[3dly.|-He gave a substantial representation of the eternal idea of his wisdom and grace in the incarnation of the Son, *in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelt substantially, and in the discharge of his work of mediation.
[4thly.] An exposition of the whole is given us in the Gospel, which is God’s means of instructing usin the eternal counsels of his wisdom, love, and grace, as revealed in Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. i. 18.
The actings of faith with respect unto these heavenly things do begin where the divine progress of them doth end, and end where it begins. Faith in the first place respects and receives the revela- tion of the Gospel, which is the means of its receiving and resting in Christ himself; and through Christ our faith is in God, 1 Pet. i, 21, as the eternal spring and fountain of all grace and glory.
VERSE 6. Novi d2 dsaQopwrépus rérevys Aeiroupyius, bow nal xpeirrovds éort O10- Mung psoirns, rig eal xpsirroow erayyeriass vevowobsrnros..
There is no material difference in any translators, ancient or mo- dern, in the rendering of these words; their signification in parti- cular will be given in the exposition.
1 ExPosit1on.—Turner remarks that vuy/, now, is not here so much a mark of time, as a formula to introduce with earnestness something which has elose, and may have even logical, connection with what precedes. See also for this use of the term, ch. xi. 16, 1 Cor. xv. 20, xii. 18, 20; in which passages it does not refer to time, but implies strong conyiction grounded upon preceding arguments. —ED.
VER. 6.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 49
Ver. 6.—But now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better pro- mises.
In this verse beginneth the second part of the chapter, concern- ing the difference between the two covenants, the old and the new, with the pre-eminence of the latter above the former, and of the ministry of Christ above the high priests on that account. The whole church-state of the Jews, with all the ordinances and worship of it, and the privileges annexed unto it, depended wholly on the covenant that God made with them at Sinai. But the introduction of this new priesthood whereof the apostle is discoursing, did neces- sarily abolish that covenant, and put an end unto all sacred minis- trations that belonged unto it. And this could not well be offered unto them without the supply of another covenant, which should excel the former in privileges and advantages. For it was granted among them that it was the design of God to carry on the church unto a perfect state, as hath been declared on chap. vii.; wherefore he would not lead it backward, nor deprive it of any thing it had enjoyed, without provision of what was better in its room. This, therefore, the apostle here undertakes to declare. And he doth it after his wonted manner, from such principles and testimonies as were admitted among themselves.
Two things unto this purpose he proves by express testimonies out of the prophet Jeremiah: 1. That besides the covenant made with their fathers in Sinat, God had promised to make another covenant with the church, in his appointed time and season. 2. That this other promised covenant should be of another nature than the former, and much more excellent, as unto spiritual advantages, unto them who were taken into it. From both these, fully proved, the apostle infers the necessity of the abrogation of that first covenant, wherein they trusted, and unto which they adhered, when the ap- pointed time was come. And hereon he takes occasion to declare the nature of the two covenants in sundry instances, and wherein the differences between them did consist. This is the substance of the
_ remainder of this chapter.
This verse is a transition from one subject unto another; namely, from the eacellency of the priesthood of Christ above that of the law, unto the excellency of the new covenant above the old. And herein also the apostle artificially compriseth and confirmeth his last argument, of the pre-eminency of Christ, his priesthood and ministry, above those of the law. And this he doth from the nature
and excellency of that covenant whereof he was the mediator in the discharge of his office.
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50 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. VIII.
There are two parts of the words: First, An assertion of the eacellency of the ministry of Christ. And this he expresseth by way of comparison ; “ He hath obtained a more excellent ministry :” and after he declareth the degree of that comparison ; “ By how much also.” Secondly, He ass the proof of this assertion; in that he is “the mediator of a better covenant, established on better” or “more excellent promises.”
In the first of these there occur these five things:—1. The note of its introduction; “ But now:” 2. What is ascribed wn the asser- tion unto the Lord Christ; and that is a “ministry:” 3. How he came by that ministry; “We hath obtained it:” 4, The quality of this ministry; it is “better” or “more excellent” than the other: 5. The measure and degree of this excellency; “ By how much also:” all which must be spoken unto, for the opening of the words :— '