> &. ff. Ey ertpy.
496 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. V.
was Aaron, but also in a peculiar way, far more eminently and glori- ously. We may hence observe,—
Obs. That in all things wherein God hath to do with mankind Jesus Christ should have an absolute pre-eminence.
It was necessary that of old some things should be made use of to represent and prefigure him. And it is necessary now that some things should be made use of to reveal and exhibit him unto us. And these things must, as they are appointments of God, effects of his wisdom, and out of their respect unto him, be precious and ex- cellent. But yet in and through them all it is his own person, and what he doth therein, that hath the pre-eminence. And this is so on a twofold account:—1. Because in the representation which they made of him there was an imperfection, by reason of their own nature, so that they could not perfectly represent him. So Aaron was called in an extraordinary manner, to prefigure his call unto his priesthood ; but that call of his was accompanied with much weakness and im- perfection, as hath been declared. It belonged unto the pre-emi- nence of Christ, that there should be something, yea, very much, in his call absolutely peculiar. 2. The principal dignity of all these things depended on their respect and relation unto him; which exalts him infinitely above them. And so also is it with all the means of grace, whereby at present he is exhibited, and the benefits of his me- diation communicated unto us.
VERSE 7.
In this verse two instances of the qualifications of a high priest are accommodated unto our Lord Jesus Christ, and that in the retro- grade order before proposed. For the last thing expressed concern- ing a high priest according to the law was, that he was “ compassed with infirmity,” verse 3. And this, in the first place, is applied unto Christ; for it was so with him when he entered upon the dis- charge of his office. And therein the apostle gives a double demon- stration:—1. From the time and season wherein he did execute his office; it was “in the days of his flesh.” So openly do they con- tradict the Scripture who contend that he entered not directly on his priestly office until these days of his flesh were finished and ended. Now, in the days of his flesh he was compassed with in- firmities, and that because he was in the flesh. 2. From the manner of his deportment in this discharge of his office, he did it with “cries and tears.” And these also are from the infirmity of our nature.
Secondly, The acting of the high priest, as so qualified, in the dis- charge of his office, is accommodated unto him. For a high priest was appointed ta xpoopépy Saipd re nal Suoias batp dmupriay, Verse 1;— “that he might offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” So it is here
VER. 7.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 497
affirmed of our Saviour that he also “ offered” to God; which is expressive of a sacerdotal act, as shall be declared. And this is further described,—1. By an especial adjunct of the sacrifice he offered, namely, “ prayers and tears;” 2. By the immediate object of them, and his sacrifice which they accompanied, “ Him that was able to save him from death;” 8. By the effect and issue of the whole, “ He was heard in that which he feared.”
Ver. 7.—O¢ tv rats quépors rig oupnos airov denocig re nal ixernping apis roy duvdmevov owlew adriy éx Savdrou, werd xpauvyhs ioyupis xa? Ouxpiav rpoceveynus, xual siouxcvobels rd rH ebAaCesas.
°Ey reais ntpais tis capxds aired. Syr., “also when he was clothed with flesh.” Arab., “in the days of his humanity.” Mera xpavyijs ioyupas. Syr., “with a vehement outery.” “Ase ris ebraCe/eg. This is wholly omitted in the Syriac; only in the next verse mention of it is introduced, as NAD, “fear,” or “dread:” which is evidently transferred from this place, the interpreter, it seems, not understanding the meaning of it in its present construction.’
Ver. 7.—Who in the days of his flesh offered up prayers and supplications, with a strong ery [or vehement outcry |
and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard [ or delivered| from [his] fear.
__ The person here spoken of is expressed by the relative és, “who;” that is, 6 Xproré¢, mentioned verse 5, to whose priest- hood thenceforward testimony is given. “ Who,” that is Christ, not absolutely, but as a high priest.
The first thing mentioned of him is an intimation of the infirmity wherewith he was attended in the discharge of his office, by a de- scription of the time and season wherein he was exer- 4, | uke cised in it; it was év rats quépais rig cupuds abrot,— in peas ris cupuds the days of his flesh.” That these infirmities were in %7%: themselves perfectly sinless, and absolutely necessary unto him in this office, was before declared. And we may here inquire,— 1. What is meant by the “flesh” of Christ? 2. What were “the days of his flesh?”
1. The “flesh” of Christ, or wherein he was, is in the Scripture taken two ways:—