(4.) And thus, we hope, our whole interpretation of these verses receives light from as well as brings some light unto the text; and
362 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II.
that we need no argument to confirm it but its own suitableness throughout to the context and design of the apostle. That wherein divers worthy expositors are otherwise minded and differ from us, is the application of the words of the psalm immediately unto the person of Christ; which they say are referred unto him only by way of allu- sion. Now, though our exposition sufficiently confirm and strengthen itself by its own evidence, yet because divers learned men, whose judgment is much to be regarded, have given another sense of the words than that embraced by us, I shall by some further considera- tions confirm that part of our exposition which is by them called into question, premising unto them, for the further clearing of the place, what we grant in reference unto the sense by them contended for :—
[1.] I grant that the psalmist’s design in general is to set forth the goodness, kindness, love, and care of God unto mankind; so that in these words, “ What is man,” and “the son of man,’ though he principally respects the instance of the person of the Messiah, yet he doth it not exclusively to the nature of man in others, but hath a special regard unto mankind in general, in contradistinction unto other outwardly more glorious works of the hands of God. But it is the especial instance of the person of the Messiah wherein alone he undertakes to make good his assertion of mankind’s pre-eminence.
[2.] I also grant that he hath respect unto the dignity and honour collated on the first man at his creation, not directly and intention- ally, as his chiefest scope, but by way of allusion, as it did prefigure and obscurely represent that great glory and honour which mankind was to be advanced unto in the person of the Messiah; but that primarily and directly he, and he alone, according to our exposition, is intended in the psalm; for,—
lst. That the whole psalm is prophetical of the Messiah, the pas- sages out of it reported in the New Testament and applied unto him do make evident and unquestionable. See Matt. xxi. 16, 1 Cor. xv. 27, with this place. So that he must needs be the “man” and “son of man” therein treated of, and who alone did “make to cease the enemy and self-avenger,’ verse 2; as the apostle declares, verses 14, 15, of this chapter.
2dly. The general scope of the psalm will admit of no other inter- pretation. The psalmist, on his contemplation of the great glory of God in framing the heavens and all the host of them, especially those which then appeared unto him, falls into an admiration of his wis- dom, goodness, and love in that which was far greater and more ex- cellent, as that wherein his glory was more exalted; which he re- joiceth and triumpheth in, as that wherein his own and the interest of all others did lie. Now, this could not be either the state of man as fallen by sin, which is far enough from a matter of exultation and
VER, 5-9.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 363
joy, nor yet the state of Adam in innocency, in no privilege whereof, without a restitution by Christ, have we share or interest.
3dly. There are not any words in the testimony that can properly be applied unto any other man, or be verified in him ;—not in Adam at his first creation, not in mankind in general, but only in the in- stance of the person of Christ. For how was Adam diminished and made less than angels, and therein depressed from another state and condition than that he had, or was due to him? or how can this be said of mankind in general, or of believers in a special sense? And how could this be spoken of them as to continue for a little while, seeing the nature of man, in itself considered, is for ever beneath the angelical? Again, if the apostle’s interpretation be allowed, that ex- pression, “He hath put all things under his feet,” is universal, and extends unto all the works of God’s hands, and among them to the world to come; and these were never put in subjection to Adam nor any other man, “the man Christ Jesus” excepted. And this also the apostle plainly avers, verse 8. So that the scope of the place, context of the words, and importance of the expression, do all direct us unto the Messiah, and to him alone.
4thly. The uncertainty and mutual contradictions, yea, self-contra- dictions of the most who apply the words of the psalmist directly unto any other but Christ, may serve further to fix us unto this interpre- tation, liable to none of those inconveniences which they cast them- selves upon. Some would have a double literal sense in the words; —the one principal, relating unto Adam or man in general; the other less principal, or subordinate, respecting Christ: which is upon the matter to affirm that the words have no sense at all; for those words which have not orie certain determinate sense,—as those have not which have two,—have indeed no true proper sense at all, for their sense is their determinate signification of any thing. Some would have the literal sense to respect mankind in general, and what is affirmed in them to be mystically applied unto Christ. How far this is from truth we have already declared, by showing that the words cannot so in any measure be verified or made good. By “man,” some understand Adam in his integrity; but how he can be called “the son of man” I know not. Besides, how was his honour—not to be thought of or mentioned without the remembrance of his sin and shameful fall—such a cause of rejoicing and exultation unto the psalmist? Some understand man in his corrupted condition; which how far he is from the things here mentioned need not be declared. Can we suppose the apostle would prove the subjection of the world to come unto Christ by a testimony principally respecting them who have no interest in it? Some understand believers as restored in Christ ; which is true consequentially and in respect of participation, Rev. in 26, 27, but not antecedently unto the investiture of the honour that