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

It may therefore be enquired on what Grounds this Priesthood was to be so abolished, or how it appears that so it is, and by what means it was actually taken away.

That it was so to be abolished the Apostle proves, (1.) Because before the Institution of that Priesthood, there was another far more Excellent, namely, that of Melchizedek. (2.) That the Holy Ghost had declared that the Introduction of that more Excellent Priesthood for a Season, was to prefigure and represent another Priesthood that was afterwards to be established. And this could not be that of Levi, seeing God doth not make use of that which is more Excellent, to figure or represent that which is Inferior thereunto. Another Priesthood therefore must arise and be granted unto the Church in answer unto that Type. (3.) That it was impossible that this new Priest after the Order of Melchizedek, should be consistent with that of Levi, or that it shoudl be continued after that was brought in. For (1.) He was to be of another Tribe, as he immediately proves. (2.) Because his Priesthood and Sacrifice were to be of another kind than that of Levi, which he demonstrates at large in the ensuing Chapters. (3.) Because on the other hand the Priesthood of Aaron, (1.) Could never Accomplish and Effect the true and proper Ends of the Priesthood, which the Church stood in need of, and without which it could not be Consummate: And (2.) Was in its own Nature, Offices, Works, and Duties, inconsistent with any Priesthood, that was not of its own Order. It must therefore be abolished.

That it was so to be abolished the Apostle proves, (1.) Because before the Institution of that Priesthood, there was another far more Excellent, namely, that of Melchisedec. (2.) That the Holy Ghost had declared that the Introduction of that more Excellent Priesthood for a Season, was to prefigure and represent another Priesthood that was afterwards to be established. And this could not be that of Levi, seeing God doth not make use of that which is more Excellent, to figure or represent that which is Inferiour thereunto. Another Priesthood therefore must arise and be granted unto the Church in answer unto that Type. (3.) That it was impossible that this new Priest after the Order of Melchisedec, should be consistent with that of Levi, or that it shoudl be continued after that was brought in. For (1.) He was to be of another Tribe, as he immediately proves. (2.) Because his Priesthood and Sacrifice were to be of another kind than that of Levi, which he demonstrates at large in the ensuing Chapters. (3.) Because on the other hand the Priesthood of Aaron, (1.) Could never Accomplish and Effect the true and proper Ends of the Priesthood, which the Church stood in need of, and without which it could not be Consummate: And (2.) Was in its own Nature, Offices, Works, and Duties, inconsistent with any Priesthood, that was not of its own Order. It must therefore be abolished.