Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

§ 34 The fifth thing here foretold, is in those words; [Greek or Hebrew]; to seal Vision and Prophet. [Greek or Hebrew] for [Greek or Hebrew]; Prophet, for Prophecy; the concrete for the abstract. The expression being Metaphorical, is capable of a triple Interpretation or Application, every one of them proper unto the Messiah, his work, and the times wherein he came, and to no other. (1.) To seal, is to consummate, to establish, and confirm. Things are perfected, completed, established and confirmed by sealing, Jer. 34. v. 44. Isa. 8. v. 16. John 3. v. 34. Rom. 4. v. 11. In this sense, Vision and Prophecy were sealed in the Messiah. ⟨p. 181⟩They had all of them respect unto the coming of the Just One, the promised seed. God had spoken of him by the mouths of his Holy Prophets from the foundation of the world. In the bringing of him forth, he sealed the Truth of their Predictions by their actual accomplishment. The Law and the Prophets were until John, and then they were to be fulfilled. This was the season wherein all Vision and Prophecy centred; this the Person who was the principal subject and End of them; He therefore and his coming is here foretold. (2.) To seal, is to finish, conclude, and put an end unto any thing: Isai. 29. v. 11. Thus also were Vision and Prophecy then sealed among the Jews. They were shut up and finished. The Privilege, Use, and Benefit of them, were no more to be continued in their Church. And this also fell out accordingly. By their own confession, from that day to this, they have not enjoyed either Vision or Prophet. That work, as unto them came wholly to an end in the coming of the Messiah. (3.) By sealing the confirmation of the Doctrine concerning the Messiah, his Person, and Office by Vision and Prophecy may be intended. The Visions and Prophecies that went before by reason of their darkness and obscurity, left the people in sundry particulars at great uncertainty. Now all things were cleared and confirmed. The Spirit of Prophecy accompanying the Messiah, and by him given unto his Disciples foretold by Joel, Chap. 2. v. 28, 29. was in his Revelations express, clear and evident, directing unto and confirming every thing belonging unto his Person and Doctrine. Neither had these words any other accomplishment but what is contained in these things.