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

5. A clear fore-sight into a Blessed estate of Immortality and Glory, with unquestionable Evidences and Pledges, giving Assurance of it, belongs also to this Consummation. Death was Originally threatened as the final End and Issue of sin. And the Evidence hereof was received under the Levitical Priesthood in the Curse of the Law. There was indeed a Remedy provided against its Eternal Prevalency, in the first Promise. For whereas Death comprised all the Evil that was come, or was to come on Man for Sin; In the day thou eatest thereof thou sole die: The Promise ⟨p. 166⟩contained the means of deliverance from it, or it was no Promise, tendered no Relief unto Man in the state whereinto he was fallen. But the People under the Law could see but little into the manner and way of its Accomplishment, nor had they received any Pledge of it, in any one that was dead and lived again so as to die no more. Wherefore their Apprehensions of this deliverance were dark, and attended with much fear, which rendered them obnoxious unto Bondage. See the Exposition on Chap. 2. 14. where we have declared the dreadful Apprehensions of the Jews concerning Death, received by Tradition from their Fathers. They could not look through the dark shades of Death into Light, Immortality, and Glory. See the two-fold Spirit of the Old and New Testament, with respect unto the Apprehensions of Death expressed; the one Job 10. 21, 22. the other 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4. But there is nothing more needful unto the perfect state of the Church. Suppose it endowed with all possible Privileges in this World, yet if it have not a clear view and prospect, with a Blessed assurance of Immortality and Glory after Death, its condition will be dark and uncomfortable. And as this could not be done without bringing in of another Priesthood, so by that of Christs it is accomplished. For,

5. A clear fore-sight into a Blessed estate of Immortality and Glory, with unquestionable Evidences and Pledges, giving Assurance of it, belongs also to this Consummation. Death was Originally threatned as the final End and Issue of sin. And the Evidence hereof was received under the Levitical Priesthood in the Curse of the Law. There was indeed a Remedy provided against its Eternal Prevalency, in the first Promise. For whereas Death comprised all the Evil that was come, or was to come on Man for Sin; In the day thou eatest thereof thou soal die: The Promise