A53678:1149
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
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.
The Medium of the Argument in this instance is liable only unto one Exception; namely, That Abraham was not the first that received the Promises, so that although he were not, yet there might be others greater than Melchizedek, who never made any acknowledgement of his Preeminence. For the Promise was given unto Adam himself immediately after the Fall, as also unto Noah in the Covenant made with him, and to others also who before Abraham died in the Faith. Answ. It is true, they had the Promise and the Benefit of it; but yet so as in sundry things Abraham was preferred above them all. For, (1.) He had the Promise more plainly and clearly given unto him, than any of his Predecessors in the Faith. Hence he was the first of whom it is said, that He saw the Day of Christ and Rejoiced, as having a clearer view of his Coming and of Salvation by him, than any that went before him. (2.) The Promise was confirmed unto him by an Oath, which it had not been unto any before. (3.) The Promised Seed was in it peculiarly confined unto his Family or Posterity; See Heb. 2. 17. (4.) His receiving of the Promise was that which was the Foundation of the Church in his Posterity which he had peculiarly, to deal withal. He had therefore the Preeminence above all others in this matter of receiving the Promises.
The Medium of the Argument in this instance is lyable only unto one Exception; namely, That Abraham was not the first that received the Promises, so that although he were not, yet there might be others greater than Melchisedec, who never made any acknowledgment of his Preeminence. For the Promise was given unto Adam himself immediately after the Fall, as also unto Noah in the Covenant made with him, and to others also who before Abraham died in the Faith. Answ. It is true, they had the Promise and the Benefit of it; but yet so as in sundry things Abraham was preferred above them all. For, (1.) He had the Promise more plainly and clearly given unto him, than any of his Predecessors in the Faith. Hence he was the first of whom it is said, that He saw the Day of Christ and Rejoiced, as having a clearer view of his Coming and of Salvation by him, than any that went before him. (2.) The Promise was confirmed unto him by an Oath, which it had not been unto any before. (3.) The Promised Seed was in it peculiarly confined unto his Family or Posterity; See Heb. 2. 17. (4.) His receiving of the Promise was that which was the Foundation of the Church in his Posterity which he had peculiarly, to deal withal. He had therefore the Preeminence above all others in this matter of receiving the Promises.