Exposition of Hebrews 6-10, Title page – To the reader
A Continuation OF THE EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE OF Paul the Apostle TO THE HEBREWS.
Viz. ON THE Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Chapters.
WHEREIN Together with the Explication of the Text and Context.
The Priesthood of Christ as Typed by those of Melchisedek and Aaron, with an Account of their distinct Offices,
The Nature and Efficacy of the Sacrifice of Christ, as Typed by all the Sacrifices of the Law,
The Erection of the Tabernacle according to the Heavenly Pattern; with the Institution of all its Utensils and Services, their especial Signification and End,
The Nature and Differences of the Two Covenants, the Old and the New, with the preference of the latter above the former,
The Reasons and Necessity of the taking away and Abolishing of the Old Legal Worship annexed unto the Covenant of Sinai; & the Means whereby it was removed,
The Glorious Administration of the Mediatory Office of Christ in Heaven; and sundry other Evangelical Truths of the highest Importance,
WITH The Duty of Believers in hearing the Word in Times of Trial and Persecution; the Means and danger of Apostacy from the Profession of the Gospel, Are Declared, Explained and Confirmed.
As also; The Pleas of the Jews for the Continuance and Perpetuity of their Legal Worship; with the Doctrine of the principal Writers of the Socinians about these things, are Examined and Disproved.
By J. Owen. D. D.
John 5. 39.
Search the Scriptures.
LONDON, Printed for Nathaniel Ponder, at the Sign of the Peacock in the Poultry, near the Church, 1680.
THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
I have so fully in my former Discourses on this subject, declared the general design, scope and end of this Epistle, the proper way and means of its Interpretation, with the method of the present Exposition, which is the same throughout, that I shall not at all here detain the Reader with a renewed Declaration of any of them. OnelyOnly some few things which immediately concern that part of the Exposition which is now presented unto him, and my labour therein, may be mentioned (as I suppose) unto some usefulness.
1. And it may not be amiss in the first place to take notice of an Objection the present endeavour seems liable and obnoxious unto; and this is the Unseasonableness of it. We live in times that are fortifyed against the use of Discourses of this nature, especially such as are so long and bulky. The world, and the minds of men therein, are filled with disorder and confusion, and the most are at their wits end with looking after the things that are come and coming on the Earth.
They have enough to do, in hearing, telling and reading, real or pretended News of publick affairs, so as to divert them from ingaging their time, and industry in the perusal and study of such discourses. Besides, there is not any thing in this now published to condite it unto the Palate of the present Age, in personal contests and reflections, in pleading for or against any party of men or especial way in the profession of Religion; only the fundamental Truths of the Gospel are occasionally contended for. These and the like considerations, might possibly in the judgment of some, have shut up this whole discourse in darkness upon the account of its being unseasonable.
I shall briefly acquaint the Reader with what Relieved me against this objection, and gave me satisfaction in the publishing of this part of the Exposition, after it was finished. For I could not but remember that the times and seasons where in the former parts of it were published, were very little more setled and quiet, than are these which are now urgent on us: yet did not this hinder but they have been of some use and benefit unto the Church of God in this Nation and others also. And who knows but this may have the same blessing accompanying of it? He who hath supplyed seed to the sower, can multiply the seed sown, and encrease the Fruits of it. And although at present the most are really unconcerned in things of this nature, yet not a few from many parts both at home and abroad, have earnestly solicited the continuation of the Exposition, at least unto that period whereunto it is arrived.
Besides, in labours and endeavours of this nature, respect is not had meerly unto the present Generation, especially as many are filled with prejudices and causeless enmity against the Author of them. We have our selves more benefit and advantage by the writings of sundry persons in former Ages, than they received by them who lived in their own days.
Pascitur in Vivis Livor, post Fata quiescit.
It is therefore the Duty of some in every Age to commit over unto those that shall survive in the Church of God and profession of the Truth, their Knowledge in the Mysteries of the Gospel, whereby spiritual light may be more and more encreased unto the perfect day.
On these and the like Considerations I have wholly left these times and seasons in his hand who hath the sole disposal of them; and will not so far observe the present blustering Wind and Clouds as not to sow this seed, or despair of reaping Fruits thereby.
2. The Reader will find no Exercitations prefixed unto this Volume, as there are unto the former. And this is so fallen out, not because there were no things of weight or moment occurring in these Chapters, deserving a separate, peculiar handling and consideration; But for other reasons which made the omission of them necessary and unavoidable. For indeed continued informities and weaknesses in my near Approach unto the Grave, rendred me insufficient for that labour, especially considering what other duties have been and yet are incumbent on me. And yet also my Choice was compliant with this Necessity. For I found that this part of the Exposition comprizing so many Chapters, and those all of them filled with glorious Mysteries, and things of the highest importance unto our Faith and Obedience, would arise unto a greatness disproportinate unto the former, had it been accompanied with the like Exercitations. Whereas therefore I foresaw from the beginning that they must be omitted, I did treat somewhat more fully of those things which should have been the subject of them, than otherwise the nature of an exposition doth require. Such are the Person and Office of Melchisedek, The nature of the Aaronical Priesthood, and of the Priesthood of Christ as typed thereby, The framing of the Tabernacle with all its Vessels and Utensils with their use and signification, The solemnity of the Covenant made at Sinai, with the difference between the two Covenants, the Old and the New; The manner of the Service of the High Priest on the Day of Expiation, with his entrance into the most Holy place, The cessation, expiration or abrogation of the first Covenant, with all the services thereunto belonging; with sundry other things of the like importance. Whereas therefore these must have been the subject of such Exercitations, as might have been prefixed unto this part of the Exposition, the Reader will find them handled somewhat at large in the respective places wherein they do occur in the Epistle it self.
3. Concerning the subject matter of these Chapters I desire the Reader to take notice.
1. That the whole substance of the Doctrinal part of the Epistle is contained in them; so as that there is nothing of difficulty in the whole case managed by the Apostle, but is largely treated of in these Chapters.
2. That they do contain a full declaration of that Mystery which from the beginning of the World was hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; to the intent that even unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places, might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God. In particular,
1. The Wisdom and Grace of God in the Constitution and making of the Covenant at Sinai; in the Institutions of all the Worship and Divine services thereunto belonging; in the Holy Fabricks, offerings and sacrifices of the Priests and Church of Israel, are declared and manifested therein. For all these things in themselves were carnal, and so used by the generality of the People, in a way unworthy of the Wisdom and Holiness of God.
But the Apostle declares and makes it evident in these Chapters, that in the design and intention of God, they had all of them an End and Use far more glorious than what appeared in their outward Administration; As also what intimations God made unto the Church of this end of them, and his intention in them.
2. There is therefore in these Chapters an absolute, infallible Interpretation of the whole Law, without which it would be a Sealed Book, and of no use unto us. But as the intention and mind of God in those legal Institutions is here declared, there is nothing in the whole Scripture that tends more to the illumination of our Minds, and the strengthning of our Faith, than doth the Law of these Institutions, as is manifested on all occasions in our Exposition. By vertue hereof there is not the meanest Christian Believer, but doth or may understand more of the Books of Exodus and Leviticus, see more of the Wisdom, Holiness and Grace of God in them, and know more of the nature and use of these legal Institutions, not only than all the present Jews, and their Teachers, but than was ever distinctly known in the Church of Israel, of Old.
3. The wisdom, righteousness and faithfulness of God in the Removal of the Old Covenant, with all the services thereunto belonging, are herein abundantly vindicated. This is the stone of stumbling unto this day to all the Jews. This they quarrel and contend with God and Man about; seeming to be resolved that if they may not enjoy their old Institutions, they will part with and leave even God himself. Neither indeed is it God, but a shadow of their old carnal Ordinances, which at present they cleave unto, worship and adore. Wherefore the Apostle by all sorts of Arguments doth in these Chapters manifest that before them, under them, by them, in them, God by various ways taught the Church, that they were not to be continued, that they were never appointed for their own sakes, that they only fore-signifyed the introduction of a better and more perfect Church State, than what they could attain unto, or be of use in; as also that their very Nature was such as rendred them obnoxious unto a removal in the appointed season. Yea, he demonstrates that without their Abolition, God could never have accomplished the design of his Love and Grace towards the Church, which he had declared in his promises from the Foundation of the World. And this absolutely determined the controversie between the two Churches, that of the Old, and that of the New Testament, with their Different worship and services, which was then a matter of fierce contention in the whole World. Wherefore,
4. The work of the Apostle in these Chapters is to shew the Harmony between the Law and the Gospel, their different Ends and Uses, to take off all seeming Repugnancy and Contradiction between them, to declare the same Grace, Truth and Faithfulness of God in them both, notwithstanding their inconsistent institutions of Divine Worship. Nay he makes it evident not only that there is an Harmony between them, but also an utter impossibility that either of them should be true or proceed from God, without the other.
5. Herein a glorious account is given of the Representation that was made of the Person and Incarnation of Christ, with the whole Office of his Mediation, according as it was granted unto the Church in its infant-state. Some have called it the infant-state of Christ as unto his Incarnation, and affirmed that the Ceremonies of the Law were as his swadling Bands. But things are quite otherwise. The glorious state of Christ and his Office is represented unto the Church in its infant-State, when it had no apprehension of spiritual things, but such as Children have of the objects of Reason. In particular, how the Antient Church was instructed in the Nature and blessed Efficacy of his Sacrifice, the Foundation of its Salvation, is made gloriously to appear.
6. Directions are given herein unto all unto whom the Gospel is preached, or by whom it is professed, how to behave themselves as unto what God requireth of them, expressed in clear Instructions and pathetical Exhortations, accompanied with glorious Promises on the one hand, and severe Threatnings on the other. Scarcely in the whole book of God such an exact description of the Nature and Work of Faith, the Motives unto it, and Advantages of it; of the deceitful actings of Unbelief, with the ways of its prevalency in the Minds, and over the Souls of men; of the End of true Believers on one hand, and of Hypocrites and Apostates on the other: as is in this discourse of the Apostle. Such a graphical Description and account of these things is given us in the sixth Chapter and the later part of the Tenth, as cannot but greatly affect the minds of all who are spiritually enlightned to behold things of this nature. A blessed glass is represented unto us, wherein we may see the true image and portraiture of Believers and Unbelievers, their different Ways, Actings and Ends.
In the whole there is made a most holy Revelation and Representation of the Wisdom of God, of the Glory of Christ, of the mystery of Grace in the Recovery of fallen man, and the Salvation of the Church, with the future Judgement, so as that they have a greater Lustre, Light and Glory in them unto such as have the Eyes of their understandings opened to behold spiritual things, than is in the Sun shining in its Strength and Beauty unto the Eyes of Flesh, unto which it is sweet and pleasant to behold the Light.
These are the Holy Sayings of God, the Glorious Discoveries of himself and his Grace, the Glass wherein we may behold the Glory of Christ, until we are transformed into the same image from Glory to Glory.
What in the Exposition of these things, and others of an alike nature God hath enabled me to attain unto, is left unto the Use of the Church, and the Judgement of every learned, pious, and candid Reader.
London April 17th. 1680. J. Owen.