[1.] In a multitude of precepts, hard to be understood, and diffi- cult to be observed. The present Jews reckon up six hundred and thirteen of them; about the sense of most of which they dispute endlessly among themselves. But the truth is, since the days of the Pharisees they have increased their own yoke, and made obedi- ence unto their law in any tolerable manner altogether impracticable, It were easy to manifest, for instance, that no man under heaven ever did, or ever can, keep the Sabbath according to the rules they give about it in their Talmuds. And they generally scarce observe one of them themselves. But in the law, as given by God himself, it is certain that there are a multitude of arbitrary precepts, and those in themselves not accompanied with any spiritual advantages, as our apostle shows, Heb. ix. 9,10; only they were obliged to per- form them by a mere sovereign act of power and authority.
[2.] In the severity wherewith the observance of all those pre- cepts was enjoined them. And this was the threatening of death ; for “he that despised Moses’ law died without mercy,” and “every
VER. 6.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 85
transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of re- ward.” Hence was their complaint of old, “Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the Lorp shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?” Num. xvii. 12, 13. And the curse solemnly denounced against every one that confirmed not all things written in the law was continually before them.
[3.] In a spirit of bondage unto fear. This was administered in the giving and dispensation of the law, even as a spirit of liberty and power is administered in and by the gospel. And as this re- spected their present obedience, and manner of its performance, so in particular it regarded death not yet conquered by Christ. Hence our apostle affirms, that “through fear of death they were all their lifetime subject unto bondage.”
This state God brought them into, partly to subdue the pride of their hearts, trusting in their own righteousness, and partly to cause them to look out earnestly after the promised deliverer.
(4.) Into this estate and condition God brought them by a solemn covenant, confirmed by mutual consent between him and them. The tenor, force, and solemn ratification of this covenant, are ex- pressed, Exod. xxiv. 83-8. Unto the terms and conditions of this covenant was the whole church obliged indispensably, on pain of extermination, until all was accomplished, Mal. iv. 4-6. Unto this covenant belonged the decalogue, with all precepts of moral obe- dience thence educed. So also did the laws of political rule estab- lished among them, and the whole system of religious worship given unto them. All these laws were brought within the verge of this covenant, and were the matter of it. And it had especial pro- mises and threatenings annexed unto it as such; whereof none did exceed the bounds of the land of Canaan. For even many of the laws of it were such as obliged nowhere else. Such was the law of the sabbatical year, and all their sacrifices. There was sin and obedience in them or about them in the land of Canaan, none else- where. Hence,—
(5.) This covenant thus made, with these ends and promises, did never save nor condemn any man eternally. All that lived under the administration of it did attain eternal life, or perished for ever, but not by virtue of this covenant as formally such. It did, indeed, revive the commanding power and sanction of the first covenant of works; and therein, as the apostle speaks, was “the ministry of condemnation,” 2 Cor. iii. 9; for “by the deeds of the law can no flesh be justified.” And on the other hand, it directed also unto the promise, which was the instrument of life and salvation unto all that did believe. But as unto what it had of its own, it was confined unto things temporal. Believers were saved under it, but not by
86 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [cHaP. VIII.
virtue of it. Sinners perished eternally under it, but by the curse ~ of the original law of works. And,—
(6.) Hereon occasionally fell out the ruin of that people; “ their table became a snare unto them, and that which should have been for their welfare became a trap,” according to the prediction of our Saviour, Ps.lxix. 22. It was this covenant that raised and ruined them. It raised them to glory and honour when given of God; it ruined them when abused by themselves to ends contrary to express decla- | rations of his mind and will. For although the generality of them were wicked and rebellious, always breaking the terms of the cove- nant which God made with them, so far as it was possible they should, whilst God determined to reign over them unto the appointed season, and repining under the burden of it; yet they would have this covenant to be the only rule and means of righteousness, life, and salvation, as the apostle declares, Rom. ix. 31-33, x. 3. For, as we have often said, there were two things in it, both which they abused unto other ends than what God designed them:—