But whence arose this extreme need of accuracy ? The whole plan of salvation was laid in the divine mind ; and the tabernacle and temple, with their vessels and their services, were intended to shadow it forth : and the smallest deviation from the model would have led to mistaken apprehensions about the way to life : it would either have kept back from man something which God designed to execute, or taught him to expect something which it was not God's in- tention to perform. But, the law being a perfect model of the whole spiritual building, the Gospel- edifice in all things corresponds with it ; and thus reciprocally receiving and reflecting light, they mu- tually illustrate each other, and prepare the mind for a most accurate perception of the great mystery of redemption.
The point of which the Apostle is here speaking, is, the superiority of Christ's priesthood to that of Aaron. Having dwelt upon it at some length, he recapitulates the subject, and gives as " the sum of" his observations. That Christ, our High-priest, is every way superior to the Levitical priests, since he is the Mediator of a better covenant, and, con- sequently, " has obtained a more excellent ministry than theirs."
To elucidate this important truth, I shall consider, I. The covenant of which Christ was the Mediator —
It is spoken of in reference to another covenant to which it was superior. Let us inquire then,
1. What is that other covenant? [It is an "old covenant, which vanisheth away"^." In the Holy Scriptures we read of three covenants ; the Adamic, that is, the covenant of works; the Abrahamic, or covenant of grace; and the national covenant made by Israel, that was pecuhar to them, and was not binding on any other people. Now it is not with the Adamic covenant that the Christian covenant is compared, because that never waxeth old nor vanisheth away : it is at this hour as much in force as ever; and all who con- tinue under it, will be dealt with according to it, till they take refuge in the covenant of grace''.
«; ver. 13. ^ Gal. hi. 10. and v. 3.