500 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IX.
(3.) Whereas the apostle mentions only the sins under the first covenant, as unto the time past before the exhibition of Christ in the flesh, or the death of the mediator of the new testament, what is to be thought of them who lived during that season who be- longed not unto the covenant, but were strangers from it, such as are described Eph. 11.12? I answer, The apostle takes no notice of them; and that because, taking them generally, Christ died not for them. Yea, that he did not so, is sufficiently proved from this place. Those who live and die strangers from God’s covenant have no interest in the mediation of Christ.
Wherein the redemption of those transgressions did consist shall be declared in its proper place. And we may observe,—
Obs. VI. Such is the malignant nature of sin, of all transgression of the law, that unless it be ‘removed, unless it be taken out of the way, no person can enjoy the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Obs. VII. It was the work of God alone to contrive, and it was the effect of infinite wisdom and grace to provide, a way for the removal of sin, that it might not be an everlasting obstacle against the communication of an eternal inheritance unto them that are called.
5. We have declared the design of God here represented unto us, who are the persons towards whom it was to be accomplished, and what lay in the way as a hinderance of it. That which remains in the words, is the way that God took and the means that he used for the removal of that hinderance, and the effectual accomplish- ment of his design.
This in general was, first, the making of a new testament. He
Ti xanze (22d fully proved before that this could not be done by Sabhuns peo that covenant against which the sins were committed, Pie neither by the priests, nor sacrifices, nor any other duties of it. Therefore had he promised the abolition of it, because of its weakness and insufficiency unto this end, as also the intro- duction of a new to supply its defects, as we have seen at large in the exposition of the foregoing chapter. For it became the wisdom, goodness, and grace of God, upon the removal of the one for its insufficiency, to establish another that should be every way effectual unto his purpose, namely, the communication of an eternal inherit- ance unto them that are called. But then the inquiry will be, how this covenant or testament shall effect this end; what is in it, what belongs unto it that should be so effectual, and by what means it might attain this end. All these are declared in the words, And,—
6. In general, all this arose from hence, that it had a mediator, and that the Lord Christ, the Son of God, was this mediator. The dignity of his person, and thereon both the excellency and efficacy of his priestly oftice,—whereunto alone respect is had in his being
VER. 15.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 331
called here a mediator,—he had abundantly before demonstrated. Although the word in general be of a larger signification, as we have declared on chap. viii. 6, yet here it is restrained unto his priestly office, and bis acting therein. For whereas he had treated of that alone in the foregoing chapter, here, declaring the grounds and reasons of the necessity of it, he says, “ For this cause is he the mediator.” And proceeding to show in what sense he considers him as a mediator, he doth it by his being a testator and dying; which belongs to his priestly office alone. And the sole end which in this place he assigns unto his mediatory office, is his death: “That by means of death.” Whereas, therefore, there were sins committed under the first covenant, and against 1t, and would have been so for ever, had it continued, which it was no way able so to take away as that the called might receive the inheritance, the Lord Christ undertook to be the mediator of that covenant, which was provided as a remedy against these evils. For herein he undertook to an- swer for and expiate all those sins. Whereas, therefore, expiation of sin is to be made by an act towards God, with whom alone atone- ment is to be made, so as that it may be pardoned, the mediation of Christ here intended is that whereby, suffering death in our stead, in the behalf of all that are called, he made atonement for sin.
But moreover, God had a further design herein. He would not only free them that are called from that death which they deserved by their sins against the first covenant, but give them also a right and title unto an eternal inheritance,—that is, of grace and glory;
wherefore the procurement hereof also depends on the mediation of
Christ. For by his obedience unto God in the discharge thereof he purchased for them this inheritance, and bequeathed it unto them, as the mediator of the new testament.
The provision of this mediator of the new testament is the greatest effect of the infinite wisdom, love, and grace of God. This is the centre of his eternal counsels. In the womb of this one mercy all others are contained. Herein will he be glorified unto eternity.