Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as the manner of some is: But exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.

Helps to the performance of both the former Duties to God, and Fellow-Christians, with their respective motives, are laid down in the following part of the Chapter. The first is couched in this Verse, neither slighting in Thought, nor vilifying in Word, nor separating, nor leaving by Dissociation. [non-Latin text not transcribed] imports such a Desertion, as leaves destitute in deep Trouble or Distress, when they should be helping.

[non-Latin text not transcribed], strictly notes an Addition to this Synagogue of the Iews; an Accession of new Members to the former Church-Assembly, even the Gentiles becoming Abraham's Seed by their Conversion to, and Confession of the Faith of Christ: This, some of the Iews from the Self-conceit of their being the only People of God, disdained, and continued in a Separation from them, and all Communion with them. This the Spirit reproves, and adviseth not to leave the Assembly thus augmented, lest in doing it, they forsook God and Christ, as well as Ordinances of Worship and Duties attending such Church-meetings, and promoting their Salvation.

Such Desertion of those Assemblies in the worshipping and serving of God, was the common Custom among some of these Hebrews; an usual, frequent mode of them to do it; some idolizing their own Nation, others of their own selves thinking them holier than others, Gal. 2.12, 13, 14. others that valued Honours, Riches, and Ease more than Christ, or their Souls; some for fear of Persecution, as foretold, Luke 8.13, 14. fulfilled, Gal. 6.12.

[non-Latin text not transcribed], supposeth assembling, in Opposition to the former Desertion, and the Duty of the assembled; and signifieth, counselling, reproving, incouraging, and consorting one another, so as they might persevere in performing the Duties for which they assembled, according to Christ's Mind and Will, so as to strengthen each others Hearts and Hands in the Faith, and in the other Duties instanced in before.

They have so much the more reason to do it, and intend the Work as they did not conjecture, but certainly know, that the day of their own death, and particular Account to be given of themselves to God; the Day of God's executing his Judgments on Ierusalem, as Christ foretold, Mat. 24.1, to 29. prophesied by Daniel before, ch. 9.26, 27. when the Temple should be burnt, the City destroyed, and the People dispersed through the World: Or, the Day of the General Judgment testified by the Gospel to the World, Acts 17.31. All these were every Day nearer to them than other, and they believed them to approach; therefore ought they to be more exercised in denying Evil and doing Good, not forsaking Church-Communion, but keeping close to Christ and his Assemblies, that they might better stand together in that day.

Marginal references: Rom. 13.11.; 2 Pet. 3, 9, 11, 14.