III. Blackness or mist : Ten thousands (an innumer
able company) of angels and of the first-born.
IV. Darkness : GOD, the Judge of all.
V. Tempest : The spirits of just men made
perfect. VI. The sound of a trumpet : Jesus, the Mediator of the
New Testament
VII. The voice of words : The blood of sprinkling speak
ing what is very good.
In Articles I. and VII. there is an obvious opposition ; there is no doubt but that there is an opposition also in the interme diate points, the number of which also the apostle adapts to one another. Access, in the Old Testament, was of that kind, that the people was kept back ; in the access of the New Testament, all things are laid open [to all, people and ministers alike]. — crpo- tfgX7jXu0a7-£, ye have come, ye have access to) having received the faith of the New Testament. And from this beginning, they who partake of Christ more and more reap the benefit of this access, till their perfection at death, and till the judgment, and unto eternal life. For this is not spoken of the coming (access) to the church militant, since others came (added themselves) rather to Israel, than the Israelites to others ; but there is de scribed here the highly exalted state of believers under the New Testament, in consequence of communion with the Church made perfect, and with Christ and GOD Himself. This access, too, not less than the former, ver. 18, 19, was joined with the faculty of hearing, and that too in this life, ver. 24, etc., although our approach is much more obvious to heavenly eyes than to ours, that are still veiled ; and brings along with it the best hopes for the future. The apostle here brings forward an excel lent knowledge of the heavenly economy, worthy of what Paul heard and saw, when he was blessed by being caught up into the third heaven ; 2 Cor. xii. 2, 4. — 2/wv opei, Mount Zion) This is the seat of the dispensation of Christ ; [and therefore compre hends the spirits of just men made perfect. — V. g.] Rev. xiv. 1 ; John xii. 15 ; 1 Pet. ii. 6. — xa/ cro'Xg/ 0goD ^uvrog, and to the city of the living GOD) The seat of the dispensation of GOD, ver. 23,