walking in church fellowship, and in the world; and is, in reality, the foundation of all these mutual duties,

§2. The branch of duty here specified is (as Tapoξυσμον αγαπης και καλων εργων) to the provocation of love and good works; that is, as we have rendered the words "to provoke (one another) to love and good works." Provocation, though commonly used in an ill sense, is sometimes taken, as here, for an earnest and diligent excitation of the minds or spirits of men to that which is good; see Rom. ix, 14; as by exhortation, example, or rebukes, until they be as it were warmed for the duty. "Love and good works;" "love" is the spring and fountain of all acceptable good works; of mutual love among believers, which is that here intended, as to its nature and causes, and motives to it, I have treated at large chap. vi. The "good works" intended are (næλa) those which are most commendable and praise worthy, such as are most useful to others, and whereby the gospel is most exalted; works proceeding from the shining light of truth, by which God is glorified.

$3. Hence observe,

1. The mutual watch of Christians in the particular societies whereof they are members, is a duty necessary for preserving a consistent profession of the faith.

2. A due consideration of the circumstances, abilities, temptations, and opportunities for duties, in one another, is also required for the same end.

3. Diligent mutual exhortation to gospel duties that we may, on all grounds of reason and example, be provoked to them, is evangelically required of us as a most excellent duty to which in an especial manner we ought to attend.

VERSE 25.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

$1. (1) Exposition of the words. $2. The apostle's charge not to forsake Christian assemblies, $3. As the manner of some is. §4. The contrary duty. §5-7. A peculiar motive to it. $8, 9. (II.) Observations,

§1 (I.) THE words contain an enforcement of the preceding exhortation, in a caution against what is contrary to it. (Exiσuvaywyny Eaulwv) the assembling of ourselves together; it is not the church state absolutely, but the actual assemblies of believers, walking together in that state, which the apostle intends; for as the church itself is originally the seat of all public divine worship; so the actual assemblies of it are the only way and means for the exercise and performance of it; these assemblies were of two sorts;-stated, on the first day of the week, 1 Cor. xvi, 2; Acts xx, 7:-occasional, as the circumstances of the church required, 1 Cor. v, 4.

The end of these assemblies was also twofold;-the due performance of solemn, stated worship, in prayer, preaching, singing, and the administration of the sacraments, and the exercise of discipline, or the watch of the church over its members, that their walk and conversation be in all things such as became the gospel; wherefore a voluntary neglect, or a forsaking of these assemblies, if persisted in, destroys any church state. Those assemblies were instrumentally the life, the food, the nourishment of their souls; without which they could neither attend to the discipline of Christ, nor yield obedience to his commands, nor make profession of his name as they ought, nor enjoy the bene

fit of evangelical institutions; whereas in a due observance of them consisted the trial of their faith in the sight of God and man.

§2. The apostle's charge concerning such assemblies is, "that we should not forsake them;" there is a twofold forsaking of these assemblies;-that which is total, which is the fruit and evidence of absolute apos tasy; and that which is only partial, through want of diligence and conscientious care. It is the latter that the apostle here intends, as the word in part signifies, and which is usually done on some of these accounts:

1. Fear of suffering; this in all ages hath prevailed on many, in times of trial and persecution, to withdraw themselves from those assemblies, and thereby have proved themselves to be the fearful and unbelieving ones, who are in the very first place excluded from the New Jerusalem, Rev. xxi, 8; whatever men pretend they believe, if they confess him not before men, he will deny them before his Father which is in heaven.

2. Spiritual sloth, with the various occasions of this life; if men will not stir up themselves, and shake off the weight that lies upon them, they will fall under a woful neglect as to this and all other important duties; such persons as are influenced by them will make use of many specious pleas which they never fail to plead with men, and there is no contending with them; but let them go to Christ and plead them immediately with him, and then ask themselves, how they suppose they are accepted? This deficiency may, indeed, fall out sometimes where the heart is sincere, but then it will be troubled at it, and watch for the future against the like occasions.

3. Unbelief working gradually towards the forsaking of all profession; this is the first way, for the most part, whereby an evil heart of unbelief, in departing

from the living God, doth evidence itself; see chap. iii; 12. I say, hereby usually it first evidenceth itself; for it hath unquestionably put forth its power before inwardly, in a neglect of private duties; and if such a course from this principle be persisted in, total apos tasy lies at the door.

§3. "As the manner of some is;" the church of the Hebrews, especially that at Jerusalem, had been exposed to great trials and persecutions; ver. 32, 33: during this state some of their members, even in those early days, began so far to decline their profession, as not to frequent the assemblies of the church; they were afraid to be taken at a meeting, or that their known persecuting neighbors should take notice of them as they frequented the Christian assemblies.

Again, there were among the Hebrews at that time great disputes about the continuance of the temple worship, with which many were entangled, and as that error prevailed in their minds, so did they begin gradually to neglect and forsake the gospel worship; only observe, that it is not an occasional dereliction of them, but that which they accustomed themselves to; it was their (bos) manner, an ordinary way of walking which they accustomed themselves to.

§4. The apostle, in the next place, illustrates this great evil by the contrary duty, (αλλα παρακαλενίες) but exhorting, all the duties of these assemblies, especially those which are useful to preserve from apostasy, and to prevent backsliding, are proposed under this one head of duty.

The nature of this mutual exhortation among believers in Christian societies hath been considered before, see on chap. iii, 13, and (Toнl μañλov) so much the more. The duties before mentioned are such as ought always to be attended to, and yet "the approachi

VOL. IV.

9

of the day" is a season wherein it is our duty to double our diligence about them; and there are warnings and works of Christ, by his word and providence, the consideration of which ought to excite us to a peculiar attendance to them; in proof of this we might appeal to his dealings with the seven churches of Asia as types of all others.

$5. "As ye see the day approaching;" (TV μɛpav) the day an eminent day; the rule whereby we may determine what day is intended is this; it was such a day as was a peculiar motive to the Hebrews in their present circumstances, to attend diligently to the due performance of gospel duties; it is not such a day, such a motive, as is always common to all, but only to those who are in some measure in the like circumstances with them; wherefore, it is neither the day of death personally to them, nor the day of future judgment absolutely that is intended; for those are common to all equally, and at all times, and are a powerful motive in general to the performance of gospel duties; but not a peculiar motive at sometimes to peculiar diligence; wherefore, this day was no other but that fearful and tremendous day, or season, for the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, city, and nation of the Jews, which our Savior had forwarned his disciples of, and which they had in continual expectation.

$6. But it may be said, how should the approach of this day, wherein all things were about to be dissolved, the church to be scattered. the whole nation to be consumed with sword and fire, be a motive to redoubled diligence in attendance to the duties of Christian assemblies: it should now seem rather to have been a time for every one to shift for himself, and his family, than to leave all to ruin, whilst they looked after these assemblies? We answer,