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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>H E B R E W S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter the apostle proceeds to persuade the Hebrews to make a
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better proficiency in religion than they had done, as the best way to
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prevent apostasy, the dreadful nature and consequences of which sin he
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sets forth in a serious manner
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:1-8">ver. 1-8</A>),
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and then expresses his good hopes concerning them, that they would
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persevere in faith and holiness, to which he exhorts them, and sets
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before them the great encouragement they had from God, both with
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respect to their duty and happiness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:9-20">ver. 9, to the end</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Heb6_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Advancement in Holiness; First Principles.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
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let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of
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repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
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2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and
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of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
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3 And this will we do, if God permit.
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4 For <I>it is</I> impossible for those who were once enlightened,
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and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of
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the Holy Ghost,
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5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the
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world to come,
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6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;
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seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put
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<I>him</I> to an open shame.
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7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon
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it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed,
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receiveth blessing from God:
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8 But that which beareth thorns and briers <I>is</I> rejected, and
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<I>is</I> nigh unto cursing; whose end <I>is</I> to be burned.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here the apostle's advice to the Hebrews--that they would grow
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up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new
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man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in
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their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts
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himself with them: <I>Let us go on.</I> Here observe, In order to their
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growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ.
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How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not
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despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in their
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hearts, and lay them as the foundation of all their profession and
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expectation; but they must not rest and stay in them, they must not be
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always laying the foundation, they must go on, and build upon it. There
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must be a superstructure; for the foundation is laid on purpose to
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support the building. Here it may be enquired, Why did the apostle
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resolve to set strong meat before the Hebrews, when he knew they were
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but babes? <I>Answer.</I>
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1. Though some of them were but weak, yet others of them had gained
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more strength; and they must be provided for suitably. And, as those
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who are grown Christians must be willing to hear the plainest truths
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preached for the sake of the weak, so the weak must be willing to hear
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the more difficult and mysterious truths preached for the sake of those
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who are strong.
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2. He hoped they would be growing in their spiritual strength and
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stature, and so be able to digest stronger meat.</P>
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<P>
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I. The apostle mentions several foundation-principles, which must be
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well laid at first, and then built upon; neither his time nor theirs
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must be spent in laying these foundations over and over again. These
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foundations are six:--</P>
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<P>
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1. Repentance from dead works, that is, conversion and regeneration,
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repentance from a spiritually dead state and course; as if he had said,
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"Beware of destroying the life of grace in your souls; your minds were
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changed by conversion, and so were your lives. Take care that you
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return not to sin again, for then you must have the foundation to lay
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again; there must be a second conversion a repenting not only of, but
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from, dead works." Observe here,
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(1.) The sins of persons unconverted are dead works; they proceed from
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persons spiritually dead, and they tend to death eternal.
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(2.) Repentance for dead works, if it be right, is repentance from dead
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works, a universal change of heart and life.
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(3.) Repentance for and from dead works is a foundation-principle,
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which must not be laid again, though we must renew our repentance
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daily.</P>
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<P>
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2. Faith towards God, a firm belief of the existence of God, of his
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nature, attributes, and perfections, the trinity of persons in the
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unity of essence, the whole mind and will of God as revealed in his
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word, particularly what relates to the Lord Jesus Christ. We must by
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faith acquaint ourselves with these things; we must assent to them, we
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must approve of them, and apply all to ourselves with suitable
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affections and actions. Observe,
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(1.) Repentance from dead works, and faith towards God, are connected,
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and always go together; they are inseparable twins, the one cannot live
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without the other.
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(2.) Both of these are foundation-principles, which should be once well
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laid, but never pulled up, so as to need to be laid over again; we must
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not relapse into infidelity.</P>
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<P>
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3. The doctrine of baptisms, that is, of being baptized by a minister
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of Christ with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
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the Holy Ghost, as the initiating sign or seal of the covenant of
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grace, strongly engaging the person so baptized to get acquainted with
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the new covenant, to adhere to it, and prepare to renew it at the table
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of the Lord and sincerely to regulate himself according to it, relying
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upon the truth and faithfulness of God for the blessings contained in
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it. And the doctrine of an inward baptism, that of the Spirit
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sprinkling the blood of Christ upon the soul, for justification, and
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the graces of the Spirit for sanctification. This ordinance of baptism
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is a foundation to be rightly laid, and daily remembered, but not
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repeated.</P>
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<P>
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4. Laying on of hands, on persons passing solemnly from their initiated
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state by baptism to the confirmed state, by returning the answer of a
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good conscience towards God, and sitting down at the Lord's table. This
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passing from incomplete to complete church membership was performed by
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laying on of hands, which was extraordinary conveyance of the gift of
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the Holy Ghost continued. This, once done, all are obliged to abide by,
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and not to need another solemn admission, as at first, but to go on,
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and grow up, in Christ. Or by this may be meant ordination of persons
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to the ministerial office, who are duly qualified for it and inclined
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to it; and this by fasting and prayer, with laying on of the hands of
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the presbytery: and this is to be done but once.</P>
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<P>
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5. The resurrection of the dead, that is, of dead bodies; and their
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re-union with their souls, to be eternal companions together in weal or
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woe, according as their state was towards God when they died, and the
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course of life they led in this world.</P>
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<P>
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6. Eternal judgment, determining the soul of every one, when it leaves
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the body at death, and both soul and body at the last day, to their
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eternal state, every one to his proper society and employment to which
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they were entitled and fitted here on earth; the wicked to everlasting
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punishment, the righteous to life eternal.</P>
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<P>
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These are the great foundation-principles which ministers should
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clearly and convincingly unfold, and closely apply. In these the people
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should be well instructed and established, and from these they must
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never depart; without these, the other parts of religion have no
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foundation to support them.</P>
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<P>
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II. The apostle declares his readiness and resolution to assist the
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Hebrews in building themselves up on these foundations till they arrive
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at perfection: <I>And this we will do, if God permit,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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And thereby he teaches them,
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1. That right resolution is very necessary in order to progress and
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proficiency in religion.
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2. That that resolution is right which is not only made in the
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sincerity of our hearts, but in a humble dependence upon God for
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strength, for assistance and righteousness, for acceptance, and for
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time and opportunity.
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3. That ministers should not only teach people what to do, but go
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before them, and along with them, in the way of duty.</P>
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<P>
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III. He shows that this spiritual growth is the surest way to prevent
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that dreadful sin of apostasy from the faith. And here,</P>
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<P>
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1. He shows how far persons may go in religion, and, after all, fall
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away, and perish for ever,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>.
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(1.) They may be <I>enlightened.</I> Some of the ancients understand
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this of their being baptized; but it is rather to be understood of
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notional knowledge and common illumination, of which persons may have a
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great deal, and yet come short of heaven. <I>Balaam was the man whose
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eyes were opened</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+24:3">Num. xxiv. 3</A>),
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and yet with his eyes opened he went down to utter darkness.
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(2.) They may <I>taste of the heavenly gift,</I> feel something of the
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efficacy of the Holy Spirit in his operations upon their souls, causing
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them to taste something of religion, and yet be like persons in the
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market, who taste of what they will not come up to the price of, and so
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but take a taste, and leave it. Persons may taste religion, and seem to
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like it, if they could have it upon easier terms than denying
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themselves, and taking up their cross, and following Christ.
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(3.) They may be <I>made partakers of the Holy Ghost,</I> that is, of
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his extraordinary and miraculous gifts; they may have cast out devils
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in the name of Christ, and done many other mighty works. Such gifts in
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the apostolic age were sometimes bestowed upon those who had no true
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saving grace.
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(4.) They may <I>taste of the good word of God;</I> they may have some
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relish of gospel doctrines, may hear the word with pleasure, may
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remember much of it, and talk well of it, and yet never be cast into
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the form and mould of it, nor have it dwelling richly in them.
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(5.) They may have <I>tasted of the powers of the world to come;</I>
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they may have been under strong impressions concerning heaven, and
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dread of going to hell. These lengths hypocrites may go, and, after
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all, turn apostates. Now hence observe,
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[1.] These great things are spoken here of those who may fall away; yet
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it is not here said of them that they were truly converted, or that
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they were justified; there is more in true saving grace than in all
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that is here said of apostates.
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[2.] This therefore is no proof of the final apostasy of true saints.
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These indeed may fall frequently and foully, but yet they will not
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totally nor finally from God; the purpose and the power of God, the
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purchase and the prayer of Christ, the promise of the gospel, the
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everlasting covenant that God has made with them, ordered in all things
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and sure, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the immortal seed of the
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word, these are their security. But the tree that has not these roots
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will not stand.</P>
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<P>
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2. The apostle describes the dreadful case of such as fall away after
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having gone so far in the profession of the religion.
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(1.) The greatness of the sin of apostasy. It is <I>crucifying the Son
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of God afresh, and putting him to open shame.</I> They declare that
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they approve of what the Jews did in crucifying Christ, and that they
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would be glad to do the same thing again if it were in their power.
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They pour the greatest contempt upon the Son of God, and therefore upon
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God himself, who expects all should reverence his Son, and honour him
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as they honour the Father. They do what in them lies to represent
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Christ and Christianity as a shameful thing, and would have him to be a
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public shame and reproach. This is the nature of apostasy.
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(2.) The great misery of apostates.
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[1.] It is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. It is
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extremely hazardous. Very few instances can be given of those who have
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gone so far and fallen away, and yet ever have been brought to true
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repentance, such a repentance as is indeed a renovation of the soul.
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Some have thought this is the sin against the Holy Ghost, but without
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ground. The sin here mentioned is plainly apostasy both from the truth
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and the ways of Christ. God can renew them to repentance, but he seldom
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does it; and with men themselves it is impossible.
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[2.] Their misery is exemplified by a proper similitude, taken from the
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ground that after much cultivation brings forth nothing but briers and
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thorns; <I>and therefore is nigh unto cursing, and its end is to be
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burned,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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To give this the greater force here is observed the difference that
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there is between the good ground and the bad, that these contraries,
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being set one over against the other, illustrate each other.
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<I>First</I> Here is a description of the good ground: It <I>drinketh
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in the rain that cometh often upon it.</I> Believers do not only taste
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of the word of God, but they drink it in; and this good ground bringeth
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forth fruit answerable to the cost laid out, for the honour of Christ
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and the comfort of his faithful ministers, who are, under Christ,
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dressers of the ground. And this fruit-field or garden receives the
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blessing. God declares fruitful Christians blessed, and all wise and
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good men account them blessed: they are blessed with increase of grace,
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and with further establishment and glory at last. <I>Secondly,</I>
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Here is the different case of the bad ground: It <I>bears briers and
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thorns;</I> it is not only barren of good fruit, but fruitful in that
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which is bad, briers and thorns, fruitful in sin and wickedness, which
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are troublesome and hurtful to all about them, and will be most so to
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sinners themselves at last; and then such ground is rejected. God will
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concern himself no more about such wicked apostates; he will let them
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alone, and cast them out of his care; he will command the clouds that
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they rain no more upon them. Divine influences shall be restrained;
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and that is not all, but such ground <I>is nigh unto cursing;</I> so
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far is it from receiving the blessing, that a dreadful curse hangs over
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it, though as yet, through the patience of God, the curse is not fully
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executed. <I>Lastly,</I> Its end is to be burned. Apostasy will be
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punished with everlasting burnings, the fire that shall never be
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quenched. This is the sad end to which apostasy leads, and therefore
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Christians should go on and grow in grace, lest, if they do not go
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forward, they should go backward, till they bring matters to this
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woeful extremity of sin and misery.</P>
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<A NAME="Heb6_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Heb6_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Cautions against Apostasy; The Divine Promise and Oath.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and
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things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
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10 For God <I>is</I> not unrighteous to forget your work and labour
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of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have
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ministered to the saints, and do minister.
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11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same
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diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
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12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through
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faith and patience inherit the promises.
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13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear
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by no greater, he sware by himself,
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14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I
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will multiply thee.
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15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the
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promise.
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16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for
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confirmation <I>is</I> to them an end of all strife.
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17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs
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of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed <I>it</I> by an
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oath:
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18 That by two immutable things, in which <I>it was</I> impossible
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for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled
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for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
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19 Which <I>hope</I> we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and
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stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
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20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, <I>even</I> Jesus, made
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a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle, having applied himself to the fears of the Hebrews, in
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order to excite their diligence and prevent their apostasy, now
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proceeds to apply himself to their hopes, and candidly declares the
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|
good hope he had concerning them, that they would persevere; and
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proposes to them the great encouragements they had in the way of their
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duty.</P>
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<P>
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I. He freely and openly declares the good hope he had concerning them,
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|
that they would endure to the end: <I>But beloved, we are persuaded
|
|
better things of you,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Observe,
|
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|
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1. There are things that accompany salvation, things that are never
|
|
separated from salvation, things that show the person to be in a state
|
|
of salvation, and will issue in eternal salvation.
|
|
|
|
2. The things that accompany salvation are better things than ever any
|
|
hypocrite or apostate enjoyed. They are better in their nature and in
|
|
their issue.
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|
|
|
3. It is our duty to hope well of those in whom nothing appears to the
|
|
contrary.
|
|
|
|
4. Ministers must sometimes speak by way of caution to those of whose
|
|
salvation they have good hopes. And those who have in themselves good
|
|
hopes, as to their eternal salvation, should yet consider seriously how
|
|
fatal a disappointment it would be if they should fall short. Thus they
|
|
are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.</P>
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|
|
|
<P>
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|
|
|
II. He proposes arguments and encouragements to them to go on in the
|
|
way of their duty.
|
|
|
|
1. That God had wrought a principle of holy love and charity in them,
|
|
which had discovered itself in suitable works that would not be
|
|
forgotten of God: <I>God is not unrighteous to forget your labour of
|
|
love,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Good works and labour proceeding from love to God are commendable; and
|
|
what is done to any in the name of God shall not go unrewarded. What is
|
|
done to the saints, as such, God takes as done to himself.
|
|
|
|
2. Those who expect a gracious reward for the labour of love must
|
|
continue in it as long as they have ability and opportunity: <I>You
|
|
have ministered to the saints, and you do minister; and we desire that
|
|
every one of you do show the same diligence.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. Those who persevere in a diligent discharge of their duty shall
|
|
attain to the full assurance of hope in the end. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Full assurance is a higher degree of hope, is full assurance of
|
|
hope; they differ not in nature, but only in degree.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Full assurance is attainable by great diligence and perseverance
|
|
to the end.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He proceeds to set before them caution and counsel how to attain
|
|
this full assurance of hope to the end.
|
|
|
|
1. That they should not be slothful. Slothfulness will clothe a man
|
|
with rags: they must not love their ease, nor lose their opportunities.
|
|
|
|
2. That they would follow the good examples of those who had gone
|
|
before,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here learn,
|
|
|
|
(1.) There are some who from assurance have gone to inherit the
|
|
promises. They believed them before, now they inherit them; they have
|
|
got safely to heaven.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The way by which they came to the inheritance was that of faith
|
|
and patience. These graces were implanted in their souls, and drawn
|
|
forth into act and exercise in their lives. If we ever expect to
|
|
inherit as they do, we must follow them in the way of faith and
|
|
patience; and those who do thus follow them in the way shall overtake
|
|
them at the end, and be partakers of the same blessedness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The apostle closes the chapter with a clear and full account of the
|
|
assured truth of the promises of God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>to the end.</I> They are all confirmed by the oath of God, and they
|
|
are all founded in the eternal counsel of God, and therefore may be
|
|
depended upon.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They are all confirmed by the oath of God. He has not only given his
|
|
people his word, and his hand and seal, but his oath. And here, you
|
|
will observe, he specifies the oath of God to Abraham, which, being
|
|
sworn to him as the father of the faithful, remains in full force and
|
|
virtue to all true believers: <I>When God made a promise unto Abraham,
|
|
because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) What was the promise: <I>Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and
|
|
multiplying I will multiply thee.</I> The blessing of God is the
|
|
blessedness of his people; and those whom he has blessed indeed he will
|
|
go on to bless, and will multiply blessings, till he has brought them
|
|
to perfect blessedness.
|
|
|
|
(2.) What was the oath by which this promise was ratified: <I>He swore
|
|
by himself.</I> He staked down his own being and his own blessedness
|
|
upon it; no greater security can be given or desired.
|
|
|
|
(3.) How was that oath accomplished. Abraham, in due time, obtained the
|
|
promise. It was made good to him after he had patiently endured.
|
|
|
|
[1.] There is always an interval, and sometimes a long one, between the
|
|
promise and the performance.
|
|
|
|
[2.] That interval is a trying time to believers, whether they have
|
|
patience to endure to the end.
|
|
|
|
[3.] Those who patiently endure shall assuredly obtain the blessedness
|
|
promised, as sure as Abraham did.
|
|
|
|
[4.] The end and design of an oath is to make the promise sure, and to
|
|
encourage those to whom it is made to wait with patience till the time
|
|
for performance comes,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
An oath with men is for confirmation, and is an end of all strife. This
|
|
is the nature and design of an oath, in which men swear by the greater,
|
|
not by creatures, but by the Lord himself; and it is to put an end to
|
|
all dispute about the matter, both to disputes within our own breasts
|
|
(doubts and distrusts), and disputes with others, especially with the
|
|
promiser. Now, if God would condescend to take an oath to his people,
|
|
he will surely remember the nature and design of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The promises of God are all founded in his eternal counsel; and this
|
|
counsel of his is an immutable counsel.
|
|
|
|
(1.) The promise of blessedness which God has made to believers is not
|
|
a rash and hasty thing, but the result of God's eternal purpose.
|
|
|
|
(2.) This purpose of God was agreed upon in counsel, and settled there
|
|
between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit.
|
|
|
|
(3.) These counsels of God can never be altered; they are immutable.
|
|
God never needs to change his counsels; for nothing new can arise to
|
|
him who sees the end from the beginning.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The promises of God, which are founded upon these immutable counsels
|
|
of God, and confirmed by the oath of God, may safely be depended upon;
|
|
for here we have two immutable things, the counsel and the oath of God,
|
|
in which it is impossible for God to lie, contrary to his nature as
|
|
well as to his will. Here observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Who they are to whom God has given such full security of
|
|
happiness.
|
|
|
|
[1.] They are the heirs of the promise: such as have a title to the
|
|
promises by inheritance, by virtue of their new birth, and union with
|
|
Christ. We are all by nature children of wrath. The curse is the
|
|
inheritance we are born to: it is by a new and heavenly birth that any
|
|
are born heirs to the promise.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They are such as have fled for refuge to the hope set before them.
|
|
Under the law there were cities of refuge provided for those who were
|
|
pursued by the avenger of blood. Here is a much better refuge prepared
|
|
by the gospel, a refuge for all sinners who shall have the heart to
|
|
flee to it; yea, though they have been the chief of sinners.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What God's design towards them is, in giving them such
|
|
securities--that they might have strong consolation. Observe,
|
|
|
|
[1.] God is concerned for the consolation of believers, as well as for
|
|
their sanctification; he would have his children walk in the fear of
|
|
the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The consolations of God are strong enough to support his people
|
|
under their strongest trials. The comforts of this world are too weak
|
|
to bear up the soul under temptation, persecution, and death; but the
|
|
consolations of the Lord are neither few nor small.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) What use the people of God should make of their hope and comfort,
|
|
that most refreshing and comfortable hope of eternal blessedness that
|
|
God has given them. This is, and must be, unto them, for <I>an anchor
|
|
to the soul, sure and stedfast,</I> &c.,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] We are in this world as a ship at sea, liable to be tossed up and
|
|
down, and in danger of being cast away. Our souls are the vessels. The
|
|
comforts, expectations, graces, and happiness of our souls are the
|
|
precious cargo with which these vessels are loaded. Heaven is the
|
|
harbour to which we sail. The temptations, persecutions, and
|
|
afflictions that we encounter, are the winds and waves that threaten
|
|
our shipwreck.
|
|
|
|
[2.] We have need of an anchor to keep us sure and steady, or we are in
|
|
continual danger.
|
|
|
|
[3.] Gospel hope is our anchor; as in our day of battle it is our
|
|
helmet, so in our stormy passage through this world it is our anchor.
|
|
|
|
[4.] It is sure and stedfast, or else it could not keep us so.
|
|
<I>First,</I> It is sure in its own nature; for it is the special work
|
|
of God in the soul. It is a good hope through grace; it is not a
|
|
flattering hope made out of the spider's web, but it is a true work of
|
|
God, it is a strong and substantial thing. <I>Secondly,</I> It is
|
|
stedfast as to its object; it is an anchor that has taken good hold, it
|
|
enters that which is within the veil; it is an anchor that is cast upon
|
|
the rock, the Rock of ages. It does not seek to fasten in the sands,
|
|
but enters within the veil, and fixes there upon Christ; he is the
|
|
object, he is the anchor-hold of the believer's hope. As an unseen
|
|
glory within the veil is what the believer is hoping for, so an unseen
|
|
Jesus within the veil is the foundation of his hope; the free grace of
|
|
God, the merits and mediation of Christ, and the powerful influences of
|
|
his Spirit, are the grounds of his hope, and so it is a stedfast hope.
|
|
Jesus Christ is the object and ground of the believer's hope, and so it
|
|
is a stedfast hope. Jesus Christ is the object and ground of the
|
|
believer's hope in several respects.
|
|
|
|
1. As he has entered within the veil, to intercede with God, in virtue
|
|
of that sacrifice which he offered up without the veil: hope fastens
|
|
upon his sacrifice and intercession.
|
|
|
|
2. As he is the forerunner of his people, gone within the veil, to
|
|
prepare a place for them, and to assure them that they shall follow
|
|
him; he is the earnest and first fruits of believers, both in his
|
|
resurrection and in his ascension.
|
|
|
|
3. And he abides there, a high priest after the order of Melchisedec,
|
|
a priest for ever, whose priesthood shall never cease, never fail, till
|
|
he has accomplished its whole work and design, which is the full and
|
|
final happiness of all who have believed on Christ. Now this should
|
|
engage us to clear up our interest in Christ, that we may fix our hopes
|
|
in him as our forerunner, that has entered thither for us, for our
|
|
sakes, for our safety, to watch over our highest interest and concerns.
|
|
Let us then love heaven the more on his account, and long to be there
|
|
with him, where we shall be for ever safe, and for ever satisfied.</P>
|
|
|
|
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