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

4. It is necessary also with respect unto our own personal Obedience and all the principal concerns of it. There are three things which Believers principally aim at in the course of their Obedience. (1) That their corruptions may be throughly subdued. (2) That their Graces may be quickened and strengthened unto all fruitfulness. (3) That Temptations being removed their spiritual Consolations may abound. These are the things which they are continually pressing after, longing for, and endeavouring. And sometimes in some, if not all of them, they seem to have made so great a progress as to be ready for an entrance into perfect Rest. But yet again they find new Storms arise; Corruptions grow strong, and Grace is under Decays, Temptations abound, and Consolations are far away. Yea and it may be they are frequently exercised with these changes and disappointments. This fills them with many perplexities and oft-times makes them ready to faint. Unless this patient long-suffering accompany us in our whole course, we shall not finish it with Glory to God, or Comfort to our own Souls.

But it may be enquired on what Grounds, and for what Reasons the Apostle doth propose unto these Hebrews the Example of their Predecessors in this matter. Wherefore he doth it, or he might do it for these ends: (1) That they might know that he exhorted them unto nothing, but what was found in them who went before them whom they so loved and admired. And this he afterwards unto the same end confirms with many Instances. (2) Unto nothing but what was needful unto all who were to inherit the Promises. For if these things were required of their Progenitors, persons so high in the Love and Favour of God unto that end, how could they imagine that they might be dispensed withal as to their observance. ⟨p. 131⟩(3) To nothing but what was practicable, which others had done, and was therefore possible, yea easy for them through the Grace of Christ to comply withal.

But it may be enquired on what Grounds, and for what Reasons the Apostle doth propose unto these Hebrews the Example of their Predecessors in this matter. Wherefore he doth it, or he might do it for these ends: (1) That they might know that he exhorted them unto nothing, but what was found in them who went before them whom they so loved and admired. And this he afterwards unto the same end confirms with many Instances. (2) Unto nothing but what was needful unto all who were to inherit the Promises. For if these things were required of their Progenitors, persons so high in the Love and Favour of God unto that end, how could they imagine that they might be dispensed withall as to their observance.