Let us fear then.] Verse 1 He concludes that it behooves the Jews, to whom he writes, to fear, 1least they be deprived of the blessing which is offered them. And ⟨p. 70⟩again he saith, least any of you, signifying that his affection is to bring them all to God, not one of them accepted: for such is the care of a good Pastor; that whilst he studieth for the good of the whole flock, he is likewise watchful over every particular sheep, that not any one of them through his default do perish. Yea every one of us ought to have the same care over one another, and to fear for other mens sakes, as well as for our own. Now this fear which is here recommended unto us, 2is not to take away from us the assurance of faith; but it is to quicken us to such great care, that by our negligence we should not become drowsy. We must fear then, not to bring us to wavering, or distrust; as if we were uncertain of a good event; but least the grace of God which is offered us, become unprofitable unto us. Now when he saith, that by forsaking the promise, we should seem to be deprived, he signifies, that none are deprived of it, but they who putting grace away from them, have first renounced the same. For it is so far off that God should repent him of his well doing, that on the contrary he never ceaseth to enlarge his gifts continually, if so be there be not a contempt of his calling. This word then, signifies, that the falls of others ought to instruct us to humility and vigilancie: as also S. Paul saith, These are fallen by unbelief; be not thou high minded but fear. Rom. 11.20.
LEt vs feare then.] Verse 1 He concludes that it behooues the Iews, to whom he writes, to feare, 1least they be depriued of the blessing which is offered them. And ⟨p. 70⟩againe he saith, least any of you, signifying that his affection is to bring them all to God, not one of them accepted: for such is the care of a good Pastor; that whilest he studieth for the good of the whole flocke, he is likewise watchfull ouer euery particular sheepe, that not any one of them through his default doe perish. Yea euerie one of vs ought to haue the same care ouer one another, and to feare for other mens sakes, as well as for our owne. Now this feare which is here recommended vnto vs, 2is not to take away from vs the assurance of faith; but it is to quicken vs to such great care, that by our negligence we should not become drousie. We must feare then, not to bring vs to wauering, or distrust; as if we were vncertaine of a good euent; but least the grace of God which is offered vs, become vnprofitable vnto vs. Now when he saith, that by forsaking the promise, we should seeme to be depriued, he signifies, that none are depriued of it, but they who putting grace away from them, haue first renounced the same. For it is so farre off that God should repent him of his well doing, that on the contrarie he neuer ceaseth to inlarge his gifts continually, if so be there be not a contempt of his calling. This word then, signifies, that the falls of others ought to instruct vs to humilitie and vigilancie: as also S. Paul saith, These are fallen by vnbeleefe; be not thou high minded but feare. Rom. 11.20.
- 1The care of a good pastor.
- 2Fear ought not to take away the assurance of faith.Feare ought not to take away the assurance of faith.
