Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3:1

WHerefore] Let the qualitie of King of the Church which Christ hath, as hath been said before, induce you to respect that of Prophet, and Doctor, which he begins to speak of now.Consider] be attentive and give reverence and obedience to Christ, who hath been appointed by God to be the great Prophet, to bring us tidings of the Gospel, of which we all make profession, and high Priest also. Now in this Chapter and the next he talkes of the first, which is the Prophetical Office, and in the fith of the Priestly Office.

Hebrews 3:2

Who was] the Italian, who; of whom may be spoken in all perfection, and in an higher sense, that which was spoken of Moses, Numb. 12. 7. which seemes to be mentioned by the Apostle, to shew the Hebrewes who were great admirers of Moses, that by extolling of Christ he did not take any thing away from Moses, but did onely teach how proportions should be kept, and the degrees of honour due to each of them.

Hebrews 3:3

For] this is the reason of the exhortation, verse 1 This man] hath been by the Father placed in a degree and office beitng the Highnesse of his Person In as much] to draw the Hebrewes mildely away from their unmeasurable esteem which they held Moses and his Law in, to the prejudice of Christ, he sheweth that Moses in his person and office is infinitely inferior to Christ, in as much as Moses is man, Christ is God; Moses is in Gods House as a member and servant, Christ is the Builder and Lord of it, as he is the Son; vvhereupon he concludes verse 7. that Christ ought not to be disobeyed under pretence of any other authoritie, seeing that no man is to be compared with Him.

Hebrews 3:4

For every] this comparison is grounded upon a thing which every one knoweth: namely, that every house must have a builder, and was not made by it self, and that the Architect is more excellent then the building. So that if Moses hath been a beleever in the house of God, this house must have had a builder, and that is no man but Christ: who therefore is far greater then Moses, who in his own person hath been but a part of this building, nor in his office any more then a servant All things] namely, all the parts of the Church, Ephes. 1. 10 and 3. 9. as well in framing them by his word and Spirit, as in gathering them together in himself Is God] namely, as he is of divine nature, and not meerly man, as Moses.

Hebrews 3:5

For a testimonie] truly to relate as a faithfull witnesse, not his own words, but those which he had heard of Christ, Acts 7:38. whereas Christ speaketh nothing but his own word,vers. 7.

Hebrews 3:6

Over his own] that is to say, He is not in Gods house onely as a servant and a steward, but over it as his own, like the Lord and master of it If we] for perseverance is the true effect and mark of those who are living members of Christ and of his Church, see Romans 11:22. Colss. 1. 23. ?Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 6:11 The considence and rejoycing] the Italian, the freedom and boasting of the hope] that is to say The free and constant profession of the faith, through which, upon the confidence of eternall goods, you glory and triumph in the crosse and persecutions of this world, Romans 5:3-4. He speaks this, because that the greatest stumbling block the Hebrew Christians had, was their Nations persecution.

Hebrews 3:8

The provocation] namely, the cruell and exasperated contention.

Hebrews 3:13

While it is] while the time is that God calleth us and exhors us, &c. in the same manner as it is represented unto us, Psal. 95. which is the time of grace, patience, and hope, after which time all these things are cut off, Psal. 32. 6. Isai. 55. 6. John 12:35. 2 Corinthians 6:2. Be hardned] allured, and seduced by his own naturall corruption, or by his carnall concpiscences,Romans 7:11. James 1:14. that he do not by little and little come obstately to refuse Gods grace, and lose all manner of feeling of it, and all true judgement of conscience, and so rebell openly against God.

Hebrews 3:14

For we are] the great and chief cause which ought to move us to this duty, is the soveraign benefit which we have received in the communion of Christ by faith If we] see vers 6. The beginning] namely, the gift of Gods Spirit and Faith, which is as the root by which we live and subsist spiritually in Christ, Romans 11:18; Romans 11:20. Galatians 2:20. or our first firmenesse and constant expectation.

Hebrews 3:15

Whiles it is] we ought to persevere unto the end, for untill that time the word To day, will take place.

Hebrews 3:16

Howbeit not all] for Caleb and Joshua are excepted, Numb. 14. 30.

Hebrews 3:19

We see] the event did confirm Gods threatning, as we all know.