A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein…

The notation of the Latin word is most proper to the title which signifieth Priest▪ for it is from ^fgiving or offering sacred things.

The notation of the Latine word is most proper to the title which signifieth Priest▪ for it is from ^fgiving or offering sacred things.

1. fSocardos, a sacris dandis seu offerendis.

Our English word Priest is supposed to be a contract of a Greek word that signifieth a ^gPresident; or one that is set over others: or put before them. For Priests are over Gods people in spiritual matters concerning their souls.

Our English word Priest is supposed to be a contract of a Greek word that signifieth a ^gPresident; or one that is set over others: or put before them. For Priests are over Gods people in spirituall matters concerning their souls.

1. g[Greek or Hebrew] seu [Greek or Hebrew] Priest.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 seu 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Priest.

According to the several notations in every language, was Christ a Priest▪ For,

According to the severall notations in every language, was Christ a Priest▪ For,

All those things whereby this Apostle describeth a Priest, (Chap. 5. 1.) do most¹ properly belong to Christ. For,

1. 1All things belonging▪ to a Priest are true of Christ.

1. A Priest is taken from among men. Christ also himself likewise took part of the same flesh and blood whereof other men are partakers. See §. 139. 2. A true Priest is ordained. Christ also glorified not himself to be made an High Priest: but his Father glorified him in that respect, (Heb. 5. 5.) he Ordained him. 3. A Priest is for men. What Christ undertook he undertook for us. See §. 83. 4. A Priest is in things pertaining to God. Thus much is expressly affirmed of Christ in this verse, He is a Priest in things pertaining to God. He is the one Mediator between God and men, 1 Tim. 2. 5. 5. A Priest offereth up sacrifices. Wherefore it▪ is of necessity that Christ ha• somewhat also to offer, Heb. 8. 3. He hath given himself for us an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour, Eph. 5. 2. A Priest offereth for sins. Christ by himself purged our sins. See Chap. 1. §. 28.

1. A Priest is taken from among men. Christ also himself likewise took part of the same flesh and blood whereof other men are partakers. See §. 139. 2. A true Priest is ordained. Christ also glorified not himself to be made an Highpriest: but his Father glorified him in that respect, (Heb. 5. 5.) he Ordained him. 3. A Priest is for men. What Christ undertook he undertook for us. See §. 83. 4. A Priest is in things pertaining to God. Thus much is expresly affirmed of Christ in this verse, He is a Priest in things pertaining to God. He is the one Mediator between God and men, 1 Tim. 2. 5. 5. A Priest offereth up sacrifices. Wherefore it▪ is of necessity that Christ ha• somewhat also to offer, Heb. 8. 3. He hath given himself for us an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour, Eph. 5. 2. A Priest offereth for sins. Christ by himself purged our sins. See Chap. 1. §. 28.

By all these it appeareth that Christ is a true Priest. Thus was he foretold to be, Psalm 110. 4. Zech. 6. 13. Thus is he very oft testified to be in this Epistle.

In that he is said to be a true Priest, this Epithet, true, is not here opposed to false and deceitful, but to typical and metaphorical Priests. He is a Priest indeed: Such an one as really, in truth and deed effecteth all that is to be done by a Priest.

In that he is said to be a true Priest, this Epithete, true, is not here opposed to false and deceitfull, but to typicall and metaphoricall Priests. He is a Priest indeed: Such an one as really, in truth and deed effecteth all that is to be done by a Priest.

All the Priests under the Law were typical, even Types of Christ: that is, suc• ¹as could not themselves perform indeed what was typified by them: as to make atonement, to take away sin, to satisfy justice, to pacify wrath, to reconcile to God, to make persons and services acceptable to God, &c. yet they show that there was a Priest to come, that could and would indeed perform all that belonged to a Priest. This was Jesus Christ.

All the Priests under the Law were typicall, even Types of Christ: that is, suc• ¹as could not themselves perform indeed what was typified by them: as to make atonement, to take away sinne, to satisfie justice, to pacifie wrath, to reconcile to God, to make persons and services acceptable to God, &c. yet they shew that there was a Priest to come, that could and would indeed perform all that belonged to a Priest. This was Jesus Christ.

1. 1Priests under the Law typi•.

All called Priests in the New Testament are but metaphorical: Priests by way¹ of resemblance; because they do such like offices as Priests did, and offer such things to God as were like to sacrifices. Their offices are to approach to the throne of grace, to pray for themselves and others: to offer gifts and services to God.

All called Priests in the New Testament are but metaphoricall: Priests by way¹ of resemblance; because they do such like offices as Priests did, and offer such things to God as were like to sacrifices. Their offices are to approach to the throne of grace, to pray for themselves and others: to offer gifts and services to God.

1. 1Priests under the Gospel metaphorical.

Of Christians particular sacrifices see §. 175.

In this respect it was thus foretold concerning Christians, Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord, Isa. 61. 6. I will take of them for Priests and for Levites, saith the Lord, Isa. 66. 21. And in the New Testament it is said, Christ hath made us Priests unto God, Rev. 1. 6. & 5. 10. Yea Christians are said to be an holy Priesthood, • royal Priesthood, 1 Pet. 2. 5. 9.

In this respect it was thus foretold concerning Christians, Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord, Isa. 61. 6. I will take of them for Priests and for Levites, saith the Lord, Isa. 66. 21. And in the New Testament it is said, Christ hath made us Priests unto God, Rev. 1. 6. & 5. 10. Yea Christians are said to be an holy Priesthood, • royall Priesthood, 1 Pet. 2. 5. 9.

Christ and Christ alone was a true Priest, in that all things requisite for a true¹ Priest were found to be in him, and in him alone. For he was both God and man: and as God-man in one person he was our Priest.

1. 1What things concur to a true Priest.What things concurre to a true Priest.

All those things which concern a Priest may be drawn to two heads:

1. Matters¹ of Ministry. 2. Matters of Dignity.

1. 11. Works of Ministry.

1. In regard of Ministry a true Priest must 1. Obey and fulfil the Law. Christ thus saith of himself, It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, Matth. 3. 15. ⟨p. 243⟩2. Be subject to infirmities, Heb. 4. 15. 3. Suffer, Heb. 5. 8. 4. Die, v. 9, 10. 5. Be made a curse, Gal. 3. 13. These and other things like to them, Christ could not have done and endured, except he had been a creature, even a man. 2. In regard of Dignity a true Priest must be¹ 1. Of Divine dignity, to be worthy to appear before God. 2. Of Almighty power, to bear the infinite burden of sin, to endure the curse of the Law, to overcome death, devil and hell. 3. Of Infinite merit, to purchase, by what he did and endured, Divine favour and heavenly glory.

1. In regard of Ministry a true Priest must 1. Obey and fulfill the Law. Christ thus saith of himself, It becometh us to fulfill all righteousnesse, Matth. 3. 15. ⟨p. 243⟩2. Be subject to infirmities, Heb. 4. 15. 3. Suffer, Heb. 5. 8. 4. Die, v. 9, 10. 5. Be made a curse, Gal. 3. 13. These and other things like to them, Christ could not have done and endured, except he had been a creature, even a man. 2. In regard of Dignity a true Priest must be¹ 1. Of Divine dignity, to be worthy to appear before God. 2. Of Almighty power, to bear the infinite burthen of sin, to endure the curse of the Law, to overcome death, devil and hell. 3. Of Infinite merit, to purchase, by what he did and endured, Divine favour and heavenly glory.

1. 12. Acts of authority.