grievous dominion and from the woful effects of sin; we thereby frustrate the most gracious intentions of God, and defeat the most admirable project that could be for our benefit and salvation we thereby trample on the Son of God, recrucify him, and put him to an open shame;' so the Apostle to the Hebrews telleth us, implying the heinous guilt and sad consequence of doing so; He,' saith the Apostle, that despised Moses's law died without mercy ;-Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing?' 6 8. Lastly, this consideration may serve to beget in us a high esteem of the dispensation evangelical, and hearty submission thereto. Almighty God, (as is signified in the parable,) after several provisions for the good of mankind, and several messages from heaven to the world here, did at last send his Son with this expectation; Surely they will reverence my Son :' and surely much reason he had to expect the greatest reverence to be yielded to his person; the readiest credence and obedience to his word. For if any declaration of God concerning his will, or our duty, however proceeding from him, (either by dictate of natural reason, or by the instruction of prophets, or by the ministry of angels,) ought to be entertained with great respect and observance; much more should the overtures of greatest mercy and favor exhibited by his own Son (on purpose sent unto us to discover them) be embraced with highest regard, and humblest reverence, and most hearty compliance. It is the Apostle to the Hebrews his discourse and inference; Therefore,' (saith he, therefore, because God hath in these last times spoken unto us by his Son,') we ought Teрioσoréρws Tроréxe, to give more (abundant, or more) earnest heed to the things which we have heard ;' for,' subjoins he, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at first began to be spoken by (our) Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him ? Ταῦτ ̓ οὖν διηνεκῶς στρέφοντες, καὶ ἀναλογιζόμενοι ἐκκαθάρωμεν ἡμῶν τὸν βίον, καὶ λαμπρὸν ποιήσωμεν, Continually therefore revolving and recounting these things, let us cleanse our life, and make it bright:' so we conclude with good St. Chrysostom. Almighty God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature on him; grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by the Holy Spirit, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end.' Amen.. END OF VOL. V. PRINTED BY A. J. VALPY, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. |