mh_parser/vol_split/58 - Hebrews/Chapter 6.xml

<div2 id="Heb.vii" n="vii" next="Heb.viii" prev="Heb.vi" progress="76.95%" title="Chapter VI">
<h2 id="Heb.vii-p0.1">H E B R E W S.</h2>
<h3 id="Heb.vii-p0.2">CHAP. VI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Heb.vii-p1">In this chapter the apostle proceeds to persuade
the Hebrews to make a better proficiency in religion than they had
done, as the best way to prevent apostasy, the dreadful nature and
consequences of which sin he sets forth in a serious manner
(<scripRef id="Heb.vii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.1-Heb.6.8" parsed="|Heb|6|1|6|8" passage="Heb 6:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>), and then
expresses his good hopes concerning them, that they would persevere
in faith and holiness, to which he exhorts them, and sets before
them the great encouragement they had from God, both with respect
to their duty and happiness, <scripRef id="Heb.vii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.9-Heb.6.20" parsed="|Heb|6|9|6|20" passage="Heb 6:9-20">ver. 9,
to the end</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Heb.vii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6" parsed="|Heb|6|0|0|0" passage="Heb 6" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Heb.vii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.1-Heb.6.8" parsed="|Heb|6|1|6|8" passage="Heb 6:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Heb.6.1-Heb.6.8">
<h4 id="Heb.vii-p1.5">Advancement in Holiness; First
Principles. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Heb.vii-p1.6">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Heb.vii-p2">1 Therefore leaving the principles of the
doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again
the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward
God,   2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of
hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
  3 And this will we do, if God permit.   4 For <i>it
is</i> impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy
Ghost,   5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come,   6 If they shall fall away, to
renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves
the Son of God afresh, and put <i>him</i> to an open shame.  
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it,
and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed,
receiveth blessing from God:   8 But that which beareth thorns
and briers <i>is</i> rejected, and <i>is</i> nigh unto cursing;
whose end <i>is</i> to be burned.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p3">We have here the apostle's advice to the
Hebrews—that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the
fullness of the stature of the new man in Christ. He declares his
readiness to assist them all he could in their spiritual progress;
and, for their greater encouragement, he puts himself with them:
<i>Let us go on.</i> Here observe, In order to their growth,
Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. How
must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not
despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in
their hearts, and lay them as the foundation of all their
profession and expectation; but they must not rest and stay in
them, they must not be always laying the foundation, they must go
on, and build upon it. There must be a superstructure; for the
foundation is laid on purpose to support the building. Here it may
be enquired, Why did the apostle resolve to set strong meat before
the Hebrews, when he knew they were but babes? <i>Answer.</i> 1.
Though some of them were but weak, yet others of them had gained
more strength; and they must be provided for suitably. And, as
those who are grown Christians must be willing to hear the plainest
truths preached for the sake of the weak, so the weak must be
willing to hear the more difficult and mysterious truths preached
for the sake of those who are strong. 2. He hoped they would be
growing in their spiritual strength and stature, and so be able to
digest stronger meat.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p4">I. The apostle mentions several
foundation-principles, which must be well laid at first, and then
built upon; neither his time nor theirs must be spent in laying
these foundations over and over again. These foundations are
six:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p5">1. Repentance from dead works, that is,
conversion and regeneration, repentance from a spiritually dead
state and course; as if he had said, "Beware of destroying the life
of grace in your souls; your minds were changed by conversion, and
so were your lives. Take care that you return not to sin again, for
then you must have the foundation to lay again; there must be a
second conversion a repenting not only of, but from, dead works."
Observe here, (1.) The sins of persons unconverted are dead works;
they proceed from persons spiritually dead, and they tend to death
eternal. (2.) Repentance for dead works, if it be right, is
repentance from dead works, a universal change of heart and life.
(3.) Repentance for and from dead works is a foundation-principle,
which must not be laid again, though we must renew our repentance
daily.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p6">2. Faith towards God, a firm belief of the
existence of God, of his nature, attributes, and perfections, the
trinity of persons in the unity of essence, the whole mind and will
of God as revealed in his word, particularly what relates to the
Lord Jesus Christ. We must by faith acquaint ourselves with these
things; we must assent to them, we must approve of them, and apply
all to ourselves with suitable affections and actions. Observe,
(1.) Repentance from dead works, and faith towards God, are
connected, and always go together; they are inseparable twins, the
one cannot live without the other. (2.) Both of these are
foundation-principles, which should be once well laid, but never
pulled up, so as to need to be laid over again; we must not relapse
into infidelity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p7">3. The doctrine of baptisms, that is, of
being baptized by a minister of Christ with water, in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the
initiating sign or seal of the covenant of grace, strongly engaging
the person so baptized to get acquainted with the new covenant, to
adhere to it, and prepare to renew it at the table of the Lord and
sincerely to regulate himself according to it, relying upon the
truth and faithfulness of God for the blessings contained in it.
And the doctrine of an inward baptism, that of the Spirit
sprinkling the blood of Christ upon the soul, for justification,
and the graces of the Spirit for sanctification. This ordinance of
baptism is a foundation to be rightly laid, and daily remembered,
but not repeated.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p8">4. Laying on of hands, on persons passing
solemnly from their initiated state by baptism to the confirmed
state, by returning the answer of a good conscience towards God,
and sitting down at the Lord's table. This passing from incomplete
to complete church membership was performed by laying on of hands,
which was extraordinary conveyance of the gift of the Holy Ghost
continued. This, once done, all are obliged to abide by, and not to
need another solemn admission, as at first, but to go on, and grow
up, in Christ. Or by this may be meant ordination of persons to the
ministerial office, who are duly qualified for it and inclined to
it; and this by fasting and prayer, with laying on of the hands of
the presbytery: and this is to be done but once.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p9">5. The resurrection of the dead, that is,
of dead bodies; and their re-union with their souls, to be eternal
companions together in weal or woe, according as their state was
towards God when they died, and the course of life they led in this
world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p10">6. Eternal judgment, determining the soul
of every one, when it leaves the body at death, and both soul and
body at the last day, to their eternal state, every one to his
proper society and employment to which they were entitled and
fitted here on earth; the wicked to everlasting punishment, the
righteous to life eternal.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p11">These are the great foundation-principles
which ministers should clearly and convincingly unfold, and closely
apply. In these the people should be well instructed and
established, and from these they must never depart; without these,
the other parts of religion have no foundation to support them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p12">II. The apostle declares his readiness and
resolution to assist the Hebrews in building themselves up on these
foundations till they arrive at perfection: <i>And this we will do,
if God permit,</i> <scripRef id="Heb.vii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.3" parsed="|Heb|6|3|0|0" passage="Heb 6:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. And thereby he teaches them, 1. That right resolution
is very necessary in order to progress and proficiency in religion.
2. That that resolution is right which is not only made in the
sincerity of our hearts, but in a humble dependence upon God for
strength, for assistance and righteousness, for acceptance, and for
time and opportunity. 3. That ministers should not only teach
people what to do, but go before them, and along with them, in the
way of duty.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p13">III. He shows that this spiritual growth is
the surest way to prevent that dreadful sin of apostasy from the
faith. And here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p14">1. He shows how far persons may go in
religion, and, after all, fall away, and perish for ever, <scripRef id="Heb.vii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.4-Heb.6.5" parsed="|Heb|6|4|6|5" passage="Heb 6:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. (1.) They may be
<i>enlightened.</i> Some of the ancients understand this of their
being baptized; but it is rather to be understood of notional
knowledge and common illumination, of which persons may have a
great deal, and yet come short of heaven. <i>Balaam was the man
whose eyes were opened</i> (<scripRef id="Heb.vii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.24.3" parsed="|Num|24|3|0|0" passage="Nu 24:3">Num. xxiv.
3</scripRef>), and yet with his eyes opened he went down to utter
darkness. (2.) They may <i>taste of the heavenly gift,</i> feel
something of the efficacy of the Holy Spirit in his operations upon
their souls, causing them to taste something of religion, and yet
be like persons in the market, who taste of what they will not come
up to the price of, and so but take a taste, and leave it. Persons
may taste religion, and seem to like it, if they could have it upon
easier terms than denying themselves, and taking up their cross,
and following Christ. (3.) They may be <i>made partakers of the
Holy Ghost,</i> that is, of his extraordinary and miraculous gifts;
they may have cast out devils in the name of Christ, and done many
other mighty works. Such gifts in the apostolic age were sometimes
bestowed upon those who had no true saving grace. (4.) They may
<i>taste of the good word of God;</i> they may have some relish of
gospel doctrines, may hear the word with pleasure, may remember
much of it, and talk well of it, and yet never be cast into the
form and mould of it, nor have it dwelling richly in them. (5.)
They may have <i>tasted of the powers of the world to come;</i>
they may have been under strong impressions concerning heaven, and
dread of going to hell. These lengths hypocrites may go, and, after
all, turn apostates. Now hence observe, [1.] These great things are
spoken here of those who may fall away; yet it is not here said of
them that they were truly converted, or that they were justified;
there is more in true saving grace than in all that is here said of
apostates. [2.] This therefore is no proof of the final apostasy of
true saints. These indeed may fall frequently and foully, but yet
they will not totally nor finally from God; the purpose and the
power of God, the purchase and the prayer of Christ, the promise of
the gospel, the everlasting covenant that God has made with them,
ordered in all things and sure, the indwelling of the Spirit, and
the immortal seed of the word, these are their security. But the
tree that has not these roots will not stand.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p15">2. The apostle describes the dreadful case
of such as fall away after having gone so far in the profession of
the religion. (1.) The greatness of the sin of apostasy. It is
<i>crucifying the Son of God afresh, and putting him to open
shame.</i> They declare that they approve of what the Jews did in
crucifying Christ, and that they would be glad to do the same thing
again if it were in their power. They pour the greatest contempt
upon the Son of God, and therefore upon God himself, who expects
all should reverence his Son, and honour him as they honour the
Father. They do what in them lies to represent Christ and
Christianity as a shameful thing, and would have him to be a public
shame and reproach. This is the nature of apostasy. (2.) The great
misery of apostates. [1.] It is impossible to renew them again unto
repentance. It is extremely hazardous. Very few instances can be
given of those who have gone so far and fallen away, and yet ever
have been brought to true repentance, such a repentance as is
indeed a renovation of the soul. Some have thought this is the sin
against the Holy Ghost, but without ground. The sin here mentioned
is plainly apostasy both from the truth and the ways of Christ. God
can renew them to repentance, but he seldom does it; and with men
themselves it is impossible. [2.] Their misery is exemplified by a
proper similitude, taken from the ground that after much
cultivation brings forth nothing but briers and thorns; <i>and
therefore is nigh unto cursing, and its end is to be burned,</i>
<scripRef id="Heb.vii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.8" parsed="|Heb|6|8|0|0" passage="Heb 6:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. To give this
the greater force here is observed the difference that there is
between the good ground and the bad, that these contraries, being
set one over against the other, illustrate each other. <i>First</i>
Here is a description of the good ground: It <i>drinketh in the
rain that cometh often upon it.</i> Believers do not only taste of
the word of God, but they drink it in; and this good ground
bringeth forth fruit answerable to the cost laid out, for the
honour of Christ and the comfort of his faithful ministers, who
are, under Christ, dressers of the ground. And this fruit-field or
garden receives the blessing. God declares fruitful Christians
blessed, and all wise and good men account them blessed: they are
blessed with increase of grace, and with further establishment and
glory at last. <i>Secondly,</i> Here is the different case of the
bad ground: It <i>bears briers and thorns;</i> it is not only
barren of good fruit, but fruitful in that which is bad, briers and
thorns, fruitful in sin and wickedness, which are troublesome and
hurtful to all about them, and will be most so to sinners
themselves at last; and then such ground is rejected. God will
concern himself no more about such wicked apostates; he will let
them alone, and cast them out of his care; he will command the
clouds that they rain no more upon them. Divine influences shall be
restrained; and that is not all, but such ground <i>is nigh unto
cursing;</i> so far is it from receiving the blessing, that a
dreadful curse hangs over it, though as yet, through the patience
of God, the curse is not fully executed. <i>Lastly,</i> Its end is
to be burned. Apostasy will be punished with everlasting burnings,
the fire that shall never be quenched. This is the sad end to which
apostasy leads, and therefore Christians should go on and grow in
grace, lest, if they do not go forward, they should go backward,
till they bring matters to this woeful extremity of sin and
misery.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Heb.vii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.9-Heb.6.20" parsed="|Heb|6|9|6|20" passage="Heb 6:9-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Heb.6.9-Heb.6.20">
<h4 id="Heb.vii-p15.3">Cautions against Apostasy; The Divine
Promise and Oath. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Heb.vii-p15.4">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Heb.vii-p16">9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things
of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
  10 For God <i>is</i> not unrighteous to forget your work and
labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye
have ministered to the saints, and do minister.   11 And we
desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full
assurance of hope unto the end:   12 That ye be not slothful,
but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the
promises.   13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because
he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,   14
Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will
multiply thee.   15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he
obtained the promise.   16 For men verily swear by the
greater: and an oath for confirmation <i>is</i> to them an end of
all strife.   17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show
unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel,
confirmed <i>it</i> by an oath:   18 That by two immutable
things, in which <i>it was</i> impossible for God to lie, we might
have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold
upon the hope set before us:   19 Which <i>hope</i> we have as
an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth
into that within the veil;   20 Whither the forerunner is for
us entered, <i>even</i> Jesus, made a high priest for ever after
the order of Melchisedec.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p17">The apostle, having applied himself to the
fears of the Hebrews, in order to excite their diligence and
prevent their apostasy, now proceeds to apply himself to their
hopes, and candidly declares the good hope he had concerning them,
that they would persevere; and proposes to them the great
encouragements they had in the way of their duty.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p18">I. He freely and openly declares the good
hope he had concerning them, that they would endure to the end:
<i>But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you,</i>
<scripRef id="Heb.vii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.9" parsed="|Heb|6|9|0|0" passage="Heb 6:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Observe, 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. 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>
<p class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p19">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> <scripRef id="Heb.vii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.10" parsed="|Heb|6|10|0|0" passage="Heb 6:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.
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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p20">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, <scripRef id="Heb.vii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.12" parsed="|Heb|6|12|0|0" passage="Heb 6:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p21">IV. The apostle closes the chapter with a
clear and full account of the assured truth of the promises of God,
<scripRef id="Heb.vii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.13" parsed="|Heb|6|13|0|0" passage="Heb 6:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>, <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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p22">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,
<scripRef id="Heb.vii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.16" parsed="|Heb|6|16|0|0" passage="Heb 6:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p23">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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p24">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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p25">(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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p26">(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 class="indent" id="Heb.vii-p27">(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> &amp;c., <scripRef id="Heb.vii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.19" parsed="|Heb|6|19|0|0" passage="Heb 6:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. 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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