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28 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. VIII.
performed by the priests of another order. Again; if he might have done so, and accordingly had done so, our apostle manitests that his priesthood must have been ineffectual as unto the proper ends of it. For “the law could make nothing perfect ;’ not only because of the infirmity and imperfection of its priests, but also because of the in- sufficiency of its sacrifices unto the great ends of expiating sin, by whomsoever they were offered. For “it is impossible,” as he declares, “that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins,” or “purge the conscience” of the sinner, Heb. x. 1-4, etc. Wherefore, as it was necessary that he should have somewhat to offer, so it was necessary that this somewhat should be himself, and nothing else.
Something must yet be added as unto the rendering of the words themselves, which influenceth their proper sense. ’Avaynajov, “neces- sary,’ “of necessity,” must have the verb substantive added, to determine its signification. Erasmus adds “ est,” “it is necessary ;” and we render it, “itis of necessity.” Beza supplies “ fuit,” as doth the Syriac interpreter 810, “fuit,’ “erat;” “it was necessary.” And so he renders 6 xpocevtyxn by “quod offerret,” “which he should offer ;” in both respecting the time past. Others render it by “ quod offerat,” “which he may offer;” with respect unto the time present or tocome. And Beza gives this account of his translation, namely, that the apostle having respect unto the sacrifice of Christ, which was past, affirms that “it was necessary that he should have somewhat that he might offer ;’ and not that “it 7s necessary that he should have somewhat to offer.” And although I will not deny but that the Lord, by reason of the perpetual efficacy of his oblation, and the representation of it in his intercession, may be said to offer himself, yet his sacrifice and oblation of himself were properly on the earth, as I have fully proved elsewhere,
This text being urged by Grotius with respect unto the offering and sacrifice of Christ, Crellius replies, “ Concludit scriptor divinus ex eo quod Christus sit sacerdos, necesse esse ut habeat quod of- ferat; non, ut loquitur Grotius, necesse fuisse ut haberet quod offerret, quasi de re praeterita loquatur,’ Respons. ad cap. x. But, as Beza very well observes, the apostle had before mentioned the one. offering of Christ as already perfected and completed, chap. vii. 27. He cannot, therefore, speak of it now but as that which was past; and here he only shows how necessary it was that he should have himself to offer, and so to offer himself, as he had done. And from these words we may observe,—
Obs. III. That there was no salvation to be had for us, no, not by Jesus Christ himself, without his sacrifice and oblation—* It was of necessity that he should have somewhat to offer,” as well as those priests had of old according to the law. Some would have it that the Lord Christ is our Saviour because he declared unto us the way
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VER. 4.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 29
of salvation, and gave us an example of the way whereby we may attain it, in his own personal obedience. But whence, then, was it “of necessity that he must have somewhat to offer” unto God as our priest; that is, for us? For this belongeth neither unto his doctrine nor example. And it was necessary that he should have somewhat to offer, in answer unto those sacrifices of old which were offered for the expiation of sin. Nor could our salvation be other- wise effected, by any other acts or duties of our high priest; for the church could not be saved without taking away the guilt of sin. And the whole design of the priests and sacrifices of old, was to teach and instruct the church how alone this might be performed. And this was only by making atonement for it by sacrifice; wherein the beast sacrificed did suffer in the room of the sinner, and did by God’s institution bear his iniquity. And this our apostle hath respect unto, and the realizing of all those typical representations in Christ; without which his whole discourse is useless and vain. Wherefore there was no other way for our salvation, but by a real propitiation or atonement made for our sins. And whosoever looketh for it otherwise but in the faith and virtue thereof, will be deceived.
Obs. IV. As God designed unto the Lord Christ the work which he had to do, so he provided for him, and furnished him with what- ever was necessary thereunto. Somewhat he must have to offer. And this could not be any thing which was the matter of the sacri- fices of the priests of old. For all those sacrifices were appropriated unto the discharge of the priesthood; and besides, they were none of them able to effect that which he was designed to do. Where- fore a body did God prepare for him, as is declared at large, Heb. x. 1-8, etc.
Obs. V. The Lord Christ being to save the church in the way of office, he was not to be spared in any thing necessary thereunto.— And in conformity unto him,—