1. The whole scheme, frame, fashion, use, and service of the tabernacle, with all that belonged thereunto, was a mere arbitrary effect of the sovereign will and pleasure of God. Why he would by this way and by these means declare himself appeased unto the church, and that he would graciously dwell amongst them; why he would by them type out and prefigure the incarnation and media- tion of Christ,—no other reason can be given but his own will, which in all things is to be adored by us. Other ways and means unto the same ends were not wanting unto divine wisdom, but this ‘in the good pleasure of his will he determined on. In the supreme
i
220 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. Ix.
authority of God was the church absolutely to acquiesce whilst it was obliged unto the observation of these ordinances, and other reason of them they. could not give. And whereas their use is now utterly ceased, yet do they abide on the holy record, as some think the fabric of heaven and earth shall do after the final judgment, to be monuments of his wisdom and sovereignty. But the principal ends of the preservation of this memorial in the sacred record are two: (1.) That it may be a perpetual testimony unto the prescience, faithfulness, and power of God. His infinite prescience is testified unto, in the prospect which therein he declares himself to have had of the whole future frame of things under the gospel, which he re- presented therein; his faithfulness and power, in the accomplishment of all those things which were prefigured by them. (2.) That it might testify the abundant grace and goodness of God unto the church of the new testament, which enjoyeth the substance of all those spiritual things, whereof of old he granted only the types and shadows. Wherefore,—
2. It must be acknowledged, that the instruction given by these things into the mysteries of the will of God, and consequently all those teachings which were influenced and guided by them, were dark, obscure, and difficult to be rightly apprehended and duly im- proved. Hence the way of teaching under the old testament was one reason for the abolishing of that covenant, that a more effectual way of instruction and illumination might be introduced. This is declared at large in the exposition of the preceding chapter. There was need for them all to go up and down, every one unto his brother, and every one unto his neighbour, saying, “Know the Lorp;” for the true knowledge of him, and of the mysteries of his will, was by these means very difficult to be obtained. And now that the Jews have lost all that prospect unto the promised seed which their forefathers had in these things, it is sad to consider what work they make with them. They have turned the whole of all legal institutions into such an endless, scrupulous, superstitious observance of carnal rites, in all imagimable circumstances, as never became the divine wisdom to appoint, as is marvellous that any of the race of mankind should enbondage themselves unto. Yea, now that all things are plainly fulfilled in Christ, some among ourselves would have the most of them to have represented heaven and the planets, the fruits of the earth, and I know not what besides. But this was the way which the infinite wisdom of God fixed on for the instruc- tion of the church in the state then allotted unto it.
3. This instruction was sufficient unto the end of God, in the edifi- cation and salvation of them that did believe. For these things being diligently and humbly inquired into, they gave that image and resemblance of the work of God’s grace in Christ which the
VER. 3-5.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. ee” 424)
_ church was capable of in that state, before its actual accomplish- ment. Those who were wise and holy among them, knew full well that all these things in general were but types of better things; and that there was something more designed of God in the pattern showed unto Moses than what they did contain. For Moses made and did all things “for a testimony unto what should be spoken afterwards,” Heb. ii. 5. In brief, they all of them believed that through the Messiah, the promised seed, they should really receive all that grace, goodness, pardon, mercy, love, favour, and privilege, which were testified unto in the tabernacle and all the services of it. And. because they were not able to make distinct, particular appli- cations of all these things unto his mediatory actings, their faith was principally fixed on the person of Christ, as I have elsewhere demonstrated. And with respect unto him, his sufferings, and his glory, they diligently inquired into these things, 1 Pet.i. 11. And this was sufficient unto that faith and obedience which God then required of the church. For,—
4, Their diligent inquiry into these things, and the meaning of them, was the principal exercise of their faith and subjection of soul unto God; for even in these things also did “the Spirit testify beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that did follow.” And as the exercise of faith herein was acceptable unto God, so the discoveries of grace which they received therein were refreshing unto their souls; for hereby they often saw the King in his beauty, and beheld the pleasant land, which was far off, Isa. xxxiii. 17. :