3. That by the covenant of Sinai, as properly so called, separated from its figurative relation unto the covenant of grace, none was ever eternally saved. |
4. That the use of all the institutions whereby the old covenant was administered, was to represent and direct unto Jesus Christ, and his mediation.
_ These things being granted, the only way of life and salvation by
Jesus Christ, under the old testament and the new, is secured; which is the substance of the truth wherein we are now concerned. On these grounds we may proceed with our inquiry.
The judgment of most reformed divines is, that the church under the old testament had the same promise of Christ, the same interest in him by faith, remission of sins, reconciliation with God, justification and salvation by the same way and means, that be- lievers have under the new. And whereas the essence and the sub- stance of the covenant consists in these things, they are not to be said to be under another covenant, but only a different administra- tion of it. But this was so different from that which is established in the gospel after the coming of Christ, that it hath the appearance and name of another covenant. And the difference between these two administrations may be reduced unto the ensuing heads:—
‘1. It consisted in the way and manner of the declaration of the mystery of thelove and will of God in Christ; of the work of re- conciliation and redemption, with our justification by faith. For herein the gospel, wherein “life and immortality are brought to light,” doth in plainness, clearness, and evidence, much excel the
72 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. VIIL
administration and declaration of the same truths under the law. And the greatness of the privilege of the church herein is not easily expressed. For hereby “ with open face we behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord,” and “are changed into the same image,” 2 Cor. iii. 18. The man whose eyes the Lord Christ opened, Mark viii. 23-25, represents these two states. When he first touched him, his eyes were opened, and he saw, but he saw nothing clearly; whence, when he looked, he said, “I see men as trees, walking,” verse 24: but upon his second touch, he “saw every man clearly,” verse 25. They had their sight under the old testament, and the object was proposed unto them, but at a great distance, with such an inter- position of mists, clouds, and shadows, as that they “saw men like trees, walking,”—nothing clearly and perfectly: but now under the gospel, the object, which is Christ, being brought near unto us, and all clouds and shadows being departed, we do or may see all things clearly. When a traveller in his way on downs or hills is encom- passed with a thick mist and fog, though he be in his way yet he is uncertain, and nothing is presented unto him in its proper shape and distance; things near seem to be afar off, and things afar off to be near, and every thing hath, though not a false, yet an uncertain appearance. Let the sun break forth and scatter the mists and fogs that are about him, and immediately every thing appears quite in another shape unto him, so as indeed he is ready to think he is not where he was. His way is plain, he is certain of it, and all the region about lies evident under his eye; yet is there no alteration made but in the removal of the mists and clouds that interrupted his sight. So was it with them under the law. The types and shadows that they were enclosed in, and which were the only me- dium they had to view spiritual things in, represented them not unto them clearly and in their proper shape. But they being now removed, by the rising of the Sun of righteousness with healing in his wings, in the dispensation of the gospel, the whole mystery of God in Christ is clearly manifested unto them that do believe. And the greatness of this privilege of the gospel above the law is inexpress- ible; whereof, as I suppose, we must speak somewhat afterwards,
2. In the plentiful communication of grace unto the community of the church; for now it is that we receive “ grace for grace,” or a plentiful effusion of it, by Jesus Christ. There was grace given in an eminent manner unto many holy persons under the old testament, and all true believers had true, real, saving grace communicated unto them; but the measures of grace in the true church under the new | testament do exceed those of the community of the church under the old. And therefore, as God winked at some things under the old tes- tament, as polygamy, and the like, which are expressly and severely interdicted under the new, nor are consistent with the present ad-
VER. 6.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. is
ministrations of it; so are sundry duties, as those of self-denial, readiness to bear the cross, to forsake houses, lands, and habitations, more expressly enjoined unto us than unto them. And the obedi- ence which God requireth in any covenant, or administration of it, is proportionable unto the strength which the administration of that covenant doth exhibit. Andif those who professthe gospel do content themselves without any interest in this privilege of it, if they endea- vour not for a share in that pleutiful effusion of grace which doth ac- company its present administration, the gospel itself will be of no other use unto them, but to increase and ageravate their condemnation. 3. In the manner of our access unto God. Herein much of all that is called religion doth consist; for hereon doth all our outward worship of God depend. And in this the advantages of the gospel- administration of the covenant above that of the law is in all things very eminent. Our access now to God is immediate, by Jesus Christ, with liberty and boldness, as we shall afterwards declare. Those under the law were immediately conversant, in their whole worship, about outward, typical things,—the tabernacle, the altar, the ark, the mercy-seat, and the like obscure representations of the presence of _ God. Besides, the manner of the making of the covenant with them at mount Sinai filled them with fear, and brought them into bond- age, so as they had comparatively a servile frame of spirit in all their holy worship.