In brief, that which the apostle designeth to prove is, that the first covenant was of that constitution, that it could not accomplish the perfect administration of the grace of God unto the church, nor was ever designed unto that end; as the Jews then falsely, and their posterity still foolishly also imagine it to have done.
2, The ensuing words in this verse include the general proof of his assertion concerning the insufficiency of the first covenant unto the ends of God towards the church: Odx dy dsurépug eCnreiro rérog.
~
104 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. VIII.
His argument is plainly this: ‘The promise of a new covenant doth
Ode dv Jew. Unavoidably prove the insufficiency of the former, at ctpus 2nrsiro least unto the ends for which the new one is promised. ihe For otherwise unto what end serves the promise, and covenant promised?’ But there is some difficulty in the manner of the expression: “The place of the second had not been sought;” so the words lie in the original. But “the place of the second” is no more but “the second taking place;” the bringing in, the introduction and establishment of it. And this is said to be “sought ;” but im- properly, and after the manner of men. When men have entered into a covenant which proves insufficient for some end they do in- tend, they take counsel and seek out after other ways and means, or an agreement and covenant on such other terms as may be effec- tual unto their purpose. Wherefore this signifies no alteration, no defect in the wisdom and counsel of God, as unto what is now to be done, but only the outward change which he would now effect in the introduction of the new covenant. For as such changes among men are the issue of the alteration of their minds, and the effect of new counsels for the seeking out of new means for their end, so is this outward change, in the taking away of the old covenant and introduction of the new, represented in God; being only the second part of his counsel or purpose “which he had purposed in himself before the foundation of the world.” And we may hence observe,—
Obs. I. That whatever God had done before for the church, yet he ceased not, in his wisdom and grace, until he had made it par- taker of the best and most blessed condition whereof in this world it is capable—He found out place for this better covenant.
Obs. II. Let those unto whom the terms of the new covenant are proposed in the gospel take heed to themselves that they sincerely embrace and improve them; for there is neither promise nor hope of any further or fuller administration of grace.
VERSE 8.
Meupomevos yep adrors Aévyer, IO0d, nuépas epyvovras, Aéyer Kbpsoc, nal cuy-
rersow xl roy oinov "Iopanr xal ext rbv olxov Iovdw dsabnanv nouvay.
For finding fault with them, [complaining of them,| he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, and I will make [when I will make] a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
In this verse the apostle entereth upon the proof of his argument laid down in that foregoing. And this was, that the first covenant
1 TRANSLATION.—Stuart and Conybeare and Howson connect the abrois with Aéyet: “But finding fault [with the first covenant], he says to them;” 7.e., the Jews. MeuQowevos, according to the first of these critics, appears to reduplicate upon the dueuxros of the preceding verse. —ED,
VER. 8.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 105
was not dwewrrog, “unblamable,” or every way sufficient for God’s general end; because there was room left for the introduction of another, which was done accordingly.
Of this covenant, so to be introduced, he declareth, in the testi- mony of the prophet afterwards, two things: 1. The qualification of it, or its especial adjunct; it was “new,” verse 8. 2. A description of it: (1.) Negative, with respect unto the old, verse 9. (2.) Posi- tive, in its nature and effectual properties, verses 10-12. From all which he inferreth the conclusion which he was contending for, enforced with a new consideration confirming it, verse 18: which is the sum of the last part of this chapter.
There are two general parts of this verse: 1. The introduction of the testimony, to be improved from the occasion of it, as expressed by the apostle. 2. The testimony itself which he insists on.
The FIRST is in these words: “For finding fault with them, he saith.” Wherein we have, 1. The note of connection; 2. The ground whereon the testimony is built; 3. The true reading of the words is to be considered :—
1. There is the causal conjunction, yép, “for,” which gives them connection unto the foregoing verse. That which is designed, is the confirmation of the foregoing argu- ment. This is the proof of the assertion, that place was sought for another covenant, which evinced the insufficiency of the former; _ “for? And the reason it intimates doth not consist in the words wherewith it is joined, “finding fault with them;”’ but respects those following, “ he saith,”’—“ For......he saith, Behold, the days come :” which directly prove what he had affirmed.
2. There is the ground intimated of what is affirmed in the ensu- ing testimony. For the new covenant was not to be introduced absolutely, without the consideration of any- thing foregoing, but because the first was not dueurros, or “un- blamable.” Therefore the apostle shows that God brought it in in a way of blame. He did it “finding fault with them.”