Vers. 15-17.-7'he increasing evidence of the appointment of our Lord to be an unchan_qeable Priest. This is to be found in the Divine oracle proclaimed in. the hundred and tenth psalm. The distinction of Christ's priesthood is seen in the differ- ence which subsists .in bis Divine office from that which was held by meu who were made priests after a carnal commandment, which had to do with ceremonials and material matters chiefly, and who were mortal, and resembled in the brevity of their life and earthly charge the institution of which they were ministers. Our Lord rises infinitely above the Jewish priesthood, becauRe he is appointed "after the power of an endless life." St.John beheld him, in the visions of Patmos, in t!J.e splendour of his priestly office as the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, nnd hoard him say, "I am he t!J.at liveth, and was dead; anrl., behold, I am alive for evermore." Amid all the changes of human affairs and the divor,ified experiences of his followers he ill "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever."-B. Vers. 18, 19.-T/ie weakness and unprojitableness of the commandment was seen in its inability to cleanse the conscienco from sin, and impart St>iritual power to obey tho mural Law. It was therefore removed and displaced, nnd publicly disannulled by the THI~ EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [ou, vu. 1-28.
ren~ing of the veil when our Lord died upon Calvary. The whole Law, priesthood, and sacnfic~s were ~reated as the brazen serpent in the wilderness when it had answered the e~d of its appomtment in the healing of those who, through their murmuring, had been bitten and were exposed to death under the fro.vn of Jehovah. It is not consistent with Divine wisdom and love to maintain a useless institution like Judaism when a better_ covenant, a nobler Priest, and a holier Sacrifice have been appointed for the 1<alvat10n of mankind. \Vhi!e the Law made nothing perfect it had its uses, for it pre- pared the way for the introduction of a better hope than that which believers had before the appointment of Christ to be High Priest over the house of God. In the previous parts of this Epistle there are impressive allusions to the privilege of drawing uear to the throne of grace, and the contrast is suggested between the remoteness in which worshippers stood in past days and the near and filial approach of those who draw nigh through Christ. Herein is the saying true, "The Law came by Moses; but grace and truth by Jesus Christ." To draw near to God now is for our dark and per• plexed understandings to approach the Father of lights; and for our weak and faltering nature to lay hold of that strength which makes us mount up with wings as eaales,0 run and not be weary, walk and not faint.-B.
Vers. 19-22.-The Divine Priest. I. THE PRE-EMINENCE OP OUR LORD'S PRIESTHOOD ATTESTED llY THE SOLEMNITY OF ms APPOINTMENT. The priests of the Mosaic Law were placed in their office by an act of the Divine will, and the order of their consecration was prescribed by the lawgiver, who probably superintended the process which fitted them to enter upon their duties. There was no oath proclaimed on the occasion, When Christ w!U' appointed there was an oath, which was conveyed to the knowledge of the Church by DaYid, the royal prophet. This oath declared the fixed and unchangeable purpose of God, that whateYer else might change, the office of the high priesthood of Christ should never be abrogated. "For ever hls word is settled in heaven." It is only on occasions of special solemnity that oaths are taken by men when they assume weighty and important offices. They are used at coronations of monarchs, and the appointment of judges o.nd others who undertake to administer faithfully the charges which they assume. God condescends to engage by oath for the permanence and glory of the priesthood of Christ that he shall be a. Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Here we see the loving care of God to invite and justify our trust in his dear Son. It is a vast and large confidence which he claims, and includes the rejection of all other confidences; our surrender to Christ of our understanding, will, and affections; our influence, time, and property; our present and the vast future; and, as the demand is large, there is all evidence and provision to make our trust in the High Priest a reason- able service. He is appointed by oath, and is the Surety of a better covenant; and so there is a proportion and harmony between the Surety and the covenant itself. In the scheme of redemption God hath abounded in all wisdom and prudence. The new wine is put into new bottles, and the consistency of all arrangements for our redemptiou. proves that all things are of God. II. THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PRIESTHOOD. If any man had dared to approach Jehovah in the solemnities of worship without his express appointment, he would have been punished for his presumption. This is proved by the history of Uzziah (2 Chron. :u:vi. 16). It is said of this ki~ that his heart was lifted up, and, against the remon- strances of the priests, he would offer incense, and so combine the dignity of the priesthood and royalty in himself. "Pride went before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall," and he was confined as a leper until the day of his death. 'l'he vocation and appointment of Aaron were disputed by the Reubenites who had lost the priesthood, and the Levites who were ambitious of higher dignity; and the case was decided by the punishment of the revolters, and the miraculous foliage, blossoms, and fruit of Aaron's rod. Jesus Christ has the high and supreme authority of Jehovah for his appointment, and the writer quotes the second psalm, which predicts the regal glory of foe Son, who was" of the seed of David according to the flesh; but was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (1:om. i. 3, 4). Then follows a quotation from another Messianic psalm, which ,kclares tliat he is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 'l'he order of Aaron wa, too riarruw and too imperfect to shadow forth the unrivalled dignity and worth of cm. vn. 1-28.J THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 20:3