par

it. The truth of this is so evident, that the calvinian continuators of Pool have, by the force of evidence, been constrained to confess it. "The ticle, (say they) may be read into, and then it implies, lest any of you prove rebels and apostates. Or it is read by, or after, and then it is a fall to DESTRUCTION AND HELL, with all the miseries that those feel who are shut out of God's rest."* Baxter's comment on the place is, "Let it then be the care and diligence of your heart and life, to attain the rest, and not to lose it by apostasy." Dr. Heylin saith, "Let us therefore hasten diligently to enter into that rest, lest any of us, imitating the disobedience of the Israelites, should perish as they did. So the author of the Christian Dictionary, "To FALL-to perish or be destroyed."§ This therefore is another demonstration, that TOTAL and FINAL apostasy was the evil in

* Pool's comment on the place. Baxter Heylin in loc.

in loc.

the place.

Christ. Dict. on

tended by neglecting this great salvation.

66

7. To the same purpose is verse 14. of the same chapter. Seeing then that we have an high-priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us HOLD FAST, quoλoysas, OUR PROFESSION, or confession. The not holding fast their profession, or apostatizing from it, is what the apostle apprehended the Hebrews to be here in danger of. And in supposing them to be in danger of apostatizing from their profession, he supposed them to be in danger of TOTAL apostasy; seeing their profession was that part of their religion which was easiest kept, and of consequence, that which they would retain the longest: they would, first, let go the life and spirit of their religion; then, secondly, the practice of it; and then, thirdly, and lastly, the profession of it.-Hence Mr. Henry, on the place, saith, "Let us hold fast the enlightening doctrines of Christianity in our heads and the ENLIVENING PRINCIPLES OF IT

IN OUR HEARTS, and the open profession of it in our lips, and our practical and universal subjection to it in our lives.-Observe here, 1. We ought to be possessed of the doctrines, principles and practice of the Christian life. 2. When we are so, WE MAY BE IN DANGER OF LOSING OUR hold, from the corruption of our hearts, the temptations of Satan, and the allurements of this evil world. 3. That the excellency of the High Priest of our profession, would make our APOSTASY FROM HIM most heinous and inexcusable: it would be the greatest folly, and the basest ingratitude. 4. CHRISTIANS must not only SET OUT WELL, but they must HOLD OUT; they that ENDURE TO THE END shall be saved, and

NONE BUT THEY.

8. The next proof of the point we' have, chap. vi. verse 4-8. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and were made partak

*Henry on the place.

ers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come; if they FALL AWAY, to renew them again unto repentance seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of GoD afresh, and put him to an open shame. 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. But that which beareth thorns and briers, is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burn ed."

That falling away is the evil intended in this passage, is evident from verse 6, where the apostle says, Ka Tapartσoras, If they FALL AWAY, &c. But it may be said, "The apostle speaks nothing positively concerning falling away; he only speaks on supposition, if they fall away." To this I answer, 1. Suppose we allow that the apostle spake only on supposition: it is certain that a supposition made by the Holy Ghost in this manner, infers

the conclusion as fully as the strongest affirmation. For it would be great impiety to say that the blessed and holy GOD makes use of vain, groundless, and impossible suppositions in dealing with his people. So the learned Junius saith on the place: "Si non possit fieri ut justus vel credens aliquis deficeret, neque hypothesin hanc facturus esset apostolus, neque ex hypothesi tam grave pronunciatum allaturus, neque ad hanc causam quæ agitur, hoc dictum Hebræis quibus scribebat accommodaturus." That is, If there were no possibility that a righteous man, or a believer might fall away, neither would the apostle have made this hypothesis or supposition, nor would he have inferred so grave or weighty a saying upon the supposi tion: nor would he have applied this saying to the Hebrews, to whom he wrote in the cause which was now in hand.* So the author of a book entitled "Absolute Election and Reprobation fully detected," saith on the

*Junius in parellel. ad Heb.