refuge, to lay hold on the hope set before them. 2. From those places where it is said that they were, at that time, IN POSSESSION of it: as chap. vi. ver. 19. where the apostle saith, which hope WE HAVE, &c. chap. xii. ver. 22--24, where he tells them WE ARE Come to Mount Zion, &c. and chap. iii. ver. 1. where he tells them that they are PARTAKERS of the heavenly calling. It is therefore undeniably evident, that these Hebrews had not neglected to seek and embrace this salvation; and, of consequence, that whatever the apostle intended by neglecting it, he could not possibly intend this.

But what then did he intend? Neglecting to PERSEVERE therein: or, which comes to the same, by neglecting this salvation he meant, APOSTASY, TOTAL and FINAL apostasy froin it.

By apostasy I mean, simply falling away from it. By total apostasy, I mean falling away, 1. From the spirit ⚫of it. 2. From the practice of it; and 3. from the profession of it. By

final apostasy, I mean, to fall away thus, and rise no more forever.

Now, that this apostasy was the evil which the apostle supposed these Hebrews to be in danger of, and which in this epistle, he has been labouring to prevent; and, of consequence, is what he intended by neglecting this great salvation, I hope to demonstrate very largely from all parts of the epistle. And the method I intend to pursue is, First, to point out such particular passages, as prove the whole proposition, or any part of it; and then, secondly, by way of confirmation of the truth held forth in these passages, to add a general survey of the occasion and design of the whole epistle, and the manner of the apostle's reasoning therein.

And, First, I am to point out such particular passages as prove the whole proposition or any part of it.

And, 1. We will consider chap. ii. ver. 1. "We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should

let them slip," μήποτε παραρρυωμεν. Dr. Hammond tells us that "

Παραρρυωμεν

is a phrase used from the " water, which when it is not kept within lim its, falls away and runs out."*

Dr. Owen, the great champion of the Calvinists in the last century, observes on the place, that " παραρρυωμένη is no where else used in the New Testament;" and that as it stands connected with μηποτε, it means, "Lest we fall; fall down; that is, perish." So is the word interpreted by St. Chrysostom, μήποτε παραρρυωμεν, τέτεστι με απολώμεθα, μη ἐκπεσωμεν,” that zue PERISH NOT; that we FALL NOT.‡ Pool, on the authority of Camero, Erasmus, Estius, Gerhardus and Beza, says "Hæc locutio, &c. est metaphora ducto ab aquá, quæ nisi quodam conceptaculo contineatur, facile defluit; quæ inutiliter effluit; qua prorfus et irreparabiter perit: that is, This expression is a metaphor taken from water,

*See Hammond on the place †See Dr. Owen on the Epistle to the Heb. Chrysos

tom in loc.

which if it is not contained in some proper vessel, easily runs off, flows away to no purpose, and is entirely and irreparably lost.* And Grotius, speaking of this very passage, saith, "Nihil hic cavere jubemur, quod non et fieri possit, et sæpè fiat :" that is, the apostle bids us here beware of nothing, but what MAY, and DOES frequently happen. The calvinian author of Critica Sacra renders it, "let slip, like water put into a cullender or riven dish." Our margin renders it, Run out as leaking vessels. From which I would observe, 1. That the converted Hebrews had the water of this salvation in the vessels of their mind or heart. 2. That these vessels were leaky, that is, liable to let it slip or run out. 3. That if the Hebrews did not take earnest heed, this would certainly be the case this salvation would slip, or run out of their hearts; that is, they would lose it by apostasy.

*Synop. Crit. in loc. + See Grotius in loc See Critica Sacra, page 430.

The learned Dr. Whitby renders μηποτε παραρρυωμεν, “ lest we fall off from them;" that is, from the things which we have "heard:" and he quotes Oecumenius, Theophylact and Phavorinus, as agreeing with him.* Diodati expounds it, "Let them slip, that is to say, that we may not go away from the Communion of Christ and his church, nor forsake his faith and service." Mr. Baxter's comment is, Lest by negligence or unbelief, we should lose what we have heard, and be as leaking vessels, and be lost ourselves." Mr. S. Clark renders it, "Run out as leaking vessels,""viz. out of our heads, hearts, or practice, so as to depart from THE FAITH or service of Christ."§ The Assembly of Divines, on this passage tell us, that "From the former doctrine touching Christ's excellency"-St. Paul infers this following exhortation. "The scope whereof" they say, "is,

*Whitby on the place. Sce Critica, Saera, page 430. Baxter on the place. ¡Clark on the place.