A53678:946
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
Exegesis of chapter 7 › Exegesis of verses 1, 2, 3: Ver. 1, 2, 3.
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.
And thus it hath fallen out in this Matter of Melchizedek, which being veiled or hidden in the Old Testament, and that on purpose that we should know no more of him, nor any of his Concerns, but what is expressly written, all Ages have been fruitlessly exercised, yea, pestered with such curious Enquiries about him, as rise up in direct opposition unto the scope of the Holy Ghost in the Account given concerning him.
And thus it hath fallen out in this Matter of Melchisedec, which being veiled or hidden in the Old Testament, and that on purpose that we should know no more of him, nor any of his Concerns, but what is expressely written, all Ages have been fruitlesly exercised, yea, pestered with such curious Enquiries about him, as rise up in direct opposition unto the scope of the Holy Ghost in the Account given concerning him.
These things therefore are certain, and belong unto Faith in this Matter. First, That he was a mere Man, and no more but so; for (1.) Every High Priest was to be taken from among Men, Chap. 5. 1. So that the Son of God himself could not have been a Priest had he not assumed our Nature. (2.) That if he were more than a man, there were no Mystery in it, that he is introduced in the Scripture, without Father, without Mother, without Pedigree, for none but Men have so. (3.) Without this Conception of him there is no force in the Apostles Argument against the Jews. Secondly, That he came not to his Office by the Right of Primogeniture (which includes a Genealogy) or any other Successive way, but was raised up and immediately called of God thereunto. For in that respect Christ is said to be a Priest after his Order. Thirdly, That he had no Successor on the Earth, nor could have; for there was no Law to constitute an Order of Succession, and he was a Priest only after an extraordinary Call. These things belong unto Faith in this Matter, and no more.
These things therefore are certain, and belong unto Faith in this Matter. First, That he was a meer Man, and no more but so; for (1.) Every High Priest was to be taken from among Men, Chap. 5. 1. So that the Son of God himself could not have been a Priest had he not assumed our Nature. (2.) That if he were more than a man, there were no Mystery in it, that he is introduced in the Scripture, without Father, without Mother, without Pedigree, for none but Men have so. (3.) Without this Conception of him there is no force in the Apostles Argument against the Jews. Secondly, That he came not to his Office by the Right of Primogeniture (which includes a Genealogy) or any other Successive way, but was raised up and immediately called of God thereunto. For in that respect Christ is said to be a Priest after his Order. Thirdly, That he had no Successor on the Earth, nor could have; for there was no Law to constitute an Order of Succession, and he was a Priest onely after an extraordinary Call. These things belong unto Faith in this Matter, and no more.