almost ready to expire; and, indeed, it continued but a few years after the writing of this epistle. This he secretly minds them of, and withal exhorts them to improve their present advantages, especially in the discharge of the great duty of mutual exhortation, that so they might prevent the great evil of departing from the living God, and, as tending thereunto, the hardening of their hearts, through the deceitfulness of sin.

$5. We have next the persons concerned, (75 vpov) any of you; any one that is of your society, engaged in the same profession, and partaker of the same privileges. Herein, we see, the apostle extends his di rection to mutual watchfulness and exhortation unto all; even the meanest of the church. Again; the spring or cause of the evil to be feared from the intimated neglect is sin, (auapla) a general name for all or any sin; our apostle constantly useth it to express original sin, the sin of our nature, the root on which all other sins grow, which is here intended; the sin that by nature dwelleth in us, that is, present with us, when we would do good, to hinder us; and is con tinually working to put forth its venomous nature in actual transgressions. This he calls elsewhere, a "root of bitterness," that springs up to defilement, chap, xü, 15. Moreover, the ways and means, whereby this sin worketh, is by deceit, (Tη aña1n Tus apapas.) The word (anal) here rendered "deceit," signifies both the faculty of deceiving, the artifice used in deceiving, and actual deceit, or deceiving itself. The evil itself particularly cautioned against is expressed in that word (anλnpuven) "should be hardened;" of the sense and import of which we have spoken fully on the forego, ing verses.

$6. (II.) Obs. 1. Sedulous mutual exhortation is an eminent means to prevent the deceitful workings of sin. There are many practical duties neglected because they are not understood, and they are not understood, because they are supposed to have no difficulty in them. High notions, curious speculations, with knotty controversies, are thought to deserve men's utmost diligence in their search and examination; but for these practical duties it is generally supposed that they are known sufficiently at a word's speaking, if they were but practised accordingly. Yet it will be found that the great wisdom of faith consists in a spiritual acquaintance with the true nature of these duties; which indeed are therefore practically neglected, because they are not doctrinally understood. The duty of constant exhortation, that is, of persuading the souls of men to constancy and growth in faith and obedience, to watchfulness and diligence against the deceitfulness of sin, from the word of truth, in the name and authority of Christ, is the most important part of the ministerial office. But there is also an exhortation, which is mutual among believers, founded in their common interest, and proceeding from special love wrought in them by the spirit of Christ, and required in them by the law of Christ.

§7. This is the duty immediately intended, and to the right performance of it, the following things appertain:

1. That they who are engaged in it, find in themselves an especial concernment in the persons with whom, and the things about which they treat in their exhortations. It will not admit of that pragmatical curiosity which leads men to interpose themselves in matters wherein they are no way concerned. If men find not themselves concerned in the glory of God,

and their hearts moved with compassion towards the souls of men, whether they are in church office or not, it will be their wisdom to abstain from this work, as that which they are no way fitted to discharge.

2. A special warranty for the particular exercise of this duty is required of us. Now this ariseth from a due coincidence of rule and circumstances; add to the right rule a due consideration of circumstances relating to times, seasons, persons, and occasions, and it will ratify the warranty intended.

3. Special wisdom, understanding, and ability are required. It is an easy thing to spoil the best duty in the manner of its performance, and especially a defect in spiritual skill; for if men have not a sound judgment and understanding of the matter about which this mutual exhortation is to be exercised, and of the way whereby it is to be managed, they may do well to leave it to them who are better qualified to speak a word in season, I mean as to the solemn discharge of it; otherwise occasional mutual encouragements to faith and obedience are the common and constant duties of all believers.

4. That it be done with words of truth. It is truth alone that in things of this nature is attended with authority and good effect; for if there be any failure in this foundation, the whole superstructure will sink of itself.

5. That it may be managed, unless peculiar circumstances require some variation, with good and comfortable words, words of consolation and encouragement. The word here used, as hath been shewed, signifies to comfort, as well as to exhort. Morose, severe expressions become not this duty; but such as wisdom will draw out from love, care, tenderness, compassion, and the like compliant affections. These open

and soften the heart and make the entrance into it smooth and easy.

6. That it be carefully and diligently accompanied with a suitable example in the practice of the persons exhorting. An observation of the contrary will quickly frustrate the weightiest words that look another way. Christian exhortation is nothing but an encouragement given to others to walk with us, or after us, in the ways of God; "Be followers of me," saith our apostle, "as I am of Christ."

§8. To the above more general observations, we may add the following ones:

1. Gospel duties have an especial efficacy attending them in their special seasons. "Whilst it is called today." Every thing hath its beauty, order, and efficacy from its proper season. Again,

2. We have but an uncertain season for the due performance of most certain duties. How long it will be called "to-day," we know not; the day of our lives is uncertain; so is the day of the gospel, as also of our opportunities; the present season alone is ours; and for the most part, we need no other reason to prove any time to be a season for duty, but because it is present.

3. The deceit which is in sin, and which is inseparable from it, tends continually to harden the heart. This is principally taught us in these words, and is a truth of great importance.

VERSE 14.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

$1-3. (I.) The words explained. §4. (II) Observations, 1. Union with Christ is the principle and measure of all spiritual enjoyments and expectations. $5. 2. Stedfastness in believing the great evidence of union with Christ, 6. 7Our subsistence in Christ maintained to the end, is matter of great endeavor and diligence.

§1. In these words the apostle lets us know, that all our interest in Christ, and all the benefits we expect or may be made partakers of by him, depend upon. our answering his exhortation to constancy and perseverance in our profession. And moreover, that whereas men are apt to wax weary and faint, or to grow slothful in the course of their profession, sometimes so soon almost as they entered upon it, unless they continue the same diligence and earnestness of endeavors as at the first, so as to abide stedfast to the end, they would have no benefit either by Christ or the gospel, but rather fall assuredly under that indignation of God which he had newly warned them of.

$2. (II.) "We are made partakers of Christ," (yeɣan vapɛv) "We have been made;" a present state is here denoted, that which is already wrought; and indeed the due consideration of this word doth rightly state the relation of the several parts of the passage, "We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence," that is, thereby are we so in terpretatively and declaratively. Our perseverance is enjoined as an evidence of our participation of Christ; that whereby it may be tried whether it be true and genuine, which if it be, it will be producing this effect. As James requires that we should try our evidence, and manifest our faith by our works, of what sort it is. We are made (μɛloxoi Xpiels) “partakers of Christ.”