Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John, Commentary 14 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Verſe 1. A ſhadow of good things, &c.]
THat is, of Chriſt, ſaith one, When the Sun is behinde, the ſhadow is before; when the Sun is before, the ſhadow is behinde. So was it in Chriſt to them of old. This Sun was behinde, and therefore the Law or ſhadow was before: To us under grace the Sun is before, and ſo now the Ceremonies of the Law, theſe ſhadows, are behinde, yea vaniſhed away.
Verſe 2. No more conſcience of ſin] Chriſt, though he took not away death, yet he did the ſting of death; ſo though he took not away ſin, yet he did the guilt of ſin.
Verſe 3. Made of An… every year] A ſolemn confeſſion of them, and what great need they had of a Saviour to expiate them; laying their hands on the head of the ſacrifice, in token that they had in like ſort deſerved to be deſtroied.
Verſe 4. Should take away ſinnes] And ſo pacifi… conſcience: For ſinne is to the conſcience as a more to the eye, as a dagger to the heart, 2 Sam. 24.10. as an adders ſting to the fleſh, Prov. 23.32.
Verſe 5. But a body haſt thou prepared] A Metaphor from Mechanicks who do artificially fit one part of their work to another, and ſo finiſh the whole.foreign. God fitted his Sonnes body to be joyne with the Deity, and to be an expiatory ſacrifice for ſin.
Verſe 6. Thou haſt had no pleaſure] viz. As in the principall ſervice, and ſatisfaction for ſin.
Verſe 7. Loe I come] As an obedient ſervant bored thorow the ear, Exod. 21. with Pſal. 40.6, 7. Wiſe and willing to be obſequious. Servus …ſt nomen officij, A ſervant is the maſters inſtrument, and foreign, ſaith Aristotle, wholly at his beck and obedience.
It is written of me] Chriſt is authour, object, matter and mark of old and new Teſtament. Therefore if we will profit thereby, we muſt have the eyes of our mindes turned toward Chriſt, as the faces of the Cherubims were toward the Mercy-ſeat.
Verſe 8. Which are offered by the law] To the great coſt and charge of the offerers. This we are freed from, and are required no more then to cover Gods altar with the calves of our lips.
Verſe 9. Loe I come] True obedience is prompt and preſent, ready and ſpeedy, without ſhucking and hucking, without delaies and conſults, Pſ. 119.60.
He taketh away the firſt] Clear conſequences drawne from Scripture, a…e ſound doctrine, Matth. 22.32. See the Note there.
Verſe 10. By the which will] That is, By the execution of which will, by the obedience of Chriſt to his heavenly Father.
Verſe 11. Take away ſin] Seperando au…erre, foreign Ʋndi que tollere.ſunder it from the ſoul, ſtrike a parting blow betwixt them.
Verſe 12. But this man] Oppoſed to the plurality of Leviticall Prieſts. One ſacrifice, and once for ever, not many and often, as they. And he ſate down, when as they ſtood daily offering often times. Note the Antitheſis, and Chriſts precellency.
On the right hand of God] Which he could not have done, if he had not expiated our ſins, Ioh. 16.10. Of righteouſneſſe, becauſe I go to my Father. He could not have gone to his Father, if he had not firſt fulfilled all …ighteouſneſſe, and fully acquitted us of all our iniquities.
Verſe 13.Rom. 16.…0. Expecting till his enemies] Admire and imitate his patience. The God of peace ſhall tread Satan and the reſt under our feet ſhortly.
Verſe 14. He hath perfected] He would not off the croſſe till all was finiſhed.
Verſe 15.foreign. The holy Ghoſt alſo witneſſeth] viz. By inſpiring the Pen-men, 2 Tim. 3.16. acting and carrying them into all truth, 2 Timothy 1.21. as it were, by an holy violence.
Verſe 16. I will put my lawes] See the Note on Heb, 8.10.
Verſe 17. Will I remember no more] Therefore there needs not any repetition of a ſacrifice for ſinne in the New Teſtament.
Verſe 18. When remiſſion of ſinne is] viz. An Impletory remiſſion, as now in the new Teſtament, not a promiſſory as under the old.
Verſe 19. To enter into the holieſt] viz. By our praiers, which pierce heaven and prevail with God.
Verſe 20.foreign Recens …cta…us. By a new] Freſh, and as effectuall at all times, as if Chriſt were but newly ſacrified for us.
Through the veyl, that is, his fleſh] Whereby we come to God, dwelling bodily therein. Like as where I ſee the body of a man, there I know his ſoul is alſo, becauſe they are not ſevered: ſo is it here.
Verſe 21. Over the houſe of God] As Jehojadab was over the temple, preſided and commanded there, 2 King. 11.5. All power is given to Chriſt both in heaven and earth, for our behoof and benefit.
Verſe 22. Let us draw near] Come, for the Maſter calleth, Mark 10.49.
With a true heart] That is, With a heart truly and entirely given up to God, uprightly propounding Gods ſervice in praier, and that out of a filiall affection, delighting to do his will, and therefore well content to wait, or, if God ſee good, to want what it wiſheth, deſirous rather that Gods will be done then our own, and that he may be glorified, though we be not glorified; acknowledging the Kingdome, power and glory to be his alone. This is a true heart.
In full aſſurance of faith] Not with a quarter or half-winde,foreign. but with full aſſurance, ſuch a gale of faith as fils the ſails of the ſoul, and makes it ſet up its top-gallant as it were.
Having our hearts ſprinkled, &c.] Faith ever purgeth upon ſin, and worketh repentance f…o… dead works.
Verſe 23. Without wavering] Gr.foreign. Without tilting or toſſing to one ſide or other. This amounts to more then that conjecturall confidence of the Popiſh dubi…n…, and that common faith that holds men in ſuſpence, and hangs between heaven and earth, as a Meteor.
Verſe 24. And let us conſider] Chriſtians muſt ſtudy one anothers caſes, the cauſes and cure of their ſpirituall diſtempers, ſollicitous of their welfare.
To provoke unto love] To whet on, as Deut. 6.7.foreign. to ſharpen and exti…ulate, as Prov. 27.17. to rouſe and raiſe up their dull ſpirits, as 2 Pet. 2.13. to ſet an edge on one another, as Bores whet their tusks one againſt another, ſaith Nazianzen.
Verſe 25. Not for ſaking] Schiſme is the very cutting aſunder of the veins and arteries of the myſticall body of Chriſt. We may not ſeparate, but in caſe of intollerable perſecution, hereſie, idolatry, and Antichriſtianiſme.
The aſſembling of our ſelves together] In Church-aſſemblies,foreign. and Chriſtian meetings; as ever we look for comfort at the comming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and our gathering together (the ſame word, as here) unto him, 2 Theſſ. 2.1. the day whereof approacheth, as in this text. Chriſt will come ſhortly to ſee what work we make in this kinde.
As the manner of ſome is] It was then, it was afterwards, and is ſtill in theſe ſiding and ſeparating times. The Donatists made an horrible rent for the life of Cecilia…. So did divers other for the pride and profaneneſſe of Paulus Samoſatenus. But never was there any ſchiſme ſo cauſleſſe and ſenſleſſe, as that of our modern Sectaries.
Verſe 26. For if wo ſin wilfully] Againſt the grace of the Goſpel, deſpiſing and deſpiting it, as thoſe that fall into the unpardonable ſinne. Some good ſouls by miſtakes of this text have been much afflicted, as Maſter John Glover. Other odious Apoſtates have utterly deſpaired. Others of the Ancients have unworthily caſhiered this Epiſtle out of the Canon, becauſe of this paſſage.
There remaineth no more ſacrifice] For ſins againſt the law, though againſt knowledge, there was an atonement, Levis 6.1. though it were for perjury: abut for this ſin againſt the Goſpel, that repudiates the remedy, there's no ſacrifice; abuſed mercy turns into fury.
Verſe 27. Fearfull looking for] Though judgement be not ſpeedily executed, yet it is certainly to be expected. Winter never rots in the air, or dies in the dams-belly, as they ſay. Could but men fore-ſee what an evil, and a bitter thing ſin is, they durſt not but be innocent.
Verſe 28. He that despiſed] i. e. He that with a high hand violated it, or fell into any capitall crime, and it came to light, died without mercy. As for thoſe hainous offences, that not being diſcovered, and ſufficiently proved, came not under the Judges cognizance, the Lord, for the eaſing of mens conſciences, and for the ſaving of their lives, appointed they yearly feaſt of expiations, Levit. 16.29.
Verſe 29. Who hath trodden under …oot] Reſpecting him no more then the vileſt and filthieſt dirt in the ſtreet, or the moſt abject thing in the world, as Ambroſe expounds it: he diſdains to receive benefit by Chriſts propitiatory and expiatory ſacrifice, he would not if he might, he is ſo ſatanized.
The bloud of the Covenant] That is, The bloud of Chriſt, whereby the Covenant is ſealed, the Church purchaſed, the attonement procured, and heaven opened for our more happy entrance.
Where with he was ſanctified] By externall profeſſion, and by participation of the Sacraments.
An unholy thing] Gr. A common, profane thing, as if it were the bloud of a common thief or unhallowed perſon, yea, or of a dead dog. In the Paſſeover they ſprinkled the door and lintell with bloud, but not the threſhold, to teach them, that they muſt not tread upon the bloud of Jeſus, as they do in an high degree that ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt.
And hath done deſpite, &c.] Spitting at him their helliſh venome, perſecuting and blaſpheming his immediate effect, work and office, and this out of deſperate malice, and deſire of revenge, without any colour of cauſe, or meaſure of diſlike. One that had committed this ſin, wiſhed that his wife and children, and all the world might be damned together with him.
Verſe 30. I will recompence.] And if God will avenge his elect, Luk. 18.7. How much more his Son, and his Spirit?
Verſe 31. It is a fearfull thing] For who knoweth the power of his anger? even according to thy fear is thy wrath, Pſal. 90.11. A melancholy man can fancy vaſt and terrible fears, fire, ſword, racks, ſtrappadoes, ſcalding lead, boiling pitch, running bell-mettle, and this to all eternity: yet all theſe are nothing to that wrath of God, which none can either avoid or abide.
Verſe 32. But call to remembrance] q. d. You cannot utterly fall away, as thoſe above-mentioned: for as much as you have given good proof already of the reality of your graces.
After ye were illuminated] Till they had a ſight of heaven, they could not ſuffer: but no ſooner out of the water of baptiſme, but they were preſently in the fire of perſecution.
Verſe 33. Made a gazing ſtock] Gr. Set upon a theater: foreign.take it either properly, or metaphorically: both befell Chriſtians. See I Cor 4.9.
Ye became companions of them] Sympathy hath a ſtrange force: as we ſee in the ſtrings of an inſtrument:…. Sibb…. which being plaid upon (as they ſay) the ſtrings of another inſtrument are alſo moved with it. After love hath once kindled love, then the heart being melted is fit to receive any impreſſion. Two ſpirits warmed with the ſame heat, will eaſily ſolder together.
Verſe 34. For ye had compaſſion] Gr. Ye ſympathized. See the Note on ver. 33.
And took joyfully] The joy of the Lord was their ſtrength, as it was theirs, Act. 5.41. who took it for a grace to be diſgraced for Chriſt.
The spoiling of their goods] If a Heathen could ſay when he ſaw a ſudden ſhipwrack of all his wealth, Well, fortune, I ſee thou wouldſt have me to be a Philoſopher, ſhould not we, when called to quit our moveables ſay, well, I ſee that God would have me to lay up treaſure in heaven that is ſubject neither to vanity, nor violence?
Knowing in your ſelves] Not in others, in books, &c. but in your own experience and apprehenſion in the workings of your own hearts.
That ye have in heaven] When we loſe any thing for God, he ſeals us a bill of exchange of better things, of a double return, He will recompence our loſſes, as the King of Poland did his noble ſervant Zel…ſlaus; having loſt his hand in his wars, he ſent him a golden hand.
Verſe 35. Caſt not away your confidence] Sith it is your ſhield and buckler, Eph. 6.16. but if battered with temptations, beat it out again. Demoſthenes was branded with the name of …, One that had lost his bucklen.
Verſe 36. For ye have need of patience] Whereas they might object: But where is this recompence you tell us of? Oh, ſaith he, You have need of patience to wait Gods time of recompence. Good men finde it oft more eaſie to bear evil, then to wait till the promiſed good be enjoyed. The ſpoiling of their goods required patience, but this more then ordinary.
That after ye have done the will of God] viz. By ſuffering it, and long-ſuffering, till he reward it.
Verſe 37.foreign. For yet a little while] Tantiſſùm, tantidùm, adhuc pu…i…lum. A little, little, little while. Gods help ſeems long, becauſe we are ſhort.
Now the juſt ſhall live by faith] In the want of feeling: he ſhall reſt upon God in the fail of outward comforts, as the believing Jews were to do in the Babyloniſh captivity, Habak. 2.4. quoted here by the Apoſtle, though with ſome variation of words.
But if any man draw back] Gr.foreign Steal from his colours, run from his Captain, revolt from Chriſt, turn renegado, relinquiſhing his religion, as did Julian, Lucian, and other odious Apoſtates.
My ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure] Chriſt hath no delight in daſtards, turn-coats, run-awaies. He will not employ them ſo far as to break a pitcher, or bear a torch, Judg. 7.7. Baldwin the French Lawyer, that had religionem ephemeram, as Beza ſaith of him,M…h. A…a…. for every day a new religion, being conſtant to none, became D…o hominibuſ que quos toties ſeſe lerat, inviſut, Hated of God and men, whom he had ſo oft mocked. Theodorick an Arrian King, did exe…edingly affect a c…rtain Deacon, although an Orthodox. This Deacon thinking to ingratiate,Euſeb. and get preferment, became an Arrian. Which when the King underſtood, he changed his love into hatred, and cauſed the head to be ſtruck from him, affirming, that if he kept not his faith to God, what duty could my one expect from him.
Verſe 38. Who draw back unto] Apoſtates have martiall law, they run away, but into hell mouth. A worſe condition they cannot lightly chuſe unto themſelves.