Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 12:23

23 To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Other Inhabitants of this heavenly City and Poli[illegible: 1 letter]y with whom Believers are incorporated, are such, into whose Communion they have admittance here below, viz. to the Catholick Assembly of Christ, his whole Body, the Fulness of him who filleth all in all; an Assembly gathered out of all Nations, Rev. 5.9. and 7.9. throughout the World, extended to all Times and Ages, especially to that part of it which is on Earth, sojourning here, fitting for Heaven; the other part is triumphing in it. They are not called, or incorporated only into a particular national Assembly, a straitned Society, as the Old-Testament-Church was, the general Assembly of Saints are more helpful to Holiness, than a lesser, Psalm 22.27, 28. Gal. 4.25, 26, 27.

This General Assembly is not a Rout, but a Church, such as are called out of the World with a holy Calling, subjecting themselves to Christ as their Head, and are, as quickned, so ordered and ruled by him: It is not a weak, or an Infant-Church, but strong and perfect, come unto maturity, in respect of the great Discoveries of the Mysteries of God, made by Christ to them, chap. 5.12, 13. and 6.1. Gal. 4.1, 3, 4. This chosen, called, and well-ordered Society, were only of such Persons, who were the First-born of God, and Partners of Christ's Sonship and Primogeniture, being regenerated by him, and dignified with his Birth-right-priviledges, Rom. 8.17, 29. They are the Might and Excellency of Christ, whereas the Church at Sinai, for the Body of them, were but typically, literally, and externally so, Exod. 4.22. Col. 1.15, 18. and did not universally enjoy, as those do, the strength and fulness of Grace from God, Iohn 1.16. Gal. 3.26, 29. are Joint-heirs with Christ, Rom. 8.17. and made by him Kings and Priests to God and his Father, 1 Pet. 2.5. Rev. 1.6.

They were not, as the Church at Sinai, of an earthly Enrolement, registred here to know their Families and descent, whether right Jews and Priests or no▪ whose Genealogy was preserved to that end, Ezra 2.43. &c but had their Register in Heaven, were written in the Lambs Book of Life, to be of Heavenly descent, Born of God, partakers of the Divine Nature, and who had Right and Title by Faith in Christ to the Heavenly Inheritance, and were free Denizens of it, Luke 10.20. and have all Heavenly Priviledges derived to them, Rev. 20.12, 19. and 21.27. How obliging, influencing, and promoting are these Priviledges of every Christians pursuit of Holiness.

They were as Christians priviledged with an access, not as Israel had at Sinai with Fear and Terror, and Trembling, so as to fly from the great Author, Lord and Judge of the Covenant, lest they died, as Exod. 20.18. but with Liberty and Boldness of Faith, in the strength of Love and with firmness of Hope they come now in Sion, Isa. 59.20. Heb. 10.19. unto God in his Being and Sovereignty, who ruleth all, and who giveth to all according to their works, and in a most eminent manner ruleth them, who as he is their Iudge, hath not as at Sinai any Barrs to keep them from him, Exod. 19.12. Ephes. 2.18. nor is Terrifying and Consuming, as then, Deut. 5.24, 25. but Justifying them; full of Grace and Love to all approaching him in Christ; his Throne is a Throne of Grace to them, he comforting and encouraging them to make home to him, Iohn 5.22. Acts 10.22. Rom. 3.6. So as they have boldness in the day of Judgment, and stand unshaken before their Judge, and are strengthned by him, Rom. 8.1, 33, 34. 1 Iohn 4.17. He rewards them gloriously, 2 Tim. 2.8. Perfecting Holiness in them beneath, and Crowning them with Glory above; what a help is this to pursue Holiness?

The perfect state to which the Gospel-Covenant leadeth, is promoting Holiness, for they have an access to the same Lot, and are come into the same way of being perfected in Holiness which the Spirits of the Righteous, separated from their Bodies enjoy in Heaven, and have a right unto, and shall have the certain enjoyment of the same Priviledge, which carrieth through all difficulties in the pursuit of it, expecting themselves by Death to be put in possession with them of the same state, Rom. 8.22, 23. 2 Cor. 5.1, 2, 8. compare Phil. 3.12, 13, 14.

Marginal references: Or, enrolled.