by Ezekiel Hopkins
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. HEB. 12:28, 29.
THIS text contains in it a Doctrine, a Use, and a Motive.
The Doctrine is, We have received a kingdom which cannot be moved.
The Use or Inference from thence is this: Therefore, let us serve God.
And the Motive, to enforce this exhortation, is in these words, for our God is a consuming fire.
First. In the first part, which is the Thesis or Position, We have received a kingdom which cannot be moved, we must know, there is a Twofold Kingdom: a Kingdom of Grace, set up in the heart of a saint, where Christ alone reigns as sole monarch and sovereign; and a Kingdom of Glory, prepared for us in the highest heavens, where we shall reign as kings with Christ for ever.
If we take it in the former sense, for the Kingdom of Grace, so the Apostle saith, we have a kingdom, that is, we have it already in possession. Christ hath established his dominion over every believer: and, though he sits personally upon his throne in heaven; yet he rules in us by the vicegerency and deputation of his Spirit that received commission from him, and also by the law of his Word enacted by it.
If we understand it in the latter sense, for the Kingdom of Glory, which seems most congruous to the design of the Apostle, so, also, we have a kingdom, and that in a Fourfold sense.
By Grace, giving us the earnest of it.
By Faith, realizing it.
By Hope, embracing it. And,
By the Promises, assuring of it.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Full Assurance and the Fear of God
As a Consuming Fire
The Consideration of God, as our God, that may Enforce a Holy Awe and Fear of Him
Every Frown from a Reconciled God to Cause Fear
Holy Fear Brings A Most Ardent Love of God
A Filial Fear of God a Clear Evidence of our Son-ship
Slavish Fear hath always Two dreadful Concomitants
Application
Objections