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

2. Our principal Enquiry on this Verse will be, what this [Greek or Hebrew] is, and wherein it doth consist. The word is rendered Perfectio, Consummatio, Consecratio, ¹Sanctificatio, Dedicatio. The Original Signification and Use of the word hath been spoken unto on Chap. 2. ver. 10. where it is rendered Sanctification; real and internal Sanctification is not intended, but that which is the same with Sacred Dedication or Consecration. For it is plainly distinguished from real Inherent Sanctification by our Apostle, Chap. 10. 14. [Greek or Hebrew], By one Offering he hath perfected them that are Sanctified. This [Greek or Hebrew], the Effect and Product of [Greek or Hebrew] is wrought towards them who are Sanctified, and so doth not consist in their Sanctification. Much less therefore doth it signify an absolute Perfection of Inherent Holiness. Some Men no sooner hear the Name of Perfection in the Scripture, but they presently dream of an absolute, sinless, Inherent Perfection of Holiness, which if they are not utterly blinded and hardened, they cannot but know themselves far enough distant from. But this word hath no such signification. But if it denotes not internal Holiness at all, it doth not do so the Perfection of it. Nor is any such Perfection attainable in this Life, as the Scripture every where testifies. Wherefore the Apostle had no need to prove that it was not attainable by the Levitical Priesthood, nor to reflect upon it for that reason, seeing it is not attainable by any other way or means whatever. We must therefore diligently enquire into the true Notion of this [Greek or Hebrew] or Perfection, which will guide the remaining Interpretation of the words. And concerning it we may observe in general,

2. Our principal Enquiry on this Verse will be, what this 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 is, and wherein it doth consist. The word is rendred Perfectio, Consummatio, Consecratio, ¹Sanctificatio, Dedicatio. The Original Signification and Use of the word hath been spoken unto on Chap. 2. ver. 10. where it is rendred Sanctification; real and internal Sanctification is not intended, but that which is the same with Sacred Dedication or Consecration. For it is plainly distinguished from real Inherent Sanctification by our Apostle, Chap. 10. 14. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, By one Offering he hath perfected them that are Sanctified. This , the Effect and Product of is wrought towards them who are Sanctified, and so doth not consist in their Sanctification. Much less therefore doth it signifie an absolute Perfection of Inherent Holiness. Some Men no sooner hear the Name of Perfection in the Scripture, but they presently dream of an absolute, sinless, Inherent Perfection of Holiness, which if they are not utterly blinded and hardned, they cannot but know themselves far enough distant from. But this word hath no such signification. But if it denotes not internal Holiness at all, it doth not do so the Perfection of it. Nor is any such Perfection attainable in this Life, as the Scripture every where testifies. Wherefore the Apostle had no need to prove that it was not attainable by the Levitical Priesthood, nor to reflect upon it for that reason, seeing it is not attainable by any other way or means whatever. We must therefore diligently enquire into the true Notion of this or Perfection, which will guide the remaining Interpretation of the words. And concerning it we may observe in general,