more SHALL NOT we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. Here then the apostle declares that we SHALL NOT escape if we neglect this great salvation : that as it is certain, that those who refused him who spake on earth, DID NOT escape, so it is equally certain that we SHALL NOT escape, if we refuse him who speaketh from heaven. Mr. Henry on the place saith, "The misery of such sinners is described and declared to be unavoidable, ver. 3. How shall we escape? This intimates, 1. That the despisers of this salvation are condemned, under arrest, and in the hands of justice already -2. There is No ESCAPING Out of this condemned state. -As for those that neglect it, the wrath of GOD is upon them, and it abides upon them, they CANNOt disENGAGE THEMSELVES, they CANNOT emerge, they CANNOT get from under the curse. There is yet a more aggravated curse and condemnation waiting for all those that despise the grace of God in Christ and that most

heavy curse they CANNOT ESCAPE.There is no door of mercy left open for them, there shall be no more sacrifice for sin, they are irrecoverable. The UNAVOIDABLENESS of the misery of such is here expressed by way of question, --How shall we escape? It is an appeal to universal reason, to the consciences of sinners themselves; it is a challenge to all their power and policy, to all their interest and alliances, whether they, or any for them, can find out, or can force out, a way of escape from the vindictive justice and wrath of GOD."* Dr Qwen saith, that, "The design of the apostle in these verses is, to prove that they shall DESERVEDLY and ASSUREDLY PERISH who shall neglect the gospel."t Again, "The apostle in the next verses-lets them know that their destruction is CERTAIN, and that from God." And the reason why we shall not escape is, because it is impossible:

* Henry on the place. †Owen on the place.

Ibid.

R

GoD cannot in any wise, consistent with his wisdom, holiness, justice and truth, admit of it; for if he could possibly have done it, consistently with these attributes, there is no doubt but his goodness would have done it! therefore, I conclude, that there is no possibility of escaping for those who neglect this great salvation.

But it may be said, "Suppose I should neglect this salvation, cannot I escape by depending on the mercy of God?" I answer, No. For though it be a great and sacred truth, that GOD is infinite in mercy, it will not follow-that the abusers of this mercy shall be saved thereby. St. Paul tells us, chap. x. verse 28. that "He that despised Moses' law died WITHOUT mercy, under two or three witnesses." He then adds, "Of how much SORER punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of GoD," &c. As if he had said, The sin of despising Moses' law was so aggravated, that the mercy of GOD would not interpose

in behalf of such an offender. Now, as the sin of those who have trodden under foot the Son of GoD, &c. is so much more heinous, there is abundantly more reason to believe that mercy will not interpose on their behalf; but rather that it will suffer the punishment they have so dearly deserved, to fall on them without remedy, and to remain on them forever.

"But suppose I neglect this salvation, by totally and finally apostatizing, cannot I escape the afore-mentioned punishment by living a sober, moral life?" I again answer, No.For the apostle declares, all over this epistle, that our salvation is by Christ, and by adhering unto him. So chap. i. verse 3. Christ is said, by himself to have purged our sins: chap. ii. verse. 9. to have tasted death for every man: verse 10, that he is the captain of our salvation: verse 14, 15. that he died to destroy the power of death-and to deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage: verse

17. that he made reconciliation for the sins of the people; chap. iv. verse 14. that he is our great High Priest: verse 16. that he has erected a throne

of

verse

grace, unto which we are to come for mercy, &c. chap. v. verse 9. that he is become the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him: chap. vi. verse 18. that he is our refuge to which we are to fly, that we may lay hold on the hope set before us chap. viii. verse 6. that he is the Mediator of the new Covenant: chap. ix. verse 12. that he has obtain ed eternal redemption for us: 14, that it is his blood which purgeth our consciences from dead works to serve the living God: verse 15. that by his death we receive the promise of the eternal inheritance: verse 26. that he hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself: chap. x. verse 5-9. that when GOD had no pleasure in Jewish sacrifices and offerings, a body was prepared for Christ, in which he freely and cheerfully came to do the will of God: