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CHAPTER IX.
Tuer general design of the apostle in these discourses is to mani- fest and prove that the old covenant made with the church at Sinai, with all the ordinances of worship and privileges thereunto belong- ing, was taken away, or ceased to be of any force in the church, Hereon did a total alteration of the whole present church-state of the Hebrews depend; which it is easy to think how difficult it was with them to forego. For they both looked on it to be of God’s own appointment, as it was, and expected all their happiness by a strict adherence unto it. Wherefore, that they might with the more readi- ness embrace the truth, he not only declares that “de facto” that covenant was ceased, but evinceth by all sorts of reasons that it was necessary that so it should do, and that unspeakable advantages did accrue unto the church thereby.
In the pursuit of this design, he unfolds unto them the greatest
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178 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IX.
mysteries of the wisdom and counsel of God that ever were revealed unto the church, before he spake unto us by the Son. For,—
1. On this occasion he takes off the veil from the face of Moses, declaring the nature and end of the old covenant; and the use, signi- fication, and efficacy of all the institutions and ordinances of worship thereunto belonging. They were all prescribed unto the diligent observation of the church of the old testament; and their adherence unto them was the great trial of their obedience unto God, whilst that church-state continued, Mal. iv. 4. Howbeit the best among them were much in the dark as unto their proper use and significa- tion. For the veil was so on the face of Moses, that “the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which was to be abolished,” 2 Cor. iii. 13. This he now doctrinally removes. And the sole reason why the Hebrews did not hereon “ behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” nor yet do unto this day, is be- — cause there was and is a veil of blindness on their minds, as well as there was a veil of darkness on the face of Moses; and it is only con- verting grace that can remove it. “ When they shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away,” verse 16.
2. He takes occasion from hence to declare the great mystery of the redemption of the church by Christ; of the office that he bare, and the work that he performed therein. This was that which he principally designed, as being indeed the sole foundation of Chris- tian religion. Wherefore, we have in this epistle, as a clear exposi- tion of the first promise, with all those which were given in the explication or confirmation of it, so also of the Jaw and its worship, which were afterwards introduced; that is, in general, of the whole old testament, or God’s instruction of the church under it. Hence that blessed light, which now shines forth in the promises and legal institutions of the old testament, is derived unto us through the ex- position of them given unto us by the Holy Ghost in this epistle. Weare therefore to remember, that in our inquiries into these things, — we are conversant in the deepest mysteries of the wisdom and counsel of God,—those which animated the faith and obedience of both churches: which calls not only for our utmost diligence, but for con- tinual reverence and godly fear.
Unto the general end mentioned, the apostle makes use of all sorts of arguments, taken from the constitution, nature, use, efficacy, officers, and ordinances, of the one covenant and the other; compar- ing them together. And in all his arguings he openly designs the demonstration of these two things: 1. That the old covenant, with all its administrations, was to cease. 2. That it was not only unto the advantage of the church that they should so do, but absolutely necessary, that it might be brought unto that perfect state which it was designed unto.
In order unto the first of these, he hath done two things in the pre-
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ceding chapters: 1. He hath declared that there were prefigurations and predictions of the cessation of the first covenant and all its admi- nistrations; as also, that God had so ordered all things in and under that covenant, as that they must necessarily expire and cease at a certain appointed time. 2. He hath evinced the necessity hereof, because that covenant could not consummate the state of the church, nor give assured rest and peace unto the consciences of them that approached unto God in and by its services. And both these he confirms by the consideration of the typical nature of all its ordi- nances and institutions; for whereas there was’in and by them a representation made of heavenly things, those heavenly things them- selves could not be introduced without their removal.
It is the second thing mentioned, or the advantage of the church by the taking away of the first covenant, and all its sacred adminis- trations, that he principally insists upon. For herein he designed (as was before observed) to declare the glorious mystery of the counsel of God concerning the redemption and salvation of the church by Jesus Christ. But whereas this in general is the substance of the gospel, and the subject of all his other epistles, he doth not here con- sider and declare it absolutely, but as it was prefigured and typed out by those institutions of worship, whereby God both instructed the church and exercised their faith and obedience, under the old testament.