Maprupes.
496 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. X.
that place: ‘This is that which the Holy Ghost in the Scripture testifies unto us all; which should put an end unto all controversies about these things. Nothing else is taught you but what is testified beforehand by God himself.’
Obs. I. It is the authority of the Holy Ghost alone, speaking unto us in the Scripture, whereinto all our faith is to be resolved.
Obs. II. We are to propose nothing in the preaching and worship of the gospel but what is testified unto by the Holy Ghost: not traditions, not our own reasons and inventions.
Obs. III. When an important truth consonant unto the Scripture is declared, it is useful and expedient to confirm it with some express testimony of Scripture.
3. Lastly, the manner of the expression is emphatical: Kai +3 Tvetua +d dysor,— Even also the Holy Spirit himself.” For herein we are directed unto his holy divine person, and not to an external operation of divine power, as the Socinians dream. It is that Holy Spirit himself that continueth to speak to us in the Scripture.
This is the first thing, or the introduction of the testimony.
Secondly, There are two things in this testimony of the Holy Ghost; the first is the matter or substance of it; the second, the order of the things contained in it, or spoken by him. The intro- duction of the former is in the words we have spoken unto; that of the latter, in the close of the verse, in these words, “ For after he had spoken before.”
Of the testimony itself, which is declarative of the nature of the new covenant made with Christ and confirmed in him, there are two general parts: First, that which concerns the sanctification of the elect, by the communication of effectual grace unto them for their conversion and obedience. The second is concerning the complete pardon of their sins, and the casting them into everlasting oblivion.
The first of these the Holy Ghost witnesseth in the first place. But he stays not there; afterwards he adds the latter, concerning the pardon of sins and iniquities. This being that alone wherein at present the apostle is concerned, and from whence he confirms his present argument, he distinguisheth it from the other, as that which was of particular use in itself. And therefore verse 17 is to be sup- plied by, “he said,” or “thereon also, Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
The words themselves have, in both parts of them, been explained at large on chap. viii, where they are first produced as the great foundation of the ensuing discourses of the apostle, so that they are not here again to be opened. We are only to consider the argu- ment of the apostle from the latter part of them; and this is, that the covenant being confirmed and established, that is, in the blood
A \ ed Kai vo Iyso- Hu vO wyi0v,
VER. 19-23. ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 497
and by the one sacrifice of Christ, there can be no more offering for sin. For God will never appoint nor accept of any thing that is needless and useless in his service, least of all in things of so great importance as is the offering for sin. Yea, the continuation of such sacrifices would overthrow the faith of the church, and all the grace of the new covenant. For, saith the apostle, in the new covenant, and by it, the Holy Ghost testifieth, that, as it was confirmed by the one sacrifice of Christ, perfect pardon and forgiveness of sin is pre- pared for and tendered unto the whole church, and every one that believes. To what purpose, then, should there be any more offer- ings for sin? Yea, they who look for and trust unto any other, they fall into that sin for which there is no remission provided in this covenant, nor shall any other offering be accepted for them for ever; for they despise both the wisdom and grace of God, the blood of Christ, and the witness of the Holy Ghost; whereof there is no re- mission; so he disputes, verses 28, 29, of this chapter.
And here we are come unto a full end of the dogmatical part of this epistle, a portion of Scripture filled with heavenly and glorious mysteries,—the light of the church of the Gentiles, the glory of the people Israel, the foundation and bulwark of faith evangelical.
I do therefore here, with all humility, and sense of my own weak- ness and utter disability for so great a work, thankfully own the | guidance and assistance which have been given me in the interpre- tation of it, so far as it is or may be of use unto the church, as a mere effect of sovereign and undeserved grace. From that alone it is, ‘that, having many and many a time been at an utter loss as to the mind of the Holy Ghost, and finding no relief in the worthy labours
of others, he hath graciously answered my poor weak sa in supplies of the pene and evidence of truth.
VERSES 19-23.
"Exovres ovy, OerQol, ruppnoiay sig rhv efoodoy ra wyiov ev rH aimars "Inoov, ay evexaivioey Auiv bddy xpooparoy xa) Ciouy, Oe Tov xararEerdouaros, Tour ort rhs capnic airov, nul ispea wsyav ex? rly oixov Tov Oov, xpocep- ybutba merce Andis napdlas ev wAnpopopig miorews, EPpavriojbevol T&S napding Grd ovveidhoews rovnpiig: xa) AcAoumévor 7d cep Vdurr nadaph, KaTEKUILEY THY GMoroyiny THs Ehwidog auduvyy (miords yap 6 HY VELA LEVOS. )