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

2. The matter of this Oath, is, that Christ is and should be a Priest for ever. He was not only made a Priest with an Oath, which they were not, but a Priest for ¹ever. This adds unto the unchangeableness of his Office, that he himself, in his own Person was to bear, exercise, and discharge it, without substitute or successor.

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And this, for ever, answers unto the for ever under the Law; each of them being ¹commensurate unto the Dispensation of that Covenant which they do respect. For absolute Eternity belongs not unto these things. The Ever of the Old Testament was the Duration of the Dispensation of the Old Covenant. And this, for ever, respects the New Covenant, which is to continue unto the consummation of all things, no change therein being any way intimated or promised, or consistent with the Wisdom and Faithfulness of God, all which were otherwise under the Law. But at the end of the world, together with the Dispensation of the New Covenant, an end will be put unto all the Mediatory Offices of Christ, and all their Exercise. And there are four things which the Apostle declareth and evinceth in this observation.

And this, for ever, answers unto the for ever under the Law; each of them being ¹commensurate unto the Dispensation of that Covenant which they do respect. For absolute Eternity belongs not unto these things. The Ever of the Old Testament was the Duration of the Dispensation of the Old Covenant. And this, for ever, respects the New Covenant, which is to continue unto the consummation of all things, no change therein being any way intimated or promised, or consistent with the Wisdome and Faithfulness of God, all which were otherwise under the Law. But at the end of the world, together with the Dispensation of the New Covenant, an end will be put unto all the Mediatory Offices of Christ, and all their Exercise. And there are four things which the Apostle declareth and evinceth in this observation.

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

1. That our High Priest was peculiarly designed unto and initiated into his Office by the Oath of God, which none other ever was before him.

3. That this Priesthood is liable to no Alteration, Succession, or Substitution.

4. That from hence ariseth the principal Advantage of the New Testament above the ⟨p. 215⟩Old, as is declared in the next verse, and we may observe,

1. That although God granted great Privileges unto the Church under the Old Testament, yet still in every instance he withheld that which was the principal, and should have given perfection unto what he did grant. He made them Priests, but without an Oath. In all things there was a reserve for Christ, that he in all might have the Preeminence.

1. That although God granted great Priviledges unto the Church under the Old Testament, yet still in every instance he withheld that which was the principal, and should have given perfection unto what he did grant. He made them Priests, but without an Oath. In all things there was a reserve for Christ, that he in all might have the Preeminence.

2. God by his Oath declares the Determination if his Sovereign pleasure unto the Object of it. What he proposeth and prescribeth unto us, he declares no more of his mind and his will about, but that he requireth and approveth of our Obedience unto it, but still reserves the liberty unto himself of making those Alterations in it and about it, that seem good unto him. Nothing therefore in the whole legal Administration being confirmed by the Oath of God, it was always ready for a removal at the appointed season.

2. God by his Oath declares the Determination if his Soveraign pleasure unto the Object of it. What he proposeth and prescribeth unto us, he declares no more of his mind and his will about, but that he requireth and approveth of our Obedience unto it, but still reserves the liberty unto himself of making those Alterations in it and about it, that seem good unto him. Nothing therefore in the whole legal Administration being confirmed by the Oath of God, it was always ready for a removal at the appointed season.

3. Christ his being made a Priest by the Oath of God for ever, is a solid Foundation of Peace and Consolation to the Church. For,

4. All the Transactions between the Father and the Son, concerning his Offices, undertakings, and the work of our Redemption, have respect unto the Faith of the Church, and are declared for our Consolation. Such were his solemn Call to his sacerdotal Office, and the Oath of God whereby he was confirmed therein. I will not say that these things were needless on the part of Christ himself, Seeing it became the Glory of his Person to be thus testified unto in his condescension unto Office; yet was it in all these things the Good and Benefit of the Church that was designed. What the Lord Christ said of his Prayer unto God the Father, at least so far as it was vocal, it was not needful for him, but was only for the confirmation of the Faith of others; John 11. 41, 42. may be spoken of all other Transactions between God and him; the Faith of others was principally respected in them, and thereunto they were absolutely needful. For,

1. The things which God proposeth unto our Faith through Christ, are exceeding great and glorious, and such as being most remote from our innate Apprehensions, do need the highest confirmation. Things they are, which Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have they entered into the Heart of Man, 1 Cor. 2. 9. Things unexpected, great and glorious are apt to surprise, amaze and overwhelm our Spirits, until they are uncontrollably testified unto. So when Jacobs sons told their Father that Joseph was alive, and made Governor over all the Land of Egypt, Gen. 45. 26. The Tidings were too great and good for him to receive. But it is added, that when they gave Evidence unto their report by the Waggons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the Spirit of Jacob revived; ver. 27, 28. The things of the Gospel, pardon of Sin, Peace with God, Participation of the Spirit, Grace and Glory, are great and marvellous. Men at the hearing of them are like them that dream, the words concerning them seem like the Report of the Woman unto the Apostles, concerning the Resurrection of Christ, they seemed as idle Tales, and they believed them not, Luke 24. 11. Wherefore God discovers the Fountains of these things that we may apprehend the Truth and Reality of them. His Eternal Covenant with his Son about them, his Oath that he hath made unto him, whereby he was established in his office, and the like glorious Transactions of his Wisdom and Grace, are revealed unto this very end, that we might not be faithless in these things but believe. For can any thing that is proposed unto us be supposed to exceed the Duty of Faith, when we see it either in it self, or in its springs and foundation solemnly confirmed by the Oath of God? They are glorious things which we are to expect from the Priesthood of Christ, and the Discharge of that Office. And is it not an unspeakable encouragement thereunto, that God hath confirmed him in that office by his solemn Oath unto him? For two things evidently present themselves unto our minds thereon. First, that this is a thing which the infinitely holy wise God lays great weight and stress upon. And what is he not able to effect when he doth so, and consequently lays out the Treasures of his Wisdom, and engageth the greatness of his Power in the pursuit of it?

1. The things which God proposeth unto our Faith through Christ, are exceeding great and glorious, and such as being most remote from our innate Apprehensions, do need the highest confirmation. Things they are, which Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have they entred into the Heart of Man, 1 Cor. 2. 9. Things unexpected, great and glorious are apt to surprize, amaze and overwhelm our Spirits, until they are uncontrollably testified unto. So when Jacobs sons told their Father that Joseph was alive, and made Governour over all the Land of Egypt, Gen. 45. 26. The Tidings were too great and good for him to receive. But it is added, that when they gave Evidence unto their report by the Waggons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the Spirit of Jacob revived; ver. 27, 28. The things of the Gospel, pardon of Sin, Peace with God, Participation of the Spirit, Grace and Glory, are great and marvellous. Men at the hearing of them are like them that dream, the words concerning them seem like the Report of the Woman unto the Apostles, concerning the Resurrection of Christ, they seemed as idle Tales, and they believed them not, Luke 24. 11. Wherefore God discovers the Fountains of these things that we may apprehend the Truth and Reality of them. His Eternal Covenant with his Son about them, his Oath that he hath made unto him, whereby he was established in his office, and the like glorious Transactions of his Wisdom and Grace, are revealed unto this very end, that we might not be faithless in these things but believe. For can any thing that is proposed unto us be supposed to exceed the Duty of Faith, when we see it either in it self, or in its springs and foundation solemnly confirmed by the Oath of God? They are glorious things which we are to expect from the Priesthood of Christ, and the Discharge of that Office. And is it not an unspeakable encouragement thereunto, that God hath confirmed him in that office by his solemn Oath unto him? For two things evidently present themselves unto our minds thereon. First, that this is a thing which the infinitely holy wise God lays great weight and stress upon. And what is he not able to effect when he doth so, and consequently lays out the Treasures of his Wisdome, and ingageth the greatness of his Power in the pursuit of it?

And secondly, his Counsel herein is absolutely immutable, and such as on no emergency can admit of Alteration. If therefore the engagement of infinite Wisdom, Grace, and Power will not excite and encourage us unto believing, there is no remedy but we must perish in our sins.

And secondly, his Counsel herein is absolutely immutable, and such as on no emergency can admit of Alteration. If therefore the ingagement of infinite Wisdome, Grace, and Power will not excite and encourage us unto believing, there is no remedy but we must perish in our sins.

2. As the things proposed in the Gospel as effects of the Priesthood of Christ, are in themselves great and glorious, requiring an eminent confirmation; so the frame of our Hearts with respect unto them, is such from first to last, as stands in need of all the Evidence that can be given unto them. For there is in us by nature an aversation unto them, and a dislike of them. In the wisdom of our carnal minds we look on them as foolish and useless. And when this woeful enmity is conquered by the Mighty Power of God, and the Souls of Sinners wrought over to approve of these effects of Divine Wisdom and Grace, yet no man can recount how many doubts, fears, jealous suspicions we are, as to our closing with them by Faith, obnoxious unto. Every ones own Heart, if he have any acquaintance with it, if he be diligent in the examination of it, will sufficiently satisfy him what objections Faith in this matter hath to conflict withal. And it is to be feared that he who is insensible of the oppositions that arise against sincere believing, never yet knew what it is so to believe. To encourage and strengthen our Hearts against them, to give power unto Faith against all oppositions, doth God thus reveal the Wisdom of his Counsel and the glorious springs of this Ministration whereinto our whole Faith is principally resolved. And indeed we may try the sincerity of our Faith by its respect unto these things. It may be some, for ought I know, may be carried on in such an easy course and be so preserved from perplexing Temptations as not to be driven to seek their Relief so deep, as these springs of Gods confirmation of the office of Christ by his Oath do lye: But yet he that doth not of his own choice refresh his Faith with the consideration of them, and strengthen it with pleas in his supplications taken from thence, seems to me to be greatly unacquainted with what it is truly to believe.

2. As the things proposed in the Gospel as effects of the Priesthood of Christ, are in themselves great and glorious, requiring an eminent confirmation; so the frame of our Hearts with respect unto them, is such from first to last, as stands in need of all the Evidence that can be given unto them. For there is in us by nature an aversation unto them, and a dislike of them. In the wisdom of our carnal minds we look on them as foolish and useless. And when this woful enmity is conquered by the Mighty Power of God, and the Souls of Sinners wrought over to approve of these effects of Divine Wisdom and Grace, yet no man can recount how many doubts, fears, jealous suspicions we are, as to our closing with them by Faith, obnoxious unto. Every ones own Heart, if he have any acquaintance with it, if he be diligent in the examination of it, will sufficiently satisfie him what objections Faith in this matter hath to conflict withal. And it is to be feared that he who is insensible of the oppositions that arise against sincere believing, never yet knew what it is so to believe. To encourage and strengthen our Hearts against them, to give power unto Faith against all oppositions, doth God thus reveal the Wisdom of his Counsel and the glorious springs of this Ministration whereinto our whole Faith is principally resolved. And indeed we may try the sincerity of our Faith by its respect unto these things. It may be some, for ought I know, may be carried on in such an easie course and be so preserved from perplexing Temptations as not to be driven to seek their Relief so deep, as these springs of Gods confirmation of the office of Christ by his Oath do lye: But yet he that doth not of his own choice refresh his Faith with the consideration of them, and strengthen it with pleas in his supplications taken from thence, seems to me to be greatly unacquainted with what it is truly to believe.

Verse XXII.

By so much was Jesus made a Surety of a better Testament.

[Greek or Hebrew], By so much answers directly to [Greek or Hebrew], ver. 20. in as much. There is therefore an immediate connection of these words unto that verse. Hence ver. 21. wherein a confirmation is interserted of the principal Assertion, is justly placed in a Parenthesis in our Translation.

〈non-Latin alphabet〉, By so much answers directly to 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, ver. 20. in as much. There is therefore an immediate connexion of these words unto that verse. Hence ver. 21. wherein a confirmation is interserted of the principal Assertion, is justly placed in a Parenthesis in our Translation.