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

The Apostle we see lays great weight on this Argument, and withal proceeds gradually and distinctly from one thing to another in the whole Discourse. It may be we see not why he should insist so much upon, and so narrowly Scan all particulars in this matter. For being freed by the Gospel from the power of Temptations about it, and being of the Gentiles, who were never concerned in it, we cannot be sensible of the just importance of what is under Confirmation. The Truth is, He hath the greatest Argument in hand that was ever controverted in the Church of God and upon the Determination whereof the Salvation or Ruin of the Church did depend. The Worship he treated of, was immediately instituted by God ⟨p. 186⟩himself; and had now continued near 1500 years in the Church. All this while it had been the certain Rule of Gods Acceptance of the People or his Anger towards them; For whilst they complied with it, his Blessing was continually upon them; and the neglect of it was still punished with Severity. And the last Caution that God had given them by the Ministry of the last Prophet he sent unto them, was, that they should abide in the Observance of the Law of Moses, lest he came and smote the whole Earth with a Curse. Mal. 4. last. Besides these and sundry other things that were real and pleadable in the behalf of the Mosaical Worship, the Hebrews esteemed it always their great and Singular Privilege above all other Nations; which they would rather dye than part withal. And the Design of the Apostle in this place is to prove that now utterly unexpectedly unto the Church, after so long a season, their whole worship was to be removed, to be used no more, but that another System of Ordinances and Institutions absolutely new, and inconsistent with it, was to be introduced. And upon the Compliance of the Hebrews with this Doctrine, or the Rejection of it, depended their Eternal Salvation or Destruction.

The Apostle we see lays great weight on this Argument, and withal proceeds gradually and distinctly from one thing to another in the whole Discourse. It may be we see not why he should insist so much upon, and so narrowly Scan all particulars in this matter. For being freed by the Gospel from the power of Temptations about it, and being of the Gentiles, who were never concerned in it, we cannot be sensible of the just importance of what is under Confirmation. The Truth is, He hath the greatest Argument in hand that was ever controverted in the Church of God and upon the Determination whereof the Salvation or Ruine of the Church did depend. The Worship he treated of, was immediately instituted by God