A53678:1046
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
Exegesis of chapter 7 › Exegesis of verses 1, 2, 3: Ver. 1, 2, 3.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Wherefore our Apostle entering upon the unfolding of this Mystery doth not only Preface it with an Assertion of its Difficulty, or how hard it was to be understood aright, but also by a long previous Discourse variously prepareth their minds unto a most diligent attention. And the Reason of it was not only because they had utterly lost the Understanding that was given in these things formerly, but also because the true Understanding of them would put an end at that time unto that Priesthood and Worship which they had adhered unto. Wherefore until this time the Church was not able to bear the true Understanding of this Mystery, and now they could no longer be without it. Hence is it here so fully and particularly declared by our Apostle. And we may Observe,
VVherefore our Apostle entring upon the unfolding of this Mystery doth not only Preface it with an Assertion of its Difficulty, or how hard it was to be understood aright, but also by a long previous Discourse variously prepareth their minds unto a most diligent attention. And the Reason of it was not only because they had utterly lost the Understanding that was given in these things formerly, but also because the true Understanding of them would put an end at that time unto that Priesthood and Worship which they had adhered unto. Wherefore until this time the Church was not able to bear the true Understanding of this Mystery, and now they could no longer be without it. Hence is it here so fully and particularly declared by our Apostle. And we may Observe,
1. That the Church never did in any Age, nor ever shall want that Instruction by Divine Revelation which is needful unto its Edification in Faith and Obedience. This it had in all Ages according unto that gradual progression which God gave unto Light and Truth in the Explication of the great Mystery of his Grace, which was hid in him from the Foundation of the World. An Instance hereof we have in the things which concern this Melchizedek, as we have observed. The Church had never need to look after the Traditions of their Fathers, or to betake themselves unto their own Inventions, their Instruction by Revelation was always sufficient for the State and Condition wherein they were. Much more therefore is it so now, when the Sum and Perfection of all Divine Revelations is given in unto us by Jesus Christ.