Wherefore the plain, open manifestation of the -way into the holiest, which the apostle denies unto the church under the old testament, consists in these three things:—
(1.) In the actual exhibition of Christ in the flesh, and his sacri- fice of himself, making atonement for sin; for hereby alone was the way laid open unto an access with boldness into the gracious pre- sence of God. Without this, the law and its curse were like the cherubim and flaming sword, that turned every way to keep sinners from drawing nigh unto God. Hereby were they removed, a new and living way being consecrated for our access unto him.
(2.) In the full, plain declaration of the nature of his person and of his mediation. And therefore, although the gospel be not this way in the precepts of obedience which it gives unto us, yet is it the declaration and manifestation of this way, and our sole direction how to make use of it, or how to enter by it into the most holy place. This they enjoyed not under the old testament, but were limited unto typical institutions directing the priests how to enter into the sanctuary made with hands; which were but an obscure representation of these things.
(3.) In the introduction or revelation and establishment of those privileges of gospel-worship whereby believers are led comfortably into the presence of God, as our apostle declares, Heb. x. 19-22. For they are full of light and grace, and a guide unto all the steps of faith and obedience in this way. Hereunto may be added all those things which we have declared to belong unto that perfection or consummation of the church-state, which the law could not bring it unto, on chap. vii. 11.
In these things consisteth that manifestation of the way into the most holy place which is here denied unto the old testament.
4, he continuance of this state is added: “ Whilst the first tabernacle was standing.”
VOL, XXIII. 16
»
242 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IX.
(1.) By “the first tabernacle,” the apostle understands not that first part of the tabernacle into which the priests entered continually, accomplishing the divine services, which before he had so called; but he intends the whole taber- nacle, with respect unto the true tabernacle of the body of Christ, which succeeded into its room. Neither yet doth he understand precisely that tent or tabernacle which was erected in the wilderness, —which was not in itself of any long continuance, nor designed thereunto, for it was only suited unto the service of the church whilst it was in an unsettled condition,—but he intends the whole worship instituted together with it and belonging unto it, celebrated after- wards in the temple according unto the laws of that tabernacle. For there was the same worship and the same order of things in the one and the other; and so the same signification made at first by the Holy Ghost in the constitution of the tabernacle was still con- tinued under the temple also.
(2.) It was continued whilst this first tabernacle, or the tabernacle
"Ee: tolons 10 this sense, was “ standing.” “ Having its station;” eatin, that is, according unto the mind of God, it had its state and use in the church. This it had absolutely until the death of Christ, and no longer. For until then both the Lord Christ himself and all his disciples continued the observation of all its ser- vices, according to the mind of God; for he was made under the law of it, whilst it was in force. Declaratively it continued until the day of Pentecost; for then, in the coming of the Holy Ghost, was the foundation of the gospel church-state, order, and worship, solemnly laid, whereon, a new way of worship being established, the abroga- tion of the old was declared. And this was yet further made known by the determination put unto the observation of it among the Gentile converts by the Holy Ghost, in the council of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Actually it continued until the destruction of the temple, city, and people, some years after. Its first station it had in God’s appointment, the second in his connivance, and the third in his patience.
It is the first of these that is here intended. The tabernacle,— that is, the laws and service of it,—preserved its station and use in the church, by God’s ordinance and appointment, unto the death of Christ. Then did he pronounce concerning it and all things be- longing unto it, “It is finished.” Then was the veil rent, and the way into the holiest laid open. Then was peace with God publicly confirmed by the blood of the cross, Eph. 11. 14-16; and the nature of the way of our access unto him made known. And some things we may hence observe, which also tend unto the further eran 3 of the mind of the Holy Ghost in the text:—
Obs. III. Although the Lord Christ was not actually exhibited in the flesh under the old testament, nor had actually offered himself
Tis mparns THNYAS.
VER. 9, 10.] __- EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 243
unto God for us, yet had believers then an access into the grace and favour of God, though the way, the cause and means of it, was not manifestly declared unto them. The apostle doth not exclude them all from the grace and favour of God, but only shows their disadvan- tage in comparison of believers under the gospel, in that this way was not manifested unto them.