free, willing, ingenuous Servant. most intirely and obsequiously addicting himself in that honourable Place and Office of great Trust, to which God called him; a Stewardly-Servant, a Prophet and a Prince, in∣specting and ordering all according to God's Will, in all Christ's House and Family, his Church, he is but a Servant.
His faithfulness was evident in his bearing true Witness to the Church, of all God made known to him, that they might not be uncertain of the Truth; even all that Truth, which was more fully and clearly to be spoken by the Prophets after him, and by Christ and his Apostles; but which the Spirit shall speak to them further concerning Christ and his Church in this Epistle, Iohn 5.46. In which is insinuated, that Christ was the Truth himself witnessed to by Moses, who was a Witness of an inferior degree, though in his Work faith∣ful, and conformed unto Christ.
The anointed Gospel-Prophet by God the Father, chap. 1. ver. 9. who was eminently faithful and true to his Trust, who is Heir and Lord of all, and therefore by the Law of Nature and Nations is above the best Servant, Gal. 4.1. Who is the Head and Lord over his own Church, which he purchased by his own Blood, Acts, 20.28. and built for himself; Moses was in it but a Servant, fulfilling his Master's Will and Pleasure, and ordering all in it agreeable to it.
1 Cor. 6.19. 1 Cor. 6.16.
The Hebrews personal Priviledge, as well as the Prophets excellency, perswading and obliging them to know by con∣sideration what is represented to them, and to influence their hearts to a perseverance under his Teaching and Go∣vernment in their Christian course, because they are Parts of his House, and Members of his Church; a particular House and Body, and Church to him, and Members of the Catho∣lick one. A Temple wherein God doth inhabit and dwell by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. compare Ephes. 2.21. and 3.17. 1 Tim. 3.15. A House he will glorify and perfect with his own Presence, and which he will fill with transcendent∣ly more Glory than he did the literal Temple, Exod. 40.34, 35. 2 Chron. 7.1, 2. Isa. 6.1, 5. compare Haggai 2.6. But how compleatly shall it be filled with his Glory in Heaven, Phil. 3.21. How should such a glorious state influ∣ence them to a sincere perseverance in his Religion.
Mat. 24.13.
A tenacious holding, as with both Hands, with our utmost Strength against all Insinuations and Temptations of all Adversaries whatsoever, which would either intice or force them from it. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is an ingenuous, bold, and confident profession of our Hope before all the World, without doubting, wa∣vering, or fearful shaking about what is the true object of it, let the Persecutions or Sufferings for it be what they will. Hope here is a firm expectation of Salvation in Eter∣nal Glory by Jesus Christ. It necessarily includes in it Faith, for we cannot hope for that we do not believe; And Faith representing to the Soul from the Gospel, Christ purchasing, and the Father in him covenanting and promising to give it to us if we truly believe in, and sincerely obey him, so as we may on the surest and best grounds look out for it, and expect it, ver. 14. chap. 6.11. Acts 26.6, 7. compare Col. 1.5.23. Titus 2.13. 1 Pet. 1.3.
This Hope keeps up the Soul in a joyous and glorious Condition under all threat∣ning Evil; it makes Christians glory in Tribulation, Rom. 5.2, 3. and 12.12. Rejoicing in want of sensible good, 2 Cor. 6.10. compare 1 Pet. 5.10. Both this confidence and glo∣rying of Hope must be retained firm to the end. Perse∣vere they must in the exercise of them with stability and constancy, till they reach the Salvation of their Souls, Col. 1.23. 1 Pet. 1.5, to 10. which Christians are not to trust to their own power to compass, but on the continued assist∣ance of God in the use of those means that he hath ap∣pointed thereunto, who will never be wanting to such who do so rely on him, and constantly seek it from him, 1 Cor. 1.8, 9.
The Spirit inforceth his Counsel for these Hebrews im∣provement of his Doctrine about the Gospel-Prophet, by alledging a sad example of their Fathers refusing to hear and obey him, from ver. 7, to 11. The Allegation might be best placed in Parenthesis, and the introductive Illative Par∣ticle Wherefore, may refer to ver. 12. Take heed, Brethren. As the Spirit, the Holy One, that third relation in the Trinity, whose Essence is Holiness, is the Author of what the Psal∣mist doth write, and is here quoted by him, Psal. 95.7▪ to 12. So that the Example registred is true and infallible, and should suitably affect them, reading it.
Ver. 15.
Every pre∣sent Time, wherein the great Builder and Lord of God's Church speaketh to them; God would not have a hearer of his Prophet to procrastinate a day, but to be exercising all those internal Acts, which this word of sense Hear doth comprehend, such as reacheth the Heart as well as the Ear, if you will attend, intend, believe, love and obey; a hearing better than all external Sacrifices, 1 Sam. 15.22. The Angel of the Covenant speaking his Mind and Will to them by Moses and the Prophets, which was for the matter of it Faith in God's Covenant, made with them in and through Christ, Psal. 95.7. compare Exod. 23.20, 21, 22, 23.
To help in the former Duty the Spirit subjoins this negative Counsel, that is stiled hard, which will not yield to any Impression: Make not your Heart a Stone, so as not to under∣stand, believe, or obey God's Voice to it, Deut. 15.7. and 1 Sam. 6.6. For God requires them to be his Fleshy Tables, to write his Will on, 2 Cor. 3.3. The hardening of this part is the hardening of the whole person, and when hardned by themselves, is provoking God's judicial hard∣ning of them to their Destruction.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In the bitter contention, comprehending in it both Work, Season and Place. Called Meribah, Numb. 20.13, 14. Names of Places and Persons by Words of the same signification, though not of the same sound.
In the day of Massah, when Israel in the Wilderness did murmur, and strive against, and vexed God (after he had divided the Sea for them) for their want of Water, Exod. 17.2, 7. Deut. 6.16. and 33.8. That bitter Contest of unbelief after the sight of so many Miracles when they cried out, Is the Lord among us? Psal. 95.8. It may also refer to the whole Forty Years time of their Murmuring and Tempting him in the Wilderness.
In the time and place formentioned, the Fathers from whom you derive your Being and Corruption, yet glory in them and their Traditions, whose state is aggravated from your Line of successive Rebellion, Acts 7.51, 52, 53. They have embittered my Spirit by their unbelief: For upon the want of Water, they questioned his Power, Wisdom, Truth and Providence to the denial of all, and sometimes mul∣tiplied it, Numb. 16, &c.
A discontented quarrel with, and scrutiny of Christ the Redeemer, that if he would not serve their Lust, they would deny him, and apostatize from him, and return to Egypt, notwithstanding their having suf∣ficient proof of him, yet they would contend with him, 1 Cor. 10.9.
All the Redeemers Miracles, which he wrought for them in Egypt, and the Wilderness, they saw them plainly and presently on their tempting him; Miracles of Mercy and of Punishments, by Fire, by the Earth opening, by Fiery Serpents, by the Sword, by consuming 600000 of them; all which were Evidences sufficient to convince any of the Wickedness of mistrusting him. Deut. 29.2, 3, 4. This hardning of their Hearts yet continued Forty Years, till all but two of them, Ioshua and Cale••, were consumed: God by their Sin was so grieved with them after such ex∣perience of his Power for so long a time. See Exod. 32.10. Numb. 14.22.
Because they thus tempted and proved him by hard∣ning their hearts in unbelief▪ Forty Years, God the Redeem∣er, Isaiah 63.16. 1 Cor. 10.9. was grieved, is attributed to him improperly, who is not subject to Passions, but as Men grown impatient with grievous and oppressive Burdens; so He expresseth his dislike, disdain of them, and resolution to bear no longer, as Amos 2.13. They split on him, as a Ship on a sharp point of a Rock, so as God hath loss, offence and trouble by it; and all of them did so carry it to Him the whole Age of them but Caleb and Ioshua, Psal. 95.10.
They follow Deceit and Lying in their Doctrine and Wor∣ship with all their Heart, so that it is diffused through their Persons, and that seat of Truth is made depth of Error, to the stupifying of their Hearts even to very madness, and this was their state all their time.
Notwithstanding God's Works were among them and his Word, yet they would not know his Mind, so as to approve, love, and walk in God's ways. His Law, Doctrine, revealed Truth and Com∣mands were all cast behind their Back, Ezek. 23.35.
Such was their Provocations and Temptations of their Redeemer, that he determined their Punishment; the cer∣tainty of which he fixt by an irreversible Oath, which is the highest confirmation of Vengeance when it cometh from Wrath; as of his Promise when it issueth from Grace, Numb. 14.27, 28, to 36. Psal. 95.11. compar'd chap. 6.17, 18. And the Spring of it here is Wrath, inraged by their Murmurings and Unbelief.
Gr. If they shall enter.
The Punishment is exprest in an expostulatory form, which is vehemently asserting the negative of the Question; They shall never enter into my Rest. If they enter in, then I am neither True nor God. The Rest literal was the Land of Canaan, Deut. 12.9. in the Truth of that Type, Heaven. It is the Redeemer who speaks this, whose Rest it is by way of Efficiency, Purchase, and Dona∣tion; he gives entrance into it, and shuts out of it, Matth. 7.21, 22, 23. This is a shutting them out of all Peace, in∣to Eternal Sorrow, Anguish, Distress and Trouble, and eve∣ry other Evil contrary unto this Rest.
Here the Spirit applieth the former dreadful example of Sin and Judgment to the Hebrews, to forewarn them how they sinned as these did, lest they partake of the like Vengeance, and so enters his Caution against Unbelief. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies not an act of Sight, but of the Mind, Cir∣cumspection, Watchfulness, and Heed, taking exactest caution of the Evil forbidden, chap. 12.15, 25. 1 Cor. 8.9. Brethren they were to Paul in the Flesh, and more so as True Belie∣vers in Christ, he cautions them particularly, one by one, lest any Root of Bitterness should be amongst them, chap. 12.15.
The Heart is the first, and proper, and chiefest subject wherein all Sin riseth, and from thence issueth into Words and Works, Matth. 15.18, 19. compare Iames 1.14, 15. This comprehendeth the Mind, Will and Affections, the whole in∣ward Man; and this Heart in every Man is naturally and ha∣bitually Evil, continually forging and framing of it, Gen. 6.5. compare Ierem. 17.9. Almighty Grace only can change this Heart, yet it works by Counsel, and makes the Soul willing to use the means appointed to effect it. VNBELIEF, though but in it self, is but a denial to assent to, or rely on the Will of God revealed to it, yet is the Spring and Fountain of all other Sin, the teeming Womb from whence all issueth, as, Uncleanness, Idolatry, Unrighteousness, Su∣perstition, &c. It was the hardening Sin of their fore-fathers, they would not Believe, and then did Murmur and Rebel: It is the root of Apostacy; Men breaking their Co∣venant with God in Christ, do then desert him: Against this Persidious, Impious, perverted Temper doth he caution them to watch, that neither for measure nor season they ever do admit or allow it; that there be not at all in the least degree, or at any time such a base, malignant quality in their Hearts, Rom. 11.20, 21.
Turning away, standing off, and separating the Heart, it implies in it a real, total, final defection; actual and formal Apostacy from him whom they had owned and received, and is actual Rebellion against their lawful Soveraign, by turning either Jews or Heathens, and renouncing the Christian Religion and its Author, who is the Living God, not only formally as opposed to dead Idols, but efficiently the Author and Fountain of all sorts of Life, but especially of Spiritual and Eternal Life, Iohn 5.19, 20, 21, 25, 26. which Living God is our Lord Jesus Christ, ver. 7. whose Voice they were to hear, who was tempted by their Unbelief in the Wilderness, 1 Cor. 10.9. who gave the Law to them at Sinai, chap. 12.26. So that to apostatize from him and his Religion, is to apostatize from God, and to renounce Eternal Life, and to subject themselves to Eter∣nal Punishments, which he ever liveth to inflict on them; Unless they took heed to avoid this Unbelief, it was im∣possible for them to persevere in Christianity, when threat∣ned with Persecutions, and the loss of Peace, Liberty, Safety, Estates, Honours, Relations, and Life it self for it.
The means to avoid the former Evil, is, to Exhort, which as a private Duty, is an earnest, frequent calling on, stirring up, or perswading, incouraging to perseverance in the Christian Religion, and to put away all Heart-Evil, espe∣cially Unbelief, which traineth to Apostacy; to which are subservient God's Precepts, Promises, Threatnings suitably applied by them: And this is not only privately, but es∣pecially publickly, by the regular Ministration of the Word and Ordinances to the whole Society of Christians, as they are personally obliged to it, being Members one of another, 1 Cor. 12.25, 27. And this they are to do instantly, for no Man is sure what may be on the Morrow, he being but a Days-Man, living, and supplied, as working by the day; sufficient to the day is the Duty as well as the Evil in it, Matth. 6.11, 34. Whilst then the day of Grace and Re∣pentance lasts, in which God calls and intreats, and will hear and help, the opportune time of exhorting, the ve∣ry instant wherein God expecteth it, ver. 7. Psal. 95.7. And every one as thus to look to another, must begin with himself, lest any miscarry; Charity, especially as to this, should begin in every Christian at home.
Lest themselves or others, refuse the Gospel rendred, or reject and apostatize from it after professing it, so as to become not only obsti∣nate, but rebellious by Unbelief, and an habitual hardned Heart; so as the sinful, natural habit of our Soul, Iames 1.12.15. So horrible vile in it self, that were it not masked, Nature would abhor it, might be drawn forth by the false Colours, as the Devil blinds Sin with, to delude the Under∣standing, and to catch and insnare the malignant Will, that it swallows it more and more, to the hardning of the Heart; That Divine Promises, Threatnings, nor Admonitions can make any impression; it being unmoved under the appli∣cation of all these, disregards the Christian Faith, and hath its issue in a total Apostacy, Ier. 17.9. Ephes. 4.22. 1 Tim. 1.19.
For, shews this to be a rational motive, urging home the former Counsel, unto which the following Condition doth agree; for we Believing Christians and Brethren are made 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Partners with the Primitive Proprietor supposed in it, even Christ, who hath of his own the fulness of God, Life, Grace, Glory, and all good; in all which fulness of his we share, by virtue of our Union with him, Iohn 1.16. Ephes. 1.22, 23. Col. 1.19. and 2.9, 10. And he by his Spirit will free us from the deceitfulness of Sin, and hard∣ning by it.
If by a Spiritual tenaciousness, and firm fix∣ing in our hearts, we hold 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, either the principal or fundamental Truth, as the word signifieth in Sciences; or, the entrance or beginning of our Course, as used in things, so as the first step in Christianity is stiled a beginning of Grace.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in personal relations is, a real subsist∣ence, as of the Son in the Trinity, chap. 1.3. In things, the Basis and Foundation upholding others, and this in Christia∣nity is Christ principally, who bears up his Church, Eph. 2.20, 21, 22. And Faith the Instrument, whereby we receive Christ, is so called, chap. 11.1. That which renders present and subsisting what is hoped for to the Soul; so that here it imports the retaining firm that Principle of Truth, up∣on which Christians are bottomed and supported to Life, that is, Christ himself, and the true Doctrine of him; as also, that we must firmly stand in the first beginnings of Faith, and encrease in them, so as they may be firmly fixed in our Hearts, and our Hearts on them, so as never to be removed as long as we live; our retaining firmly of this, makes us partners in Christ; both instrumentally helping in it, and evi∣dentially; It being the infallible consequence of true Grace, holding us to this Communion with Christ. How ought these Conditions to quicken the activity of Believers.
Ver. 7.
This is another circumstance of the Example of the Iews applied to them: That since now Christ is speaking to you, as he did to your fore-Fathers then; the same Voice concerneth you both, so, as not to morrow, or when you will, but To day, if you will believe what God speaketh to you by him, and hath recorded in his Word concerning his being the Messiah, and render not your selves deaf to God's Voice, or obdurate through Unbelief, as your fore-Fathers did, when their Unbelief and hardness of Heart imbitter'd God's Spirit against them, because acting in it against their solemn Vows and Engagements to him, so as to Apostatize from him.
This is a rational enforcement of the former Duty pressed, it being as possible for them to provoke Christ as others, they should look to it, and not harden their hearts; for the greater some, the most of the Congregation of Israel imbittered God's Spirit by their Unbelief and hardness of Heart; though Christ spake to them from Heaven, as never was before done, and daily by Moses they were hearing Counsels by which they might live, yet provoked they him, and would not believe.
This rightly interprets the Psal∣mist, and sets a better example of their Fathers for them to follow: Let Caleb and Ioshua, Believers, and Obedient to God, be your Patterns to imitate; He aggravates the Dis∣obedience of the one, and the Obedience of the other. They all had equally a clear Exemption and Deliverance from the place of Bondage, and that by Moses, by whom God wrought such Miracles as might command Faith from any; yet these some, by murmuring and striving with the Redeemer, provoked him: how great is their Sin? How suitable and pleasing the Obedience of the others to him?
By these Questions, the Spirit makes a more lively re∣presentation of these unbelieving provokers of God, that his Reason may have the more force with them; Do ye observe with whom God was grieved? the form puts them on more exact notice for their caution: God suffers not by Passion, but these redeemed out of Egypt carried it contrary to him, and crost his Will, that which usually grieveth us. Con∣cerning the Word, see ver. 10. It is used by the Septuagint, Deut. 7.26. to express that detestation and abhorrence which Israel was to shew against Idols, that they should be a grief to their Soul not to be indured: Idols are cal∣led Grievances; he was displeased and grieved with their Covenant-breaking with him Forty Years together. These Sinners by their Unbelief, Murmuring, Idolatry, Rebellion against his Officers and Ordinances, and their other Lusts, so imbitter'd his Spirit, that he by various Judgments destroy∣ed and turned them into the Grave and Hell together, 1 Cor. 10.5, to 11. Moses and others of God's own cannot be numbred among these Sinners, for their Sins were pardon∣ed, and Persons accepted; and though they came short of the literal, had a much more abundant entrance administred to them into the Heavenly Canaan.
Num. 14.22, 29, &c. •• 26.65. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 5.
Deut. 1.34, ••••.
To prevent these Hebrews falling, the Spirit repeats the direful Oath of God to Apostates in the Wilderness. The form of which was opened, ver. 11. compare Numb. 14.30. The matter sworn was, that they should be so far from possessing, that they should not as much as enter into the Land of Promise, Canaan, which was God's Property, as the whole Earth is; he promised it to them, could only dis∣possess their Enemies, did give it in Possession to their Seed, and made it a Type of Heaven, and of his Rest there; he swore this in his severe vindictive Justice, so as his Sen∣tence was irreversible: which Oath stands good against all total and final Apostates from him, who have thereby for∣feited any Title to God's Eternal Rest.
Those who were unbelieving under all God's Miracles of Mercies and Judg∣ments, which they saw, and so became obstinately disobe∣dient to God's Commands, and broke his Covenant, chap. 8.9. Ier. 31.32. and apostatized from him, and so perished in their gain-saying.
The execution of the matter sworn was felt by these Hebrews, which should make them and all that read it, to dread both their Sin and Punishment, which the Gospel would as justly inflict on them, if Unbelievers. It is to be seen in God's written Record of it, and the experienced downfall of such, that God's Oath had shut the Door as to their entrance there, and his Judgments consumed them in the Wilderness; because of their denial of resting on God's Word, and the impious practices that issued from it, in their rejecting Promises, rebelling against Precepts, and murmuring against Providence. God is no respecter of Per∣sons; if we sin so against his Son and Gospel, how much sorer Punishment will overtake us? chap. 10.27, 29.