to agree with Clemens Alexandrinus, that it was intended as a CAVEAT AGAINST APOSTASY. And the same must be said of those of later date, which I have so often cited: such as Grotius, Erasmus, Camero, Ribera, Calvin, Junius, Gomarus Gerhardus, Capellus, Menochius, Aretius, Piscator, Suicerus, Beza, &c. For we cannot suppose that such profound Commentators and Critics would give one uniform exposition of so many particular passages, in this, or any other epistle, which they thought was unconnected with the occasion and design of the whole,

To what has been said, I shall add the express testimony of a great number of other writers, many of whom are of a more modern date.

The learned Marlorat says, "Utrâque parte epistolæ eos hortatur; illic ne Christum rejiciant, hic autem ut Christo fidant, et per patientiam in veritate persistant:" that is, In both parts of the epistle, he (the apostle) earnestly exhorts them on the one hand, that

they would not reject Christ; but wholly trust in Him by Faith, and PATIENTLY PERSEVERE in the Truth.* So Ostervald," Il exhorte les Hebreux a la perseverance dans la foi :" He exhorts the Hebrews to PERSEVERANCE in the Faith. Le Clerc says, "Ut animus Christianis addatur, quo constantes ac perseverantes sint," &c. the apostle wrote this epistle, To animate the Christians, that they might be CONSTANT and PERSEVERING in the Faith. The great Bengelius says, "Totus in id incumbit, ut fratrem fidem in Jesum Christum confirmet" that is, The apostle employs ALL HIS STRENGTH ON THIS SINGLE POINT, that he might confirm the faith of the brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ.§ So Michalis, "He (the apostle) writes this epistle to the Christians in Palestine. A severe persecution not only deprived them of the apostle James; but rendered almost the whole church

in loc.

* See comment, page 965. + Ostervald Le Clere preface on the place. See his preface on this Epistle.

WAVERING in the faith."* The learned Hallett says, "The Christians were continually persecuted by the unbelieving Jews-Heb. x. 32—36. chap. xii. 4, 5. By these persecutions they were tempted to APOSTATIZE from Christianity." Dr. Roberts, in his Clavis Bibliorum saith, "The apostle's SCOPE is-To exhort the Hebrews to CONSTANCY in the Faithfrom the peril of APOSTASY." Again he saith, "The apostle exhorts the Hebrews faithfully to hearken to and obey Christ's doctrine, and constantly TO PERSEVERE in the Faith of the Gospel; and that against all grounds and occasions of APOSTASY." Calmet saith, The apostle "addresseshimself to the BELIEVERS in Palestine, to CONFIRM them against those evils which they were about to suffer from the unbelieving Jews." Cradock, in his apostolic History, says, St. Paul

*See Lectures, page 360. + Hallett's Synop. as quoted by Dr. Lardner in his history of the apostles, page 383. See page 542. Ibid. 543. Calmet's Dictionary, page 529.

"exhorts them-to be STEADFAST in the Faith representing to them the horrible danger of RELAPSING, after they had tasted of the gift of the Spirit."* Mr. G. M. whose comment is so strongly recommended by Mr. J. Downham, saith, "The principal end of it [this epistle] is to exhort to coNSTANCY and PERSISTANCE in the Christian religion." The learned Dr. Sykes, in his paraphrase and notes saith, "It was-wrote to Hebrew Christians to keep them steady to their professions, and to guard them from RELAPSING into Judaism." Dr. Lightfoot saith, that The apostle's "intention is, if he can, to argue them into an establishment against that grievous APOSTASY that was then on foot." Dr. Hammond saith, that The Hebrews-"began to forsake the Christian assemblies, and to fall off from the profession of their faith:

* See pege 301. See the Argument to his Comment. Introduction. Harmony of the New Testament, p.141.

which being" (observe it well)—“THE OCCASION of this monitory epistle THE SUBJECT Consequently is, to confirm them in the truth," and to represent the great danger and sin of FALLING orr.* Dr. Whitby saith, that this

epistle was "written to persons now relapsing from Christ to Moses." Again, in his discourse on the Five Points, he saith, "Now to prevent this apostacy of the believing Jews, the epistle to the Hebrews was manifestly written! and as the excellent Dr. Barrow used to say, that it was written" (observe well:) " AGAINST

THE DOCTRINE OF PERSEVERANCE. In the Argument to the epistle to the Hebrews, in Edward the Sixth's Bible, we have these words, "Where fore according to the example of the old fathers we must CONSTANTLY believe in him, that being sanctified by his justice, taught by his wisdom, and governed by his power, we may stead

*Preface to this Epistle. Preface to this Epistle. See Discourse on the Five Points page 414.