A53678:1626
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As unto what is expressed in these words, there are four things in them. (1.) The Name of him who was the subject discoursed of, it is Jesus. (2.) What is affirmed of him, he was a Surety. (3.) How he became so, He was made so. (4.) Whereof he was a Surety, and that is of a Testament of God. Which, (5.) is described by its respect unto the other before mentioned, and its preference above it, it is a better Testament.
1. It is supposed that there was another Testament which God had made with his People. This the Apostle supposeth in this whole context, and at length brings his discourse unto its Head and issue in the eighth Chapter, where he expressly compareth the Two Testaments the one with the other. Now this was the Covenant or Testament that God made with the Hebrews on Mount Sinai when he brought them out of Egypt, as is expressly declared in the ensuing Chapters, whereof we must treat in its proper place.
1. It is supposed that there was another Testament which God had made with his People. This the Apostle supposeth in this whole context, and at length brings his discourse unto its Head and issue in the eighth Chapter, where he expresly compareth the Two Testaments the one with the other. Now this was the Covenant or Testament that God made with the Hebrews on Mount Sinai when he brought them out of Egypt, as is expresly declared in the ensuing Chapters, whereof we must treat in its proper place.
2. It is supposed, that this was a Good Testament. It was so in it self, as an effect of the Wisdom and Righteousness of God. For all that he doth is good in it self, both naturally and morally, nor can it otherwise be. And it was of Good Use unto the Church, namely, unto them who looked unto the end of it, and used it in its proper design. Unto the Body of the People indeed, as far as they were carnal, and looked only on the one hand for temporal Benefits by it, or on the other for Life and Salvation, it was an heavy yoke, yea the Ministration of Death. With respect unto such Persons and Ends it contained Statutes that were not Good, Commandments that could not give Life; and was every way unprofitable. But yet in it self it was on many Accounts Good, Just and Holy. (1.) As it had an Impression upon it of the Wisdom and Goodness of God. (2) As it was instructive in the nature and demerit of Sin. (3.) As it directed unto and represented the only means of deliverance by Righteousness and Salvation in Christ. (4.) As it established a Worship which was very Glorious and Acceptable unto God during its Season. But as we shall show afterwards, it came short in all excellencies and worth of this whereof Christ is the Surety.