Exposition of Hebrews 6-10, Exegesis of chapter 7 · Exegesis of verse 17
VER. 17.
The Proof of all before asserted is given in the Testimony of the Psalmist so often before appealed unto. For he testifieth, thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec.
The Introduction of this Testimony is by foreign, or he Witnesseth or Testifieth; foreign.that is, David doth in the Psalm, or rather the Holy Ghost speaking in and by David, doth so testifie. He doth not absolutely say that so he speaks, but testifies; because he used his words in a way of Testimony unto what he had delivered. And although one thing be now principally intended by him, yet there is in these words a Testimony given unto all the especial Heads of his Discourse. As (1.) That there was to be another Priest, a Priest that was not of the Stock foreign.of Aaron, nor Tribe of Levi. For he says unto the Messiah Prophesied of, who was to be of the Seed of David, Thou art a Priest, although a stranger from the Aaronical Line. (2.) That this other Priest was to be after the Order of Melchisedec, and was not to be called after the Order of Aaron. For he was foreign, after the Order; foreign is a redundant, and not a suffix. foreign is from foreign and signifies a state or order of things; foreign foreign.Eccles. 3. 18. I said in my Heart concerning the estate of the Sons of Men, their condition and Order of all things; that is, foreign. The Priesthood of Christ in the mind of God was the Eternal Idea or Original Exemplar of the Priesthood of Melchisedec. God brought him forth and vested him with his Office in such a way and manner, as that he might outwardly represent in sundry things the Idea of the Priesthood of Christ in his own mind. Hence he and his Priesthood became an External Exemplar of the Priesthood of Christ as unto its actual exhibition; and therefore is he said to be made a Priest after his Order, that is, suitably unto the Representation made thereof in him. (3.) That he was made a Priest, namely, by him and his Authority, who said unto him, Thou art a Priest; as Chap. 5. 5, 6, 10. (4.) That he was so after the power of an endless life. For he was a Priest for ever. This word is applyed to the Law and legal Priesthood, and signifies a Duration commensurate unto the state and condition of the things whereunto it is applyed. There was an foreign of the Law; an Age whereunto its continuance was confined. So long all the Promises annexed unto it stood in force. And as ascribed unto the new state of things under the Gospel, it doth not signifie Eternity absolutely, but a certain unchangable Duration unto the end of the Time and Works of the Gospel. For then shall the Exercise of the Priesthood of Christ cease, with his whole Mediatory Work and Office, 1 Cor. 15. 28. Christ therefore is said to be a Priest for ever. (1.) In respect of his Person, endued with an endless life. (2.) Of the Execution of his Office unto the final end of it; he lives for ever to make Intercession. (3.) Of the Effect of his Offices, which is to save Believers unto the utmost, or with an Everlasting Salvation.
And the Apostle had sufficient Reason to affirm that what he proposed was eminently manifest, namely, from the Testimony which he produceth thereof. For what can be more evident than that the Aaronical Priesthood was to be abolished, if so be that God had designed and promised to raise up another Priest in the Church, who was neither of the Stock nor Order of Aaron, nor called the same way to his Office, as he was, and who when he was so raised and called, was to continue a Priest for ever, leaving no room for the continuance of that Priesthood in the Church, nor place for its return when it was once laid aside? And we may observe that,
1. The Eternal continuance of Christs Person gives Eternal continuance and efficacy unto his Office. Because he lives for ever, he is a Priest for ever. His endless life is the Foundation of his endless Priesthood. Whilst he lives we want not a Priest; and therefore he says, that because he lives, we shall live also.
2. To make new Priests in the Church, is virtually to renounce the Faith of his living for ever as our Priest, or to suppose that he is not sufficient to the Discharge of his Office.
3. The Alteration that God made in the Church by the Introduction of the Priesthood of Christ was progressive towards its perfection. To return therefore unto or look after legal Ceremonies in the Worship of God, is to go back unto poor beggarly Elements and Rudiments of the World.