'as the manner of some is.' The church of the Hebrews, especially that at Jerusalem, had been exposed to great trials and persecutions, as the apostle declares, ver. 32, 33. During this state, some of the members of it, even in those early days, began so far to decline from their profession, as not to frequent the assemblies of the church. They were afraid to be taken at a meeting, or that their known persecuting neighbours should take notice of them, as they went unto, or came out from their assemblies. And it should seem, they were not a few who had fallen into this sinful neglect; for the apostle speaks of it as a thing which was well known among themselves.

Again. There were among the Hebrews at that time great disputes about the continuance of the temple worship, with the rites and ceremonies of it, with which many were entangled; and as that error prevailed in their minds, so did they begin gradually to neglect and forsake the worship and duties of the gospel, which ended with many in fatal apostasy. To prevent the effects of these two evils was the principal design of the apostle in writing this Epistle, which is filled with cogent arguments against them. This was the last cause of their declension, before intimated, namely, unbelief secretly inclining unto a departure from the living God. And this is marked here as the ordinary beginning of an entrance into final apostasy; namely, that men do forsake the assemblies of the saints. Only observe, that it is not an occasional dereliction of them, but that which they accustomed themselves unto : it was εθος, 'their manner,' it was an ordinary way and manner of walking which they accustomed themselves unto.

Obs. III. No church order, no outward profession, can secure men from apostasy. Persons were guilty of this crime in the first, the best, the purest churches.

Obs. IV. Perfection, freedom from offence, scandal, and ruinous evils, is not to be expected in any church in this world.

Obs. V. Men that begin to decline their duty in church relations ought to be marked, and their ways avoided.

Obs. VI. Forsaking of church assemblies, is usually an entrance into apostasy.

Secondly. The apostle illustrates this great evil by the contrary duty, aλλa TаρакaλOVνTES, but exhorting one another. All the duties of these assemblies, especially those which are useful and needful to prevent backsliding, and preserve from apostasy, are proposed under this one, which is the head and chief of them all. The nature of this mutual exhortation among Christian believers in church societies, hath been discoursed on ch. iii. Here it is opposed to the evil dehorted from, Forsake not, but exhort one another." Wherefore it is comprehensive of the general nature of all the duties of believers in church societies, and it hath a special respect unto constancy and perseverance in the profession of the faith, and diligent attendance unto the duties of gospel worship, as is evident from the whole context. This is the duty of all professors of the gospel, namely, to persuade, to encourage, to exhort one another unto constancy in profession, with resolution and fortitude of mind against difficulties, dangers, and oppositions; a duty which a state of persecution will teach them, who intend not to leave any thing

of Christ. And it is never the more inconsiderable, because the practice of it is almost lost out of the world, as we said before. The motive unto these duties is, the approach of the day.' Wherein we have, Thirdly. A degree added unto the performance of these duties, from this motive, ToGovтy μuλov, so much the more.' The motive itself is, 'the approach of the day;' the evidence they had of it, you see.' There is from this motive an especial degree to be added unto the performance of the duties before mentioned; they are such as ought always to be attended unto. Howbeit, this is a season wherein it is our duty to double our diligence about them. For this, 'so much the rather,' refers distinctly unto all the duties before mentioned; being to be repeated, απο του κοινου. Wherefore, although the word of Christ in his institutions and commands, do make duties constantly in their performance necessary unto us; yet there are warnings and works of Christ, whose consideration ought to excite us unto a peculiar diligence and attendance unto them. And,

1. Such warnings of Christ there are unto his church, both by his word and by his providence. For although he speaks not now immediately unto them by revelations, yet he speaks unto them mediately in his word. All the warnings he hath left on record in the Scripture, given unto his churches in the various conditions wherein they were; as for instance, those in the second and third of the Revelations; are given likewise unto all the churches now, that are in the same state or condition wherein they were. And he doth it by his providence, in threatenings, efficacious trials, and persecutions, 1 Cor. xi. 30-32.

2. The principal end of these warnings is to stir us up unto more diligence in attendance unto the duties of his worship in the assemblies of the church, as is manifest in all his dealings with the seven churches, as types of all others. For, 1. Our neglect therein is the cause of that displeasure which he in his warnings and trials calls us unto. For this cause many are sick and weak, many are fallen asleep. Because thou art lukewarm, I will do so and so. 2. Because, without a diligent care, we cannot pass through trials of any nature, in persecution, in public calamities, unto his glory, and our own safety. For by a neglect of these duties, all graces will decay, carnal fears will prevail, counsel and help will be wanting, and the soul be betrayed into innumerable dangers and perplexities. 3. Without it, it will not be to the glory of Christ to evidence his presence amongst them in their trials, or give deliverance to them. Wherefore, we may consider what belongs unto this, and so much the rather,' what addition unto our performance of those duties is required from this motive.

1st. A recovery of ourselves from outward neglects in attendance upon church assemblies; such there have been amongst us on various pretences, which if on renewed warnings we recover not ourselves from, we are in danger of eternal ruin, for so the case is stated in this place.

2dly. A diligent inquiry into all the duties which belong to the assemblies of believers, is comprised here by the apostle, under the general head of mutual consideration,'' provocation,' and 'exhorta

tion,' that we be not found defective through our ignorance and unacquaintedness with what he doth require.

3dly. Spiritual diligence in stirring up our hearts and minds unto sincerity, zeal, and delight in the performance of them; in all labouring after a recovery from our decays and backslidings, which is the design of most of the Epistles of Christ unto the seven churches. Wherefore,

Obs. VII. When especial warnings do not excite us unto renewed diligence in known duties, our condition is dangerous as unto the continuance of the presence of Christ amongst us.

Fourthly. The motive itself is, 'the approach of the day,' eyyılovoav Tny nuɛpav, concerning which we must inquire, 1. What day it is that is intended? 2. How it did approach? And then, How it did evidence itself so to be, as they saw it?

1. The day, Tηv nμεpav, an eminent day.' The rule whereby we may determine what day is intended, is this: it was such a day as was a peculiar motive unto the Hebrews, in their present circumstances, to attend diligently unto the due performance of gospel duties. It is not such a day, such a motive, as is always common to all, but only unto those who are in some measure in the same circumstances with them. Wherefore it is neither the day of death personally unto them, nor the day of the future judgment absolutely, that is intended; for those are common unto all equally and at all all times, and are a powerful motive in general unto the performance of gospel duties, but not an especial peculiar motive at some time unto peculiar diligence. Wherefore, this day was no other but that fearful and tremendous day, a season for the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, city, and nation of the Jews, which our Saviour had forewarned his disciples of, and which they had in continual expectation.

But it may be said, how should the approach of this day, wherein all things seem to be dissolved, the church to be scattered, the whole nation to be consumed with blood and fire, be a motive unto redoubled diligence in attendance unto the duties of Christian assemblies? It should now seem rather to have been a time for every one to shift for himself and his family, than to leave all at uncertainties and unto ruin, while they looked after these assemblies.

Answ. 1st. Whatever desolations and destructions may be approaching, our best and wisest frame will be to trust unto God, in the discharge of our duty. All other contrivances will prove not only vain and foolish, but destructive unto our souls. The day here intended was coming on the people and nation, for their neglect and contempt of the gospel; it was the revenge of their murder, unbelief, and obstinacy against Christ. Wherefore, if any that made profession of the gospel were now negligent and careless in the known duties of it, they could have no evidence or satisfaction in their own minds that they should not fall in the fire of that day. They who will, in any degree, partake of men's sins, must in some degree or other partake of their plagues.

2dly. It is impossible that men should go or be carried through a day of public calamity, a destructive day, comfortably and cheerfully, without a diligent attendance unto those known duties of the gospel. For, 1. The guilt of this neglect will seize upon them when their trial

shall come; and they will wish, when it is too late, that they had kept at a distance from it. 2. Let men pretend what they will, this decay in those duties argues and evidenceth a decay in all graces, which they will find weak and unfit to carry them through their trials, which will bring them unto an unspeakable loss in their own minds. 3. The Lord Christ requireth this from us in a way of testimony unto him, that we are found faithful in our adherence unto his institutions upon the approach of such a day. For hereby do we evidence both the subjection of our souls unto him, as also that we value and esteem the privilege of the gospel above all other things. 4. Because the duties prescribed in a right discharge of them, are the great means for the strengthening and supporting of our souls in that part of the trial which we are to undergo. For such a day as that intended, hath fire in it, to try every man's work, of what sort it is, and every man's grace, both as to its sincerity and power. Therefore, all ways and means whereby our works may be tried and our graces exercised, are required of us in such a seaWherefore,

son.

Obs. VIII. Approaching judgments ought to influence unto especial diligence in all evangelical duties.

2. How did this day approach? It was approaching, coming, drawing nigh, it was in procinctu, gradually coming upon them; warnings of it, dispositions towards it, intimations of its coming, were given them every day. This I have before given an account of, and how the drawings nigh of this day were upon them when this Epistle was written, and how in a short time it brake forth upon them in all its severity. And these things were so evident, as that,

3. In the last place the apostle takes it for granted, that they themselves did see openly and evidently the approaching day. And it did so in these five things: 1. In the accomplishment of the signs of its coming, foretold by our Saviour; compare Matt. xxiv. 9, &c. with the 32d, 33d, 34th verses of this chapter. And besides, all the other signs mentioned by our Saviour were entering on their accomplishment. 2. In that things were at a great stand as unto the progress of the gospel among the Hebrews. At the first preaching of it, multitudes were converted unto Christ, and the word continued in efficacy towards them for some season afterwards; but now, as our apostle plainly declares in this Epistle, the case was changed among them; the elect obtained, the rest were hardened, Rom. xi. The number of the elect among that people were now gathered in, few additions were made unto the church, not daily, nor in multitudes, as formerly. And believers knew full well that when their work was all accomplished, God would not leave the people in their obstinacy, but that wrath should come upon them unto the uttermost. 3. They saw it approaching in all the causes of it. For the body of the people having now refused the gospel, were given up unto all wickedness and hatred unto Christ; an account whereof is given at large by the historian of their own nation. 4. The time and season did manifest itself unto them. For whereas the body of that people were to be cut off, and cast off, as the apostle expressly declares, Rom. ix.xi. this could not be done, until a sufficient tender of the gospel and of grace by Christ Jesus were first made unto them. Notwithstanding all

their other wickednesses, God would not surprise them with an overturning destruction. He had before, as types of his dealing with them, warned the old world by Noah, and Sodom by Lot, before the one was destroyed by water, and the other by fire. He would also give them their day, and make them a sufficient tender of mercy, which he had now done for nearly forty years. In this space, through the ministry of the apostles and other faithful dispensers of the word, the gospel had been proposed unto all persons of that nation throughout the world, Rom. x. 16-20. This being now accomplished, they might evidently see that the day was approaching. 5. In the preparations for it; for at this time all things began to be filled with confusions, disorders, tumults, seditions, and slaughters in the whole nation, being all of them dawnings of that woeful day, whose coming was declared in them and by them.

Obs. IX. If men will shut their eyes against evident signs and tokens of approaching judgments, they will never stir up themselves nor engage into the due performance of present duties.

Obs. X. In the approach of great and final judgments, God, by his word and providence, gives such intimations of their coming, as that wise men may discern them. Whoso is wise, he will consider these things; and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." The prudent foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself.' 'How is it that you discern not the signs of the times?'

Obs. XI. To see evidently such a day approaching, and not to be sedulous and diligent in the duties of divine worship, is a token of a backsliding frame, tending unto final apostasy.

VER. 26, 27.—Εκουσίως γαρ ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμων μετα το λαβειν την επιγνωσιν της αληθειας, ουκ ετι περὶ ἁμαρτίων απολείπεται Θυσία Φοβερα δε τις εκδοχη κρισεως, και πυρος ζηλος εσθίειν μελλοντος τους ὑπεναντιους.

VER. 26, 27.-For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin : But a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.

IN these verses, the apostle gives a vehement enforcement of his preceding exhortation, from the dreadful consequences of a total neglect of it, or uncompliance with it. And this he doth, 1. By expressing the nature of the sin which lies therein. 2. By an impossibility of deliverance from the guilt of it. 3. The punishment that would unavoidably follow upon it.

Interpreters have greatly perplexed themselves and others in the interpretation and exposition of these verses, and those that follow. Their conjectures, in great variety, have proceeded principally from a want of a due attendance unto the scope of the apostle, the argument he had in hand, the circumstances of the people unto whom he wrote, and the present state of God's providence towards them. I shall not trouble the reader with their various conjectures and censures of them; but I shall