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 you see the day approaching.

The words contain an enforcement of the preceding exhortation, in a caution against what is contrary thereunto, or the neglect of the general duty which is the principal means to further us in all the things that we are exhorted to, and without which some of them cannot at all be performed. And there is in the words (1.) the neglect and evil which they are cautioned against, that is, forsaking the assembling of ourselves: (2.) this is exemplified, (1.) in an instance of some that were guilty of it; as is the manner of some. (2.) By the contrary duty; but exhorting one another. (3.) The degree of this duty; so much the more. (4.) The motive to that degree; as you see the day approaching.

In the first, there is the thing spoken of, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], well rendered by us, the assembling of ourselves together; for 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 and subject of all 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. (1.) Stated on the Lord's Day, or first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2; Acts 20:7). (2.) Occasional, as the duties or occasions of the church did require (1 Corinthians 5:4).

The end of these assemblies were twofold. (1.) The due performance of all solemn stated, orderly, evangelical worship, in prayer, preaching of the Word, singing of Psalms, and the administration of the Sacraments. (2.) The exercise of discipline, or the watch of the church over its members, with respect to their walking and conversation, that in all things it be such as becomes the Gospel, and giving no offence. So to admonish, exhort, and provoke one another to love and good works; comfort, establish, and encourage them that were afflicted or persecuted; to relieve the poor, &c. Such assemblies were constantly observed in the first churches; how they come to be lost is not unknown, though how they may and ought to be revived is difficult.

Two things are evident herein.

1. That those assemblies, those comings together in one place, was the only way whereby the church, as a church made its profession of subjection to the authority of Christ in the performance of all those duties of sacred worship, whereby God was to be glorified under the Gospel. Therefore a voluntary neglect and relinquishment of those assemblies destroys any church state, if it be persisted in.

2. That those assemblies were 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 benefit of evangelical institutions: whereas in a due observance of them consisted the trial of their faith in the sight of God and man. For as to God, whatever reserves men may have in their minds, that they would still continue to believe in Christ though they attended not to his discipline in these assemblies, he regards it not; because therein men do openly prefer their own temporal safety before his glory. And as to men, it is not so much faith itself, as the profession of it in those assemblies, that they hate, oppose, and persecute. Therefore believers in all ages have constantly ventured their lives in the observance of them through a thousand difficulties and dangers, esteeming them always aliens from their communion by whom they were neglected.

Therefore, secondly, the Apostle's charge concerning those assemblies, is, that we should not forsake them. There is a twofold forsaking of these assemblies. (1.) That which is total, which is the fruit and evidence of absolute apostasy. (2.) That which is so partially only, in want of diligence and conscientious care in a constant attendance to them according as the rule and their institution do require. It is the latter that the Apostle here intends, as the word in part signifies, and of the former he speaks in the following verses. And this is usually done on some of these accounts:

1. From fear of suffering. These assemblies were those which exposed them to sufferings, as those whereby they made their profession visible, and evidenced their subjection to the authority of Christ; whereby the unbelieving world is enraged. This in all ages has prevailed on many, in the times of trial and persecution, to withdraw themselves from those assemblies; and those who have done so, are those fearful and unbelieving ones, who in the first place are excluded from the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:8). In such a season, all the arguings of flesh and blood, will arise in the minds of men, and be promoted with many specious pretences: life, liberty, enjoyments in this world, will all put in to be heard; reserves concerning their state in this frame, with resolutions to return to their duty when the storm is over; pleas and arguments that these assemblies are not so necessary, but that God will be merciful to them in this thing. All which and the like false reasonings do carry them away to ruin. For notwithstanding all these vain pleas, the rule is peremptory against these persons. Those who for their houses, lands, possessions, relations, liberty, life, prefer them before Christ, and the duties which we owe to him, and his glory, have no interest in Gospel promises. Whatever men pretend that 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 occasions of this life, are the cause in many of this sinful neglect. Other things will offer themselves in competition with the diligent attendance to these assemblies. If men stir not up themselves, and shake off the weight that lyes upon them, they will fall under a woeful neglect as to this and all other important duties. Such persons as are influenced by them, will make use of many specious pleas, taken for the most part from their occasions and necessities. These things they will plead with men, and there is no contending with them; but let them go to Christ and plead them immediately to himself, and then ask of themselves, how they suppose they are accepted? He requires that we should attend to these assemblies diligently, as the principal way and means of doing that, and observing that which he commands us, the certain indispensible rule of our obedience to him. Will it be accepted with him, if in a neglect of that, we should say to him, we would have done so indeed, but that one thing or other, this business, this diversion, this or that attendance in our callings would not suffer us so to do? This 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. But where this is frequent, and every trivial diversion is embraced to a neglect of this duty, the heart is not upright before God, the man draws back in the way to perdition.

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, does evidence itself; which the Apostle on this consideration warns the Hebrews of, chap. 3. I say, hereby usually it first evidences itself. It has unquestionably put forth its power before, within and in a neglect of private duties, but hereby it first evidences itself to others. And if this course, from this principle, be persisted in, total apostasy lies at the door; whereof we have multiplied instances.

1. Great diligence is required of us in a due attendance to the assemblies of the Church for the ends of them, as they are instituted and appointed by Jesus Christ. The benefit we receive by them, the danger of their neglect, sense of the authority of Christ, concernment of his glory in them, with the vanity of the pretences for their neglect, call aloud for this diligence.

2. The neglect of the authority and love of Christ in the appointment of the means of our edification, will always tend to great and ruinous evils.

Thirdly, the Apostle exemplifies their sin, which he warns them against in an instance of those who are guilty of it, as the manner of some is. The Church of the Hebrews, especially that at Jerusalem, had been exposed to great trials and persecutions, as the Apostle declares v. 32, 33. During this state, some of the members of them, 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 neighbours should take notice of them as they went to, or came from their assemblies. And it should seem, they were not a few who were fallen into this sinful neglect; for the Apostle speaks of it as a thing which was well known among themselves.

Again, there were among the Hebrews at that time great disputes about the continuance of the Temple-worship, with the rites and ceremonies of it, which many were entangled withal; and as that error prevailed in their minds, so did they begin gradually to neglect and forsake the worship and duties of the Gospel, which ended with many in fatal apostasy. To prevent the effects of these two evils, was the principal design of the Apostle in writing this Epistle, which is filled with cogent arguments against them. This was the later cause of their declension before intimated, namely, unbelief secretly inclining to a departure from the living God. And this is marked here as the ordinary beginning of an entrance into final apostasy; namely, that men do forsake the assemblies of the saints. Only observe, that it is not an occasional dereliction of them, but that which they accustomed themselves to; it was [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], their manner, it was an ordinary way, and manner of walking which they accustomed themselves to.

1. No church-order, no outward profession can secure men from apostasy. Persons were guilty of this crime in the first, the best, the purest churches.

2. Perfection, freedom from offence, scandal, and ruinous evils, is not to be expected in any church in this world.

3. Men that begin to decline their duty in church relations, ought to be marked, and their ways avoided.

4. Forsaking of church assemblies is usually an entrance into apostasy.

Fourthly, the Apostle illustrates this great evil by the contrary duty, [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩]. All the duties of these assemblies, especially those which are useful and needful to prevent backsliding, and preserve from apostasy, are proposed under this one, which is the head and chief of them all.

The nature of this mutual exhortation among Christian believers in church societies, has been discoursed on chap. 3. Here it is opposed to the evil dehorted from, Forsake not, but exhort one another; therefore it is comprehensive of the general nature of all the duties of believers in church societies, and it has a special respect to constancy and perseverance in the profession of the faith, and diligent attendance to the duties of gospel-worship; as is evident from the whole context. This is the duty of all professors of the gospel, namely, to persuade, to encourage, to exhort one another to constancy in profession, with resolution and fortitude of mind against difficulties, dangers, and oppositions. A duty which a state of persecution will teach them, who intend not to leave any thing of Christ. And 'tis never the more inconsiderable, because the practice of it is almost lost out of the world, as we said before. The motive to these duties is, the approach of the day. Wherein we have, (1.) a degree added to the performance of these duties, from this motive [in non-Latin alphabet], so much the more. (2.) The motive it self, which is the approach of the day. (3.) The evidence they had of it, you see. There is from this motive, an especial degree to be added to the performance of the duties before mentioned; they are such as ought always to be attended to. Howbeit, this is a season wherein it is our duty to double our diligence about them. For this, so much the rather, refers distinctly to all the duties before mentioned being to be repeated [in non-Latin alphabet]. Therefore although the word of Christ in his institutions and commands, do make duties constantly in their performance necessary to us; yet there are warnings and works of Christ whose consideration ought to excite us to a peculiar diligence and attendance to them.

1. Such warnings of Christ there are to his Church, both by his word, and by his providence. For although he speak not now immediately to them by revelations, yet he speaks to them mediately in his word. All the warnings he has left on record in the Scripture, given to his churches in the various conditions wherein they were, as for instance, those in the second and third of the Revelations, are given likewise to all the churches now, that are in the same state or condition wherein they were. And he does it by his providence, in threatenings, efficacious trials, and persecutions (1 Corinthians 11:30, 31, 32).

2. The principal end of these warnings is to stir us up to more diligence in attendance to the duties of his worship in the assemblies of the Church; as is manifest in all his dealings with the seven churches, as types of all others. For (1.) our neglect therein, is the cause of that displeasure which he in his warnings and trials calls us to. For this cause many are sick and weak, many are fallen asleep. Because you are lukewarm, I will do so and so. (2.) Because without a diligent care, we cannot pass through trials of any nature, in persecution, in public calamities, to his glory, and our own safety. For by a neglect of these duties, all graces will decay, carnal fears will prevail, counsel and help will be wanting, and the soul be betrayed into innumerable dangers and perplexities. (3.) Without it, it will not be to the glory of Christ to evidence his presence among them in their trials, or give deliverance to them. Therefore we may consider what belongs to this, and so much the rather, what additions to our performance of those duties is required from this motive.

1. A recovery of our selves from outward neglects in attendance upon church-assemblies; such there have been among us on various pretences, which if on renewed warnings we recover not our selves from, we are in danger of eternal ruin, for so the case is stated in this place.

2. A diligent enquiry into all the duties which belong to the assemblies of believers, is comprised here by the Apostle under the general head of mutual consideration, provocation, and exhortation, that we be not found defective through our ignorance, and unacquaintedness with what he does require.

3. Spiritual diligence in stirring up our hearts and minds to sincerity, zeal, and delight in the performance of them; in all labouring after a recovery from our decays and backslidings, which is the design of most of the Epistles of Christ to the Seven Churches. Therefore,

When especial warnings do not excite us to renewed diligence in known duties, our condition is dangerous as to the continuance of the presence of Christ among us.

3. The motive it self is, the approach of the day; concerning which we must enquire, (1.) What day it is, that is intended? (2.) How it did approach? And then, How it did evidence it self so to be, as they saw it?

1. The day, [in non-Latin alphabet]; 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 same circumstances with them. Therefore it is neither the day of death personally to them, nor the day of the 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 an especial peculiar motive at some time to peculiar diligence. Therefore, this day was no other but that fearful and tremendous day, a season for the destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, city, and nation of the Jews, which our Savior had forewarned his disciples of, and which they had in continual expectation.

But it may be said, How should the approach of this day, wherein all things seem to be dissolved, the Church to be scattered, the whole nation to be consumed with blood 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 at uncertainties, and to ruin, while they looked after these assemblies.

Whatever desolations and destructions may be approaching, our best and wisest frame will be to trust to God, in the discharge of our duty. All other contrivances will prove not only vain, and foolish, but destructive to our souls. The day here intended was coming on the people and nation for their neglect and contempt of the Gospel, it was the revenge of their murder, unbelief, and obstinacy against Christ. Therefore if any that made profession of the Gospel were now negligent and careless in the known duties of it, they could have no evidence or satisfaction in their own minds, that they should not fall in the fire of that day. They who will in any degree partake of men's sins, must in some degree or other partake of their plagues.

It is impossible that men should go or be carried through a day of public calamity, a destructive day, comfortably and cheerfully, without a diligent attendance to those known duties of the Gospel. For, (1.) the guilt of this neglect will seize upon them when their trial shall come: and they will wish, when it is too late, that they had kept at a distance from it. (2.) Let men pretend what they will, this decay in those duties argues and evidences a decay in all graces, which they will find weak, and unfit to carry them through their trials, which will bring them to an unspeakable loss in their own minds. (3.) The Lord Christ requires this from us in a way of testimony to him, that we are found faithful in our adherence to his institutions upon the approach of such a day. For hereby do we evidence both the subjection of our souls to him, as also that we value and esteem the privilege of the Gospel above all other things. (4.) Because the duties prescribed, in a right discharge of them, are the great means for the strengthening and supporting of our souls in that part of the trial which we are to undergo. For such a day as that intended, has fire in it, to try every man's work of what sort it is, and every man's grace both as to its sincerity and power. Therefore all ways and means whereby our works may be tried, and our graces exercised, are required of us in such a season.

Approaching judgments ought to influence to especial diligence in all evangelical duties.

How did this day approach? It was approaching, coming, drawing nigh, it was in procinctu, gradually coming upon them; warnings of it, dispositions towards it, intimations of its coming were given them every day. This I have before given an account of, and how the drawings nigh of this day were upon them when this Epistle was written, and how in a short time it broke forth upon them in all its severity. And these things were so evident, as that in the last place, the Apostle takes it for granted, that they themselves did see openly and evidently the approaching day; and it did so in these five things: (1.) In the accomplishment of the signs of its coming, foretold by our Savior; compare (Matthew 24:9) &c. with the 32, 33, 34, verses of this chapter. And besides, all the other signs mentioned by our Savior, were entering on their accomplishment. (2.) In that things were at a great stand as to the progress of the Gospel among the Hebrews. At the first preaching of it multitudes were converted to Christ, and the Word continued in efficacy towards them for some season afterwards; but now as our Apostle plainly declares in this Epistle the case was changed among them, the elect obtained, the rest were hardened (Romans 11). The number of the elect among that people were now gathered in; few additions were made to the Church; not daily nor in multitudes as formerly. And believers knew full well that when their work was all accomplished, God would not leave the people in their obstinacy, but that wrath should come upon them to the uttermost. (3.) They saw it approaching in all the causes of it. For the body of the people having now refused the Gospel, were given up to all wickedness, and hatred to Christ; an account whereof is given at large by the historian of their own nation. (4.) The time and season did manifest itself to them. For whereas the body of that people were to be cut off, and cast off, as the Apostle expressly declares (Romans 9:10, 11), this could not be done until a sufficient tender of the Gospel and of grace by Christ Jesus were first made to them. Notwithstanding all their other wickednesses, God would not surprise them with an overturning destruction. He had before as types of his dealing with them, warned the old world by Noah, and Sodom by Lot, before the one was destroyed by water, and the other by fire. He would also give them their day, and make them a sufficient tender of mercy, which he had now done towards forty years. In this space, through the ministry of the Apostles, and other faithful dispensers of the Word, the Gospel had been proposed to all persons of that nation throughout the world (Romans 10:16, 17, 18, 19, 20). This being now accomplished, they might evidently see that the day was approaching. (5.) In the preparations for it. For at this time all things began to be filled with confusions, disorders, tumults, seditions, and slaughters in the whole nation, being all of them entrances of that woeful day, whose coming was declared in them and by them.

If men will shut their eyes against evident signs and tokens of approaching judgments, they will never stir up themselves, nor engage into the due performance of present duties.

In the approach of great and final judgments, God by his Word and Providence gives such intimations of their coming, as that wise men may discern them. Whoever is wise he will consider these things, and they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. The prudent foreseeth the evil and hideth himself. How is it that you discern not the signs of the times?

To see evidently such a day approaching, and not to be sedulous and diligent in the duties of divine worship, is a token of a backsliding frame tending to final apostasy.