328 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II.
the visions of Zechariah and Daniel, with their works in the two great typical deliverances of it from Egypt and Babylon. But we must not here insist on particulars.
Thirdly, As to the power of judging and ‘rewarding at the last day, it is openly manifest that God hath not put this world to come in subjection unto angels, but unto Jesus alone.
This, then, is the main proposition that the apostle proceeds upon in his present argument. The most glorious effect of the wisdom, power, and grace of God, and that wherein all our spiritual concern- ments here are enwrapped, consists in that blessed church-state, with the eternal consequences of it, which, having been promised from the foundation of the world, was now to be erected in the days of the Messiah. ‘That you may,’ saith he, ‘no more cleave unto your old institutions, because given out unto you by angels, nor hanker after such works of wonder and terror as attended their disposition of the law in the wilderness, consider that this world, so long expected and desired, this blessed estate, is not on any account made subject unto angels, or committed unto their disposal, the honour thereof being entirely reserved for another.’
Having thus fixed the true and proper sense of this verse, we may stop here a little, to consult the observations that it offers for our own instruction. Many things in particular might be hence educed, but I shall insist on one only, which is comprehensive of the design of the apostle, and it is,—
That this is the great privilege of the church of the gospel, that, in the things of the worship of God, it is made subject unto and im- mediately depends upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and not on any other, angels or men.
That this is the privilege thereof, and that it isa great and blessed. privilege, will appear both in our consideration of what it is and wherein it doth consist. And, among many other things, these en- suing are contained therein :—
1. That the Lord Christ is our head. So it was promised of old that “their king should pass before them, and the LorD on the head of them,” Mic. ii. 13. He shall be their king, head, andruler. God hath now gathered all things, all the things of his church, into a head in Christ, Eph. i. 10. They were all scattered and disordered by sin, but are now all re-collected and brought into order under one head. Him hath he “given to be head over all things to the church,” verse 22. The whole sovereignty over all the whole crea- tion, that is committed unto him, is only for this end, that he may be the more perfect and glorious head to the church. He is that head on which the whole body hath its orderly and regular depend- ence, Eph. iv. 15, 16; “ The head of the body, the church,” Col. i. 18; “The head of every man,” that is, of every believer, 1 Cor, xi. 8,
VER. 5-9.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 329
Eph. v. 23. And this is everywhere proposed both as our great honour and our great advantage. Tobe united unto him, subjected unto him as our head, gives us both honour and safety. What greater honour can we have, than to be freemen of that corporation whereof he is the head, than to be subjects of his kingdom? what greater safety, than to be united unto him inseparably who is in glory invested with all power and authority over the whole creation of God, every thing that may do us good or evil?
2. That he is our only head. The church is so put in subjection unto the Lord Christ as not to be subject unto any other. It is true, the members of the church, as men on the earth, have other relations, in respect whereof they are or may be subject one to another,—children unto parents, servants unto masters, people unto rulers ; but as they are members of the church, they are subject unto Christ, and none other. If any other were or might be a head unto them, they must be angels or men. As for angels, we have it here plainly testified that the church is not made subject in any thing unto them. And amongst men, the apostles of all others might seem to lay the .justest claim to this privilege and honour; but they openly disclaim any pretence thereunto. So doth Paul, 2 Cor. i. 24, “We have no dominion,” rule, lordship, headship, “ over your faith,’—any thing that concerns your obedience to God, and your worship; “ but are helpers of your joy.” And again saith he, “ We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord,” the only Lord; “and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake,” 2 Cor. iv.5. And Peter, as it should seem, foreseeing that some who should come after would pretend unto such pre-eminence, warns the elders that they should not think themselves “lords over God’s heritage,” 1 Pet. y. 38. And this they did in pursuit of the instructions and charge which their Lord and Master gave them, Matt. xx. 25-27, where he warns them that they should neither think of dignity nor do- minion over the church, but apply themselves with all humility unto the service of it; for which he elsewhere adds his reason, namely, that all his disciples have one Lord and Master, and no more, John xiii. 13, Matt. xxiii. 8,10. And it isa woful confusion that the Papists run themselves into in this matter; for, first, they put the whole church into subjection unto a man, whom they call the Pope, the common father and master of Christians, the head of the church and then subject both him and it unto angels, in the adoration and invocation of them,—the greatest subjection possible ; when the Scrip- ture assigneth one only head of the church expressly, even the Lord Jesus, and fully declares that it is not put in subjection unto angels at all. But to pass them by, the Lord Christ is not only thus the only head in general unto the whole church, but also unto every in- dividual believer in the church: “The head of every man is Christ,”