Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

7. The Sacrifices and Services of them both, chap. 8. v. 3, 5. chap. 9. v. 6, 7, 10, 12, 13. chap. 10. v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11. chap. 13. v. 11, 12.

It is plain and evident, that under these heads all the principal concernments of the ancient Church, with the Worship and Rule of God therein are comprised; and they are all of them reflected on, most of them explained, and applied unto Gospel-ends by our Apostle. However I shall not in our present consideration of them, engage in the exposition of the particular places in the Epistle where they are treated on, which is to be done else-where; but only represent them, as they are expressed in their institution and transaction in the Old Testament, so to make way unto a right conception of them, as they are mentioned and made use of in the New.

§ 2 Many of these things, I acknowledge, especially those concerning the Temple, its Fabric, and its Worship, have been so largely discussed by others, as that I should judge my endeavours, in a review of them, altogether needless, would the nature of our present design admit of its forbearance. For besides what hath been formerly attempted, with excellent success, with reference unto the Fabric of Divine Worship, and the Ceremonies thereof from the Scripture. Josephus, and the latter Jewish Masters, by Ahubensci, Arius Montanus, Villalpandus, Capellus, Ribera Constantine Emperor, Broughton, Ainsworth, Weemse, Rivet, and all learned Expositors on these parts of holy Writ, where these things are recorded, there are also some of la•e, who amongst our selves have travelled with much diligence in this subject; Persons worthily skilled in, and industriously improving their knowledge of all that learning which is needful unto the due and accurate handling of this subject, and that in discourses. But as things are fallen out, considering the necessity of this discourse unto my present design, and that most of the things in our proposal from the Epistle above mentioned, are such as fell not under the consideration of those learned persons, nor are handled by them; and that I design not an exact examination of the particular concernments of all these things, with a discussion of the Reasons and Arguments wherewith various apprehensions of them are attested, but only to represent such a scheme of them unto the Reader, as may enable him to judge aright of the references of the Apostle unto them, and of the use that he puts them unto, I shall proceed in my designed way.