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Hebrews might continue this unto the end; which supposes that there was a possibility of their not doing it. Or, secondly, they may be applied to the full assurance of hope; and then the meaning is, that they ought to keep up their former diligence that this full assurance might continue to the end; which supposes it possible for it not to continue: or which is the same, that they might apostatize from it.

10. The next passage which I shall produce in proof of the point is chap. x. verse 23. "Let us hold fast the profession of our λidos, hope, without wavering." The hope here spoken of was, undoubtedly, the hope of everlasting life. And the profession of it, was that which the Hebrews had first made at their baptism, and continued to make to the time the apostle wrote this epistle. Now, when he exhorted them to hold fast this profession, he tacitly acknowledged that there was a possibility of their not holding it fast; or, in other words

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of their falling away from it. And in supposing this, he supposed there was a possibility of their not holding -fast the practice which was the effect of their profession. And then that there was a possibility of their not holding fast the hope itself. For it is certain, that when the profession, &c. of this hope was gone, the hope itself could not continue."-Hence Mr. Baxter's comment is, "Let us, against all subtle, deceitful adversaries, against all cruel persecutors, under all trials and sufferings, HOLD FAST both our hope and faith, and the open PROFESSION of it."* The continuators of Pool expound the words thus: Let us therefore PERSEVERE in the FAITH and HOPE of him ; really, actually, STEADFASTLY RETAINING, with all our might and power, whatsoever insinuations may be used to entice us, or violence of persecution to force us from it, RETAINING it still in our mind, will, affections and operations.*

*Baxter on the place. +Pool's Comment.

Mr. Henry saith, " Our spiritual ene emies will do what they can to wrest our faith, and hope, and holiness, and eomfort, OUT OF OUR HANDS; but we must HOLD FAST our religion as our best treasure. The manner how we

must do this, is, without wavering, without doubting, without disputing, without dallying with temptation to apostasy"-"They that begin to waver in matters of Christian faith and practice, ARE IN DANGER OF FALLING AWAY,' "* The Dutch Annotators say, "Let us hold fast, that is, STEADFASTLY RETAIN, without turning from it, or being seduced from it, the unwavering profession of hope: namely, WHICH IS IN US." This passage then is another demonstration that the apostle's caution is against APOSTASY.

11. Again, verse 25. Not forsak ing the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but

*Henry's Comment on the place.

Dutch Annot. on the place.

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exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." It is certain that the assemblies here spoken of, were the public and private assemblies of the Christian church. Now when the apostle said to these Hebrews, " Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is," he in effect declared, 1. That some of them had already done this. And, 2. That he saw that those to whom he wrote the epistle were in danger of following their bad example.This is evident from the advice he here gives them, 1. Negatively: not to forsake these assemblies. 2. Affirmitively but to exhort one another, "To perseverance in the faith," says Dr. Whitby.* And so much the more as ye see the day approaching, which will put an end to all your present troubles. Estius on the place observes, that the apostle exhorts the Hebrews, "Ne ecclesi

*See Whitby on the place.

am deserant per schisma, aut apostasiam, ad quam Hebræ proclives erant. Sic Latini fere accipiunt.* "Not to

forsake the church by schism or APOS TASY, to which the Hebrews were inclined: "this is, said he, the almost

GENERAL SENTIMENT OF THE LATIN

FATHERS." Mr. Henry saith, "We have the means prescribed for preventing our APOSTASY, and promoting our fidelity and PERSEVERANCE, ver. 24, 25, &c." Again: "There were in the apostles time, and should be in every age, Christian assemblies for the worship of GoD, and for mutual edification. And it seems, even in

those times there were some who forsook these assemblies, and so began to apostatize from religion itself.The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a good means of steadiness and perseverance."† Again: "After having mentioned these means of establishment, the apostle proceeds, in the close of the chapter, to enforce his exhortations TO PERSE Henry on the place.

*Syn. Crit. in loc.

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