shall do unto me. They should remember their deceased pastors; 195 SECT. xxi. will not fear what man not fear what man shall do unto me: thus comforting ourselves, not only in the seeming uncertainty of future supplies, but in the midst of the greatest dangers, and when threatened by XIII. 6 our enemies with the severest sufferings. 7 Remember them over you, who have ing the end of their Conversation. And let me now urge you to remember those which have the rule dear and venerable persons, who having formerly spoken unto you the presided over you in holy things, have spoken word of God: whose to you the word of God, whose course is now faith follow, consider finished. Though all your intercourse with them is for the present cut off, do not however forget their instructions and their examples; but be mindful of that faith which they taught, and which they exercised. And let it be your great care to imitate them, considering the end of their conversation. Reflect on the happy manner in which they quitted life, on that support which they found, in their latest moments, from the truths they had taught you, and on that heroic resolution with which some of them were animated to meet even martyrdom itself in that sacred cause; and let the remembrance of these things engage you stedfastly to retain their faith and courageously to follow their steps. And 8 remember for your farther encouragement, that though the most faithful ministers of the gospel die, yet as that sacred dispensation still continues immutable, so Jesus Christ, the greatGuar dian of those who faithfully adhere to it, in the tenor of his declarations, as well as in the glories of his Divine nature, [is] the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; and therefore can well support you, by whomsoever you may be forsaken. And let this be a powerful engage 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. for the improvement of the Old Testament, upon this great and solid principle, that God, who is no respecter of persons, intends, that expressions of his favour to this or that eminently good man, should be used for the encouragement of all others of the like character. The emphasis of the original is so well known, that I shall not insist upon it. f Presided over you.] Bishop Lloyd, (Funeral Sermon for Bishop Wilkins, p. 7, 8,) thinks this may refer to James the Apostle, and to James, commonly called the first Bishop of Jerusalem; both of which had been put to death there before this epistle was written. Our English version here is very far from being justifiable, ment Remember them which have the rule over you: g Christ the same.] I think this makes h Whose Heb. 196 xxi. Heb. But especially Jesus Christ, who is ever the same ; carried strange doctrines; for the heart be established with grace, not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. SECT. ment to adhere to his gospel, and to preserve it 9 Be not In this view, see to it, that ye about with divers and uncorrupted. be not carried about by various and foreign docXI. 9. trines, disagreeing with each other, and with it is a good thing that the great standard of truth in the Divine revelation. Many are zealous for such, and particuJarly Judaizing teachers; but remember, [it is] a good thing that the heart be established in an adherence to the grace of the gospel, and not zealous in those distinctions between various kinds of meats, and reposing its confidence in those ritual observances which some are ready to lay so much stress upon; but by which they, who have been most conversant [in them] and regarded them with the greatest exactness, have not profited, so as to make any real attainment in religion, by all that scrupulosity and mortication. They boast indeed of many of their privileges, in which they think themselves supe- whereof they have no rior to us; but it is infinitely more than a ba- right to eat, which lance to all, that we have an altar of a spiritual nature, even that dignified by the sacrifice of the Son of God, of which they have no authority to eat, who attend divine service in the taber11 nacle. For it is well known, that the bodies 10 10 We have an altar serve the tabernacle. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose of those animals, whose blood [being offered for blood is brought into sin is carried by the high Priest into the holy the sanctuary by the place, are according to the appointment of the high priest for sin, are law, as instituted in the wilderness, to be burnt burnt without the without the camp, and afterwards without the camp. city of Jerusalem; no part of them being eaten 12 by the priests. Now methinks there is some with his own blood, 12 Wherefore Jesus thing in this circumstance which may suggest also, that he might the people to us matter of pious and comfortable medita- sanctify tion, when we compare it with what we know suffered without the of the great High Priest of our profession. We gate. may therefore methinks say, that Jesus also, that under his grand sacerdotal character he might sanctify the people, not by animal victims, but by his own blood, which he offered up as a sinoffering for us, to atone our guilt, and consecrate us to God, suffered not within the walls of the temple, or the city, but upon mount Calvary, which you well know lies without the gate h Whose blood-is carried, &c.] An argument has been drawn from these words, as from some other passages that occur, to of prove that the temple was standing when this epistle was written. i Sacrifice therefore unto him, without the camp, 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. And who suffered without the gate. 197 xxi. Heb. 14 13 Let us go forth of Jerusalem. And this consideration, as it SECT. suggests our leaving the Jewish sacrifices, so it bearing his reproach. should undoubtedly engage us willingly to suffer all extremities in his cause. Let us there- XIII.13. fore break through every attachment, and go out, as it were, unto him without the camp, bearing our part in his reproach. If our fidelity to him require, as it very possibly may, that we should submit to excommunication, infamy, and persecution, let us acquiesce and find an equivalent in this thought, that we are hereby rendered more conformable to Christ. And let us submit to this so much the more chearfully, considering how trivial the interests of this mortal life are, when compared with those which relate to eternity; for it is most certain, that we have here no abiding city; in which view, I spoke of our sojourning here, as an encampment in moveable tabernacles or tents. But, blessed be God, we are animated with the chearful hope and expectation of better blessings, and seek one to come; a splendid and secure abode, where it will be our everlasting business to admire and adore its great Founder and Sovereign, and to worship in his celestial 15 By him therefore temple. In the mean time, Jesus is there under 15 let us offer the sacrifice the character of our great High Priest, who of praise to God continually, that is, the ever lives to perform that important office for fruit of our lips, giving us, to which he is every way equal; by him therefore let us always offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to his glorious name. But while we 16 present this verbal tribute, let us remember, that another yet more substantial is required. Be such sacrifices God is not therefore forgetful of doing all the good you well pleased. possibly can, in your respective stations, and of communicating liberally and cheerfully of your substance, to those that are in necessity; for God is well pleased with such sacrifices; which were always more pleasing to him than any victim, which, in the neglect of these, could be brought to his altar. thanks to his name. 16 But to do good, and to communicate, forget not; for which i Sacrifice of praise.] To suppose that this refers to the eucharist, and the following verse to charitable collections made at IMPROVE the celebration of that ordinance, seems 198 Reflections on the foregoing exhortations. SECT. IMPROVEMENT. THOSE other expensive sacrifices which the Mosaic law rexxi. quired, are now entirely abrogated. Let us consider this as an additional engagement upon us, to abound more and more in those Ver. of unfeigned benevolence and real charity; rejoicing, that the God 16 of our lives, who gives us all, will condscend to have any regard to them. And let our brethren in Christ be remembered with that 1, 2 distinguishing affection which suits the relation in which we stand to them; and in whatever bonds of affliction they may be bound, let us endeavour to make their fetters sit lighter upon them, by every thing which our compassionate assistance can do for that purpose; considering ourselves as in the body. 3 5 Let That we may be ready to all such kind offices, let us endeavour to overcome the love of money, which is the root of all evil. us learn, (and Oh that Divine grace may effectually teach us!) to moderate our desires, to be contented with what Providence allots us, whether more or less, and to trust in God, as to the sup. ply of our future wants. Well may we not only trust, but even boast in him, when we consider in how endearing a manner he hath declared, with such reiterated assurances, that he will never never, never leave us; that he will not, yea, he will not forsake us. Surely the language of the most chearful and courageous faith well corresponds to that of so gracious and soul-reviving a pro6 mise. Let faith then put a reality into it, or rather glory in that certain reality which there cannot but be in every promise; espe8 cially as Jesus Christ, in whom this, and all the promises are confirmed to us, is the same yesterday, to-day and for ever. 7 And let this thought support us under those breaches which may be made on the church by death. Christ ever lives to guard and protect it, and to maintain those great truths which in every age have been the joy and confidence of his people. Let our attachment to him therefore, be preserved inviolable, and the purity of our souls unspotted. And let us never fear to share in his reproach, in whose glory we have such a security of sharing ; but cheerfully go, as it were, out of the camp to him, who suffered 12 crucifixion for us without the gates of the city. Were we called to endure martyrdom for his sake, he would only lead us out of a mean and precarious tabernacle; for we have here no continuing 14 city; but then he will conduct us, if we are faithful to him, to a city, so durable, that its foundations are represented by rocks of solid gems, so glorious, that its pavements are described as gold, and its gates as pearl. May our faith be daily beholding it as near; and They should obey them that presided over them : 199 xxi. and may we feel every day more of its attractive influence, to SECT. render us superior to all that earth can promise, and to all it can threaten, while we are passing thither. Under his guardianship, Ver. let us daily be offering the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips, 15 giving thanks to his name, as well knowing, that while we are on our journey to the New Jerusalem, no mountain can be so steep and rugged, no valley so deep and gloomy, as not to admit of the songs of Sion. SECT. XXII. The Apostle concludes with recommending to them some particular regards to their pious ministers, and intreats their prayers; adding some salutations, and a solemn benediction. Heb. XIII. 17, to the end. HEBREWS XIII. 17. OBEY them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: souls, asthey that must give account: that they I HEBREWS XIII. 17. SECT. xxii. XIII.17. HAVE been urging you to an affectionate remembrance of those who were once your for they watch for your teachers, but are now dismissed from their la- Heb. bours, and received to their reward. And I may must on the same principles, press upon you a due regard to those faithful ministers who still survive. Obey them, therefore, who preside over you, in those rules and directions which they are authorised by Christ to give you, and submit yourselves [to them] with a becoming respect; even though their office should sometimes oblige them to make such addresses to you as may for the present be disagreeable. For they are solemnly appointed to watch for your souls", for their everlasting safety and happiness. And well knowing that the trust is of infinite importance, they would execute it as those that must render an awful and strict account of their office, and of the fidelity with which they have discharged it. Behave towards them, therefore, while a Preside over you.] Lord Barrington imagines, that he refers to the apostles of the circumcision, to shew that he would not in any respect derogate from their authority; (Essay I. p. 87;) but I cannot think the word nyayo, should be thus limited. I rather apprehend, with Mr. Boyse, (Serm. Vol. I. p. 415,) that it refers to those who immediately presided over them in their religious affairs, that is, the mi- b Watch for your souls.] Chrysostom c That |