Verse 17

The proof of all before asserted is given in the testimony of the Psalmist so often before appealed to. For he testifies, you are a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec.

The introduction of this testimony is by [in non-Latin alphabet], or he Witnesses or Testifies; that is, David does in the Psalm, or rather the Holy Ghost speaking in and by David, does so testify. He does not absolutely say that so he speaks, but testifies; because he used his words in a way of testimony to what he had delivered. And although one thing be now principally intended by him, yet there is in these words a testimony given to all the especial heads of his discourse. As (1.) That there was to be another Priest, a Priest that was not of the stock of Aaron, nor tribe of Levi. For he says to the Messiah prophesied of, who was to be of the seed of David, You are a Priest, although a stranger from the Aaronical line. (2.) That this other Priest was to be after the Order of Melchisedec, and was not to be called after the Order of Aaron. For he was [in non-Latin alphabet], after the Order; [in non-Latin alphabet] is a redundant, and not a suffix. [in non-Latin alphabet] is from [in non-Latin alphabet] and signifies a state or order of things; [in non-Latin alphabet] Ecclesiastes 3:18. I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, their condition and order of all things; that is, [in non-Latin alphabet]. The Priesthood of Christ in the mind of God was the eternal idea or original exemplar of the Priesthood of Melchisedec. God brought him forth and vested him with his office in such a way and manner, as that he might outwardly represent in sundry things the idea of the Priesthood of Christ in his own mind. Hence he and his Priesthood became an external exemplar of the Priesthood of Christ as to its actual exhibition; and therefore is he said to be made a Priest after his Order, that is, suitably to the representation made thereof in him. (3.) That he was made a Priest, namely, by him and his authority, who said to him, You are a Priest; as Chapter 5, 5, 6, 10. (4.) That he was so after the power of an endless life. For he was a Priest for ever. This word is applied to the Law and legal Priesthood, and signifies a duration commensurate to the state and condition of the things whereunto it is applied. There was an [in non-Latin alphabet] of the Law; an age whereunto its continuance was confined. So long all the promises annexed to it stood in force. And as ascribed to the new state of things under the Gospel, it does not signify eternity absolutely, but a certain unchangeable duration to the end of the time and works of the Gospel. For then shall the exercise of the Priesthood of Christ cease, with his whole mediatory work and office (1 Corinthians 15:28). Christ therefore is said to be a Priest for ever. (1.) In respect of his person, endued with an endless life. (2.) Of the execution of his office to the final end of it; he lives for ever to make intercession. (3.) Of the effect of his offices, which is to save believers to the utmost, or with an everlasting salvation.

And the Apostle had sufficient reason to affirm that what he proposed was eminently manifest, namely, from the testimony which he produces thereof. For what can be more evident than that the Aaronical Priesthood was to be abolished, if so be that God had designed and promised to raise up another Priest in the Church, who was neither of the stock nor order of Aaron, nor called the same way to his office, as he was, and who when he was so raised and called, was to continue a Priest for ever, leaving no room for the continuance of that Priesthood in the Church, nor place for its return when it was once laid aside? And we may observe that,

1. The eternal continuance of Christ's person gives eternal continuance and efficacy to his office. Because he lives for ever, he is a Priest for ever. His endless life is the foundation of his endless Priesthood. While he lives we want not a Priest; and therefore he says, that because he lives, we shall live also.

2. To make new Priests in the Church, is virtually to renounce the faith of his living for ever as our Priest, or to suppose that he is not sufficient to the discharge of his office.

3. The alteration that God made in the Church by the introduction of the Priesthood of Christ was progressive towards its perfection. To return therefore to or look after legal ceremonies in the worship of God, is to go back to poor beggarly elements and rudiments of the world.