Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

These therefore I found it necessary to examine and confirm, to unfold, vindicate, and declare, that their influence unto the Apostles discourse might be manifest, and his arguing from them be understood. It is true, I have so handled them, as all along to represent the Opinions of the incredulous Apostate Jews about them, and to vindicate them from the exceptions of their greatest Masters, of old and of late. But he that shall look on these Considerations and Discourses as a matter only of Controversy with the Jews, will but evidence his own weakness ⟨image 6⟩and Ignorance in things of this Nature. Who knows not that they are the very fundamental Principles of our Christian Profession; and which because of that opposition that is made unto them, ought to be frequently inculcated and strongly confirmed. And if Learned Men find it in this day Necessary for them to dispute for, to prove and vindicate the very Principles of Natural Theology, the Being and Attributes of God, the truth whereof hath left indelible characters of it self upon the minds of all the Children of Men; how much more Necessary must it needs be, to endeavour the confirmation and re-enforcement of these grand Principles of Supernatural Revelation, which have no contribution of evidence from the inbred inexpugnable light of Nature, and yet are no less indispensably Necessary unto the future condition of the souls of Men, than those others are. I am not therefore without hope, that the handling of them, as it was necessary unto my design, so it will not be unacceptable unto the Candid Reader. For what is mixed in our Discourses of them concerning Judaical Customs, Opinions, Practices, Expositions, Interpretations of Promises, Traditions and the like, will not I hope give distaste unto any, unless it be such as being Ignorant of them, and unacquainted with them, will choose so to continue, rather than be instructed by them, whom they would by no means have supposed to be in any thing more knowing than themselves. I doubt not therefore, but our endeavours on that subject, will be able to secure their own station, as to their usefulness, both by the importance of the Matter treated of in them, as also from the Necessity of laying them as a sure Foundation unto the ensuing Exposition of the Epistle it self.

These therefore I found it necessary to examine and confirm, to unfold, vindicate, and declare, that their influence unto the Apostles discourse might be manifest, and his arguing from them be understood. It is true, I have so handled them, as all along to represent the Opinions of the incredulous Apostate Jews about them, and to vindicate them from the exceptions of their greatest Masters, of old and of late. But he that shall look on these Considerations and Discourses as a matter only of Controversie with the Jews, will but evidence his own weakness