z
Tod Tvedue- ros eylov.
236 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IX.
signified that an entrance there was to be, and that with boldness, thereinto. For unto what end else did he allow and appoint that once a-year there should be an entrance into it by the high priest, in the name of and for the service of the church? But this entrance being only once a-year, by the high priest only, and that with the blood of atonement,—which was always to be observed whilst that tabernacle continued,—he did manifest that the access represented was not to be obtained during that season. Yor all believers in their own persons were utterly excluded from it. And we may hence observe,—
Obs. I. That the divine ordinances and institutions of worship are filled with wisdom sufficient for the instruction of the church in all the mysteries of faith and obedience.—How eminent was the divine wisdom of the Holy Ghost in the structure and order of this taber- nacle! What provision of instruction for the present and future use of the church was laid up and stored in them! What but in- finite wisdom and prescience could order things so in their typical signification? He that considers only the outward frame and state of these things, may see a curious and beautiful structure, a beau- tiful order of external worship; yet can he find nothing therein but what the wisdom and contrivance of men might attain unto; at least, they might find out things that should have as glorious an outward appearance. But take them in their proper state, as unto their signification and representation of spiritual and heavenly things in Christ Jesus, and there is not the least concernment of them but it infinitely transcends all human wisdom and projection. He alone in whose divine understanding the whole mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God and his mediation did eternally reside, could institute and appoint these things. And to instruct us unto a humble adoration of that wisdom, is the frammg of the whole fabric, and the institution of all its ordinances, contained in the sacred record for the use of the church.
Obs. II. It is our duty with all humble diligence to inquire into the mind of the Holy Ghost in all ordinances and institutions of divine worship.—Want hereof lost the church of Israel. They con- tented themselves with the consideration of outward things, and the external observance of the services enjoined unto them. Unto this day the Jews perplex themselves in numberless curious inquiries into the outward frame and fashion of these things, the way, manner, and circumstances of the external observation of the services of it. And they have multiplied determinations about them all, and every minute circumstance of them, so as it is utterly impossible that either themselves or any living creature should observe them according to their traditions and prescriptions. But in the meantime, as unto the mind of the Holy Ghost in them, their true use and significa-
VER. 8.] _ EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. | 237
tion, they are stark blind and utterly ignorant. Yea, hardness and blindness are so come upon them unto the utmost, that they will not believe or apprehend that there is either spiritual wisdom, in- struction, or signification of heavenly things in them. And herein, whilst they profess to know God, are they abominable and disobe- | dient. For no creatures can fall into higher contempt of God than ‘there is in this imagination, namely, that the old institutions had nothing in them but so much gold and silver, and the like, framed into such shapes, and applied to such outward uses, without regard unto things spiritual and eternal. And itis a great evidence of the apostate condition of any church, when they rest in and lay weight upon the external parts of worship, especially such as consist in corpo- real observances, with a neglect of spiritual things contained in them, wherein are the effects of divine wisdom in all sacred institutions.
And whereas the apostle affirms that this frame of things did plainly signify (as the word imports) the spiritual mysteries which he declares, it is evident with what great diligence we ought to search into the nature and use of divine institutions. Unless we are found in the exercise of our duty herein, the things which in themselves are plainly declared will be obscure unto us, yea, utterly hidden from us. For what is here said to be clearly signified, could not be apprehended but by a very diligent search into and consider- ation of the way and means of it. It was to be collected out of the things he ordained, with the order of them, and their respect ‘unto one another. Most men think it not worth while to inquire with any diligence into sacred institutions of divine worship. If
any thing seem to be wanting or defective therein, if any thing be obscure and not determined, as they suppose, in the express words, without more ado they supply it with somewhat of their own. But there are many things useful and necessary in the worship.of God which are to be gathered from. such intimations of the mind of the Holy Ghost as he hath in any place given of them; and those who with humility and diligence do exercise themselves therein, shall find plain, shtisfactory significations of his mind and will in such things as others are utterly ignorant of.