Vol. I. The ffn this Text= S RMON IV. Of Conftancÿ in thé Profeffion of the true Religion. HEiL X. 23. Let as hold fait the profellion of our Faith without wavering; for he is faithful that bath promifed. THE main Scop and Defign of this Epiftle to the Hebrews is to perfwade the Yews, who were newly converted to Chriftianity, to continue fted- fait in that Profeffion of that Holyand Excellent Religion which they had ' embraced ; and not to be removed from it, either by the fubtile . infinuations of their Brethren the 7ews, who pretended that they were in Poffeffón of the true ancient Religion, and the only true Church of God upon Earth; or by the terrour of the Heathen Perfecution, which was fo hot agáinft them at that time. And to this End the Author of this Epiftle doth by great variety of Arguments demonftrate the Excellency of the Chriftian: Religion above the 7ewifh Difpenfa tion ; and (hews at large, that in all thofe Refpe&s upon which the 7ews valued themfelves and their Religion (as namely upon the account oftheir Lawgiver, their High-Priefts, and their.Sacrifices) the Chriftian Religion had every way the Advan- tageof them. And having made this clear, he concludes this with an earneft Exhortation to them to continue ftedfaft in the Profeffion of this excellent Religion, which was revealed In them by the Son ofGod, the true propitiatory Sacrifice, and thegreat High-Prieft of their Profeffion, and into which they had foleinnly been initiated and admitted by Baptifm ; verf tg, 20, 21, 22. Having therefore, brethren, bold- nefs to enter into the belief, by the bloodof 7efus, by a new and living way, which he bath confecrated for us through the mil, that is to fay, his fells ; and having an High-Priefl over the houfe of God ; Let us draw near with a true heart, in full affurance offaith, that is, let us fincerely ferve God with a firm perfwafion of the Truth and.Excellency of this Holy Religion, into the Profeffion whereof we were folemnly admitted by Baptifin'; for thatis undoubtedly the meaning of the fol- lowing Words; having our heartsfprinkledfrom an evilConfcience, and our Bodies wafht with pure water ; the Water, with which our Bodies are wafht in Baptifin, fignifying our fpiritual Regeneration, and the purging of our Confciences from dead Works, toferve the living, God. From all which he concludes, Let us holdfafl the Profeffion of our faith without wavering. Thit refers to that foletnn Prafeon of Faith, whichwas made by all Chriftians at their Baptifin, and which i§ con- tained in the ancient Creedof the Chriftian Church, called by the Ancient Fathers, TheRule of Faith. Let us hold faf, xa-rixw iev, let us firmly retain ; the fame with N.axmusr 17;4 ó/.eoTuylas, Chap, 4. 14. Seeing then we have agreat High -prief which is gaf- fed into the Heavens, 7efus the Son ofGod/let us take fall hold of' our 'Profe lion, So here in the Text, the Apoftle upon the fame Confideration exhorts Chri(tians to retain, or holdfall, s'esÀoylav 17ìs Tart s,'the Contagion or Profeffion of their Hope ; that is, the hope of the Refurrettion of the Dead, and Everlalfing Life, which was the Conclufion of that Faith or Creed, whereof in Baptifin they evade a Solemn Profeffion. Let us hold faff the profeon of our Faith or Hope, without wavering ; the Word is drx inflexible, unmoveahte, fleady, and not apt to waver and be fhaken by every Wind of contrary Doftrine, nor by the Blafts and Storrims ofPerfecution. For be is faithful that bathpromifed. Ifwe conti-
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