Verse 16

For where a Testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator.

There are two things in the words. (1) A Supposition of a Testament. (2) What is required thereunto.

In the first there is, (1) The Note of Inference. (2) The Supposition it self.

The first is the Particle, For. This does not infer a Reason to ensue of what he had before affirmed, which is the common use of that Illative, but only the Introduction of an Illustration of it, from what is the usage of Mankind in such cases, on supposition that this Covenant is also a Testament. For then there must be the death of the Testator, as it is in all Testaments among men.

The Supposition it self is in those words, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the Verb Substantive is wanting, [where a Testament is] so it is by us supplied, it may be, not necessarily. For the Expression of, where a Testament is, may suppose that the death of the Testator is required to the making of a Testament; which, as the Apostle shows in the next Verse, it is not, but only to its Execution. In the case of a Testament, namely, that it may be executed, is the meaning of the words, where; that is, wherever. Among all sorts of men, living according to the light of Nature, and the conduct of Reason, the making of Testaments is in use. For without it neither can private industry be encouraged, nor public peace maintained. Therefore, as was before observed, the Apostle argues from the common usage of mankind, resolved into the Principles of Reason and Equity.

2. What is required to the Validity of a Testament, and that is the death of the Testator. And the way of the Introduction of this death to the validity of a Testament is, by being brought in; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] that it enter; namely, after the ratifying of the Testament to make it of force, or to give it operation. The Testament is made by a living man; but while he lives, it is dead, or of no use. That it may operate and be effectual, death must be brought into the account.

This death must be the death of the Testator, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], is he who disposes of things; who has right so to do, and actually does it. This in a Testament is the Testator. And [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], have in the Greek the same respect to one another, as Testamentum and Testator in the Latine.

Therefore if the New Covenant has the nature of a Testament, it must have a Testator, and that Testator must die, before it can be of force and efficacy, which is what was to be proved.

This is further confirmed,