Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 2:3

3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation , which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord , and was confirmed to us by them that heard him ;

This Consequent answereth the Antecedent in ver. 2. but in one part of it, that which concerns the Punishment of the Transgressors of the Law, thus; If the Word by Angels, much more the Word by the Son; and if Sins against that were punished, much mo[illegible: 1 letter]e Sins against this. The Spirit including the Sanction of the Gospel's Power in the Judgment which it pronounceth upon its Despisers, which it could not do, if it were not established. The Interrogative, now, introducing the Consequent, is vehemently negative, By no means; or there is no possibility of our escaping in the Case proposed, compare the close of Isaiah 20.6. There is no avoiding the righteous Punishment, which the just God doth threaten Gospel-Sinners with, such as is recorded in Matth. 10.15. and 11.22, 24. 2 Thess. 1.7, 8, 9. Chap. 10.28, 29. none can escape it, neither I nor you, if such Transgressors; external Offices, or Church-priviledges will not excuse any from the just Punishment and Retribution of God.

If being careless, so as to despise and make light of the Gospel, or to reject it, Ch. 8.9. Matth. 22.5. Opposed this is to the Sins of Commission and Omission about the Law; any denial of receiving it, or of a Progress into the necessary Duties it requires, so to neglect them as to end in Apostacy. For the Gospel-Law of Christ revealing and promising Salvation to Believers, opposed here to the Law given by Angels, will make safe all spiritual good both for Time and Eternity to the sincere Believers and Obeyers of it. The Gospel is called Salvation metonymically, because the Subject-matter of it is Salvation, Ephes. 1.13. and it hath a causal Power and Virtue to save, Acts 13.26. Rom. 1.16. opposed to the Law, which was the Ministration of Death and Condemnation, 2 Cor. 3.7, 9. being revealed by Angels under carnal Types and temporal Promises, and by reason of the Veil on their Hearts, became killing to them. The Word by the Son is Salvation, because a full and clear Discovery to it. This Salvation is transcendent, being not a terrene or temporary, but a heavenly eternal Salvation, delivering those who truly obey it, from the worst of Enemies, the sorest, and most lasting Punishment, and instating them in eternal Happiness and Blessedness in Heaven. This was great for clearness of Light, 2 Cor. 4.4. and diffusive Efficacy and Success.

An Aggravation of the neglect of this Salvation from the Lord publishing it. It had its Rise and Beginning from the Fountain of all Truth, and was first by Voice and Preaching made known to the Hebrews and such Gentiles as came to hear the Promulgation of i[illegible: 1 letter], Matth. 4.17. at Christ's solemn entring on his Ministry above three years before his Death and Resurrection. And it may refer higher; for as it was most clearly, plainly, sweetly and eminently preached by himself, beyond what was taught by the Prophets in the Old Testament, or Iohn; yet he first preached it himself in the beginning to our Apostate Parents in Paradise, Gen. 3.15. and he preached it in all the Prophets publishing of it since; yet this Priority may be in respect of the Ministry which he ordained to follow him, and not of that which went before. It was so preached by the Lord himself, the Mediator, Lord of Life and Death, Head of Angels, and all Principalities and Powers, the great Prophet swaying all things by the word of his Power. The Law was preached by Angels, the Gospel by God the Son himself, Ch. 1.2. and so is preferred before the Law, in respect of its Ministration by the Head, not of its Authority.

Setled it was, made firm and authentical by himself. The Trinity bear witness to it in Heaven, confirm it on Earth by Miracles, Signs, and Wonders, and mighty Deeds by Christ, Iohn 5.36. by his Apostles, 2 Cor. 12.12. and by the Gifts of the Holy Ghost in great variety distributed to his Apostles and Publishers of this Gospel, which made their Ministration of it effectual, Acts 2.1, 2, 3. compare 1 Cor. 12.9, to 11. even to the Apostles and Hebrews, and to all who believe it is so confirmed. Nor is Paul less the Writer of this Epistle, for that he joyns himself with them, since he did hear both the Lord and the Apostles, and was confirming those of them with whom he had fellowship, and was confirmed by them, Acts 9.17, 19. Gal. 2.9. Christ's Disciples and Apostles heard this Gospel from him, and did witness it by preaching, writing, and sealing it with their Blood, Philip. 1.12. 2 Pet. 1.16, 17. which Confirmation by their Sufferings, was instrumental, mediate and subservient to the Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost enjoyed of them, and wrought by them.

Marginal references: Chap. 12.25.; Mark 1.14.; Luke 1.2.