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$20. 6. God useth the ministry of angels, to avenge his elect of their enemies and persecutors. Thus by an angel he destroyed the army of Sennacherib, when he intended and threatened the destruction of Jerusalem; and by an angel he smote Herod in the midst of his pride and persecution, Acts xii; and this ministry of theirs is in an especial manner pointed at in several places of the Revelation, where the judgments of God are foretold to be executed on persecutors. And this work they wait for in an holy admiration of the patience of God towards many a provoking generation; and are in continual readiness to discharge it to the uttermost, whenever they shall receive their commission for that purpose.

$21. 7. Lastly, the ministry of angels respects the general resurrection and day of judgment. The Lord Christ is every where described coming to judgment at the last day, attended with all his holy and glorious angels. And great shall be their work towards the elect in that day, when the Lord Jesus shall be admired in all that believe. For although the work of the resurrection, like that of the creation, is to be effected by the immediate operation of almighty power, without the intervention of any secondary agents, limited in their power and operation; yet many things preparatory thereto, and consequent upon it, shall be committed to the ministry of angels. By them are the signs and tokens of it to be proclaimed to the world; to them is committed the sounding of the last trumpet, and the giving out the general summons for all flesh to appear before Jesus Christ, with all the glorious solemnity of the last judgment. And as they carry and accompany the departed souls of the saints into the receptacles of their heavenly rest, Luke xvi, 22, so, doubtless, also shall they accompany them in their joy

ful return to their beloved former habitation, (their bodies) that they may be rebuilt and adorned with glory. By them also will the Lord Redeemer at length bring all the heirs of salvation triumphant into the full possession of their inheritance.

§22. To what has been said, let the following observations be added:

1. That we ought to be very careful to use sobriety in our speculations and meditations about this matter. Herein doth the apostle's caution apply in an especial manner, that we should be "wise to sobriety," and not to think ourselves "wise about what is written." This some neglecting of old, and endeavoring to intrude themselves into the "things which they had not seen," Col. ii, 18; that is, boasting of a knowledge and acquaintance with angels, which they had no safe revealed ground for, fell into pride, superstition, and idolatry, as the apostle declareth. And almost in all ages of the church, men have failed on this account.

2. Danger should not deter us from duty. Because some have failed in this matter, we ought not, therefore, wholly to neglect it; there being so great a concernment of the glory of God, and our own good involved therein. Had others erred, because they had neither way to walk in, or guide to attend to, it had been sufficient to restrain us from attempting any thing in this matter: but whereas it is evident, that they wilfully neglected or transgressed the way, and despised their guide, following their own imaginations, shall others be discouraged in their duty, while they may avoid their miscarriages? We have the word of God for our way and guide; if we go not besides it, and if we go not beyond it, we are as safe when we treat of angels, as if we treated of worms. And it is pride to the height, not to inquire after what may be known, because there

are many things that we may not know nor comprehend. If that take place, it will debar us from all search into the mysteries of the gospel; for upon our utmost attainments we know but in part. God's revelation is the object of our knowledge; and so far as that is made and given, so far we may inquire and learn. Besides, it is the height of ingratitude not to search after what may be known of this great privilege and mercy, whereof we are made partakers, in the ministry of angels. God hath neither appointed nor revealed it for nothing. He expects a revenue of praise and glory from it; and how can we bless him for what we know nothing of? Let us on this account glorify God and be thankful. Great is the privilege, manifold are the blessings and benefits that we are hereby made partakers of. Now what shall we render for the exalted privilege, and to whom? Shall we go and bow ourselves down to the angels themselves, and pay to them our homage and obedience? They all cry out with one accord, "see you do it not," we are your fellow-servants. What shall we then do? They unanimously reply, "worship God;" glorify and praise Him, who is the God of all angels, who sends and employs them.

3. The fancy of one single guardian angel attending every one, is both a real impeachment of the consolation of believers, and a great inducement to superstition and idolatry.

4. Believers obtain heaven by inheritance; by a free gift of their Father, and not by any merit of their own. Heirs among men claim their inheritance (jure nascendi,) because they are born to it, not because they deserve it better than others. Believers look for theirs' (jure adoptionis,) by right of adoption, whereby they become sons, heirs of God, and co-heirs with Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER II.

VERSE 1.

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

§1. Introduction. $2--4. (1.) Exposition of the words. $5-10. (II) The subject improved by practical observations,

§1. In this second chapter the apostle declares his

design and special aim, which was not merely for instruction or information, though that also was in his eye, but chiefly to prevail with the Hebrews to stedfastness in the faith of the gospel, and diligence in attending to all those ways and means whereby they might be established. The foundation of his exhortations to this purpose, he lays in the incomparable excellency of the author of the gospel. Hence naturally flow just and cogent inferences to constancy in the profession of his doctrines, and obedience to him, both absolutely, and in respect of the competition set up against the same by the Mosaical institutions. We shall, according to our usual method,

I. Give the exposition of the words; and

II. Draw such observations from them as may be most useful.

$2. (I.) From the consideration of the glory and excellency of Christ, as the author of the gospel, he draws the inference, (dia T8T0) “therefore ought we;" that is, for the reasons and causes insisted upon. And thus the word (Tapappuwμεv) flow out, expresseth their losing by any ways or means the doctrine of the gosple wherein they had been instructed, and the benefitst hereof. Seeing the gospel hath such a blessed Author, we ought to take care that we forfeit not, or lose not our interest in it. (As) "Ought rce;" the

apostle joins himself here with them, to manifest that the duty he exhorts them to, is of general concern ment to all to whom the gospel is preached, so that he lays no singular burden on them; and that he might not as yet discover to them any jealousy of their inconstancy, or that he entertained any severe thoughts concerning them: apprehensions whereof are apt to render exhortations suspected; the minds of men being ready enough to disregard that which they are persuaded to, if they suspect that undeserved blame lies at the bottom of the exhortation. The word (Tεpi cotepws) more abundantly, is joined to (di T870) therefore, or, "for this cause," and seems immediately to respect it; and so to intimate the excellent and abundant reason we have to attend to the gospel. But if we transpose the words, (δει ημας περισσότερως προσεχειν) then the word (TEPIGOTEρws) "more abundantly," respects the following word (xporεxe) "to attend unto," and so expresseth somewhat of the manner of the performance of the duty proposed. And this application of the word is most commonly received. The reader may embrace what sense he judgeth most agreeable to the scope of the passage.

§3. In reference to the duty exhorted to, there is expressed the object of it, "the things heard." Thus the apostle chooseth to express the doctrine of the gospel, with respect to the way and manner whereby it was communicated, namely, by preaching; for "faith cometh by hearing," and hearing is of the word preached, Rom. x, 14, 15. And herein doth he magnify the great ordinance of preaching, as every where else he maketh it the great means of begetting faith in men. So that the apostle insists upon, and commends to them, not only the things themselves, wherein they had been instructed, but also the way whereby they

VOL. II.

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