A53678:2085
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.
But what is the Tabernacle here intended, deserves our diligent enquiry. And I find a fourfold sense to be given of these words; The true Tabernacle.
1. Some (as Grotius) take it for this whole Universe, the Fabric of Heaven and Earth. This some, even among the Heathen, have called the Tabernacle and Temple of God. This he hath made as it were to dwell in, as a certain fixed Place for the manifestation of his Glory. And whereas the ministry of Christ, at least as unto the effects of it, is not confined unto any certain Place, above or below, to no material Tabernacle or Temple; The whole universe is called his Tabernacle, as being that which is true, substantial, and abiding. And thus it may answer what is affirmed of all Power being given unto him in Heaven and Earth, and his being given to be the Head over all things unto the Church.
1. Some (as Grotius) take it for this whole Universe, the Fabrick of Heaven and Earth. This some, even among the Heathen, have called the Tabernacle and Temple of God. This he hath made as it were to dwell in, as a certain fixed Place for the manifestation of his Glory. And whereas the ministry of Christ, at least as unto the effects of it, is not confined unto any certain Place, above or below, to no material Tabernacle or Temple; The whole universe is called his Tabernacle, as being that which is true, substantial, and abiding. And thus it may answer what is affirmed of all Power being given unto him in Heaven and Earth, and his being given to be the Head over all things unto the Church.
I see nothing absurd in this Opinion, nor contradictory unto the Analogy of Faith. But the Design of the Apostle in using these words and expressions, will not allow this to be his especial meaning. For somewhat he doth intend that the Old Tabernacle did typify and represent, which it did not the Fabric of the Universe, but that especial pattern which was showed unto Moses in the Mount.