A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

From these and the like considerations it is that the Apostle here mentioneth the industrious labour of Love that was in the Hebrews, as an evidence of their saving Faith and Sincerity.

The next thing expressed in these words is the Evidence they gave of this labour of Love, and the means whereby the Apostle came to know it. They showed it, ¹[Greek or Hebrew], ye have showed or manifested it. The same word that James useth in the same case, [Greek or Hebrew], chap. 2. 18. show me thy Faith by thy works, declare it, make it manifest. And a man may show a thing two ways: (1) By the doing of it. (2) By declaring what he hath done. He that works visibly in his calling shows his work by what he doth. And he who works in secret may declare it as he hath occasion. It is in the first sense that the Hebrews showed their labour of Love, ⟨p. 110⟩and that James requires us to show our Faith and Works. The things themselves are intended which cannot but be manifest in their due performance. To show the labour of Love is to labour in the Duties of it, as that it shall be evident. Yet this self-evidencing power of the works of Love, is a peculiar property of those that are some way eminent. When we abound in them, and when the Duties of them are above the ordinary sort and rate, then are we said to show them, that is, they become conspicuous and eminent. To that purpose is the command of our Saviour, Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. Not only let it shine, but let it so shine, which respects the measure and degree of our Obedience; and herein are we required so to abound that our works may be evident unto all. If they will take no notice of them for their good, if they will revile us and reproach us for our good works, as though they were evil works, which is the way of the world towards most Duties of Gospel Obedience, they themselves must answer for their Blindness; our Duty it is so to abound in them, as that they may be discerned and seen of all who do not either shut their Eyes out of prejudice against what we are, or turn their faces from them out of dislike of what we do. Nothing is to be done by us that it may be seen; but what may be seen is to be done that God may be glorified. Wherefore these Hebrews showed the work of Faith, and the labour of Love, by a diligent attendance unto, and an abundant performance of the one and the other.