Hebrews

1. His person: his person is amiable, he is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, all made up of love and beauty. He is the image of his Father (Hebrews 1:3). The express image of his person.

When he was on earth he lay in the manger, now he sits in the throne; then he was hated and scorned of men, now he is adored of angels; then his name was reproached, now God has given him a name above every name (Philippians 2:9). Then he came in the form of a servant, and as a…

2. He has his Insignia Regalia, his ensigns of royalty, Corona est insigne Regiae potestatis; His crown (Revelation 6:2), his sword (Psalm 45:3), Gird your sword upon your thigh. His scepter (Hebrews 1:8), A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. 3. His escutch…

3. The angels are confined spirits, they cannot be in duobus locis simul, they are confined to a place: but God is an immense Spirit, and cannot be confined, being in all places at once. 4. The angels, though they are spirits, yet they are but ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14).…

The beasts of the field shall honor me. 2. Creatures above us glorify God: the angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). They are still waiting on God's throne, and bring some revenues of glory into the exchequer of heaven: then surely man should be much more studious of Go…

The adopted are God's treasure (Exodus 19:5), his jewels (Malachi 3:17), his firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). They have angels for their life-guard (Hebrews 1:14). They are of the blood-royal of heaven (1 John 3:9).

Men may act unjustly, because they are bribed or forced: God will not be bribed, because of his justice, he cannot be forced because of his power. He does justice out of love to justice, (Hebrews 1:8) You love righteousness. 4. Justice is the perfection of the divine nature.

Which is to come — His kingdom has no end. His crown has no successors (Hebrews 1:8): Your Throne, O God, is forever and ever. The doubling of the word ratifies the certainty of it, as the doubling of Pharaoh's dreams did.

Others may have more of the venison, but God's children have more of the blessing: Thus they are heirs to the things of this life. 2. They are heirs to the other world: heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14), [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). They go…

2. He is coeternal with God the Father (Proverbs 8:23). I was from the beginning; for else there was a time when God was without a Son, and so he should be no Father: in fact, else there was a time when God was without his glory, for Christ is the brightness of his Father's glor…

You, his angels that do his commandments. If God send an angel to the Virgin Mary, he goes on God's errand; if he gives his angels a charge to minister for the saints they obey (Hebrews 1:14). It cannot stand with angelical obedience to leave the least iota of God's will unfulfi…

(2.) What should hinder the death of Christ to be a sacrifice, a proper sacrifice, and according to the nature, end, and use of sacrifices to have made atonement, and satisfaction for sin? (1.) It is expressly called so in the Scripture; wherein he is said to offer himself, to m…

Let us then nakedly attend to what the Scripture asserts in this matter, and that in the order of the books of it in some particular instances which at present occur to mind; as these that follow. Psalm 45:6, "Your throne O God is for ever and ever," applied to Christ (Hebrews 1…

But God has altered and changed them at sundry reasons, according to the counsel of his own will, so as he saw necessary for his own glory, and the edification of his Church. See (Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 17:10, 11; Exodus 12:3, 4, 5; Exodus 20; chapter 25:9; Hebrews 1:1; Hebre…

Qu. 5. Is there any farther alteration to be expected in, or of those institutions and ordinances of worship, which are revealed and appointed in the Gospel? Answ. No! The last complete revelation of the will of God being made by the Son, who is Lord of all, his commands and ins…

Q. How was he furnished with gifts and abilities for discharge of this office? A. As God never calls any to any office, but he gives them gifts requisite thereto: so Christ was furnished with all wisdom and knowledge, and other gifts of the Spirit, that might fully fit him for h…

Q. How is he King over all creatures? A. In sustaining and disposing of them all by his providence, as may be for his glory, and the good of the elect (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Proverbs 8:15-16; Isaiah 43:14-15). Q. And how is he King of the visible Church?

Q: Besides the Resurrection and ascension of Christ, what further degree is there of his exaltation? A. His sitting at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 13; and 8:1; and 10:12, 13). Q. What are we to understand by Christ…

The text answers; The worlds. The word signifies, in the original, ages: and so it is also taken, Hebrews 1:2. God made the worlds or ages by Christ.

Indeed all true believers before Christ were justified, and sanctified, and in soul received to glory before us; yet, perfected in soul and body both, they must not be before us: but we must all be perfected together. Now, his will herein he brings thus to pass; All must be perf…

Why was it such a privilege? Truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: so that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and saints, make up but one society, or family, where God will dwell, to comfort and solace them: the good angels their guard, to prote…

There could never more have been any Love, nor any duties of Love between Angels and Men, had not God restored all things by Jesus Christ. This is the only foundation of the whole ministry of Angels in Love (Hebrews 1:14). For men themselves, mutual enmity and hatred possessed t…

And this also is spoken by our Apostle with respect to the narration of Moses wherein mention is made neither of the one, nor of the other. And it belongs to his conformity to the Son of God, or that wherein he represented him; for as to his divine Person, the Lord Christ had ne…

His revelations from the foundation of the world were gradual and partial, increasing the light of the knowledge of his glory from age to age. But put them all together from the first promise, with all expositions of it, and additions to it, with prophecies of what should afterw…

And in this sense by the heavens, than which Christ is made higher, exalted above, the angels the sacred inhabitants of those heavenly places are intended. And this our Apostle in other places often insists upon, as a great manifestation of the glory of Christ: See (Ephesians 1:…

This the whole Scripture testifieth to, namely, a real communication of glory to Christ by the Father after his ascension which he had not before. See Luke 24:16; John 17:24; Acts 2:33; Acts 5:31; Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:20, 21, 22, 23; Philippians 2:9, 10, 11; Hebrews 1:3; Cha…

And we must afterwards enquire when it was abrogated and ceased to oblige the Church. The New Covenant was declared and made known in the latter days (Hebrews 1:1), in the dispensation of the fulness of time (Ephesians 1:10). And it took date as a Covenant formally obliging the…

But now to testify that all things in heaven and earth, should be reconciled and brought under one Head (Ephesians 1:10), there was a representation of their ministry, in this great mystery of the Law and the Mercy-seat. Therefore they are ready to the ministry of the Church of…

It is a kingdom (Matthew 25:34; James 2:5). Salvation (Hebrews 1:14). The grace of life (1 Peter 3:7).

It denotes a concurrent operation, when one works with another. Nor does it always denote a subservient instrumental cause, but sometimes that which is principally efficient (John 1:5; Romans 11:34; Hebrews 1:2). So it does here; the eternal Spirit was not an inferior instrument…

And first that the father is Creator, it was never doubted: as for the second person the Son, that he is Creator, it is evident: All things are made by it, that is, by the Son, who is the substantial word of the father, and without it was made nothing that was made (John 1:3). A…

Jesus Christ is a rich heir (John 16:15). He is Lord of all (Galatians 4:1; Hebrews 1:2), and the saints are co-heirs, they go sharers with Christ. 9. God calls them the luminaries of the world: they give light by their precepts and example (Philippians 2:15).

My horses are as your horses, and my chariots as your chariots: God and all his confederates are in the league, or rather God and all his subjects: as a prince does not only contract for his person, but his subjects and estates. Angels are at peace with us; in stead of being ins…

Indeed they say that our sufferings in themselves considered do not purge and satisfy, but as they are made meritorious by the sufferings of Christ. But to this I oppose one text of Scripture: Hebrews 1:3, where it is said that Christ has purged our sins by himself — where the l…

And he says further that he counted all things — even after his conversion — loss to him that he might be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness which is of the law (Philippians 3:8). Again, Hebrews 1:3: Christ washed away our sins by himself — which last words exclud…

A king has many servants, but not every servant, only the chief of the nobility stand before him; so they are not angels of the meanest order and rank in Heaven, that are ordered to attend the lowest Christian. The Apostle makes no doubt of this (Hebrews 1:14): are they not all…

Sin, as to its condemning power, has no place in this state (Romans 8:1). All the sins of them that believe are expiated or done away, as to the guilt of them in the blood of Christ (Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 1:7). This branch of the dominion of Sin, which consists in its condemning p…

It is natural and reasonable to suppose, that the whole world should finally be given to Christ, as one whose right it is to reign, as the proper heir of him, who is originally the King of all nations, and the Possessor of heaven and earth. And the Scripture teaches us, that God…

Indeed, I greatly doubt whether they themselves understand what they would mean by archetypal theology. For our knowledge of God is not the express image of that infinite divine knowledge (which is proper to the Son alone as a partaker of the divine nature, Hebrews 1:3), so that…

On the other hand, held tightly by the consciousness of sin and by the sense of divine wrath and indignation, that is, of punitive justice, they were distracted by anxious care and various thoughts, and necessarily wavered to and fro in the greatest uncertainty. For if on the on…

By it "all who are born of God" are regenerated (1 Peter 1:23). And its author is holy, since He was none other than the most holy Son of God (Hebrews 1:1, 2; John 1:18). But what holiness is, and what is true or false, we cannot know unless taught by that word.

Concerning the various degrees and progress of supernatural revelation, or the new theology, we will speak briefly in the first place. The apostle alludes to all this doctrine in Hebrews 1:1. And since the primitive theology obtained degrees of corruption nearly equal to those,…

It is certain that some persons inserted several of these into the Greek text in those places where previously there was no trace of them, and from which they neither were nor could have been drawn. Let the words cited by the apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1:6) —…

For the accomplishment of this most holy and most wise work, the only-begotten Son of God, appointed from eternity and promised from the foundation of the world, was sent in the fullness of time. This the apostle teaches us expressly at Hebrews 1:1–2: "God," he says, "having spo…

All confess that we cannot be renewed into the image of Christ except through Christ. He is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4); the image of God (Colossians 1:15); the radiance of glory and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). The gospel, moreover, is the "image" of…

As namely that of (Isaiah 9:6): To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, of whose Kingdom and Government there shall be…

A second place is that of (Philippians 2:6), Who being in the form of God, thought it no robbery (he did God no wrong) to be equal with God, he made himself of no reputation; and took on him the form of a servant, etc. Therefore God also has highly exalted him and given him a na…

4. They are called His seed, in respect of the portion which they get from Him; the Apostle says, that parents provide for their children; it is indeed eminently so here, believers come under His care, oversight, and tutelage; and as a man provides for his household, his childre…

For he had that prayer (John 17:20, 24), and he continues to have that same sympathy; His way on earth was always sinless, but now is glorious and majestic, suited to his glorified state; He continues to intercede according as he intended; and his actual willingness is a main pa…

Isaiah 33:17. Your eyes shall see the King in his beauty. Hebrews 1:3. Christ is the brightness of his Father's glory. The light of the Sun in the air is the accidental reflection of the Sun's beams; Christ is the substantial reflection of the Father's light and glory; for he is…

We must enter into glory as Christ did; first he suffered shame and death, and now is exalted to sit at God's right hand. 2. Use of Comfort: Branch 1. Christ being so highly exalted, has ennobled our nature, he has crowned it with glory, and lifted it up above angels and archang…

If he would come to any, why not to the angels that fell? (Hebrews 2:16) He in no wise took upon him the nature of angels. The angels are of a more noble lineage, more intelligible creatures, more able for service; but behold the love of Christ, he came not to the fallen angels,…

Holiness is one of the precious stones which shines on the breastplate of our High Priest. 2. He is faithful (Hebrews 2:17). It behooved him to be like to his brothers, that he might be a faithful High Priest.

2. Creatures above us glorify God: the angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). They are still waiting on God's throne, and bring some revenues of glory into the exchequer of heaven: then surely man should be much more studious of God's glory than the angels, for God has h…

5. That God should take great numbers out of the Devil's family and adopt them into the family of Heaven. Christ is said to bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10). Men adopt usually but one heir, but God is resolved to increase his family, he brings many sons to glory.

As a nobleman is distinguished from another by his silver star; as a virtuous woman is distinguished from a harlot by her chastity; so holiness distinguishes between the two seeds. All that are of God, as they have Christ for their captain (Hebrews 2:10), so holiness is the whit…

Quest. 4. How does Faith make God to be our Father? Resp. As Faith is a uniting grace; by Faith we have coalition and union with Christ, and so the kindred comes in; being united to Christ the natural Son, we become adopted sons: God is the Father of Christ; Faith makes us Chris…

6. Be not only attentive in hearing, but retentive after hearing. Hebrews 2:1. We ought to give the more diligent heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip. [illegible], lest we let them run out as water out of a sieve.

Christ is the wonder of beauty (Psalm 45:2): Fairer than the children of men; is there anything in beauty to offend? Christ is a mirror of mercy (Hebrews 2:17); why should mercy offend any? Christ is a Redeemer; why should a captive slave be offended at him who comes with a sum…

2. Christ's succor in temptation; as the good Samaritan first had compassion on the wounded man, there was sympathy, then he poured in wine and oil, there was succor (Luke 10:34). So when we are wounded by the Red Dragon, Christ is first touched with compassion, and then he pour…

It remains therefore, that we consider, (1.) how this is revealed and affirmed in the Scripture: and (2.) what is the true meaning of the expressions and propositions wherein it is revealed and affirmed; for in them, as in sundry others, we affirm, that the satisfaction pleaded…

And this also is the substance of what we believe in this matter; namely, that Christ is God, manifest in the flesh, which we acknowledge, own, and believe to be true, but a great mystery; yet no less great and sacred a truth notwithstanding. Hebrews 2:14. For as much then as th…

As, 1. That he offered himself a sacrifice to God, to make atonement for our sins, and that in his death and sufferings (Isaiah 53:10): "When you shall make his soul an offering for sin" (John 1:29): "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (Ephesians 5:2):…

For as if he had been a mere human person he could not have sustained the place of a surety for us, so except he had taken our human nature, he could not have done the work of a surety upon our account. Paul therefore puts a great deal of weight upon this consideration (Hebrews…

The principles of mutual, spiritual love among believers, arise from their relation to one Father (Matthew 23:9): "One is your Father which is in Heaven," who gives to all them that believe in Christ, power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). And their being all children of t…

Q. Why then is not the human nature in Christ a distinct person? A. Because it never had subsisting and being of itself, but in the person of the Son of God being assumed to it from the first moment of its being (Hebrews 2:16). Q. If both the human and divine nature be in Christ…

Q. Is Christ also a Priest? A. Yes, and is frequently so called (Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14, 15; 5:5, 6, 10; 8:1; 9:11). Q. Was he a Priest after the order of Aaron?

And as a son of consolation and child of light is enabled to comfort others the more by the comfort with which he himself has been comforted of God, so this Prince of Darkness is the more powerful to terrify weak consciences that are ensnared with the cords of their own sins, by…

We are a middle sort of creatures between them and beasts — beasts being merely corporeal, they merely spiritual, man between both. He made us 'a little inferior to the angels' (Hebrews 2), though but a little, yet inferior; and in respect of that inferiority we are exposed to t…

There is nothing more evident than that all true believers, and all those who upon their profession are presumed so to be, are in the New Testament styled Saints. For [in non-Latin alphabet] are the same with [in non-Latin alphabet] (Romans 1:7), [in non-Latin alphabet] (Hebrews…

This is frequently mentioned as an especial privilege and advantage of the Gospel-state (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 3:6; Chap. 4:16; Chap. 10:19, 35; 1 John 3:21; Chap. 4:17; Chap. 5:14). And on the contrary, the state under the Levitical Priesthood is described as a state of fear…

Yet this exaltation and glory of Christ in his humane nature is not only absolutely above, but also of another kind, than the utmost of what any other created being either has, or is capable of. It is more than any other creature is capable of, because it is founded in the union…

God is a God to him in all the Promises he received on the behalf of his mystical Body; and he was his Servant in the accomplishment of them, as the pleasure of the Lord was to prosper in his hand. God being in this Covenant a God and Father to Christ, he became by virtue thereo…

But the Lord Christ is the only [illegible], or propitiation under the New Testament (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). And he died, [illegible], to propitiate God for sin; to render him propitious to sinners (Hebrews 2:17). In him alone God is [illegible], merciful to our sins.

Hence the People was in a sense put in subjection to Angels, and they had an authoritative ministry in that Covenant. The Church that then was, was put into some kind of subjection to Angels, as the Apostle plainly intimates (Hebrews 2:5). Hence the worshipping or adoration of A…

(4) The external cause, by the application of all other causes to the souls and consciences of men, is Satan. His was the power of darkness, his the power of death over men in that state and condition; that is, to make application of the terror of it to their souls, as threatene…

But they have lost the understanding of their own tradition. This belonged to the bondage under which it was the will of God to keep that people, that they should dread death as an effect of the curse of the law, and the fruit of sin, which is taken away in Christ (Hebrews 2:14;…

(1) As that which the holiness of God required, and which therefore in his wisdom and grace he appointed. (2) As that which in itself was meet and becoming the righteousness of God (Hebrews 2:10). Nothing but the sacrifice of Christ, with the everlasting efficacy of his most pre…

This was wanting under the Old Testament, and therefore the faith of men might oft-times be greatly shaken about it. For whereas death seized on all men, and that penally in the execution of the sentence of the Law, from where they were for fear of it, obnoxious to bondage all t…

For to these two persons alone was the promise confirmed. And therefore is he said in one place to be the seed of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3), and in another, to have taken on him the seed of Abraham (Hebrews 2:16). Herein lay Abraham's peculiar interest in the spi…

(2) A refusal of all such ways of atonement, satisfaction, and reconciliation that might be offered from any thing, that all or any creatures could perform; sacrifice and offerings, and whole burnt-offerings for sin he would not have (Hebrews 10:5, 6), he rejected them as insuff…

And he does so to us, that is, not to us only who preach and teach those things, not to the Apostles and other Christian teachers of the Gospel; but to all of us of the Church of Israel, who acknowledge the truth of the Scriptures, and own them as the rule of our faith and obedi…

Moreover, it is from the aggravations that it is accompanied withal, from the nature of the thing itself, and the way whereby it is proposed to us. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3). We may look only on that which lies before us; namely, the inf…

He was to be the Priest himself, the Sacrificer himself, to dedicate, consecrate, and sanctify himself by his own sacrifice, in concurrence with the actings of God the Father in his suffering. See John 17:19; Hebrews 2:10; chapter 5, 7, 9; chapter 9, 11, 12. That precious blood…

For his sacrifice they suppose to be metaphorically only so called, consisting in the representation of himself to God in Heaven, after his obedience and suffering. Therefore they say that by the World which he came into, the World to come mentioned (Hebrews 2:5) is intended. Bu…

(2.) The promise was confirmed to him by an oath, which it had not been to any before. (3.) The promised seed was in it peculiarly confined to his family or posterity; See (Hebrews 2:17). (4.) His receiving of the promise was that which was the foundation of the church in his po…

But I must not too far digress. The command of God, the love and care of Christ towards his Church, the ends of God's patience and long-suffering, the future manifestation of his glory in the salvation of believers and the condemnation of those that are disobedient, the necessit…

And further whereas Christ beside our nature took our infirmities also, it is a wonderful comfort to God's church: for it shows, that he is not only a Savior, but also a very compassionate and pitiful Savior. As the Holy Ghost says, in all things it became Christ to be like to h…

I answer, partly by neglecting the offers of it, when you make God speak in vain (2 Corinthians 6:2). 'Tis a great affront we put upon God, to despise him, when he speaketh to us in the still voice, and all the woings and pleading of mercy do not move to look after our salvation…

Come on now, and see whether verse 22 makes any whit more for him: "He has put all things under his feet;" that is, says Zanchius, all things but the Church, which is his Body. But this must be meant in respect of the decree and foreknowledge of God, as Hierome expounds the plac…

What there is said of salvation in the whole, is here of that particular salvation of a separate soul. You have the like emphasis put (Hebrews 2:10) of bringing many sons to glory [it became him] says the text. Now put all together, and the result is:

For instance; in giving an account, why God in bringing many sons to glory, did choose to effect it by Christ's death, rather than any other way. It became him (says he) (Hebrews 2:10). For whom are all things, and by whom are all things, etc. And so in the point of the resurrec…

3. Christ has the government of them to this end for his Church. Angels are all put in subjection to him (Hebrews 2:7-8): In that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. He is exalted above all principality and power, God has put all things…

There are few believers but have found it so, at least in their own apprehensions; they have been ready to say at one time or another, we shall one day fall by the hand of this enemy; and have been forced to cry out to Jesus Christ for help and succour with no less vehemency tha…

They were to be dethroned or destroyed by an act of power. Both the Devil, and sin, which is his work, are to be destroyed not appeased (Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8). But the strength of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56), that is, through the righteous sentence of God, we were h…

For teleioun means to consecrate and to initiate; hence among the ancients, baptism also is called teleiosis (consecration). The Septuagint employs the word for consecration or dedication (Exodus 29, "to fill the hands of them," verses 33 and 35); nor does the term appear to be…

These things he says in his own manner, splendidly, elegantly, and magnificently. IX. But since the paths to true happiness were thoroughly unknown, although they ranked the good far above the wicked, yet they assigned to the best an uncertain and almost wretched condition in th…

Theology corrupted by degrees, restored by degrees — Theology in the abstract, divine doctrine — The degrees of revelations — The origin of supernatural theology — The first degree in the promise of the seed of the woman — In that promise a new covenant given, entered into, and…

By the Syriac paraphrast, however, the name is taken two or three times in a good sense for the priests of God. And in the Epistle to the Heb. 2:17, Christ Himself is called by that name. Most scholars think the priests of Baal were called by this name from the black or dark gar…

For exposing the nature, guilt, and baseness of sin in the inmost recesses of the soul, and moreover recalling to the sinner's mind the multitude of sins of which he himself is conscious, and the innumerable circumstances of sins that accumulate guilt, He denounces upon him the…

It behooved him to be like to his brothers, that he might be a faithful High Priest. Moses was faithful as a servant, Christ as a Son (Hebrews 3:5); he does not forget any cause he has to plead, nor does he use any deceit in pleading. An ordinary attorney may either leave out so…

The venom of hypocrisy is in danger of breaking forth into the plague-sore of scandal. Thirdly, Beware of a vile heart of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12). Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, departing from the living God.

2. To worship God by an image, is both absurd and unlawful. 1. It is absurd and irrational; for first, the workman is better than the work (Hebrews 3:3). He who builds the house, has more honor than the house; if the workman be better than the work, and none bows to the workman,…

So prayer cannot see God's face, unless it bring its brother faith with it. What is said of Israel, They could not enter in because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19), is as true of prayer, it cannot enter into Heaven because of unbelief. This makes prayer often suffer shipwreck, becaus…

Faith in itself considered, is but manus mendica, the beggar's hand: but as this hand receives the rich alms of Christ's merits, so it is precious, and does challenge a superiority over the rest of the graces. Use 1. First Branch. Of all sins beware of the rock of unbelief (Hebr…

Response 1. For want of a supernatural principle of grace: That branch must needs die which has no root to grow upon: That which moves from a principle of life lasts; as the beating of the pulse; but that which moves only from an artificial spring; when the spring is down the mo…

2. Take heed of unbelief. Unbelief kept Israel out of Canaan; (Hebrews 3:19) So we see they could not enter in because of unbelief; and it keeps many out of heaven. Unbelief is an enemy to salvation, it is a damning sin, it whispers thus, to what purpose is all this pains for th…

2. More particularly, we pray to be delivered, First, from the evil of our own heart; it is called an evil heart (Hebrews 3:12). Secondly, from the evil of Satan; he is called, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the Evil One (Matthew 13:19).

First, The words are a plain illustration of the divine nature of the Word, by his divine power and works, as the very series of them declares. He was God, and he made all things; for he that made all things is God (Hebrews 3:4). Secondly, There is no one word spoken concerning…

So (Isaiah 50:10) "Let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." And unbelief is called a departing from him (Hebrews 3:12). Faith also is expressed by the notion of embracing the promise, and so of the good that is brought in it (Hebrews 11:13): "they were pers…

Qu. 12. What is principally to be attended to by us in the manner of the celebration of the worship of God, and observation of the institutions and ordinances of the Gospel? Answ. That we observe and do all whatever the Lord Christ has commanded us to observe, in the way that he…

Qu. 18. Whereas sundry of these things are founded in the light and law of nature, as requisite to all solemn worship, and are moreover commanded in the moral law, and explications of it in the Old Testament; how do you look upon them as evangelical institutions to be observed p…

Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel? A society of persons, called out of the world, or their natural worldly state, by the administration of the Word and Spirit, to the obedience of the faith, or the knowledge and worship of God in Christ, joined together in an…

Question 2. By what means do we come to know that God will thus be worshipped? That God is to be worshipped, and that according to his own will and appointment, is a principal branch of the law of our creation, written in our hearts (Romans 1:21; Romans 2:14-15; Acts 15:16-17; A…

This therefore is first to be laid down, that the sole moral foundation of that Church-state which we enquire after, is laid in the Word, Law, and appointment of Christ. He alone has authority to erect such a society, he is the builder of this house, as well as the Lord over it…

Without which, well seated, and confirmed in the hearts and minds of Church members, no duty of their relation can ever be performed in a due manner. Secondly, this love is to exert and put forth itself in tender care and watchfulness for the good of each other; which are to wor…

Qu. 6. May not such an estate of faith and perfection in obedience be attained in this life, as wherein believers may be freed from all obligation to the observation of Gospel institutions? Answ. No! For the ordinances and institutions of the Gospel being inseparably annexed to…

And in the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ proposes his authority as the foundation of his commanding, and our observation of all the institutions of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18, 19, 20): Jesus came and spoke to them saying, all power is given me in heaven and earth, go you t…

Qu. 9. How do we in our observation, profess our subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospel? Answ. In that being all of them 1. Appointed by him as the head law-giver, King of his Church. And 2. Made by him the ensigns and tokens of his Kingdom, and subjects, in their du…

Q. How does the creation of the world shew that there is a God? A. Even as a fair and sumptuous building does shew that some body was the maker of it, so this great world does shew there was a maker of it which is God (Hebrews 3:4). Q. But why might not the world be without begi…

Fifthly, if faith be a substance of things hoped for, much more is it a substance to the believer: if it give those things a being which are out of him, much more does it give a permanent being unto the believer himself, strengthening him to stand and continue in all assaults. S…

3. What is the form of this spiritual house? Union: They which gladly received the word were baptized, and were added to the Church (and so were compacted into one spiritual house, whereof Jesus the Christ is Lord (Hebrews 3:6): but Christ as a Son over his own house, whose hous…

Now, was God so jealous of his glory under the Law, that he that sinned against that worship which God by Moses prescribed, he died without mercy? How much severer punishment are they worthy of, that sin against the Son's authority, seeing he is Lord of the spiritual house, whos…

Fourthly, there belongs to this perfection that [in non-Latin alphabet], that liberty and boldness which believers have in their approaches to God. This is frequently mentioned as an especial privilege and advantage of the Gospel-state (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 3:6; Chap. 4:16; C…

3. The third difference is, that the Law made [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], men to be High Priests; that is, those who were mere men and no more. And therefore notwithstanding the office and dignity which they were called and exalted to, they were all but servants in the House of…

3. All things in the New Covenant being proposed to us by the way of promise, it is faith alone whereby we may attain a participation of them. For faith only is the grace we ought to exercise, the duty we ought to perform, to render the promises of God effectual to us (Hebrews 3…

They were not to dwell in the land of Canaan merely for secular ends, and to make as it were a dumb show; but as they were there maintained and preserved to evidence the faithfulness of God in bringing forth the promised seed in the fulness of time; so there was to be a testimon…

He was the Lord from Heaven; who is in Heaven, who speaks from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:49; John 3:13). (2) All spiritual and eternal grace, mercy, blessings, whereof the souls of men are made partakers by the mediation and sacrifice of Christ, are heavenly things, and are const…

1. There is consanguinity; he is brother to Christ (Hebrews 3:11). Christ partakes of his flesh, and he partakes of Christ's Spirit.

From where note, that it is the condition of the people of God to be a called people; this is first in their description: see (Romans 1:6): Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ. So the Corinthians are said to be Saints by calling (1 Corinthians 1:2), and (Hebrews 3…

(3.) Holy excitation of grace by impressions of its power in the communication of the mind, will, love and grace of God to our souls, which is attended with (4.) an impression on the affections, renewing and making them more holy and heavenly continually; with (5.) direction and…

Secondly, this generation was generally a generation of believers; for it was they that were to enter into the land within a while after; for they were forty years in the Wilderness, & this Covenant, was made in the last month save one of the last of those forty years (Deuterono…

This a ruling Elder ought to do by virtue of his calling, and with authority (1 Thessalonians 5:12). Private Christians ought in charity to instruct the ignorant (John 4:29; Acts 18:26), to exhort the negligent (Hebrews 3:15 & 10:24, 25), to comfort the afflicted (1 Thessalonian…

When the truth is once revealed, if men do not then receive it, God endures it not. (Hebrews 3:13) Today if you will hear my voice, harden not your hearts. God will not stay longer than this day.

Yes, further, this land, it was a typical land of the Church, and a typical land of heaven, for so the Apostle speaking of that place in the Psalms, that he swore in his wrath, that they should not enter in his rest. The Apostle in (Hebrews 3:7) seems to apply it to the rest of…

Furthermore: that this most holy author of our theology communicated to His disciples — who were to propagate His doctrine to all nations — that entire counsel of God, the knowledge of which He had most perfectly obtained, partly by His living voice and partly through the Spirit…

The Sacraments also has he given, not to be neglected, as most excellent pledges of his sure favor and mercy in Christ (Romans 4:11; 6:3, 4; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 11:23). The order of his Church set down in his word (Hebrews 3:2; 1 Chronicles 28:12, 19; 2 Chronicles 29:2…

It were good to fear while you have the Word, lest you miss the fruit of it. Compare to this purpose Hebrews 3, at the close, with Hebrews 4:1, and we will find this commended to us, So we see, says the Apostle, that they could not enter in because of unbelief, let us therefore…

As is implied in the word (Hebrews 4:1), where the Apostle, having spoken of many of the Israelites and their unbelief in the former chapter, says in the beginning of this: Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should seem to co…

This is a plain, and yet a most useful truth: For use of it. Behold here, and wonder at the way of grace, that not only gives a Mediator, but such a Mediator, who (as it is Hebrews 3) is faithful over the house of God: This is the very life of our consolation, that we have an ab…

The great ground that makes God expostulate with the hearers of the Gospel, and that makes them come under the complaint, (John 5:40) "You will not come to me that you may have life," and (Matthew 23:37) "How often would I have gathered you, and you would not;" and for substance…

2 The Scripture holds forth to our faith the power of God to graft in the Jews again in Christ (Romans 11:23), to make a weak believer stand (Romans 14:4), to keep the saints from falling, and to present them faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude 1:…

Indeed, to do these, brings in to himself more comfort and glory, than it procures to them. And therefore the Apostle in the beginning of the following chapter, (namely, Hebrews 3) says, that Christ is engaged to faithfulness in the execution of his office, not as a mere servant…

If any man see his brother sin a sin, he must observe him, else he cannot see him (Galatians 2:14). When I saw that they walked not uprightly, according to the truth of the Gospel, etc. he observed them and discerned their course, he turned not his eyes from beholding it, but he…

Though God has many sons by creation and adoption, yet Christ is his Son in a peculiar and proper way; by eternal generation, and communication of the same essence, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that Son, that beloved Son, so a Son as none else is the Son of God, properly so called.…

They that love God and delight in him, cannot be long out of his company, they will seek all occasions to meet with God; as Jonathan and David, whose souls were knit to each other. So for dependance and trust, it keeps up service, for they that will not trust God, cannot be long…

2. The matter of the words show his fitness for this office, for here you have. 1. His dignity; not a servant, but a Son (Hebrews 3:5-6). Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, but Christ as a son over his own house. Now the old prophecies foretold the union of…

That we may constantly persevere in the profession of the true faith, both in life and death, first we must receive the Gospel simply for itself, because it is the Gospel of Christ, and not for any other byrespect. Secondly, we must be mortified, and renewed in the spirit of our…

And mark how preaching, and baptizing are joined together: and things which God has joined, no man may separate. Again, he that must perform any part of the public ministry, must have a calling (Romans 10:14; Hebrews 3:5), but mere private persons have no calling to this busines…

For this is the time which God has appointed for these duties: this is the day of grace, and therefore the onely fit time. Heb 3:7. Psal 32:6.

Then shall they join together in consort, then shall the loud anthems of praise be sung in the heavenly choir. 6. The sixth thing in Glory is a blessed rest (Hebrews 4:9). There remains a rest, Foelix transitus a labore ad requiem, here we can have no rest, tossed and turned as…

Our High Priest has all the names and wants of his people written upon his breastplate: are you tempted? Though Christ be in glory he knows how to pity and help you (Hebrews 4:15): We have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmity. Do you mourn f…

As Christ laid down his life freely (John 10:15, 18), so he intercedes freely. 2. Feelingly; He is sensible of our condition as his own (Hebrews 4:15): We have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmity. As a tender-hearted mother would plead wit…

I come next to answer some objections of the Arminians. 1. The first objection of the Arminians is, if a believer shall persevere in grace, then to what purpose are all those admonitions in Scripture, Let him take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12), and (Hebrews 4:1): Let u…

God spoke all these words. Unbelief enervates the virtue of God's word, and makes it prove abortive (Hebrews 4:2). The word did not profit, not being mixed with faith.

When Adam had lost his holiness, he lost his confidence; he hid himself. But the holy person goes to God as a child to his father, his conscience does not upbraid him with allowing any sin, therefore he can go boldly to the throne of grace, and have mercy to help in time of need…

3. We learn God's glory and majesty: He is in Heaven, therefore he is covered with light, (Psalm 104:2) clothed with honor, (Psalm 104:1) and is as far above all worldly princes as Heaven is above Earth. 4. We learn from God's being in Heaven, his Omniscience: All things are nak…

5. Mingle the word preached with faith. Hebrews 4:2. The word preached profited not, not being mixed with faith. If you leave out the chief ingredient in a medicine, it hinders the operation: do not leave out this ingredient of faith.

Nobis compatitur Christus. (Hebrews 4:15) We have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Jesus Christ does [illegible], sympathize with us, he is so sensible of our temptations, as if he himself lay under them, and did feel them in his own s…

And the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship, consisteth in its relation to God by Jesus Christ, as the merciful high-Priest over his house, with the glorious administration of the spirit therein. The order also of it lies in the due and regular observation of all that Christ…

As when an office, with the power of it, is constituted and limited by the law of the land, there is no more required to invest any man in that office, or to give him that power, than the due observance of the means and way prescribed in the law to that end. The way then, whereb…

(3) Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:5. (4) Revelation 8:3, 4; Hebrews 4:14, 15, 16; Chap. 6:20; Chap. 10:20, 21, 22. (5) John 14:13; Chap. 15:16, 22, 26; Ephesians 3:14, 15.

Qu. 8. How many we sanctify the name of God in the use of Gospel institutions? Answ. 1. By a holy reverence of his sovereign authority appointing of them. 2. A holy regard to his special presence in them. 3. Faith in his promises annexed to them. 4. Delight in his will, wisdom,…

And such impressions of immediate wrath, as expressions and effects of God's anger, the Holy Ghost may make upon the spirit of his child: for it is a truth that God is angry and wroth with them when they sin, which anger he may make known not only by dumb signs in outward crosse…

As in like manner, that he can only by his wrath immediately make those deep and killing wounds and gashes with which men's souls are often here and hereafter eternally wounded (of which by way of caution also in the next chapter). Which two glorious and incommunicable attribute…

Here I must bring in the same caution I used in the former chapter — namely, that he works not these terrors by immediate impressions upon the conscience, which in that respect is subject to God's stroke alone, as to his knowledge alone. This, as I intimated, I take to be that o…

He will not overdrive them, for God has given him charge that he should lose none of them. Second, if his office did not move him to it, his love would, for he is a merciful and compassionate high priest (Hebrews 4:15). He was in all points tempted as we are — and especially in…

We may likewise observe how he did place this temptation in the forefront of those three assaults which he made upon Christ, who as in his obedience so in his temptations is made a complete example to us. For he was tempted in all things — that is, with all sorts of temptations…

The sixth effect of their faith, is in these words: Escaped the edge of the sword. The words in the original, are thus: Escaped the mouth of the sword: which is the Hebrew phrase in the old Testament, and here followed by the Penman of this Epistle; and before, where he calleth…

Hence it is (my Honoured friend) First, that in all my writings, I have studied to exalt Jesus the Christ, it being the Primitive Faith once given to the Saints (Matthew 16:16). Secondly, to distinguish Jesus the Christ from all others named with the name of Jesus in Scripture R…

And sundry things must be observed concerning it. 1. That the Apostle changeth his phrase of speech into the first person, we are sanctified, that is, all those believers whereof the Gospel church-state was constituted, in opposition to the church-state of the Hebrews and those…

And Chrysost. inclines to that notion of the word. But [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] is used in all good Authors, for not only to find, but to obtain by our endeavors; so do we render it, and so we ought to do (Romans 4:1; Hebrews 4:16). He obtained effectually eternal Redemption by…

When we apply ourselves to Christ to seek for aid for the subduing and destruction of our spiritual adversaries, by his ruling power, that mighty power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself, we consider him on the Throne of Majesty in the full possession of all powe…

This expression is sometimes used absolutely for the original of the world in its creation; for the absolute beginning of time and all things measured by it (Ephesians 1:4; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 1 Peter 1:20). Sometimes from what immediately succeeded on that beginning (Mat…

But the inheriting of the promises here intended, is a real participation of the grace and mercy proposed in them with eternal glory. This they all received, being saved by faith even as we (Acts 15:10, 11; Hebrews 4:2). Concerning these persons he proposes to them the way that…

2. With affiance in his mediation. And therein faith has respect to two things, (1.) the sacrifice he has offered, the atonement and reconciliation he has made for us, whereon our whole liberty of access to God does depend (Chap. 10:19, 20, 21, 22); (2.) to his intercession wher…

But I must not too far digress. The command of God, the love and care of Christ towards his Church, the ends of God's patience and long-suffering, the future manifestation of his glory in the salvation of believers and the condemnation of those that are disobedient, the necessit…

This the Apostle does so plainly and positively declare, Chap. 10. 19, 20, 21, 22. that I somewhat admire so many worthy and learned expositors should utterly miss of his meaning in this place. The Holies then is the gracious presence of God, whereunto believers draw nigh, in th…

And when Saul was going to persecute them in Damascus and elsewhere that called on the name of Christ, he cried from heaven, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me (Acts 9:4)? And this is a notable comfort to God's church and people, that they have a [reconstructed: high priest] wh…

'Tis just with God to give you that are troubled [illegible], rest (2 Thessalonians 1:7). And there is a rest that remaineth for the children of God (Hebrews 4:9), there we rest both from our sorrows and our labours; there is no trouble nor affliction more; all privileges are at…

Season 5. The fifth season to exert this diligence in keeping the heart is the time of straits and pressing outward wants. Although at such times we should complain to God, and not of God (the throne of grace being erected for a time of need — Hebrews 4:16), yet when the waters…

1. Tremble to rest in beginnings, in ineffectual work; in some tastes and stirrings, enlightnings and meltings, and pangs of sudden joy in hearing the word of faith: as the stony ground (in our text) without making thorough work (Hebrews 4:1). Do not rest in slight work, in some…

Naturally all men rest somewhere else, namely in themselves, in the world, in their carnal contentments and hopes, in their own righteousness. Therefore the believer has changed his rest: his rest is now upon God in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 4:3). For we, which have believed do ente…

Oh! To think, there are many believers that shall never be saved — with what fear and care should it fill us? Hebrews 4:1: Let us fear therefore, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. It is not every running, every be…

For if you respect the literal name, there were many others that were called Jesus, as well as He, at the hearing of whose names, the grossest idolatry is oftentimes committed, by capping, and bowing, before they know what Jesus is intended and spoken of. For the Apocrypha menti…

She neither expected, nor desired it from him; but so full of tender pity was the Lord towards her, that he prevents her with unexpected consolation: her heart was nothing so full of compassion for her Son, as Christ was for her. He bore our infirmities, even natural as well as…

1. His knowledge (Job 34:21). For, his eyes are upon all the ways of man, and he sees all his goings. Hebrews 4:13. All things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 2. His Providence,

On these and the like occasions it is required, that we make especial, fervent application to the Lord Christ, for such supplies of grace as may be sufficient and efficacious to control the power of sin in them all. This under the consideration of his office and authority to thi…

But if men can on any hopes, or presumptions, or resolutions preserve a kind of peace in their minds, while they live in any known sin; they are nigh the borders of that security, which is the territory wherein sin does reign. Make continual applications to the Lord Christ in al…

First, common knowledge is confused and generall; this is distinct, inward and particular: that is, the voyce of the Sonne of God, speaking in the Ministry to all, may breed a knowledge of truths in men; yet they apply them not to their hearts, and the turnings of them. The Word…

For the gospel itself is the truth according to godliness, as the apostle testifies in the letter to Titus (Titus 1:1). And it is likewise most efficacious; since "the word of God is living and effectual" (Hebrews 4:12); "yes, it is the power of God for salvation to those who be…

For the Lord made heaven and earth in six days, but the seventh he rested. By that seventh day, he points out the Jews' Sabbath, the seventh from the creation, to the which day they were never precisely tied, because being the seventh, it carried a note of perfection, and so did…

It were good to fear while you have the Word, lest you miss the fruit of it. Compare to this purpose Hebrews 3, at the close, with Hebrews 4:1, and we will find this commended to us, So we see, says the Apostle, that they could not enter in because of unbelief, let us therefore…

I promised to name a few Scriptures that speak out some more condescending characters of faith. And first, I would think it a good token of faith, to have people feared for missing and falling short of the promises, which may be gathered from Hebrews 4:1. That stout confidence t…

But he was free of the other that implies corruption in the nature. He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin says the Apostle (Hebrews 4:15). 3. They distinguish infirmities, in these that are called natural and common to all men, as men, and these that are p…

The 4th use of it is, to commend the practice of this to the believer that has indeed fled to Jesus Christ; and to show the great privilege that they have who are such. The practice of it is, that believers should seek to be established and confirmed in the particular applicatio…

The 1st argument is drawn from this same assertion of the prophet, thus: if Christ's death be only a satisfaction for the sins of God's people, then it is not a satisfaction for the sins of all, but it's a satisfaction only for the sins of God's people, therefore not for all, fo…

There will not be only a fear lest he sin and come short in the suitable performance of such a duty, and lest he fall under wrath, but also fear and jealousy lest in his unbelief and selfishness he go wrong in the use making of Christ and of His sacrifice. As is implied in the w…

When the poor sinner says, I have nothing to pay, but there is a price in Christ's satisfaction offered in the Gospel, and the Judge says, admits it for the sinner that lays claim to it, as if the sinner had never sinned, or had actually paid the price himself. But 4. Look a lit…

2. Look to the performance of any duty, or mortification of any lust or idol, and faith is necessary to that (1 John 5:5); it is by faith we obtain victory over the world; it was by faith (Hebrews 11) that all the worthies spoken of there, wrought righteousness, etc. 3. When any…

Here let me speak to two things: 1. That we should be grounded in the knowledge of fundamentals. 2. That this grounding is the best way to settling. 1. That we should be grounded in the knowledge of fundamentals: the Apostle speaks of the first principles of the oracles of God (…

It was a sorrow guided with reason, not disturbed with passion. 4. Fear (Hebrews 5:7). He was heard in that he feared.

But Christ only can intercede for us Ex Officio. God has consecrated him a high priest (Hebrews 5:6). You are a priest forever.

Obey and I will be your God. My Spirit shall be your guide, sanctifier and comforter (Hebrews 5:9). Christ became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him.

Question: When are we fitted for deliverance? Answer: When we are by our afflictions conformed to Christ: namely, when we have learned obedience (Hebrews 5:8): He learned obedience by the things which he suffered: that is, he learned sweet submission to his Father's will (Luke 2…

Those who exercise in the ministerial function must have a lawful call. Hebrews 5:4: No man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called of God. Christ gave not only the Apostles and Prophets a call to their office (who were extraordinary ministers), but even pastors and te…

These feed themselves, and starve the flock: either through non-residing they do not preach, or through insufficiency they cannot. There are many in the ministry (a shame to speak it) so ignorant, that they had need to be taught the first principles of the Oracles of God (Hebrew…

Hot coals were to be put to the incense to make it odoriferous and fragrant; fervency of affection is like coals put to the incense, it makes prayer ascend as a sweet perfume. Christ prayed with strong cries (Hebrews 5:7). Clamor iste penetrat nubes. Luther.

And the phrase of bearing sin, of bearing iniquity, is constantly used for the undergoing of the punishment due to sin. (2.) It had the end of a proper sacrifice; it made expiation of sin, propitiation and atonement for sin with reconciliation with God, and so took away that enm…

1. What was done by God the Father in order to the bringing of it about, and that was, he made a proposal of the work to him, and exhibited before him a promise of this reward on the condition of his performance of it; those are the words of the Father (Isaiah 53:13), when he sh…

Q. But is it not a shame for persons of years to be catechized? A. It is a shame, and justly reprovable as a sin, when persons grown to years are so ignorant as to have need to be catechized (Hebrews 5:12, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:34). Q. But how if they be not willing to be catechi…

Q. Who gave Christ a commission or calling to the office of a Mediator? A. As no man can lawfully intrude himself into any office without a lawful calling, no more did Christ intrude himself into the office of a Mediator, but was lawfully called and authorized thereunto by the F…

Q. How else? A. Aaron and his successors being sinners, had need to offer sacrifice first for their own sins, and then for the people's: but Christ being altogether without sin, did offer sacrifice only for the people (Hebrews 5:3; 9:7; 7:26, 27). Q. Is there not some difference…

Q. Why may not men intrude themselves? A. No man must take this honor to himself to be an officer in the church, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Hebrews 5:4). Q. And why may not a man be called of God immediately?

So the apostle's buffetings (2 Corinthians 12) made him pray three times — that is, often. So Christ in Luke 22:44, being in agony, 'prayed more earnestly'; and being in fears he offered up 'strong cries' (Hebrews 5:7). So Heman by reason of his terrors was a man much in prayer:…

These things therefore are certain, and belong to faith in this matter. First, that he was a mere man, and no more but so; for (1.) every High Priest was to be taken from among men (Hebrews 5:1), so that the Son of God himself could not have been a Priest had he not assumed our…

We speak wisdom [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the mysteries of the Gospel wherein such persons discerned the wisdom of God. And so are they called (Hebrews 5:14). This our Savior prayed for in the behalf of his Church immediately before he procured it by his sacrifice (John 17:23…

These in general were his oblation and intercession: For although his intercession be continued in Heaven, yet was it begun on the earth; as his oblation was offered on the earth, but it is continued in Heaven, as to the perpetual exercise of it. The whole preparation to, and ac…

1. He sanctified or dedicated himself to God to be an Offering (John 17:19). 2. He accompanied it with Prayers and Supplications (Hebrews 5:7). 3. There was an Altar which sanctified the Offering, which bore it up in its Oblation, which was his own Divine Nature, as we shall see…

Herewith were all sacrifices to be kindled and burned, which from there were called [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] Firings. But this principally typified his prayers, when he offered himself to God through the Eternal Spirit, which he did with strong cries and supplications or interc…

For how shall he be tender, compassionate, careful towards the souls of others, who knows no reason why he should be so towards his own? The High Priest of old was such an one as could have compassion on the ignorant and them that are out of the way, for that he himself was enco…

2. As a Priest: He is a Priest, and as such to be looked to, and closed with (Hebrews 7:17, 21). The Priest's work was to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (Hebrews 5:1). Now Christ offered up himself (Hebrews 7:27).

Oh let us therefore learn to abase ourselves, and to carry about us contrite and bleeding hearts, and be confounded in ourselves for our sins past. The last point is the event of the prayer, which is to be heard, as the author of Hebrews says, Christ Jesus in the days of the fle…

Secondly, the next thing which I am to do is to give you some observations concerning growth in grace, they are these: 1. To discern growth, there is required some time, a total change which is far more sensible than growth, that may be in a instant, then a sinner, now a Saint;…

Objection 5. Hebrews 5:12: God's word is of two sorts — milk and strong meat. By milk we must understand the word of God written, wherein God speaks plainly to the capacity of the rudest; but strong meat is unwritten traditions, a doctrine not to be delivered to all but to those…

When the hour of his danger and death drew near, he went into the garden, separated from the disciples, and there wrestled mightily with God in prayer, even to an agony. In reference to which the apostle says (Hebrews 5:7): 'Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up p…

And if they prevail on themselves to it, it will bring in its own evidence of their freedom. Some, it may be, will say, that indeed they are unskilful in this word of righteousness, as some are (Hebrews 5:13). They know not how to make use of Christ crucified to this end; nor, h…

God gives the Spirit not by measure to him, that every one that is his might receive according to the measure of the gift of Christ. This therefore was the great blessing he prayed for in that wonderful prayer, that he uttered for his disciples and all his future Church, the eve…

But since neither that corrupted natural theology was corrupted all at once, nor this new theology which we are undertaking was restored all at once and in a single act, but both underwent corruption and attained perfection gradually and in many stages, I have judged it necessar…

The doctrine has been written "plainly," so that "he who reads it may run" (Habakkuk 2:2). God has given His word — "precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, a little here, a little there" (Isaiah 28:10; Hebrews 5:13, 14). These propositions, t…

In the whole body of the Law jointly considered, two things are commanded: knowledge and practice (Colossians 1:10). Concerning the first, is commanded the true knowledge of good and evil, which is for the age of every man (Colossians 1:9-10; Philippians 1:9; Hebrews 5:14; Luke…

2 Timothy 3:15. That you have learned the holy Scriptures of a child, which are able to make you wise to salvation, which is in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 5:12. For you, which for a time ought to be better learned, have need to be taught again, what are the principles of the word of…

(though he was God as well as man) how will this be gotten borne? This looks as if death would get the victory; thus it's said Hebrews 5:7, In the days of his flesh he offered up strong cries and supplications with tears, and was heard in that which he feared, he put up strong c…

1. It did consist (as we hinted before) in the Godhead's suspending its comfortable influence for a time from the human nature; Though our Lord had no culpable anxiety, yet He had a sinless fear, considering Him as man; and that the infinite God was angry, and executing angrily…

Even such a High Priest as sinners had need of: there has been much spoken of one part of his priesthood, to wit, his sacrifice, and offering up of himself, in the former verses of this chapter; now before the Prophet closes, he gives a hint of the other part of his priestly off…

Nor is it true, that Gospel-grace and liberty entitles the saints now to such wantonness of peace, as that persons fully assured of deliverance from the curse of the law, are never to be troubled for sins committed in the state of free justification; nor are they any more to mou…

Answer: All these prove this place will prove only, we are to pray for magistrates under whom we have peace, and the Gospel, not for believers, and so not for all Adam's sons; as the next words, page 59, prove. Object 13. Here is a ground to preach the Gospel to all men, to ever…

As (you know) when a general comes home there is usually great observing how the king takes his service as performed according to commission. Christ as a surety undertook for sinners fully to conquer all our enemies, and God bade him look that he did it perfectly or never see hi…

Not but that his death was a perfect oblation — it was perfect for an oblation, to which as such nothing can be added. There needed no more, nor any other price to be paid for us; by that one offering he perfects us forever (Hebrews 10:14) and became himself perfect thereby (Heb…

And therefore the Apostle (in the text) when he speaks of this our High-Priest's being entered into heaven, he makes mention of a throne of grace, and this in answer to that in the type both of the High-Priest of old, and of the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies. And further to c…

1. Negatively: It is certain that this affection of sympathy or fellow-feeling in Christ is not in all things such a kind of affection as was in him in the days of his flesh. Which is clear, by what the Apostle speaks of him and of his affections then (Hebrews 5:7), Who in the d…

Believe that you shall receive, and you shall receive it; meaning, so far as you have commended your petitions to God, in the name of Christ, with subjection to the will of your heavenly Father; believe it, that God has respect to your poor estate, and he will do for you what yo…

Christ is so a Prophet, that he is also a sovereign; and does not only give us counsel and direction, but a law, which we are to observe under the highest penalties. If the Gospel were an arbitrary direction, which we might observe or not observe, without any great danger to our…

We meet with him in this solitary duty sometimes in the day, sometimes in the night, sometimes all night; in a garden, in a mountain, he took all opportunities to go to his Father. All the days of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears (He…

Again, I answer, that an error in action, presupposes an error in mind, or at the least, some ignorance: because the mind is the beginning of the thing done. Thus all sinners, are called ignorant persons (Hebrews 5:2). And it seems that the error of Peter was, that of two evils,…

If we compare person and person: but it is otherwise, if we compare bodie with bodie, and compare the Christian church, with the Church of the Iewes before Christ: then we exceede them and they are but children to vs. This must teach vs all, to be carefull to increase in knowled…

Secondly, those that have received a greater portion of the Spirit, and a greater measure of spiritual graces, of whom Paul speaks (1 Corinthians 14:37): If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual — Of the latter, the words are to be understood: and by them he meant t…

But the answer to this is easy, for the question is not here touching God's eternal election, whereby we are adopted for his children, but only of the establishing and consecration of Christ ordained to this office, that we should not think he intruded himself into it at random.…

Because the purgation wherewith we are cleansed, that is, the death of Christ, was ratified and approved in regard of his intercession towards the Father, it was necessary this should be added. For as in the Old Testament, the high priest, who never entered without blood, made p…

Our Prophet has conjoined these two manners of teaching together, namely, both the inward, and the outward. For he calls those the children of the Church, who are taught of the Lord: if they be children, then have they been conceived in her womb, and nursed up in her lap, first…

3. Such as are not settled in the faith, can never suffer for it: skeptics in religion will hardly ever prove martyrs; they that are not settled do hang in aequilibrio, in suspense; when they think of the joys of heaven, then they will espouse the Gospel; but when they think of…

Second Benefit: If we are adopted, then we have an interest in all the promises: the promises are children's bread. Believers are heirs of the promise (Hebrews 6:17). The promises are sure; God's truth which is the brightest pearl in his crown is laid to pawn in a promise.

Faith sets love to work (Galatians 5:6): faith which works by love; believing the mercy and merit of Christ causes a flame of love to ascend. Faith sets patience to work (Hebrews 6:12): be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Faith believes the…

1. In rewarding the virtuous; (Psalm 58:11) Doubtless there is a reward for the righteous. The Saints shall not serve him for nothing, he will reward praeces & lachrymas, [illegible], though they may be losers for him, they shall not be losers by him, (Hebrews 6:10) God is not u…

There is as much difference between spiritual joys and earthly, as between a banquet that is eaten, and one that is painted on the wall. 6. These are stronger joys than worldly (Hebrews 6:18). Strong consolation.

His exhorting them was not in the least to question their abiding in him, but to awaken their diligence, and make them pray the harder that they might abide in him. 2. The second objection is (Hebrews 6:4): it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of…

Abel by faith offered up [illegible], a better sacrifice than Cain (Hebrews 11:4). Faith is a vital principle, without it all our services are Opera Mortua, dead works (Hebrews 6:1). Faith does meliorate and sweeten our obedience, and make it come off with a better relish.

Swear not at all; that is, rashly and sinfully, so as to take God's name in vain; not but that in some cases it is lawful to take an oath before a magistrate (Deuteronomy 6:13). You shall fear the Lord your God, and serve him, and swear by his name (Hebrews 6:16). An oath for co…

11. The evil tongue is the swearing tongue (Matthew 5:34). Swear not at all. The Scripture allows an oath for the ending of a controversy, and to clear the truth (Hebrews 6:16). But in ordinary discourse to use an oath, and so to take God's name in vain, is sinful. Swearing may…

1. The bodies of believers shall be raised up to glory. The doctrine of the resurrection is a fundamental article of our faith; the Apostle puts it among the principles of the doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:2). The body shall rise again; we are not so sure to rise out of our beds…

God's truth is one of the richest jewels of his crown, and he has pawned this jewel in a promise; (2 Samuel 23:5) Although my house be not so with God, yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. Although my house be not so] That is, though…

If God sees it is good for them to have more of the world they shall have it; God will not let them want any good thing. 13. If God be our Father all the promises of the Bible belong to us: God's children are called heirs of the promise; (Hebrews 6:17). A wicked man can lay clai…

And that which may increase our lamentation is, that not only man's blood is shed among us, but Christ's blood. Such as are profane flagitious sinners are said to crucify the Son of God afresh (Hebrews 6:6). (1.) They swear by his blood, and so do as it were make his wounds blee…

Fourthly, in this we resemble God, to be doing good to others. 'Tis our excellence to be like God. Godliness is God-likeness. And in what are we more like him than in acts of bounty and munificence? Psalm 119:68. You are good, and do good. You are good, there is God's essential…

The apostate (says Tertullian) seems to put God and Satan in the balance, and having weighed both their services, prefers the devil's services, and proclaims him to be the best master. In which respect the apostate is said to put Christ to open shame (Hebrews 6:6). This dyes a s…

16. If you would not fall short of the Kingdom of Heaven, take heed of falling off; beware of apostasy; he misses of the prize who does not hold out in the race; he who makes shipwreck of the faith cannot come to the haven of glory. We live in the fall of the leaf; men fall from…

7th Counterfeit. A man may have the Spirit, yet not be a New Creature. The apostle supposes a case, that one might be made partaker of the Holy Ghost, yet fall away (Hebrews 6:4). A man may have some slight transient work of the Spirit, but it does not go to the root; he may hav…

USE 3. For everlasting consolation to all such as have truly laid hold upon the righteousness of Christ by faith in him; for such as have fled from the law to the Gospel, have utterly renounced themselves, and repaired to Jesus Christ; who having found themselves to be guilty co…

Q. How must officers be put into their places? A. All of them by solemn prayer to God, and with imposition of hands upon elders and deacons, and in the ordaining of elders with fasting also (Acts 6:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22; Hebrews 6:2; Acts 14:26).

Q. What follows after the Resurrection? A. The eternal judgement (Hebrews 6:2; 9:27). Q. When will the day of judgement be?

Thus he worked upon the stony ground, and in the Jews by John's ministry (John 5:35), which light and taste and revelation of this conditional offer, tending in a way to salvation by alluring their hearts to seek it, they often, through Satan's abuse of this good work and the se…

And Satan deceives with both: as the one sort of profane men to flatter themselves to be in a good condition when they are not, so the other of weak and tender consciences that they are not in a good estate when they are. And in like manner, places of Scripture misunderstood do…

Sometimes from a passage of Scripture misunderstood and misapplied: some who are annoyed with blasphemous thoughts against God and Christ and his Spirit — thoughts which are their greatest affliction — have thought they have sinned against the Holy Spirit, misapplying Matthew 12…

God remembers them to have mercy on you; why should you not remember them to comfort you? Therefore in Hebrews 6:9-10: 'We hope better things of you, for God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love, to reward you.' And therefore he calls upon them likewise in Hebrews 10:…

Now what is the purpose and use of a tower in a city but that when all outworks are taken, the walls scaled, all fortifications forsaken and houses left, then a tower holds out last and is a refuge to flee to? So also when the devil and God's wrath beleaguer you on all sides and…

When God renewed the promise of it to Abraham, he is said to make a Covenant with him, and he did so, but it was with respect to other things, especially the proceeding of the promised Seed from his loins. But absolutely under the Old Testament, it consisted only in a promise, a…

3. The Apostle had before at large declared who and what was God's Surety in this matter of the Covenant, and how impossible it was that he should have any other: And this was himself alone interposing himself by his Oath. For in this cause, because he had none greater to swear…

For it does not become the greatness and goodness of God to call his own people to sufferings for his Name, and to his glory, and therein the loss of their lives many times, with all enjoyments here below; and not propose to them, nor provide for them, that which shall be infini…

As also a transition is made to that which now lay in his eye, namely, the full demonstration of the power and efficacy of faith to make us accepted with God, and to carry us through in the course of our greatest trials and temptations with success and victory. The application h…

This he singles out as the greatest privilege and honor of Abraham, as it was indeed the foundation of all the other mercies which he enjoyed, or advantages that he was entrusted withal. The nature of this promise, with the solemn manner of its giving to Abraham, and the benefit…

And those good works, (as they seem to be) when searched into, are but dead works, though seemingly never so full of life; and hence they are all as rotten, and unsound things. (Hebrews 6:1) We read of dead works: and indeed all a man's works are such, until he come to a true fa…

Consider what knowledge of Christ you have, is it more than may be obtained by common industry, without a supernatural work of the Spirit of God? It is true; you may have great enlightenings, and yet fall short of Christ: such as hardly fall short of a miracle (Hebrews 6:5, 6).…

A gracious soul has sweet intercourse with heaven; he goes to God by prayer, and God comes to him by his Spirit; How happy is that person who has the angels to guard him, and God to keep him company! 3. A righteous man has more excellent promises belong to him; what a sinner has…

It is a common work, good in its self, which God ordaineth in some to be a preparation and beginning of the work of grace. Of this the Apostle speaketh (Hebrews 6:4, 5), where he calleth it an enlightening, a taste of Christ and of the powers of the world to come, and a partakin…

Many apostates have had many meltings and much sudden strong joy: so had those stony ground hearers, but it amounted not to saving faith. They had some slight knowledge of Christ, their affections were stirred, their understandings were gilded over with a common kind of supernat…

3. Hence it will follow, that the spirits of good men have sufficient grounds to bear up in their innocent sufferings and storms in the world. Innocent sufferings: there is a righteous governor, who orders all, and will reward them for their pains, as well as their service (Hebr…

When the savour of Christ's knowledge is made manifest, not receiving it, you reject it, and it brings a curse. (Hebrews 6:7-8) The earth which drinks in the rain which comes oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for him by whom it is dressed, receives a blessing of God; but…

Oh! my Brethren, what a shame is this? So far as you are able to be guilty of shaming even God Himself and Jesus Christ; therefore in (Hebrews 6:6) Apostates are said, to put Jesus Christ to open shame. And an Apostate that leaves the waies of God and separates himself to his lu…

Whereunto is immediately subjoyned that Doctrine concerning Deacons, which will scarcely be thought to be exege[illegible]cal of Act. 6. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]—And [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. What the Writer of this passage intended to make of a Bishop, well I know not, bu…

He illuminates their minds especially with the light of the gospel. Hence they are called enlightened (Hebrews 6:4). That is, by some special gift He sharpens their understanding and imparts to it a peculiar keenness for understanding the will of God as revealed in the Scripture…

So showing the only lawful use of it, is to end controversies, which otherwise cannot conveniently be ended, for each contender without the Lot, is too mighty to yield. First, because as it is meant of an oath (Hebrews 6:16), when he says, for men verily swear by him that is gre…

The end is, to make known a very weighty truth, which cannot by any other means be so conveniently known. And this is to swear for a just cause (Jeremiah 4:2; Hebrews 6:16). Here again is forbidden rash and common oaths, not taken up for such a cause (Ecclesiastes 9:4; Matthew 5…

1. You would not take up our meaning in it so, as if we made every common work that lively means may have on the hearers of the Gospel, to be conversion; the preaching of the Word will sometimes make folks tremble, as we see in Felix, and will waken convictions and terrors in th…

But that he might come under the curse, in the several degrees of it, for the satisfying of justice for our sins; and see in every piece of Christ's suffering a reality of the grace and love of God; a reality in the covenant and bargain of redemption; a reality in Christ's satis…

The 4th use of it is, to commend the practice of this to the believer that has indeed fled to Jesus Christ; and to show the great privilege that they have who are such. The practice of it is, that believers should seek to be established and confirmed in the particular applicatio…

If this were seriously considered and laid to heart, O but folk would be humble, nothing would affect the soul more, and sting to the very heart, than to think that Christ suffered for me, through grace an elect and a believer, and that yet notwithstanding I should have so despi…

And suppose one should say, I cannot believe, it is as if such a man should say, I cannot, I dare not run to the City; or rather, though he had been feeble, yet he would have creeped, [reconstructed: crawled and limped] to it as he might: Even so here, in a word, a man should no…

1. From the nature of the Gospel, it's the Word of God, as really inviting to do that which it calls for, as if God were speaking from Heaven; it's the Word of God, and not the word of man, and has as real authority to call for obedience, as if God spoke it immediately from Heav…

Come and receive a Savior; and the act of faith is a gripping to that offer, a receiving and embracing of it, a being well content to take a free discharge through His blood. A third expression is, Philippians 3:12, where faith is set out as an apprehending of Christ, and Hebrew…

Does not this say, that there is need, that we should look well what fruit there is of His sufferings, that there may be more then if He had not suffered at all. 9. Consider the great weight that will be laid on this sin, of refusing to believe, and to satisfy Him in this, to wi…

Question: What are the qualifications of our Intercessor? Answer 1. He is holy (Hebrews 7:26). For such a High Priest became us, who is holy, undefiled, separate from sinners.

Resp. Christ may be considered, 1. As the Son of God, and so he was not made a curse. 2. As our pledge and surety (Hebrews 7:22), and so he was made a curse for us: this curse was not upon his Godhead, but upon his manhood. This curse was the wrath of God lying upon him.

The law would not favor us so far, but now God does so indulge us, that what we cannot do of ourselves, we may do by proxy. Jesus Christ is a surety of a better testament (Hebrews 7:22). We fall short in everything, but God looks upon us in our surety, and Christ having fulfille…

Spiritus est Vicarius Christi; The Spirit is Christ's vicar on earth, his proxy, his executor to see that all that Christ has purchased for the saints be made good: Christ has obtained an inheritance incorruptible for them, (1 Peter 1:4) and the Spirit of Christ is his executor…

The Spirit does carve and polish the vessels of mercy, and make them fit for glory. 2. Christ causes perseverance and carries on a saint till he comes to the heavenly Kingdom, vi orationis, by his intercession: Christ is an advocate as well as a surety; he prays that the saints…

There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. It was the office of a surety that he bare, and therefore he is so called (Hebrews 7:22). He was set up and anointed to that very business, that he might reconcile God and man again, whom the sin of ma…

Q. Was he a Priest after the order of Aaron? A. No, but after the order of Melchizedek (Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 7:11, 21). Q. How may that appear?

How came Christ to be liable to make satisfaction for our sins? Because he voluntarily became our Surety, and so was to pay the debt that we were in to God (Hebrews 7:22; Psalm 40:7).

Q. Whether must we pray to God directly and immediately, or through a Mediator? A. Only through the mediation of Jesus Christ (John 14:6 & 16:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25). Q. What are the parts of prayer?

Secondly, there is a public kind of blessing, which is done by the minister of God, in the name of God. And after this sort, Melchizedek blessed Abraham, as he returned from the slaughter of the Kings, Hebrews 7:1: and without all contradiction, (says the Author of this Epistle)…

A DESCRIPTION Of the Spirituall TEMPLE. The spiritual temple of the New Testament, the New Jerusalem which came down from heaven, the Bride prepared for the Lamb, the Lord Jesus the Christ (Revelation 21:2), may not be unfitly compared to the material temple of Jerusalem, in the…

And as for that other Text of the holy Scripture that does universally oppose it the heavenly Father gave me thus to interpret it: (1 John 2:22) Who is a liar, namely born of the evil one, who is a liar, and the father of lies, and abode not in the truth (John 8:14). But he that…

And the Apostle is far from allowing an absolute perpetual duration to the Law and its sacrifices, were they of what use soever, especially in this place where he is proving that they were not perpetual, nor had an efficacy to accomplish anything perfectly, which is the other si…

The other is promised (Jeremiah 31:31, 32, 33, 34; Chapter 32:40), which is the new gospel Covenant as before explained, mentioned (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24). And these two Covenants or Testaments are compared one with the other, and opposed one to another (2 Corinthians 3:6, 7…

For this would have rendered him every way unmeet for his whole work of mediation. See (Luke 1:35; Hebrews 7:26). He prepared him a Body consisting of flesh and blood, which might be offered as a real substantial sacrifice, and wherein he might suffer for sin, in his offering to…

The true believer knows something of this, of those strong holds, of those reasonings, of those high things, which exalt themselves (in the soul) against the knowledge of God, and the things of God: and he sees the more a need, a necessity of Christ, of going to, and closing wit…

The papists avouch Christ to be a priest of this order in a new respect, in that as Melchisedeck offered bread and wine, when Abraham came from the slaughter of the kings: so (say they) Christ in his last supper did offer his own body and blood under the forms of bread and wine.…

And this state of the professing Church in this world is unalterable, because it is the best state that the believing Church is capable of. For so the Apostle plainly proves, that hereby the believing Church is brought [in non-Latin alphabet], which it was not under the Law; tha…

Then his constant intercession, that's another ground, a copy of which we have in the 17 of John, where he says, Keep them through your Name, &c. and Keep them from the evil, &c. See (Hebrews 7:25): He is able to save to the uttermost those that come to God by him, for he liveth…

Reason 4. Hebrews 7:24-25: The Holy Spirit makes a difference between Christ the high priest of the New Testament and all Levitical priests in this: that they were many, one succeeding another, but he is only one, having an eternal priesthood which cannot pass from him to any ot…

Therefore to the effecting of the said work there is required an infinite power, which far exceeds the strength of any created nature. Again, Hebrews 7:24 says Christ has a priesthood which cannot pass from his person to any other. Whence it follows that neither his kingly nor h…

Abigail told David, that God would certainly bless him, because he fought the battles of the Lord (1 Samuel 25:28). And we know that Abraham was blessed, after he returned from the slaughter of the kings, with whom he had a just war (Hebrews 7:2). In these cases the not shedding…

Do we come to sacrifice Christ again, and to crucify the Son of God afresh? No, but we come to commemorate and celebrate the memory of Christ's death and sacrifice, who offered up himself once for all, as the Scripture often speaks (Hebrews 7:27; 9:25, 26, 28; 10:2, 10), wherein…

The second foundation of Mosaic Theology — The justification of the sinner before God is gratuitous — The defection of the Jewish church from it — Vain boasting about Abraham as father — The acknowledgment of natural misery rejected — The impious vow of dying Jews — The third fo…

1. In Christ's satisfaction for us there is an actual undertaking; he becomes guarantor and enters himself in our room; when all other things are cast aside — angels, men with their sacrifices, thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil, and the fruit of the body — then our L…

So, having shown how it comes to pass that Christ suffered and suffered so much, and was brought so low under suffering; and having told that he was engaged to pay the Elect's debt, and that the Father had laid their iniquities on him; lest any might think that the Father would…

1. The person that suffered — he was not an ordinary, or rather not a mere man, but God-man; as is clear (Acts 2:27), cited out of (Psalm 16), where it is said, You will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption. 2. The end of Christ's su…

It is implied here, that for this end, to wit, that the elect might be saved from sin, and that God's decree of election might stand sure, Christ Jesus became surety, and did undertake to satisfy for their sins; otherwise he could not have been liable to be stricken for them, if…

He has that testimony from the Prophet here, that he did no violence, neither was there any deceit in his mouth. He has this testimony from the Apostles — from Peter (1 Peter 2:22): he did no sin, neither was any guile found in his mouth; from John (1 John 3:5): he was manifeste…

Now we may see all these in Christ's sacrifice. For 1. He himself is the sacrifice (Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10), and frequently elsewhere in that epistle, and (1 Peter 2:24): Who his own self bore our sins, in his own body on the tree; and when he had offered up h…

The first is the excellency of His offering. He offered himself, as it is (Hebrews 7:27) and (Hebrews 10:10, 12, 14). The offering up of Himself, and of His blessed body on the tree, was another sort of sacrifice than all these bulls, rams, and goats, offered under the law, that…

2. It implies not only the crediting Him with the application of life, but that we commit ourselves to be alone in His debt and common for it, which is implied in that word (John 5): "You will not come to me, that you might have life." The use making of Christ for the attaining…

There is much of the dignity of Christ's office, and of the comfort of believers here: that Jesus Christ is not only the procurer of our life, but the overseer of it. From this comes that conclusion of the Apostle (Hebrews 7:25): Therefore he is able to save them to the uttermos…

He is so dexterous and powerful, that the devil shall gain no ground of Him, but He shall gain ground of him, and defeat him; so that we come after only to gather the spoil. He is able to save to the uttermost, (as it is, Hebrews 7:26.) all that come to God through him. And near…

2. There is need to take in this, held forth in God's promise in the Gospel; because, though Christ be the object of justifying faith, and His Righteousness be the ground of the soul's defense before God; yet God's promise must be looked on by faith, for the use making of Christ…

He is a priest after Melchizedek's order, and not after the order of Aaron, and (Romans 8:34) He is said to be at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. It is said likewise (Hebrews 7:25), that He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him, seeing h…

But the mean and low thoughts we have of him, and the poor consolation we feed on, do evidence much ignorance of him, and much unbelief of the solid worth and fullness that is in him, and in his priestly office in particular; and yet, O! how full of consolation is it? Such a hig…

This was typified in the people's giving the sacrifices to the priest to be offered, and though it were but two turtle doves, or two young pigeons, they were brought to the priest, as well as other sacrifices. But such as consider not the enmity and sinfulness that is in themsel…

Though Jonah be in the belly of the Whale, and the weeds wrapped about his head, yet will he look towards his holy Temple. So though a Soul have no life, nor sense, no inward [reconstructed: subsisting], nor arguments in the mouth, yet acting on Christ's Intercession by Faith, i…

3. If there be an ill and very necessitous case; or if there be challenges, and some commotion, discomposure and disquiet be in the spirit, there is readily little respect had to Christ; if quietness, and calmness be, there is also hazard of sitting down on that, and we readily…

To which we say, Assertion 1. Jesus Christ that holy thing (Luke 1:35), was a fit high Priest, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners (Hebrews 7:26). Which of you (says Christ to the Jews) convinces me of sin (John 8:46).

Job says, in chapter 14:4, that the most perfect who beget children are unclean (Romans 7:17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; 1 John 1:8, 9, 10; 1 John 2:1). All that have need of a High Priest at the right hand of God to intercede for them have sin, and in so far are imperfect, as all…

(1 John 2:1-2) compared with (1 John 1:6-10) and (Hebrews 9): He appears for us, verse 24, for those that are sprinkled, verses 13-17, and look for him the second time, verse 28. He makes intercession for them that come to God through him (Hebrews 7:25). Who have a High Priest o…

For the first, Christ was appointed by God (and himself also undertook) to be our surety. This you have, Hebrews 7:22: he was made surety of a better testament or covenant, namely of the new. The Hebrew word for covenant the Septuagint still translated as 'testament,' the word i…

Therefore, as you have heard, there was an all-sufficiency in his death ('Who shall condemn? it is Christ that died'), a 'rather' in his resurrection ('yes rather, is risen again'), and a 'much rather' that he lives and is at God's right hand (Romans 5:10). The Apostle rises yet…

And the proper duty of his place being to show mercy, he does it with cheerfulnesse, (as the Apostle speaks:) For Mercy makes one do what they do, with cheerfulnesse. And Christ, as he is the Bishop, so the [illegible], the Deacon also, (for he beares all offices to his Church)…

I shall endeavour to give some satisfaction and reliefe in this, by these following considerations. First, The Apostle puts in indeede, that he was tempted [yet without sin,] and it was well for us that he was thus without sin, for he had not been a fit Priest to have saved us e…

Objection: But you say, who is there that so looks to himself, his wife, and children, and servants, so to his own heart and others, as that they are so wholly conformable to God's will in all that he counsels and commands, and who so expects such blessings, but that they take f…

This teaches us. 1. That Christ alone grappled with Satan, having no fellow worker with him, that we may know the strength of our Redeemer, who is able himself to overcome the tempter without any assistance, and to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him (Hebrews 7:25)…

One, that the difference lay in earthly things: which is not true. For the law was given to the Israelites: and it was a schoolmaster to Christ (Galatians 3), and, an introduction to a better hope (Hebrews 7:19). The second error is, that they differed only in this, that Christ…

Well may it be called Foedus Gratiae, a covenant of grace; it is bespangled with promises, as the heaven with stars. When the angels, those glorious spirits fell, God did not enter into a new covenant with them to be their God, but let those golden vessels lie broken; but has en…

When God pardons a soul, he will not reckon with him in a purely vindictive way, he stops the execution of justice. Aphorism 6. By virtue of this pardon, God will no more call sin into remembrance (Hebrews 8:12). Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Other ways of communion with him, of obedience to him, of enjoyment of him on this side Heaven and Glory, he has not appointed nor revealed. Now this is the Covenant that God has made with his people; that he will put his laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts, and…

So that phrase (Ephesians 6:12) 'we wrestle with spiritual wickednesses in heavenly things' is rather to be understood of 'heavenly things' than of 'heavenly places' — the word signifying rather supracelestial, in the highest heavens, where (if rendered of places) the devils nev…

But this doctrine is new, it is not ancient, nor gray-headed. The doctrines of the Covenant of free grace are ever new; because they are the doctrines of the new Covenant, which can never wax old: should it once wax old, it would soon vanish away (Hebrews 8, from verse 8 to 13),…

Secondly, the paines of the godly man: And in that Law he meditateth day and night; not only in the day appointed for man to labor in, but in the night also appointed for man to rest: the reason is, because it is his meat and drink, to do the will of his God. (Honoured Sir) The…

For his genealogy is evidently of the Tribe of Judah, which was excluded legally from that office, as we have besides the institution an instance in King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16, 17, 18) from (Exodus 30:7; Numbers 18:7). Hence our Apostle concludes, that had he been on the ea…

But in the application of it to Christ, the signification of it is changed. He had nothing to do with, he had no right to enter into that Holy Place, as the Apostle affirms (Hebrews 8:4). That therefore he intends which was signified thereby; that is, Heaven itself, as he explai…

The Lord Christ was prepared with a sacrifice to offer to God, to this end. For whereas every high priest was ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, it was of necessity that he also should have somewhat to offer (Hebrews 8:3). This was not to be the blood of bulls and goats, or…

Now where remission of these is, there is no more Offering for Sin. The foundation of the whole preceding discourse of the Apostle, concerning the glory of the priesthood of Christ, and the efficacy of his sacrifice, was laid in the description of the New Covenant, whereof he wa…

From there is [in non-Latin alphabet], mediatorem ago, pacificatoris partes ago, to interpose a mans self by any means to confirm and establish peace, which was here done, [in non-Latin alphabet], with an Oath. The word is used in this place only in the New Testament, as [in non…

This is the Declaration of the Purpose of God, or the free Determination of his Will as to his dealing with sinners, on the supposition of the fall and the forfeiture of their first Covenant state. Hereof the Grace and Will of God was the only Cause (Hebrews 8:8). And the Death…

Once more, and I have done with the state of the Question: God does not only require the condition of standing, or continuing in the exercise of grace, but give it infallibly. The precepts of the Covenant of Grace are also promises; (Hebrews 8:10) This is the Covenant that I wil…

The Church-Covenant being thus called not only because they are a Church, or members thereof that make it, but also because they enter into it in reference to church-estate and church-duties: the duties which they bind themselves to in this covenant being such especially as conc…

You have two teachers, the one is he that speaks to you, the other is Christ. They shall no more teach one another, for they shall all be taught of God (Hebrews 8:11). There are two shepherds, the one is he that feeds you, the other is the great Shepherd of the sheep: there are…

By this it appeareth, this law appertaineth to all, because he is the Lord of all. Your God: that is, one which does vouchsafe you a particular favor, when in your creation he indued you with corporall and spiritual benefits, and does enrich you to eternal life (Psalm 144:15; He…

His exaltation is such as has a dominion and supremacy with it over every name; he having as it is (Colossians 1:18) in all things the preeminence. The third place is (Hebrews 8:1), of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum, we have such a high priest who is set on the…

2. It is Antinomian doctrine to make opposition between the Gospel promise, and the debt of the promise: the debt of works (Romans 4 and Romans 11) is law-debt due to the worker, as a hireling is worthy of his wages, because he has done the work perfectly, according to a covenan…

It is true, Christ takes not from David, Abraham, prophet, apostle, or from any men or angels that are to be saved the natural created power of nilling and willing, purum [illegible] posse nolle, Christo trahente, but he takes away the moral wicked, and godless power hic & nunc,…

Remission of sins in his blood (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14); blotting out of transgressions ([reconstructed: Isaiah 43:25]) as a thick cloud (Isaiah 44:23); a not remembering of sins (Isaiah 43:25; [reconstructed: Jeremiah 31:34]). Such a taking away of sins as is promised i…

You must know that Christ has not entered into heaven simply as a forerunner (which has been explained) to take up places for you, but as a priest also — made a priest after the order of Melchizedek, which is more than simply a forerunner. Indeed his sitting at God's right hand…

The Work of Ministers is in many Respects like the Work that Christ himself was appointed to, as the Savior of Men; and especially the same with the Work which Christ does in his Prophetical Office; only with this Difference, that Ministers are to speak and act wholly under Chri…

Fifthly, the law was in nature by creation: the Gospel is above nature, and was revealed after the fall. Sixthly, the law has Moses for the mediator (Deuteronomy 5:27), but Christ is the mediator of the new testament (Hebrews 8:6). Lastly, the law was dedicated by the blood of b…

Her estate then shall be perpetual, after God shall have once again restored her: for which cause, he mentions two excellent benefits; to wit, restoration, and eternity. When he speaks of the new heavens, and new earth, he has respect to Christ's kingdom, by whom all things are…

For however obscurely and at a distance Moses may exhibit Christ in shadows, rather than in a full portrait, (Hebrews 10:1,) this, at least, is beyond dispute, that unless there be in the family of Abraham one exalted Head, under whom the people may be united in one body, the co…

And the doing hereof was the great promise under the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:32), whereby the believers who then lived, were made partakers of the benefits of it. And the confirming of this covenant in and by Christ, is expressed as a part of the new creation (Hebrews 8:9), a…

That is, we receive the Law of our Obedience from Jesus Christ, who speaks from Heaven, to be observed with a spirit of liberty. The Old Covenant is now absolutely abolished, nor is the remembrance of it any way revived (Hebrews 8:13). It has no influence into, nor upon the mind…

1. Pardon of sin, and the free acceptation of the persons of sinners, in a way of mercy. This is grace (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5, 7), and a saving effect and fruit of the Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31, 32, 33, 34; Hebrews 8:12). 2. The regenerating of the person of a dead sinner, wit…

First, he caused it to cease, as to force and efficacy, or any use in the worship of God, by his own accomplishment of all that was prefigured by it, or intended in it. Hereby it became as a dead thing, useless, unprofitable, and made ready to disappear (Hebrews 8:13). And then…

Add to what has been spoken, that during the observation of the whole Law of Moses, while it was in force by the appointment of God himself, he still directed those who sought for acceptance with him, to a new covenant of grace, whose benefits by faith they were then made partak…

And those words v. 7. Your Throne O God is for ever and ever, are retained with little alteration. [in non-Latin alphabet], The Seat of your Glory O God, remains for ever and ever: applying it to the Messiah; which illustrious Testimony given to his Deity, shall be vindicated in…

All the promises of God, are in him Yea, and in him Amen; that is, faithfully, and irrevocably, and immutably established. And therefore the apostle having told us, that this is the covenant of God, that he would be merciful to our sins and iniquities, Hebrews 8:12. He informs u…

Yet if you cannot always say, that grace is yours, Christ is yours, and Heaven is yours, yet be much in the thoughts of free grace; pore not upon your vileness and unworthiness, but ponder upon that which can answer all in one word, I will have mercy, because I will have mercy,…

Yes certainly, these do not decay through age. It was the matters belonging to the old covenant, or Legal-dispensation that decayed and grew old, and so by degrees did vanish away (Hebrews 8:13). New-covenant mercies, are the sure mercies of David (Isaiah 55:3), and they are alw…

(9.) For if free-will say not Amen, though Christ work completely his work, make his soul an offering for sin, yet shall not Christ see his seed, nor be satisfied with his wages, for free-will may refuse to yield the redeemed over to God, as captives overcome by his soul delight…

The law itself is now such that it cannot give life, Galatians 3:21. God himself found fault with this way of attaining righteousness, Hebrews 8:7-8. Now there are two considerations that discover to men the vanity and hopelessness of seeking righteousness in this path.

And his blood, (the ransome he paid) is the blood of the Covenant (Matthew 26:28), whereby all the promises thereof, become in him Yea, and in him Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). And whether faith be of the blessings of the Covenant, and conclude in the promise thereof or no; let the…

2. Whereas the Scripture mentions, that through Christ is preached the forgiveness of sin (Acts 13:38), I do suppose that phrase to be comprehensive of the whole manifestation of God in the Covenant of Grace. 3, God expressly says, that this is his covenant, that he will be merc…

1 Christ himself with his whole satisfaction, and merit, is included in the covenant: therefore his satisfaction is not antecedent to the COVENANT. The first appears, in that all promises of pardoning mercy are in, and of this new covenant (Hebrews 8:10, 12); but now, in them, a…

Those that are to be wrought in us, are sometimes set forth in Scripture, as Duties to be performed by us, to stir us up in a rational way to seek them; and those that are only to be bestowed upon us, are set forth as Blessings to be conferred in consequence upon such Duties per…

Secondly, let us look upon God with respect to a Mediator; for so I think we are chiefly bound to consider our Father in Heaven, because of Christ, who sits there at his right hand. (Hebrews 8:1) It is said there, He sat down on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the…

He is a King, not only to require, but to give repentance, (Acts 5:31); not only to make a law, but to write and work a sense of this new covenant-gift upon the heart. (Hebrews 8:10) He does not only set up his ordinances, laws, and constitutions; but there is power that goes al…

If the Law might be disannulled as to new creatures, then why does the Spirit of God write it with such legible characters in their hearts? This is promised as the great blessing of the covenant of grace (Hebrews 8:10). Now that which the Spirit engraves upon the heart, would Ch…

They that neglect to search and hide the Word in their hearts, they have not such seasonable refreshment; for God works more strongly with the strongest graces; there where there is the greater receptivity, there's the greater influence; those that are ignorant cannot expect suc…

Others have but a hearsay knowledge gathered out of books, and sermons, and the common report which is made of Christ; but he that is divinely enlightened, drinks of the fountain, and so his draught is more fresh and sweet; they do not talk of things by rote after others, but it…

In the heart two things are considerable, the understanding and the affections. God undertakes in the Covenant for both (Hebrews 8:10). I will put my law in their mind, and write it in their hearts.

1. The benefit asked, Grant me your law. David had the book of the law already, every king was to have a copy of it written before him; but he understands it not of the law written in a book, but of the law written upon his heart; which is a privilege of the covenant of grace (H…

When the heart is fitted and suited by principles of grace, the work is not tedious, but delightful. Things are easy and difficult, according to the poise and inclination of the soul; so (Hebrews 8:10): I will write my laws upon their hearts, and put them into their minds. The l…

These laws were written upon man's heart at his first creation, and though somewhat blurred, we know the better how to read a defaced writing when we get another copy or transcript to compare with it — especially when the heart is renewed, when the Spirit has wrought a suitablen…

1. Sometimes it is described by its radication, and so it is called the ingrafted word that is able to save our souls (James 1:21). The root of the matter is within; it is not tied on, but ingrafted: so in that promise of God (Hebrews 8:10), I will put my law into their minds, a…

God and we were at variance by sin, now Christ does mediate and umpire between us; he reconciles us to God through his blood, therefore is called the Mediator of the new covenant. There is no way of communion and intercourse between God and man, but in and through a Mediator: Ch…

The creation was but the work of God's fingers (Psalm 8:3). Redemption the work of his arm (Hebrews 9:12): Having obtained eternal redemption for us. Christ's purchasing redemption for us, implies that our sins did mortgage and sell us: had there not been some kind of mortgaging…

He was numbered among transgressors. He who was numbered among the persons of the Trinity, he is said to bear the sins of many (Hebrews 9:28). Now, this was the lowest degree of Christ's humiliation: for Christ to be reputed as a sinner, never such a pattern of humility.

If a man had a suit depending in the court of Chancery, and had a skillful lawyer to plead, this would much encourage him. Christ is now at the court appearing for us (Hebrews 9:24), and he has great potency in heaven; this should much encourage us to look up to him, and hope fo…

Resp. In his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to GOD, and in making continual intercession for us. (Hebrews 9:26) Now once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin; by the sacrifice of himself. Quest. What are the…

All the princes on earth, or angels in heaven, could not satisfy for sin, only Christ. Nay, Christ's active obedience was not enough to make atonement for sin, but he must suffer upon the cross; for without blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). O what an accursed thing is sin, t…

Response 1: To worship him without ceremonies. The ceremonies of the law which God himself ordained are now abrogated and out of date; Christ the substance being come, the shadows fly away; and therefore the Apostle calls the legal ceremonies carnal rites (Hebrews 9:10), and if…

A man will not lay down his money for a purchase which may be lost, and the fee-simple alienated. Christ died that he might purchase us as a people to himself forever (Hebrews 9:12): Having obtained eternal redemption for us. Would Christ (think we) have shed his blood, that we…

Unbelief makes the Word preached of no effect. (Hebrews 9:2): The Word preached did not profit, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. The Word to an unbeliever is like Dioscordium put into a dead man's mouth, which loses all its virtue.

This is my blood of the New Testament shed for many for the remission of sins. Consecration, or making us holy, is the fruit of Christ's death (Hebrews 9:14). How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience!

11. If you would keep from the evil of sin, meditate frequently of death. First, the unavoidableness of it (Hebrews 9:27): Statutum est, it is appointed for all once to die. We are not so sure to lie down this night in our bed, as we are to lie down in our grave.

As, 1. That he offered himself a sacrifice to God, to make atonement for our sins, and that in his death and sufferings (Isaiah 53:10): "When you shall make his soul an offering for sin" (John 1:29): "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (Ephesians 5:2):…

If there were no judgment wherein men are to appear, and give up their accounts, there would be no need of their justification: but Paul lives in expectation of such a thing, and has also given us to understand that all men have as much reason to expect it as he, it being a trut…

Secondly, the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship does not in the least depend upon them, nor their observation. The Apostle does in sundry places expressly compare the spiritual worship of the Gospel, with that of the Law, while the Church had a worldly sanctuary and carnal…

But God has altered and changed them at sundry reasons, according to the counsel of his own will, so as he saw necessary for his own glory, and the edification of his Church. See (Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 17:10, 11; Exodus 12:3, 4, 5; Exodus 20; chapter 25:9; Hebrews 1:1; Hebre…

Q. How do these priesthoods differ in respect of the sacrifices offered thereby? A. The one offered the bodies and blood of beasts; but Christ offered up himself, and so was both Priest and Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12, 14, 26). Q. Is there not some difference in regard of the number…

Q. Why else may we not pray for the dead? A. Because such prayers cannot avail at all, but are altogether vain (1 Peter 3:19; Hebrews 9:27). Q. For whom else must we not pray?

Therefore that wicked man which perishes for his sin, cannot be said to have risen again with Christ: and therefore Christ did not bear his person upon the cross. Thirdly the expiatory sacrifice sanctifies those, for whom it is a sacrifice, as the Holy Ghost plainly and absolute…

Now, such men are deceivers of their own souls; for after this sprinkling follows sanctification, and rising from dead works to newness of life: so that they that live in sin, and yet say they have faith, deceive themselves. For, if a man's heart be sprinkled with the blood of C…

In which material temple, none must come there to worship, but the circumcised Jews and Proselytes; for the uncircumcised and unclean were an abomination, and must not enter in at the gates thereof (Ezekiel 44:6, 7). And for the defects the people of Israel and Judah committed i…

And by his approbation of that law, and of the duty in observance of it, he did no more confirm it, or ascribe an obligatory power to it under the Gospel, than he did so to all other those ceremonial institutions which both he himself observed as a man made under the Law, and en…

4. It is highly false that the blessed state pretended to be here set forth, was antecedently to his being a Priest, and the sacrifice which he offered; yes, such an estate was inconsistent with the oblation of himself. For he offered himself to God in his blood (Hebrews 9:14),…

For herein he offered that Sacrifice to God whereby it was established. And hereby the Promise properly became [〈in non-Latin alphabet〉], a Testament, as our Apostle proves at large (Hebrews 9:14, 15, 16). And he declares in the same place, that it answered those Sacrifices whos…

And they generally scarce observe one of them themselves. But in the Law, as given by God himself, it is certain, that there were a multitude of arbitrary precepts, and those in themselves not accompanied with any spiritual advantages, as our Apostle shows (Hebrews 9:5), only th…

The Vulgar Latine rendets it by Iustificationes; from the inclusion of Ius, Iustum in the signification of it. In the new Testament it is used, Luke 1:6, Romans 1:32, chap. 2:26, chap. 5:16, chap. 8:4, Hebrews 9:1, ver. 10, Revelation 15:4, chap. 19:8. And in no one place does i…

Men shall not be raised again to live another life in this world, and as it were therein to make a new adventure, but it is to give an account of what is past, and to receive what they have done in the body whether it be good or evil. And because there are no outward visible tra…

They were in Heaven before, the sanctuary of God; but were not admitted within the Veil, into the most holy place, where all the counsels of God in Christ are displayed and represented. There was no entrance before either as to grace or glory within the Veil (Hebrews 9:8). For a…

1. In that it was confirmed, ratified, and made irrevocable thereby. This our Apostle insists upon at large (Hebrews 9:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). And he compares his Blood in his Death and sacrifice of himself, to the sacrifices and their blood whereby the old Covenant was confirm…

Three things therefore concur hereunto. (1.) The presentation of his person before the Throne of God on our behalf (Hebrews 9:24). This renders it sacerdotal.

And we may observe, farther to clear the design of the Apostle in this commination, 1. That all the gifts of God under the Gospel are peculiarly heavenly (John 3:12; Ephesians 1:3), and that in opposition, (1) to earthly things (Colossians 3:11, 12), (2) to carnal ordinances (He…

He made his soul an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10), which was typified by the life that was in the blood of the sacrifice. Therefore it is said, that he offered himself to God (Hebrews 9:14; Ephesians 5:2), that is, his whole entire humane nature, soul and body, in their substa…

Secondly, the death of Christ has quite taken away the second death from those that are in Christ: as Paul says, There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit (Romans 3:1). Thirdly, the death of Christ is a means…

1. Because a limited time and season was fixed upon them, which is now expired. So was it with the church-state and ordinances of old; they were appointed to the time of reformation (Hebrews 9:10). They had a certain time prefixed to their duration, according to the degrees of w…

There are grounds on Christ's part; his everlasting merit, and close union between him and us, and constant intercession. For his merit see (Hebrews 9:12). He is entered into the holy place, having obtained an eternal redemption for us.

Reason 1. Hebrews 9:15, 26 and 10:10: The Holy Spirit says Christ offered himself but once. Therefore not often — and thus there can be no real or bodily offering of his body and blood in the sacrament of his Supper.

1 John 1:7: Christ's blood purges us from all our sins. Hebrews 9:14: It purges our consciences from dead works. And Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire, because our inward washing is by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit is as fire to consume and abolish the…

You deceive your self if you think to be refined any other way but by this refiner, and in this refiner's fire. The blood of Christ does not only wash us from guilt, but purge our consciences from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:10). And they that are Christ's, hav…

All men are under the same condition, to whose share it falls to be born, to him it remains to die. We are indeed distinguished by intervals, but equalized in the issue, it is appointed to all men once to die (Hebrews 9:27). There is a statute law of heaven in the case.

Secondly, in this death as there is a privation, so there is also a positive evil quality in the soul, whereby it is not only void of goodness, but made ill. In the natural death when as a man dies, there is another form left in the body; so in this spiritual death, there is an…

Another thing observable is, it was set before the Vail by the Ark of the Testimony, before the Mercy-seat. It was to stand in the holy of holiest, but just before the Vail, right against the Mercy-seat; and by this you must be helped to understand that Scripture in (Hebrews 9:4…

When the new covenant was established, the forgiveness of sins was made. But the apostle teaches that without the shedding of blood this cannot come to pass (Hebrews 9:22). Therefore, by sacrificial blood (perhaps of cattle, from whose skins God fashioned tunics for the first pa…

XIV. 4. "That reconciliation, expiation of sins, and remission must be procured through a blood sacrifice." All the ordinances taught this; especially that solemn sacrifice offered annually on the day of expiation (Leviticus 16); hence that word of the apostle (Hebrews 9:22): Al…

The case is different for those things which are founded in the nature of things. For since all the Mosaic rites were instituted for a time of reformation (Hebrews 9). 10, and they had only a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things themselves (chap. 1…

When, moreover, the wretched, lost, weary, and accursed behold Him lifted up on high, as it were "from the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 45:22), and see that propitiation has been set forth in His blood for the declaration of God's righteousness in the forgiveness of sins (Romans 3…

Christ dismissed all external splendor and all carnal adornment, however resplendent with visible glory, by newly appointing to His worship very few ceremonies, and those simple ones. See (John 4:23; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 9:1-12). But as long as it pleased God to employ…

So, having shown how it comes to pass that Christ suffered and suffered so much, and was brought so low under suffering; and having told that he was engaged to pay the Elect's debt, and that the Father had laid their iniquities on him; lest any might think that the Father would…

The Apostle says (Hebrews 10) that it was impossible that the blood of bullocks, and of goats could take away sin; they were not properly sin-offerings, but as they were types of that offering which was to come; and so when Christ is called an offering, He is differenced from al…

3. That there be a killing, or destroying, of the thing that is offered in a sacrifice; which especially in the sin-offering was necessary; to wit, that it should be killed, or destroyed; as we see in (Exodus 29) and Leviticus frequently. This had a signification, and the Lord w…

The apostle takes this for granted (Romans 14:10): We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. And (Hebrews 9:29): It is appointed for all men once to die, and after that comes the judgment. There is a solemn decree passed, that, as all men shall die, so every man sha…

Behold the lamb of God that takes away, or bears, and by bearing, takes away the sins of the world. (1 Peter 2:24) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so the just suffered for the unjust; (Hebrews 9, last verse) He was once offered to bear the sins of many. Whether…

In a clock the wheels move cross one to another, but all make the clock strike: so Christ being at his Father's right hand, he will make the most cross providences tend to the salvation of his church. Branch 3. Christ being at God's right hand, we may be assured he has now finis…

For Christ to be made flesh, was more humility, than for the angels to be made worms. Christ's flesh is called a veil (Hebrews 10:20). Through the veil that is his flesh.

The balm-tree weeps out its precious balm to heal those that cut and mangle it; Christ shed his blood to heal those that crucified him. And that he should die freely; it is called the offering of the body of Jesus (Hebrews 10:10). And though his sufferings were so great that the…

It is as if the drop should go to limit the ocean, or the star to set the Sun its bounds. Use 1. It condemns the Papists who would make more things infinite than the Godhead, they hold that Christ's body is in many places at once, that it is in heaven and in the bread and wine i…

The promises are as a fountain sealed. While we are in the state of nature, we see nothing but the flaming sword; and as the Apostle says (Hebrews 10:27), there remains nothing but [illegible], a fearful looking for of fiery indignation. Second, while children of wrath, we are h…

Thus assurance gives sweet contentment in every condition. Effect 6. Assurance would bear up the heart in sufferings, it would make a Christian endure troubles with patience and cheerfulness (with patience) (Hebrews 10:36). You have need of patience.

God will be Almighty to damn the sinner. Now in what a condition is every unbeliever; God's power is engaged against him, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). Use 3. It reproves such as do not believe this power of God.

And it brings swift damnation. It is a drawing back [illegible] to perdition (Hebrews 10:38). God will make his sword drunk with the blood of apostates.

Aristotle, though a heathen, did not only acknowledge God, when he cried out, You Being of Beings, have mercy on me; But he thought he that did not confess a deity, was not worthy to live. They who will not believe a God, shall feel him (Hebrews 10:31): It is a fearful thing to…

We have covenanted in baptism to take the Lord for our God, renouncing all others; and renewed this covenant in the Lord's Supper, and shall we not keep our solemn vow and covenant? We cannot go away from God without the highest perjury (Hebrews 10:38): [illegible]. If any man d…

If God lay a man in prison, where shall he get bail or mainprise? God will take his full blow at the sinner in hell (Hebrews 10:31). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

There is the value of Christ's blood, and the virtue: Christ's blood has value enough to redeem the whole world, but the virtue of it is applied only to such as believe; Christ's blood is meritorious for all, not efficacious. All are not saved, because some put away salvation fr…

1. They dishonor God by their idolatry in making graven images, and giving the same honor to them as is due to God, [illegible]: Images are teachers of lies (Habakkuk 2:18), they represent God in a bodily shape. 2. By their idolatry in the Mass; worshipping the Host, and offerin…

[illegible], How am I straitened till it be accomplished. Therefore to show Christ's willingness to die, his sufferings is called an offering (Hebrews 10:10). By the offering of the body of Jesus: his death was a free-will offering.

The Apostle puts these two together, belief and salvation. (Hebrews 10:39): We are of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 6. If you would hear the Word aright, hear it with meek spirits.

Aquinas and others of the schoolmen place the sin against the Holy Spirit in malice. The sinner does all he can to vex God, and despite the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). Thus Julian, who threw up his dagger in the air, as if he would have been revenged upon God.

What Solomon says of the sluggard, is as true of the coward, he says, there is a lion in the way (Proverbs 22:13): he sees dangers before him, he would go on in the way to the kingdom of heaven, but there is a lion in the way. This is dismal (Hebrews 10:38): If any man draw back…

We live in the fall of the leaf; men fall from that goodness they seemed to have; some are turned to error, others to vice; some to drinking and dicing, others to whoring; the very mantle of their profession is fallen off: it is dreadful for men to fall off from hopeful beginnin…

In heaven there will be all joy, and what need of patience then? It requires no patience to wear a crown of gold, but while we live here in a valley of tears, there needs patient submission to God's will (Hebrews 10:36): You have need of patience. 1. The Lord sometimes lays heav…

Galatians 6:4. God sent forth his Son made of a Woman; he was his Son, and was made of a woman; according as he expresses it (Hebrews 10:5), A body have you prepared Me; as also (Romans 8:3). Philippians 2:5, 6, 7.

But now all those things are openly, and fully witnessed to in the testimonies before produced; as may be observed by suiting some of them to the several particulars here asserted. As 1. What was done in this matter, was from the will, purpose, and love of God the Father (Psalm…

It is true in the observation of positive institutions, we may have regard to rules and prescriptions of prudence, as to times, places, and seasons; that by no inadvertency or miscarriage of ours, or advantage taken by the adversaries of the truth, the edification of the Church…

And the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship, consisteth in its relation to God by Jesus Christ, as the merciful high-Priest over his house, with the glorious administration of the spirit therein. The order also of it lies in the due and regular observation of all that Christ…

"For this cause," says the Apostle, "many are weak, and sickly among you, and many sleep." From all which it appeares of what concernment it is to the glory of God, and the salvation of our own souls, to attend diligently to our duty in the strict and sincere observation of the…

Quest. 24. Wherein consists the general duty of the whole Church, and every member thereof in their proper station and condition? Answ. In performing, doing, and keeping inviolate all the commands and institutions of Jesus Christ, walking unblameably and fruitfully in the World,…

Without which, well seated, and confirmed in the hearts and minds of Church members, no duty of their relation can ever be performed in a due manner. Secondly, this love is to exert and put forth itself in tender care and watchfulness for the good of each other; which are to wor…

Secondly, Authoritatively, by his Spirit in the Apostles, and the doctrine of the Gospel preached by them (Acts 15:10, 11): Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the Disciples, which neither our Fathers nor we were able to bear, but we believe that thro…

Qu. 6. May not such an estate of faith and perfection in obedience be attained in this life, as wherein believers may be freed from all obligation to the observation of Gospel institutions? Answ. No! For the ordinances and institutions of the Gospel being inseparably annexed to…

Qu. 8. How many we sanctify the name of God in the use of Gospel institutions? Answ. 1. By a holy reverence of his sovereign authority appointing of them. 2. A holy regard to his special presence in them. 3. Faith in his promises annexed to them. 4. Delight in his will, wisdom,…

It would be infinite to reckon up all the false reasonings that souls in distress have. Sometimes from a passage of Scripture misunderstood and misapplied: some who are annoyed with blasphemous thoughts against God and Christ and his Spirit — thoughts which are their greatest af…

Therefore in Hebrews 6:9-10: 'We hope better things of you, for God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love, to reward you.' And therefore he calls upon them likewise in Hebrews 10:31 to call to remembrance the former days to comfort them — how they held out when their h…

Now, without faith we shall never be able to glorify God under the cross. The just must live by faith in this estate, Hebrews 10:38; as, here they endure racking, burning, hewing asunder, etcetera and all by faith. Secondly, out of all these sufferings here endured by faith, not…

Where we see, what it is that will bring a man to esteem affliction, with the fear of God, better than the treasures and pleasures of an earthly kingdom: namely, as we set the bodily eye to behold the affliction; so we must lift up the eye of the mind of faith, to behold the rec…

At the earnest suit and intercession the Church made to God, Peter the Apostle was released out of his imprisonment, and brought to the house where they were praying (Acts 12). Seventhly, lastly, there is no society that has such privileges, as this spiritual house, which is con…

The other side, laid the evidence of their justification, only by faith in the free promise: for there are four things that makes remission of sins perpetual to a believer. First, the cause of remission, the sacrificed body of Christ on the cross, or accursed tree; (Hebrews 10:4…

⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩, may respect a Law, as was before intimated, either on the account of the Lawgiver, him that has power over it, or of those to whom it is given as a Law, and who are under the power of it. In the latter sense ⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩, is to transgress a La…

But commonly it respects a law, and is applied to them who are absolutely under the power of the law, or such in whose power the law is. The first sort are said to make void the law, when they transgress it, neglecting the authority whereby it is given (Mark 7:9; Hebrews 10:28).…

Yet was the presence of God there only in things made with hands, only instituted to represent his glory. But believers do draw nigh to God himself, to the throne of his grace, as the Apostle declares (Hebrews 10:19-22). It may therefore be granted that there is this intention i…

Now this in the confirmation of the Old Covenant was only the sacrifice of beasts, whose blood was sprinkled on all the people (Exodus 24:5, 6, 7, 8, 9). But the New Testament was solemnly confirmed by the sacrifice and blood of Christ himself (Zechariah 9:11; Hebrews 10:29; cha…

In brief, all the good things in spiritual redemption and salvation which they looked for by the Messiah are here called the good things to come. Of these things Christ was now come the High Priest; the Law having only the shadow, and not so much as the perfect image of them (He…

First, that they did not, in and of themselves, really expiate any one sin, small or great. It was impossible, says the Apostle, that they should do so (Hebrews 10:4), only they sanctified to the purifying of the flesh; which overthrows the foundation of this exposition. Secondl…

Christ himself was sanctified, consecrated, dedicated to God in his own blood. He sanctified himself (John 17:19), and that by the blood of the Covenant (Hebrews 10:29), even when he was consecrated or made perfect through sufferings (chap. 2:10). So was the Church and the whole…

And this was the manner of the service. After the High Priest had filled the Holy Place with a cloud of Incense, he returned to the Altar of Burnt-offerings without the Tabernacle, where the Sacrifice had been newly slain: And while the blood of the beast was fresh and as it wer…

(1) A denunciation of the sentence of the Law against Mankind; Dying you shall die, and cursed be every one that continues not in all things written in the Law to do them. (2) A refusal of all such ways of atonement, satisfaction, and reconciliation that might be offered from an…

And this the Lord Christ did in the behalf of the Church. For when it was said, sacrifice and burnt offerings and whole burnt-offerings for sin God would not have, or accept as sufficient to make the atonement that he required, so as that the Covenant might be established and ma…

And as this was the greatest effect of divine wisdom and grace, so it is the first cause, the root and spring of all spiritual blessings to us. This the whole Scripture bears testimony to (Hebrews 10:7; 1 John 3:16). This is the fundamental article of faith evangelical.

1. In the frequency of their offerings, they were to offer daily, which also includes the order of their offering, first for themselves, and then for the people: whereas he offered once only. 2. It is supposed they offered the sacrifices appointed by the law which were of brute…

And what is this indignation of it? God himself is in the Scripture said to be a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; chapter 9:3; Isaiah 33:14; Hebrews 10:29). What is intended thereby is declared in a word (Deuteronomy 4:24).

If they prove barren and unprofitable, they are rejected of God and cursed by him. Nor shall they ever have any other trial, nor shall ever any other experiment be made of them (Hebrews 10). Their season of the enjoyment of the Gospel is their day; when that is past the night co…

They think that they have faith, or do believe, and that they shall be saved, but in the issue they are disappointed, and ashamed of their hopes; and how fearful is it, when so it is! See (Hebrews 10:31; Psalm 119:116). Such are at last led forth with workers of iniquity, as (Ps…

Be sure to please God, whoever else you displease. This was Enoch's wisdom (Hebrews 11:5). he had this testimony before he died, that he pleased God. Quest. What does this pleasing God imply?

Christ gives the soul a sight of glory, a prospect of eternity (2 Corinthians 4:18): We look not at things which are seen, but [illegible], things which are not seen. Moses saw him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). And the patriarchs saw a better country, namely an heavenly (Heb…

The ceremonies of the law which God himself ordained are now abrogated and out of date; Christ the substance being come, the shadows fly away; and therefore the Apostle calls the legal ceremonies carnal rites (Hebrews 9:10), and if not use those Jewish ceremonies which God did o…

In heaven the saints rest with him, on earth they walk with him. To walk with God is to walk by faith; we are said to draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22), and to see him (Hebrews 11:27), as seeing him who is invisible, and to have fellowship with him (Hosea 1:3). Or [⟨ in non-Latin…

The unregenerate man leaves out the chief spice in his duties, and that is faith. And (Hebrews 11:6): without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith lays hold on Christ, and so is accepted.

A moral person may give God outward obedience, and to the eyes of others it seems glorious, but his obedience is sour because it comes not from that sweet and pleasant root of faith. A child of God gives him the obedience of faith, and that meliorates and sweetens his services,…

Do we count all earthly enjoyments but as ([〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]) dung in comparison of Christ? (Philippians 3:8). do we prefer the worst things of Christ, before the best things of the world; the reproaches of Christ, before the world's embraces, (Hebrews 11:26). Quer. 2.…

It is not knowledge though angelic, not repentance though we could shed rivers of tears could justify us, only faith whereby we look on Christ. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and if we do not please him by believing, he will not please us in saving…

This God is our God, Gnolam Vagned, forever and ever. Whatever worldly comforts we have, are but [in non-Latin alphabet], for a season (Hebrews 11:25). We must part with all, as Paul's friends did accompany him to the ship and there left him (Acts 20:28).

True love is not mercenary; a soul that is deeply in love with God, needs not be hired with rewards; he cannot but love God for the beauty of his holiness; not but that it is lawful to look at God's benefits. Moses had an eye to the recompense of reward (Hebrews 11:26). But we m…

Our obedience to God's commands must Profluere à Fide, spring from faith, therefore it is called the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26). Abel by faith offered up [illegible], a better sacrifice than Cain (Hebrews 11:4). Faith is a vital principle, without it all our services are…

Among the Romans the names of their senators were written down in a book, Patres conscripti; God enrolls the names of his children, and will not blot their names out of the register: (Revelation 3:5) I will not blot his name out of the book of life. God will not be ashamed of hi…

If God commands duty, (though cross to flesh and blood) faith obeys. Hebrews 11:8. By faith [reconstructed: Abraham] obeyed. Faith does not only believe the promise, but obey the command.

1. Implied, that there is a God: the question, What is God? takes it for granted that there is a God. The belief of God's essence is the foundation of all religious worship (Hebrews 11:6). He that comes to God must believe that he is [illegible: Greek text]; there must be a firs…

It bottles their tears (Psalm 56:8). It strengthens the saints in their weaknesses (Hebrews 11:34). It supplies all their wants out of its alms-basket (Psalm 23:5).

They choose Christ with his cross, but this cross leads to a crown. Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God (Hebrews 11:25). It was a wise rational choice, he knew if he suffered he should reign.

The world is the place of a saint's abode, not of his delight; is it thus with us? Do we like the patriarchs of old desire a better country (Hebrews 11:16)? This is the temper of a true saint, his affections are set on the kingdom of God; his anchor is cast in Heaven, and he is…

Let us not hesitate through unbelief; doubting of principles is the next way to denying them: unbelief, as Samson, would pull down the pillars of religion; be confirmed in this, there is a kingdom of glory to come; whoever denies this cuts asunder the main article of the Creed,…

It has been ever the lot of the saints to encounter with sore trials; both of the prophets (James 5:10): Take my brethren the prophets for an example of suffering affliction: And of the apostles, Peter was crucified with his head downward, James beheaded by Herod, John banished…

Could we look through the perspective glass of faith, and take a view of heaven's glory, how small and minute would all other things appear. Moses slighted the honors of Pharaoh's Court, having an eye to the recompense of reward (Hebrews 11:26). Saint Paul who had a vision of gl…

And unbelief is called a departing from him (Hebrews 3:12). Faith also is expressed by the notion of embracing the promise, and so of the good that is brought in it (Hebrews 11:13): "they were perswaded of them, and embraced them." So that every one who believes, has performed t…

And the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship, consisteth in its relation to God by Jesus Christ, as the merciful high-Priest over his house, with the glorious administration of the spirit therein. The order also of it lies in the due and regular observation of all that Christ…

In process of time, it came to pass Cain brought of the fruit of the ground, an offering to the Lord, and Abel he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof; and the Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offering, but to Cain, and his offering he had not r…

And whereas ever since the entrance of sin into the world, God had always respect to the promise of the Lord Christ, and his mediation, in whom alone he will be glorified, and faith in whom he aimed to begin and increase in all his worship, he has suited his institutions of the…

You have shewed many excellent benefits that come by faith; but whether is faith of such necessity that these things cannot be without it? Such is the necessity of this grace of faith, that in respect of the usual way of God's dispensation, there is no hope nor possibility that…

Q. Had this world a beginning by creation, or was it from everlasting? A. The scripture in many places, and especially in the first of Genesis does declare that the world was not from everlasting, but had a beginning by the Lord's creating of it (Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11; P…

While we live in this world, men who know no afflictions beyond what they see with their eyes and feel in the outward man — nothing beyond loss of friends and credit — often fear God less, and when they come to part with any of these for God are less willing. But when they shall…

HEBREWS 11:7. By Faith, Noah being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seen, moved with reverence, prepared the Ark to the saving of his household: through the which Ark he condemned the world, and was made heir of the righteousness, which is by faith.

If there be any gracious condition or qualification in us before faith, then there may be something in us pleasing to God before faith. But there is nothing in us pleasing to God before faith (Hebrews 11:6): "But without faith it is impossible for us to please him: for he that c…

If faith be the evidence of things not seen, then when faith itself is hidden and doubtful, which makes all things evident, what can be clear to us. But faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Therefore when faith itself is hidden and doubtful, sanctification ca…

For, (1.) it was he himself in his own person, that was the principal subject of all the promises of old. Hence they who lived not to enjoy his exhibition in the flesh are said to die in faith, but not to receive the promises (Hebrews 11:39). But it is through the promise that a…

All these things are comprised in this expression of the Apostle, we are sanctified. The designation of such a state for the Church, and the present introduction of it by the preaching of the Gospel, is that whose confirmation the Apostle principally designs in this whole discou…

It is good at all times to fix our faith on that in God, which is meet to encourage our obedience and dependence upon him in our present circumstances. The believers in those days did in a very particular manner confess themselves to be strangers and pilgrims in the earth (Hebre…

Hereon, and with respect hereunto, is the Church-state of the Old Testament said to be weak and imperfect like that of a child under governors and tutors. Hence also it had a yoke imposed on it, causing fear and bondage; God having ordained better things for us, or the Church un…

(1) An all-sufficient Preserver; and (2) An all-sufficient Rewarder: so himself declares the meaning of this expression (Genesis 17:1; Genesis 15:1). I will be all this to them that I am a God to in the way of preservation and recompense (Hebrews 11:6). The declared rule and mea…

And it is used principally for such an oracle of God, as has a warning or caution in it, for the avoiding somewhat on the one hand, as well as doing what is given in charge on the other. So Joseph was [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], divinely warned to avoid the danger that was design…

This it is to receive the Promise in opposition to them by whom it is rejected through unbelief. So Abraham is said to receive the Promises (Hebrews 11:17), in that when they were given to him, he staggered not through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Roma…

In the faith of it, the Patriarchs lived and died, and it is testified to in the Psalms and Prophets. With respect hereunto did the Ancients confess that they were strangers and pilgrims in this world, seeking another city and country, wherein they should live with God for ever;…

I shall not give their reasons why it is so, because they are certainly mistaken in their observation. For both is the promise on the one hand mentioned with respect to them, as (Hebrews 11:39), and the promises frequently with respect to us (2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 1:4). The…

As an Anchor stays not in the Waves of the Sea, as it cannot fix itself in the Waters, but pierces through them until it come to solid Earth in the bottom; no more does or can the Hope of a Believer fix itself on any thing under these Heavens, but it pierces through all till it…

He was their [in non-Latin alphabet] — the first father of all that great family. Secondly, there were such as succeeded him, from whom the whole nation in like manner descended, as Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise (Hebrews 11:4). Thirdly, such as wer…

They are therefore no otherwise meet for God but in and through Christ, according to the infinite condescension which he is pleased to exercise in the Covenant of Grace. Therein does the Lord Christ (1) make our persons accepted, as was that of Abel through faith in him, which w…

Self is the great idol which almost all men worship and serve. 2. No man is bound not to have any eye to himself at all, in what he does (Hebrews 11:26); yet a gracious respect to God, should and does influence every gracious soul, in what he does, in his service. And many there…

So much for defence of the second Reason of the Synod for confirming this sixth Proposition, against what the Reverend Author, in his Answer thereto, says in his Digression, and turning back to the Proposition foregoing. The third Reason of the Synod for this sixth Proposition,…

Because here he is but a pilgrim, and lives in a cottage of clay, and in a tent wherein he must abide but a while, as a pilgrim does, oftentimes carrying his house about with him; and we shall in better sort accept the afflictions which God sends us in this life; if we remember…

2. He is of a noble spirit; he has the spirit of an heir, he scorns anything that is disingenuous and sordid; he can deny himself, but not disparage himself; he can be humble, but not base; he knows not how to palliate the sins of any, which were to wash the Devil's face: He can…

And if ever you be put to your choice, either to enjoy the greatest outward honors, or to serve Christ with disgrace, choose the latter. Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter when he came to age (Hebrews 11:24, 25). Galeacius Carraciolus left the honor of his…

And in the same passage, verse 51, the ruler with his family is said to believe, who did no more than generally acknowledge that Christ was the Messiah and yielded himself to believe and obey his holy doctrine, being moved thereto by a miracle wrought upon his young son. And Rah…

(Romans 4:20-22) Paul says of Abraham, that he did not doubt of the promise of God through unbelief: but was strengthened in faith, and gave glory to God, being fully assured, that he who had promised was able to do it: where I observe first, that doubting is made a fruit of unb…

For then the second table gives place to the duties of the first (Mark 10:29). Second, for the time of persecution, men may withdraw themselves (just occasion offered) and go apart to wildernesses or like places (Hebrews 11:37). Yet for the time of peace I see no cause of solita…

If the Angels rejoiced so at the conversion of the Elect, first, how will they rejoice at their coronation! Secondly, there is the company of the Saints (Hebrews 12:23). The Spirits of just men made perfect.

So death makes all the chains of sin fall off (Acts 12:7). Believers at death are made perfect in holiness (Hebrews 12:23). The spirits of just men made perfect.

Ministers are earthen vessels, but these pitchers have lamps within them to light souls to Heaven. Christ is said to speak to us from Heaven now (Hebrews 12:25), namely by his ministers, as the king speaks by his ambassador. Such as wean themselves from the breast of ordinances,…

Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:24), etc. Jesus Christ is the sum and quintessence of the gospel; the wonder of angels; the joy and triumph of saints.

So perhaps you think it is only the minister who speaks to you in the Word, but it is God himself who speaks. Therefore Christ is said (now) to speak to us from Heaven (Hebrews 12:25). How does he speak but by his ministers? as a king speaks by his ambassadors.

Though they are spirits, yet they are servants. God is [in non-Latin alphabet], a super-excellent Spirit, the Father of Spirits (Hebrews 12:9). 2. The soul is a spirit (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Some pray that they may grow rich; but a fruitful heart is better than a full purse. Pray that God will make you grow in grace, though it be by affliction (Hebrews 12:10). The vine grows by pruning.

2. God adopts us to a state of dignity: God makes us heirs of promise; God installs us into honor (Isaiah 43:4): Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honorable. The adopted are God's treasure (Exodus 19:5), his jewels (Malachi 3:17), his firstborn (Hebrews 12:23).…

Is it any injustice in God to put his gold into the furnace to purify it? Is it any injustice in God by afflicting his people, to make them partakers of his holiness (Hebrews 12:10)? What does more proclaim God's faithfulness, than to take such a course with them as may make the…

If conscience be troubled, they strive to quiet it with their duties; this is not the right way to peace: duties must not be neglected, nor yet idolized. Look up to the blood of sprinkling (Hebrews 12:24). That blood of Christ which pacified God, must pacify conscience; Christ's…

These were stars in their orb, pillars in the temple of God. Let us look on their zeal and courage, and be animated (Hebrews 12:1). Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Quest. How are they happy? Resp. 1. Because they are more holy (Hebrews 12:10). 2. Because they are more in God's favor (Proverbs 3:12).

Before they were proud and impatient, like stubborn children, that would struggle with their parents, but when their obstinate hearts are tamed, and they say as (Micah 7:9): I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him; and as Eli, It is the Lord, l…

God is angry in love; he smites that he may save. God's rod is not a rod of iron to break us, but a fatherly rod to humble us (Hebrews 12:10): He for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. Either God will mortify some corruption, or exercise some grace.

It would be sad, if as often as we break covenant with God, he should break covenant with us; but God will not take advantage of every failing, but in anger remember mercy. 2. The first covenant being broken, allowed the sinner no remedy, all doors of hope were shut: but the new…

What is the sending of the Spirit into the world for, but to anoint us with the holy unction (1 John 2:20)? What are all afflictions for, but to make us partakers of God's holiness (Hebrews 12:10)? What are mercies for, but lodestones to draw us to holiness?

David tasted the Word sweeter than the honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10). There is that in Scripture that may breed delight: it shows us the way to riches (Deuteronomy 28:5; Proverbs 3:16), to long life (Psalm 34:12), to a kingdom (Hebrews 12:28). Well then may we count thos…

The inward man is renewed. When God shakes the tree of the body, he is now gathering the fruits of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). Sickness is God's lance to let out the imposthume of sin (Isaiah 27:9).

The good that I would I do not. Sin is compared to a weight (Hebrews 12:1). A man that has weights tied to his legs cannot run so fast: it is like that fish Pliny speaks of, a sea-lamprey, that cleaves to the keel of the ship, and hinders its progress when it is under sail.

It appears they have no love to God, who have no love to his children; they care not for their company; they have a secret disgust and antipathy against them. Hypocrites pretend great reverence to the saints departed, they canonize dead saints, but persecute living: I may say of…

If a man make a will, and settles his estate upon such persons as he names in the will, none else but they can lay claim to the will; so God makes a will and testament, but it is restrained and limited to such as are sanctified, and it is high presumption for any else to lay cla…

1. It is God that speaks to us in his Word; therefore the preaching of the Word is called the breath of his lips (Isaiah 11:4). And Christ is said now to speak to us from Heaven (Hebrews 12:25), as a King speaks in his ambassador. Ministers are but as the pipes and organs; it is…

Fifthly, The Natural Father. The father of the flesh (Hebrews 12:9). Honor your natural father.

We carry Christ's picture in our conversations (1 John 2:6). O let us labor for this soul-purity, without it there is no seeing of God (Hebrews 12:14). What communion has light with darkness?

[illegible], Chrysost. This is a kingdom which cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). A kingdom where there is unparalleled beauty, unstained honor, unmixed joy; a kingdom where there shall be nothing present, which we could wish were removed, nor nothing absent, which we could wish…

Answ. 1. There is kindness in affliction, in that there is love in it; [illegible], Chrysostom. God's rod and God's love may stand together (Hebrews 12:6). Whom the Lord loves he chastens, whom he pampers above the rest, so Mercer: as Abraham when he lifted up his hand to sacrif…

(2 Thessalonians 1:6) It is a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you. (Hebrews 12:29) For our God is a consuming fire, from (Deuteronomy 4:24). Fifthly, that God has also engaged his veracity and faithfulness in the sanction of the law not t…

He that does not give credit to the truth of the promise, will never rely upon it for mercy and salvation. He that comes to God (that is, in faith) must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 12:6). It is therefore one great par…

Qu. 18. Whereas sundry of these things are founded in the light and law of nature, as requisite to all solemn worship, and are moreover commanded in the moral law, and explications of it in the Old Testament; how do you look upon them as evangelical institutions to be observed p…

And 4. To testify and confirm our mutual love, as we are believers. (1.) Leviticus 10:3; Hebrews 12:28, 29. (2.) Deuteronomy 26:17; Joshua 24:22; 2 Corinthians 8:5.

Qu. 8. How many we sanctify the name of God in the use of Gospel institutions? Answ. 1. By a holy reverence of his sovereign authority appointing of them. 2. A holy regard to his special presence in them. 3. Faith in his promises annexed to them. 4. Delight in his will, wisdom,…

Qu. 9. How do we in our observation, profess our subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospel? Answ. In that being all of them 1. Appointed by him as the head law-giver, King of his Church. And 2. Made by him the ensigns and tokens of his Kingdom, and subjects, in their du…

Q. If these things be vouchsafed to believers in this life, what shall they have in the life to come? A. Unspeakable glory and happiness in the immediate fruition of communion with God and Christ to all eternity (Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Corinthians 15:28). Q…

Q. Wherein do they differ in respect of the matter? A. The catholic Church has none in it but saints, and all true believers are in it; but particular churches have sometimes many wolves within, and many sheep without, though it ought not so to be (Ephesians 5:23, 25, 26, 27; He…

Q. What is the number of Angels? A. Though they be not infinite, yet their number is very great, and to us they are innumerable (Daniel 7:10; Psalms 68:17; Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22). Q. What end and office were they created for?

And such impressions of immediate wrath, as expressions and effects of God's anger, the Holy Ghost may make upon the spirit of his child: for it is a truth that God is angry and wroth with them when they sin, which anger he may make known not only by dumb signs in outward crosse…

Now therefore when the soul is most possessed with displeasure for sin and apprehensions of wrath, then it fears most, and fear works accordingly against that which may displease. Hence the apostle: 'Since our God is a consuming fire' (Hebrews 12:29), 'let us serve God acceptabl…

Second, when this fuel is taken away the fire goes out, and so do people's hearts die when outward things are taken from them. When Nabal thought David might still come and take his goods, his heart died within him. For people live in the creatures, and when those are gone they…

If God uses his children thus, 'Curse God and die,' says Job's wife, as the foolish men and women of the world do. Fourth, pass your sojourning here in fear and serve him with fear (1 Peter 1:17), for 'even our God is a consuming fire' (Hebrews 12). Keep your heart in awe with t…

You may be a child under wrath without being a child of wrath. God as he may afflict you in your estate and body, so he may afflict your spirit — as a Father, for in Hebrews 12:9 he is called 'the Father of spirits.' Ten directions for those who are more deeply troubled and the…

Secondly, this may teach Citizens, in the great, populous and pompous cities of this world, to labor also to be Citizens in heaven; for that is a city also, and the best on earth are but shadows of it. And it may shame them that are drowned in the pleasures and delicacies of ear…

For, as we may read in the History, after he had indeed blessed Jacob, supposing it had been Esau, when Esau came for his blessing with his venison, the Text says, Genesis 27:33, That Isaac was stricken with a marvelous great fear, and said, I have blessed him, and therefore he…

And the reason is rendered, They knew in themselves how that they had in heaven a better and more enduring substance. And our Savior Christ endured the Cross, and despised the shame, for the joy that was set before him, Hebrews 12:1; that is, in consideration of that joy in glor…

This Saint Paul showeth, when he saith, 2 Timothy 3.6, that certain simple women are laden with sin. Behold, sin is that that ladeth us: and the Author to the Hebrews, calleth sin the thing that hangeth on so fast, and presseth us down: (Hebrews 12.1). Therefore if we will be go…

(1.) As to its absolute completeness in its final issue. This the Apostle denies that he himself had as yet attained (Philippians 3:12): not as though I had already attained, or received, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] namely, the whole of what is purchased for me by Christ, [〈 in…

The first includes all positive holiness; the other an abnegation of all unholiness. As he was [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] he had not [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], sin present, as we have with us (Romans 7:18, 21), or [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], sin easily besetting (Hebrews 12:…

There were two things remarkable that accompanied the Solemn Declaration of the first Covenant. 1. The dread and terror of the outward appearance on Mount Sinai which filled all the People, yes Moses himself, with fear and trembling (Hebrews 12:18, 19, 20, 21; Exodus 19:16, Chap…

So was the Church and the whole worship of it dedicated to God; made holy to him (Ephesians 5:25, 26). And Heaven itself was dedicated to be an habitation for ever to the mystical body of Christ, in perfect peace with the angels above, who had never sinned (Ephesians 1:10; Hebre…

Originally and absolutely this is the judgement of God, of him who made the world. And therefore is it often said that God shall judge the world (Deuteronomy 32:35, 36, Ecclesiastes 12:14), God the Judge of all (Hebrews 12:23). But the actual administration of it is committed to…

When persons are as it were glad of such occasions as may justify and satisfy their minds in the omissions of duties or opportunities for them. This casts off the duty prescribed to us (Hebrews 12:1), which yet is indispensably necessary to the attaining of the end of our faith.…

Use 1. See here the excellency of the divine nature in its immutability: this is the glory of the Godhead. Mutableness denotes weakness; it is not so in God, he is the same yesterday and today, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). Men are fickle and mutable, like Reuben, unstable as wat…

From where is it that so much fraudulency in dealing, so much falseness in friendship, such crosses in relations; from where is it children prove undutiful, they that should be as the staff of the parents' age, are a sword to pierce their hearts: from where is it servants are un…

(Psalm 119:30) I have chosen the way of truth, I have stuck to your testimonies. Secondly, Get a real work of grace in your heart (Hebrews 13:9). It is a good thing that the heart [reconstructed: be] established with grace.

God has threatened to wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his trespasses (Psalm 68:21). He has threatened to judge adulterers (Hebrews 13:3), to be avenged upon the malicious (Psalm 10:14). You behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your own hand: to…

They who have God to be their Father, follow peace as well as holiness. God the Father is called the God of Peace (Hebrews 13:20). God the Son, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

(1 Corinthians 7:2) Let every man have his own wife, and every woman have her own husband. Marriage is honorable, and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). God did institute marriage in Paradise; he brought the woman to the man (Genesis 2:22).

(2.) The house-thief, who purloins and filches out of his master's cash, or steals his wares and drugs. The Apostle says, Some have entertained angels into their houses unawares (Hebrews 13:2). But many masters have entertained thieves into their houses unawares.

3. Take heed of the sin of uncleanness. (Hebrews 13:4). Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Such as burn in uncleanness, are in great danger to burn one day in hell.

Covetous persons forget this prayer, Give us daily bread — that which may satisfy nature — but they are insatiable in their desire. O let us take heed of this dry dropsy (Hebrews 13:5): Be content with such things as you have. Natura parvo dimittitur (Seneca).

Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God? Answ. (1.) The calling, gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers, as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship. (2.) Prayer with thanksgiving. (3.)…

Quest. 23. Who are the ordinary officers or ministers of Christ in the Church to be always continued therein? Answ. Those whom the Scripture calls, pastors and teachers, bishops, elders, and guides (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Philippians 1:1…

For as Elders are ordained in, and to the Churches respectively that they are to take care of (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), and their office power consists in a relation to the Church that they are set over, so they are commanded to attend to the service of the Churches wherein, and…

(1) 1 Timothy 3:10, 11, 13; chap. 4.12; 2 Timothy 2:3; Colossians 1:24; Philippians 2:17; chap. 3.17. (2) Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28. (3) 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 4:2; Romans 12:6, 7, 8.

And therefore (2) Whatever they do as Elders in the Church according to rule, they do it not in the name or authority of the Church by which their power is derived to them, nor as members only of the Church by their own consent or covenant, but in the name and authority of Jesus…

(1) 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; 1 Timothy 5:17. (2) Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 16:16. (3) Ephesians 6:18, 19; Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Colossians 4:17.

Quest. 42. To whom is the power and administration of this Discipline committed by Jesus Christ? Answ. As to the authority to be exerted in it in the things wherein the whole Church is concerned, to the Elders; as to trial, judgment and consent in, and to its exercise to the who…

First, that in all the members of the Church there ought to be love without dissimulation. They are to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love (Romans 12:9-10), which as they are taught of God, so they are greatly exhorted thereunto (Hebrews 13:1). This love is…

Acts 20:28. Hebrews 13:17. Explication.

Q. Was the covenant of grace revealed and dispensed in the times before Christ's Incarnation, or only since his coming in the flesh? A. There has been the same covenant of grace for substance, in all times and ages of the Church, since the fall of man till this day (Genesis 3:15…

And thus they did, because (as the Apostle says) they had here no enduring city, but they sought for one to come. Hebrews 13:14. And they thought, they ever heard that voice sounding in their ears, (Micah 2:10) Arise and depart, for this is not your rest.

1. The first is prayer, which the Spirit of Christ forms in the heart of a believer, whereby he lays open all his spiritual and temporal wants to God his Father, in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, through whom he has received a promise to be heard, and to have his reques…

Yes, and to all them that love him and keep his commandments, the Father and the Son has promised to own their poor hearts to be his temple and palace, where he will abide and dwell (John 14:23). Lastly, all such as are congregated in Gospel faith and order, have a promise from…

Rex pacificus and Rex pacis do both denote him that is the maker and author of peace. So God on that account is called the God of Peace (Romans 15:13; Chapter 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 13:20). Therefore as we ought to acquiesce in the authority o…

2. What they observe of the sacrifices of old, that not the bodies of them, but only the kidneys and fat were burned, and the blood only carried into the Holy Place, is neither true, nor any thing to their purpose. For (1) the whole bodies of the Expiatory Sacrifices were burnt…

For in their so doing they do not hinder but promote the approach of the Church into the presence of God, which is the principal end of their office. And as this is their peculiar honor for which they must be accountable (Hebrews 13:17), so the Church of Believers itself, ought…

Ans. If this that is here said were sufficiently and clearly proved, it would be very acceptable to many elders in this country, as clearing them from a great part of the burden which they suppose themselves to be under. And when the Holy Ghost says, that they must take heed to…

Luke 6. 36. Be you merciful, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], as your Father also is merciful. Argument 3. 3. Argument. Alms are a sacrifice, Hebrews 13. 16. To do good, and to communicate, forget not, for with such sacrifices God is wellpleased.[⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] When you…

They are the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, the pleasant streams that run in the paradise of Scripture: Behold a blessed promise (Romans 8:28). All things shall work for good; but to whom? to them that love God: All mercies shall work for their good; they shall be footstools…

We are to deal between God and the soul, factors for Heaven; there is many a good inference may be collected from this notion, I shall refer all to two heads, the ministers' duty and the peoples'. 1. It hinteth duty to ministers, it teacheth us diligence in our Lord's work, for…

The Supper of the Lord is a sacrifice and may truly be so called as it has been in former ages, and that in three respects. First, because it is a memorial of the real sacrifice of Christ upon the cross, and contains withal a thanksgiving to God for the same — which thanksgiving…

1 Timothy 4:1: It is a doctrine of devils to forbid to marry. Hebrews 13:4: Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled. Again, this vow is not in the power of him that vows, for continency is the gift of God, who gives it not to all but to whom he will and when he wi…

But will God do so? No, no: 'I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5). Indeed, if adversity and poverty could bar you from access to God, it were a sad condition; but you may go to God as freely as ever.

So (1 Timothy 5:17), Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honor. (Hebrews 13:7), Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the Word of God. Verse 17, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for y…

Reas. 1. Because the Scripture calls it a table, but not an altar, and we ought to speak as God and Christ has taught us of his ordinances, (1 Corinthians 10:21) "You cannot be partakers of the Lord's Table, and of the Table of Devils," (Luke 22:21) "the hand of him that betraye…

If he shall say, you have nothing to do to pass sentence or censure upon me, I am none of your Church, but of another Church; suppose in Holland, in France, &c. and I am only here now for merchandise sake, or upon some other occasion: what shall they say to stop his mouth, if th…

4. It makes the last part of the speech, in the word and doctrine, to be superfluous: for they hold that all the difference here is in the measure or manner of labor, and no difference in re subjecta. 5. All who have any charge in the ministry are called [in non-Latin alphabet]…

Now there are good reasons why this popular government or exercise by jurisdiction by all can not be admitted into a Congregation. First, in every Christian Congregation, there are some Rulers, some ruled, some Governors, some governed, some that command, some that obey, as is m…

And that's very observable, the difference between this altar that was here enjoined to be made by Moses, and so was afterwards made, and the altar that we read of should be in the times of the Gospel. First, Christ he is our altar in the Gospel, so it is in Hebrews 13:10, We ha…

Now follows the other, which is the entertainment of strangers: whose property is, the love of entertaining of guests. (1 Timothy 3:2. Therefore a Bishop must be unreproachable, the husband of one wife, watching, sober, modest, given to hospitality, &c. Hebrews 13:2. Be not unmi…

Of the first sort, are, ordinary, which are several actions of our body, Christianly, according to the custom of the Church, commanded in the word of God, and orderly and reverently ordered in his service. Special, the fruit of the lips, in prayer, and thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:1…

1. Sometimes they are taken improperly for duties; as alms, prayers, praises, etc. (Psalm 51). The sacrifice of a broken heart you will not despise. So also (Hebrews 13:15-16). 2. They are taken more properly for such sacrifices as were offered under the law; as of bullocks, lam…

And we may add, that he so makes use of Christ; as that he dare not go to God without Him; as the word is (Hebrews 7:25): "those that come to God by Him"; he comes to God by Christ, in prayer, in praises, and in every other duty of worship. The Apostle, to this purpose, says (He…

1. An humiliation, and inferiority, in respect of God, as it is said (Philippians 2), he humbled himself, and became of no reputation; in which respect, he himself says, that the Father is greater than he; and that he is sent, that he came not to do his own will, but the will of…

Therefore, (1 John 2:2) it's said, If any man sin: O, strange word, We have an advocate, what, an advocate for any man? Indeed, for any man that will make use of him: for as we showed before, though it's true that his intercession is bounded to his elect, yet it's as true, that…

Second, if our condition be, or seem to be more comforting, and cheerful, there would be an improving of Christ's intercession, lest our cheerfulness grow carnal, which it cannot otherwise be; but when he is acknowledged to be the author of our comfort, and cheerfulness; when he…

3. The respect that a faithful minister has to the duty in his hand, has influence on this; for such a one loves to perform his duty neatly, and to go neatly and lively about it, and the unbelief and unfruitfulness of the people clogs him in his duty, and makes him drive heavily…

Fifth, indeed, the law was no less a letter of condemnation to them than to us (Romans 8:3; Romans 10:3; Deuteronomy 27:26; Galatians 3:10, 13; 2 Corinthians 3:7-8, 13-15). Sixth, they drank of the same spiritual rock with us, and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebre…

Now was Christ by the blood of the eternal covenant, brought back from the death, and made a Shepherd of souls, to the end he might have power to destroy all the flock? Ezekiel says, to feed them; the Apostle, to make the saints perfect in every good work, working in them (actua…

Then second, when he had killed it, he was to enter with the blood of it into the holy of holies and sprinkle the mercy seat with it (verse 14, 17) and to go in with incense and cause a cloud to arise over the mercy seat. This you have also in Hebrews 13:11, where it is said tha…

But these relations of Christ to us, were made in order to the world to come (as the Epistle to the Hebrews calls it:) and therefore are in their full vigor and strength, and receive their complement therein. Therefore it is, that Christ is said to be the same today, yesterday,…