~ 2. Unto the second inquiry, I say the Lord Christ could not by any means take away that other priesthood, until he himself had accomplished all that ever was signified thereby, according unto God’s institution. The whole end and design of God in its institu- tion had been frustrated, if the office had ceased “ de jure” before the whole of what was prefigured by its being, duties, and offices, was fulfilled. And therefore, although there was an intercision of its administrations for seventy years, during the Babylonish capti- vity, yet was the office itself continued in its right and dignity, hecause what it designed to prefigure was not yet attained. And this was not done till the Lord Christ ascended into the heavenly sanctuary, to administer in the presence of God for the church; for until then, the high priest’s entering into the holy place in the tabernacle once a year had not an accomplishment in what was prefigured thereby. Wherefore there was not an end put unto their office and ministration by the oblation of Christ on the cross, but they still continued to offer sacrifices according to the law; for there yet remained, unto the fulfilling of what was designed in their
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34 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. VIII.
whole office, his entering into the holy place above. Wherefore they were still to continue priests, until he had completed the whole service prefigured.by them, in the oblation of himself, and entering thereon into the heavenly sanctuary.
This, therefore, is the sense of the apostle’s reasoning in this place: The priests of the order of Aaron continued “de jure” their administrations of holy things, or were so to do, until all was accom- plished that was signified thereby. This was not done until the ascension of Christ into heaven; for the first tabernacle was to stand until the way was made open into the holiest of all, as we shall see afterwards. Now, the Lord Christ was not a priest after their order, nor could he offer the sacrifices appointed by the law. Hence it is evident, that he could not have been a priest had he been to con- tinue on the earth, and to administer on the earth: for so their priesthood, with which his was inconsistent, could never have had an end; for this could not be without his entrance as a priest into the heavenly sanctuary.
It appears, therefore, how vain the pretence of the Socinians is, from this place to prove that the Lord Christ did not offer his ex- platory sacrifice here on the earth. or the apostle speaks nothing of his oblation, which he had before declared to have been “once for all,” before he entered into heaven to make intercession for us; but he speaks only of the order of his priesthood, and the state and condition wherein the present administration of it was to be con- tinued,
Obs. I. God’s institutions, rightly stated, do never interfere—So we see those of the ancient priesthood and that of Christ did not. They had both of them their proper bounds and seasons; nor could the latter completely commence and take place until the former was expired, The entrance of Christ into the holy place, which stated him in that condition wherein he was to continue the exercise of his priesthood unto the consummation of all things, put an absolute period unto the former priesthood, by accomplishing all that was signified thereby, with a due and seasonable end unto all legal wor- ship, as to right and efficacy. When he had done all that was figured by them, he took the whole work into his own hand.
Obs. II. The discharge of all the parts and duties of the priestly office of Christ, in their proper order, was needful unto the salvation of the church.—His oblation was to be on the earth, but the con- tinuation of the discharge of his office was to be in heaven. With- out this the former would not profit us; if he had done no more he could not have been a priest. For, 1. As this dependeth on the infinite wisdom of God, ordering and disposing all things that con- cern the discharge of this office unto their proper times and seasons; so, 2, Believers do find in their own experience, how all things are
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VER. 5.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 35
suited unto their conditions and wants. Unless the foundation of a propitiation for their sins be first laid, they can have no hope of acceptance with God. This, therefore, was first done, in “the offer- ing of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” But when this is done, unless they have a continual application of the efficacy of it unto their souls, neither their peace with God nor their access unto God can be maintained. And this is done by the ministration of his office in the heavenly sanctuary, which ensues thereon.
VERSE 5.
Olrweg vrodeiywars xual ong Awrpebovor ray zmoupaviory, xabas xexpy- wdrioras Mavoyc, wihrwy emirerei rv onnrgy "Opa yep, onol, wormong Thre nord roy romov roy dem bévree oor év TG Oper
Ofrwes, “ qui,” “ut qui;” “as those who.” Aarpevouc:, “ deserviunt,” “ inser- viunt.” Syr., eee “who ministered,” (as in a sacred office); properly. “Y7o- delymort, “exemplari.” Rhem., “that serve the exenpey and shadow;” every way imperfectly. Syr., m'7?, “unto the similitude.” Tav emovpaviay. Hyras., “eclestium.” Others, Beran) ceelestium;” “of heavenly things.” Syr., yon N03, “of the ‘things which arein heaven.” Kadds xexpnweérioras, “sicut respon- sum est Mosi.” Rhem., “as it was answered Moses.” Xpnwariowes is not an “answer, but an “oracle,” given out upon inquiry, and so “ any divine instruc- tion.” “ Quemadmodum divinitus dictum est.” ‘Admonished of God,” say we. Syr., N228O87, “it was spoken,” simply; which expresseth not the original.