Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:1-3

The apostle, in this chapter, applies what he has collected in the chapter foraging, and makes use of it as a great source to patients and perseverance in the Christian faith and state, pressing home the argument. 1. From a greater example than he had yet mentioned, and that is Christ himself, vers. 1—3. 2. From the gentle and gracious nature of the afflictions they endured in their Christian courts, vers. 4—18. 3. From the communists and uniformity between the state of the gospel church on earth, and the triumphant church in heaven, from vers. 18 to the end of the chapter.

1. Wherefore, seeing we also are compelled about with * do great a shout of witnesses, * let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily befit us, and * let us run * with patience the race that is set before us. 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and sinister of our faith, * who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and * is set down as the right hand of the throne of God. 3. For consider him * that rendered such contradiction of famour against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.

Having proposed to them such bright examples, the apostle urges the Redeemer.

1. To imitate their faith, patience, and perseverance. Wherefore, seeing the acts are compelled about with ye great a shout of witnesses, who, having finished the glorious course themselves, are now looking on our conduct, let us, estimated by their examples, and routed to imitation of their excellencies, lay aside every weight that would retard our speed, all inordinate attachment to earth and earthly things, and the sin which doth so easily befit us, that which from our circumstances, station in life, comestions, and constitution, is ever soliciting our conduct, and would estimate our foals; particularly the great and capital fins of unbelief, pride, and lust, under whatever factions pretences they may appear; and let us run with patience, not discouraged at difficulties, not fainting under temptation, but eager to finish the race that is set before us, and to win the glorious prize. Now, (1.) We have a race before us; the course is circumscribed by our mortal days; the word of God marks out our path; saints and angels are spectators; death is the goal, and glory the reward of fidelity. What services then can we refuse? What sufferings shall dismay us? (2.) Faith and patience are the mighty graces which can enable us to hold on, and to hold out, till we finish our courts with joy.

2. The only way that in faith and patience we can persevere is here described. Looking unto Jesus (manuscript), turning away our eyes from sin, the world, and every extenuating object which would seduce our affections, and keeping him singly in our view, who is the author; and alone can be the sinister of our faith, by grace and strength derived from him, speaking us to follow his perfect pattern; who, for the joy that was set before him, that God’s perfections might be glorified, but thistledness made to Divine Justice, his people’s eternal redemption focused, and himself, as Mediator, be crowned with glory and honour, endured the cross, with all its horrors, exercising the most admitting patience and unshaken fortitude, despising the shame of that ignominious tree, and is now, in consequence thereof, set down as the right hand of the throne of God, exalted to the highest dignity and majesty in the heavens. For consider him that endured such contradiction of famours against himself, (essay-reath) compare your sufferings with his, the infinite disproportion between your persons and him; the unintended patience and unselfishness compare with which he bore every insult and torment; reflect upon this often and deeply, left to be weary and faint in your minds, and let the eye of faith, fixed on him, draw out of his fulness the needful supplies of strength to follow his blessed footsteps. Now, (1.) Faith is the gift of Jesus, and he who begins must finish the work with power in our hearts. (2.) When we consider what the Son of God for our takes freely endured, we shall be ashamed to complain of the comparatively trivial cross which we sustain, and boldly set our faces as a stint against all sufferings and reproaches, which for his false we may be called to bear. (3.) Great and long-continued trials are apt to weary out our feeble minds, so that we are ready to sink under them; but Jesus is before us; he faith, Look unto me; and that re-

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