Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Now who was fit, who was able to determine upon these different and various Institutions of God, but God himself? To declare positively, that all Obligation from his former commands was now ceased, that his institutions were no more to be observed, that the Time allotted unto the Churches obedience unto him in their observance was expired, this was no otherwise to be effected but by an immediate Revelation from himself. And this is done in this Epistle, and that in this only as to the Jews, whereby it became the main instrument and means, of pulling up their old Church-state, and translating it anew into the appointments of our Lord Jesus Christ. Neither is this done by a bare declaration of Gods Authoritative interposition, but in a way of Excellent and singular Wisdom and condescension, (with a manifestation of Gods Love and care unto his Church, in the institutions that were now to be removed; and the progress of his Wisdom in their gradual instruction as they were able to bear,) the whole nature, design and intendment of them is evidenced to be such, as that having received their full End and accomplishment, they did of themselves naturally expire and disappear. And hereby in that great Alteration which God then wrought in the outward worship of his Church, there is discovered such an oneness and unchangeableness in his love and care, such a suitableness Harmony and Consonancy in the effects of his Will, such an Evidence of infinite Wisdom in disposing of them into a subserviency one to another, that they should no where in any thing cross or interfere, and all of them to his own glory in the promotion and furtherance of the light, faith, and obedience of his Church, as sufficiently manifests the Original and fountain whence it doth proceed. For my part, I can truly say, that I know not any portion of Holy Writ, that will more effectually raise up the heart of an understanding Reader, to an holy Admiration of the Goodness, Love, and Wisdom of God, than this Epistle doth. Such, I say, is the subject matter of this Epistle, so divine, so excellent, so singular. And in the handling hereof, have we not the least occasional mixture, of any Matter, Words, Sentences, Stories, Arguments or Doctrines so unsuited to the whole, as to argue the interposure of a fallible Spirit.

Now who was fit, who was able to determine upon these different and various Institutions of God, but God himself? To declare positively, that all Obligation from his former commands was now ceased, that his institutions were no more to be observed, that the Time allotted unto the Churches obedience unto him in their observance was expired, this was no otherwise to be effected but by an immediate Revelation from himself. And this is done in this Epistle, and that in this only as to the Jews, whereby it became the main instrument and means, of pulling up their old Church-state, and translating it anew into the appointments of our Lord Jesus Christ. Neither is this done by a bare declaration of Gods Authoritative interposition, but in a way of Excellent and singular Wisdom and condescention, (with a manifestation of Gods Love and care unto his Church, in the institutions that were now to be removed; and the progress of his Wisdom in their gradual instruction as they were able to bear,) the whole nature, design and intendment of them is evidenced to be such, as that having received their full End and accomplishment, they did of themselves naturally expire and disappear. And hereby in that great Alteration which God then wrought in the outward worship of his Church, there is discovered such an oneness and unchangeableness in his love and care, such a suitableness Harmony and Consonancy in the effects of his Will, such an Evidence of infinite Wisdom in disposing of them into a subserviency one to another, that they should no where in any thing cross or enterfere, and all of them to his own glory in the promotion and furtherance of the light, faith, and obedience of his Church, as sufficiently manifests the Original and fountain whence it doth proceed. For my part, I can truly say, that I know not any portion of Holy Writt, that will more effectually raise up the heart of an understanding Reader, to an holy Admiration of the Goodness, Love, and Wisdom of God, than this Epistle doth. Such, I say, is the subject matter of this Epistle, so divine, so excellent, so singular. And in the handling hereof, have we not the least occasional mixture, of any Matter, Words, Sentences, Stories, Arguments or Doctrines so unsuited to the whole, as to argue the interposure of a fallible Spirit.