A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

2. Look unto the Levitical Priesthood in the days of David and Solomon. Then was that Order in its height and at its best; then was the Tabernacle first, and afterwards the Temple in their greatest Glory, and the Worship of God performed with the greatest Solemnity. The Hebrews would grant, that the Priesthood of Levi could never arise to a higher pitch of Glory, nor be more Useful than it was in those days. Yet, saith he, it did not then consummate the Church: Perfection was not then attainable by it. This the Jews might deny, and Plead that they desired no more Perfection than what was in those days attained unto. Wherefore our Apostle proves the contrary; namely, that God designed a Perfection or Consummation for his Church by a Priesthood that was not then attained. This he doth by the Testimony of David himself, who Prophesied and fore-told that there was to be another Priest after the Order of Melchizedek. For if the Perfection of the Church was all that God ever aimed at by a Priesthood; if that were attained or attainable by the Priesthood in David's time, to what End should another be promised to be raised up of another Order? To have done so, would not have been consistent with the Wisdom of God, nor the Immutability of his Counsel. For unto what purpose should a new Priest of another Order be raised up, to do that which was done before? Wherefore,

2. Look unto the Levitical Priesthood in the days of David and Solomon. Then was that Order in its height and at its best; then was the Tabernacle first, and afterwards the Temple in their greatest Glory, and the Worship of God performed with the greatest Solemnity. The Hebrews would grant, that the Priesthood of Levi could never arise to a higher pitch of Glory, nor be more Useful than it was in those days. Yet, saith he, it did not then consummate the Church: Perfection was not then attainable by it. This the Jews might deny, and Plead that they desired no more Perfection than what was in those days attained unto. Wherefore our Apostle proves the contrary; namely, that God designed a Perfection or Consummation for his Church by a Priesthood that was not then attained. This he doth by the Testimony of David himself, who Prophesied and fore-told that there was to be another Priest after the Order of Melchisedec. For if the Perfection of the Church was all that God ever aimed at by a Priesthood; if that were attained or attainable by the Priesthood in David's time, to what End should another be promised to be raised up of another Order? To have done so, would not have been consistent with the Wisdom of God, nor the Immutability of his Counsel. For unto what purpose should a new Priest of another Order be raised up, to do that which was done before? Wherefore,