Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture, Scripture 54

Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture · Scripture 54

p. 322THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWES.

CAP. I.

1 God who at sundry times, and in diverse manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets.THat God, who in the severall times, and ages of the world, did in many and diverse wayes, and manners, reveale himselfe to our forefathers, by his prophets; in dreames, in visions, in secret inspirations, and instincts, in apparitions of angels; sometimes in the cloud, sometimes in the fire, sometimes in whirlewindes, sometimes in a still voice, Hath now in these, &c.

3 Who being the brightnesse of his glory, and the expresse image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when hee had by himselfe purged our sins, sate downe on the right hand of the Majesty on high.Who being in respect of his divine nature, very God, of very God; light of his Fathers light, the brightnesse of those glorious beames of his eternall essence, and infinite majesty; and being so, the expresse and cleare representation of his Fathers person, as that the substance of the Father doth perfectly shine forth in him; and all that is to be knowne concerning God, is manifested to us, in and by him; and giving supportation, maintenance, preservation to all things, p. 323which hee hath made, by that almighty power of his; when hee had by his owne all-sufficient satisfaction, expiated, and done away all our sinnes; even by himselfe, and his owne pretious blood, shed for us; he then tooke up his rest in the full possession of heavenly glory (even as man) at the right hand of his Father.

Being in his very humane nature advanced so much higher then the greatest angels of heaven;4 Being made so much better then the Angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name they. by how much he hath obtained a more excellent, & glorious name then they, viz. to be called, and to be the Sonne of God, not by Grace, or adoption, as wee are, but by nature, and eternall communication of essence.

And of the Angels hee saith;7 And of the Angels he saith: who maketh his Angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. who makes these invisible, and spirituall natures, so swift messengers, as the very windes that passe suddainly round about the earth, and returne not; and makes those his ministring spirits, as quick, piercing, forceable, operative, as flames of fire.

Thus hee speakes ever of the Angels, as servants,8 But unto the Sonne he saith, Thy throne (O God) is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousnesse is the scepter of thy kingdome. but of the Sonne, he speakes as of the God, and Lord of the Angels; Thy throne O God, &c. Thy kingdome, and government is most just and righteous.

See Psal. 45.7.9 Thou hast loved righteousnesse, and hated iniquity, therefore God, even thy God, &c.

See Isa. 34.4.11 They shall perish, but thou remainest: and they all shall waxe old as doth a garment.

CAP. II.

SInce therefore it is so, that the Sonne of God,1 Therefore wee ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which wee have heard. which hath now last spoken to us by himselfe, is so much more excellent then the Angels, wee ought to give so much more diligent heed, and reverent respect to the things, which wee have heard spoken by him, &c.

For if that law which was given by the ministration of Angels, were of so great awfulnesse;2 For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast, and every transgression, and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; and every transgression thereof, and disobedience thereunto, carryed away a terrible judgement from the just hand of God;

How shall wee escape,3 How shall we escape, if wee neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord. if wee neglect the sweet and gratious word of the Gospell, the message and meanes p. 324of our eternall salvation; which first began to be personally preached by the Lord himselfe, &c.

6 But one in a certaine place testified, saying, What is man, &c.But the holy Psalmist in his eighth Psalme testified, saying; O God, what is man, &c.

7 Thou madest him a little lower then the Angels, thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and diddest set him over the workes of thy hands.Thou hast made that very Sonne of man for the little time of his humiliation, here on earth, somewhat lower then the Angels, but thou soone advancedst him againe, and crownedst him with infinite glory, and majesty; and didst make him (as Mediator) the Lord, and King over all the workes of thine hands.

8 But now, wee see not yet all things put under him.But now, as yet, wee doe not indeed see all things actually so subjected to his government, as that none of the rebellious enemies of Christ do rise up against him; it is enough that hee hath taken possession of his glory, and will in his owne due time, subdue all the adverse powers.

But in the meane time wee see that Jesus, who was indeed,9 Who was made a little lower then the Angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that he by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. made a little lower then the Angels, in respect of his suffering of death, (which those blessed spirits are not capable of) wee see him, I say, crowned with glory and honour, who was before humbled by his owne voluntary dispensation, and by the wonderfull grace, and favour of God, towards mankinde, that hee might undergoe that death for man, which every one is liable unto; and by his tasting of death, sweeten it to all his faithfull ones.

10 For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sonnes unto glory, to make the Captaine of their salvation perfect through sufferings.For it well stood with the justice, and mercy of that infinitely wise, powerful, & holy God, who is the maker, and preserver of all things; for the effecting of that his gratious decree, in saving many sonnes of his, and bringing them to their full glory; to fit this great author, and ring-leader of their salvation, for that wonderfull, and unspeakable glory, wherewith his humanity was to be invested, through many and great sufferings.

11 For both hee that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.For both that Saviour of ours, by whom wee are sanctified, and wee that are sanctified, are all of one nature, namely, we have all one common humanity; For which cause hee being, as hee is, God, blessed for ever, is not ashamed to call us, miserable men by the name of his brethren.

14 That through death hee might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devill.That by the suffering of that death, which was due to us for our sinnes, he might strip satan of that power, and advantage, which hee had over mankinde, in the drawing of man into eternall death, by miscarrying him into sinne, whose wages is death.

15 And deliver them who through the feare of death, were all their life time subject to bondage.And that hee might deliver those his chosen children, p. 325from the feare and horrour of temporall death, who in the state of nature, were held continually in a slavish feare, and dreadfull expectation of it.

Wherefore since hee would become man,17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that hee might be a mercifull, and faithfull High-priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. and our elder brother, it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren in all things, both in his substance, and affections, and infirmities, sinne onelyonly excepted; that out of his experience hee might be approved unto us, a mercifull, and faithfull High-priest, in those things which are requisite to make up a perfect rcconciliation with God, for the sinnes of the people.

For in that he himselfe,18 For in that hee himselfe hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. in his humane nature hath suffered, being assailed by diverse difficulties, and tryals of affliction, hee is therefore, out of his owne feeling experience, able to succour those that are thus afflicted, and assaulted.

CAP. III.

WHerefore, O yee Christian Jewes,1 Wherefore holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle, and Highpriest of our profession Christ Iesus. who are partakers of this heavenly calling, and brethren by your holy profession; consider and set before your eyes, Jesus Christ, your blessed Saviour, who in respect of the Gospell, is our great and prime Apostle, that brings us the glad tidings of salvation; and in respect to the Law, is our High-priest, who hath offered up a perfect sacrifice for mankinde.

Who was faithfull to God his Father,2 Who was faithfull to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithfull in all his house. in all things that were injoyned him to be done, even as (and much more, then ever) Moses was in the Israelitish Church; which was as the great family of God upon earth.

Ye have an high opinion of Moses;3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory then Moses, in as much as he who hath builded the house, hath more honour then the house. but know yee that there is no comparison to be admitted betwixt him, and Christ; for Christ is accounted worthy of so much more honour then Moses, by how much the builder, and master of the house is worthy of more honour, then the house which hee hath built, or any parcell thereof: Now Christ is the maker and owner of this great house of his Church, and Moses is a part of this house of God, as being a member of his Church; and therefore is worthy of much more honour then Moses.

The materiall houses wherein wee dwell,4 For every house is builded by some man, but he that built all things is God. are built by the hand of some man; but Christ who is the builder of this great house of the Church, yea of the whole world, is God, and therefore infinitely more excellent, then any creature whatsoever.

p. 3265 And Moses verely was faithfull in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.And Moses was faithfull in the administration of this whole Church, or house of God, as a servant; in delivering unto the people all that part of Gods will, which he would have then to be declared unto them; and which afterwards was to be more clearely set forth.

6 But Christ as a Sonne over his own house, whose house are wee, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoycing of the hope firme unto the end.But Christ is a faithfull governour, as the Sonne of God, and therefore as the true Lord, and owner of this house; which house or Church of his, wee are, if, as we have received the Christian faith and profession, so wee doe stedfastly hold on the resolute maintenance of the same faith, which onelyonly is able to give us confidence, and cause of rejoycing in the assured hope and expectation of our glory to come.

8, 9, 11. Harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wildernesse, when your fathers tempted mee, proved me, and saw my workes forty yeares: So I sware in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest.See Psal. 95. verse 8, 9, 10, 11.

12 Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evill heart of unbeleefe in departing from the living God.Take heed, brethren, lest after this holy profession, made by you, there be found in any of you an evill, and unbeleeving heart, to fall away, and depart from the colours of the living God, to take part with infidelity.

13 But exhort one another daily, whiles it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne.But exhort, and stirre up one another, daily, whiles God holds forth this happy oportunity unto you; lest, as it fell out with our forefathers in the wildernesse, so it should betide unto you; that any of you should have his heart hardned, and turned backe towards the spirituall Egypt, through the deceitfull suggestions of sinne.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if wee hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.For wee are already made partakers of Christ (in our holy profession) in his word and Sacraments, and shall be fully, and perfectly possessed of him, if wee goe on, according to our good beginning, and stedfastly hold that faith, which is onelyonly able to give us confidence and assurance, unto the end.

15 Whiles it is said to day, if yee will heare his voice, harden not, &c.See Psal. 95.8.

16 For some when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.For not all your forefathers that were brought by the hand of Moses, out of Egypt, did provoke God to p. 327anger, by tempting of him, but some, and those indeed not a few, when they heard his words, yet went on to tempt and offend him.

So then wee see they could not enter into the promised land, because of unbeleefe.19 So wee see that they could not enter in, because of unbeleefe.

CAP. IV.

LEt us therefore by their example, take heed, lest,1 Let us therefore feare, lest a promise being left us, of entring into his rest, any of you should seeme to come short of it. since wee have a promise left us by Christ, of entring into his glorious rest (whereof that other was but a dim type) any of you by turning backe to Judaisme, or infidelity, should come short of it.

It was the very same word of the Gospell that was preached to them of old, and of late unto us;2 For unto us was the Gospell preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. but how soveraine soever it was of it selfe, yet it was not at all available to the good of many of them; for that it was not mixed with faith, in them that heard it; for without faith in the receiver, the word profiteth nothing.

For as they had a rest, which if they had beleeved,3 For wee which have beleeved doe enter into rest, as hee said, As I have sworne in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest, although the workes were finished from the foundation of the world. they had entred into, so have wee also, and that a farre more excellent, and sweet rest, which wee shall (upon our beleefe) enter into; that which God calleth his rest; now that which God calleth his rest, was not that which was his ceasing from his worke of creation, on the seventh day, which was his Sabbath; for those sixe dayes workes of his were finished in the first beginnings of the world; before this other rest was mentioned; so as it is another kinde of rest, whereof God here speaketh, even that sweet complacencie, and contentment which hee takes in his blessed saints, and their glory with him.

For as of that other, which is the Sabbath dayes rest,4 For he spake in a certaine place of the seaventh day on this wise. he speaketh on this wise, &c.

And in this place againe,5 And in this place again: If they shall enter into my rest. hee speakes of another kinde of rest; even the fruition of his perfect peace, and glory, whiles he saith, If they shall enter into my rest.

Againe, in Davids mention of that rest,7 Againe, hee limiteth a certaine day saying in David, To day, after so long a time, as it is said, To day if ye will heare his voice. there is a certaine day limited, and specified, even long after that other rest was out of date; whiles he saith, To day if yee will heare his voice, &c.

For if Joshua,8 For if Iesus had given them rest, then would hee not afterward have spoken of another day. by bringing them into the promised land, had given them rest, he would never have spoken of another day of rest, which they should not have.

p. 3289 There remaineth therfore a rest to the people of God.There is therefore another manner of rest, which is glorious, and heavenly, that remaines for Gods faithfull people.

10 For hee that is entred into his rest, he also hath ceased from his owne workes, as God did from his.For hee that is entred into this blessed, and glorious rest, hee hath utterly ceased from all his unquiet, and troublesome labours, and miserable taskes, which he underwent here on earth: even as God himselfe on his seventh day, rested from the workes of his creation.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbeliefe.Let us therefore labour, and strive to enter into that perfect, and blessed rest of glory, and immortality; and let us take heed that none of us bee so miscarried, as our forefathers were, by their unbeliefe, from entring thereinto.

12 For the word of God is quicke and powerfull, and sharper then any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit, and of the joynts and marrow, and is a discerner of things and intents of the heart.For, it may not be slightly regarded whatsoever the word of God threatens unto us; for even as the judgements, which of old seized on them, were piercing and active; so is the word of God still (which menaces these vengeances to us) quicke, and powerfull, &c. searching into the very inmost powers, and faculties of the soule, and finding out our most close, and reserved thoughts and intentions.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtaine mercy.Let us therfore in the confident assurance of his readinesse to help us, make our addresse boldly, and cheerfully to the throne of his grace; upon all occasions suing to our bountifull God for a supply of all our necessities, &c.

CAP. V.

1 For every High-priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sinnes.FOr Christ is indeed a perfit High-priest, of whom the High-priest under the law was but a figure; we know that whosoever beares this office, is taken from among men of the same mould, and composition with themselves; and that hee is ordained for the behoofe, and benefit of men, in divine and spirituall matters; and specially that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for the sinnes of the people.

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, for that hee himselfe also is compassed with infirmity.And therefore, in likelihood, such a one, as can pitty the ignorant, and erring; for that he himselfe hath experience of the manifold infirmities, which call for his compassion in others.

6 As he saith also in another place, thou, &c.See Psalm. 110. verse 4.

p. 329Who in the time of this present, and mortall life,7 Who in the dayes of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and teares, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared: when hee had offered up the incense of his prayers, and supplications, &c. and was heard, and graciously answered in those extrem agonies, which he endured, not without a true humane, but inoffensive feare.

Though being the naturall, and eternall Sonne of God, he was replenished with all perfection of graces and vertues;8 Though hee were a sonne, yet learned hee obedience, by the things which he suffered. yet that he might be a mercifull High-priest for us, he was willing by the experience of his sufferings, to be tutored to an exact obedience.

And being thus by his exquisite sufferings,9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternall salvation, unto all them that obey him. and obedience, made a perfect High-priest; hee became the author of salvation to all those which obey him, in such humble and sincere manner as he obeyed his Father.

Seeing ye do yet make your selves uncapable of them,11 Seeing ye are dull of hearing. by fore-stalling your minds with sinister affections, and over-much respect to the Mosaicall law.

Whosoever in the schoole of Christ is such,13 For every one that useth milke, is unskilfull in the word of righteousnes. as that he needs to be (as it were) fed with the spoone, and instructed in the plainest, and easiest points of religion, that man surely, is uncapable of those higher, and more difficult doctrines of divinity, which require more skill, and more able apprehension to learne them.

Those more difficult and profound mysteries of Christianity,14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discerne both good and evill. belong to them, which are of more growth and strength of knowledge, and spirituall understanding; who have made their mindes inured unto, and exercised in these heavenly speculations, so as they are able to discerne betweene the good of truth, and the evill of errour.

CAP. VI.

THerefore not resting our selves contented with the knowledg of the first principles of Christiā religion,1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us goe on unto perfection, not laying againe the foundation of repentance from dead workes. let us goe on towards the perfect understanding of the highest mysteries thereof; not needing now to be instructed anew, in the first grounds of our Catechisme, in the doctrine of repentance for sinne, and of faith in God.

Those ordinary points of religion,2 Of the doctrine of Baptisme, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternall judgement. which are called for of all that are to be baptized, & to be made capable of the imposition of hands, for their confirmation in the faith received; and particularly, that there is an happy resurrection of the just to glory; & a judgement unto eternall death and damnation, pertaining to the wicked and ungodly.

p. 3303 And this will we do, if God permit.And surely I doubt not but this is our holy and Christian resolution, God inabling us thereunto: not slackning in our holy profession, not revolting from it; which condition is most fearfull.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have tasted of the heavenly gifts, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost:For if there be any who have beene once inlightened with the common illuminations of the Spirit of God, and have in some slight measure beene sensibly endowed with those divine gifts, which are wont to lead the way to saving graces, and have beene made partakers of the common graces of the holy Ghost:

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,And have (though not fully fed, yet) pleasingly tasted of the good word of God; and of the effectuall operation of those ordinances and meanes, which tend to the obtaining of a better life;

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them againe unto repentance, seeing they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.It will be impossible for such, (if they shall afterwards utterly Apostate frō, & wilfully abandon their Christian faith, renouncing it totally, and malitiously) to recover themselves againe by a sound and seasonable repentance, since they doe by this shamfull revolt, offer a new violence unto the Son of God; and scornfully fasten him upon the Crosse againe, and put him to open shame, and contumely, before the face of the world.

9 But beloved, we are perswaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speake.But my beloved, though we have made this tart comparison, of a barren, or ill-bearing soile, whose end is the fire; yet, we have said this, not out of any such hard conceit that wee have of you, as for your warning, and affrighting from your sinnes; for we are perswaded better things of you, making full account of you, that yee are those that are ordained unto eternall salvation.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and labour of love, which yee have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministred to the Saints, and doe minister.For it hath pleased God to give very gracious evidēces of your glory to come; in that he hath so happily wrought in you, inabled you to doe good; neither is, or can God be unrighteous in not perfecting, & retributing that your painfull love and zeale, which you shewed to his Name, in that ye have carefully, and beneficently ministred to the necessity of his Saints, &c.

12 Who through faith and patience, inherit the promises;Who now upon the power of their faith and patience, holding to the end, inherit that great and endlesse glory which was promised unto them;

14 Saying, Surely, blessing I will blesse thee, and multiplying I wil multiply thee.Saying, By my selfe I have sworne that I will exceedingly blesse and multiply thee, &c.

17 The heires of promise, the immutability of his counsell, confirmed it by an oath.To the heires of that promised inheritance of heavenly blessednesse; the unchangablenesse and stability of his decree; confirmed his promise by on oath.

That so by two immutable things, viz. Gods promise and his oath,18 That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. in both or either of which, it was impossible p. 331for God to lie, we might have a strong, and unmoveable consolation; who have in all our doubts and distresses fled to him as our sure stay, and refuge; laying hold upon that glory and happinesse which is set before us, by the hand of a lively and stedfast hope, and confident expectation thereof.

Which hope is to the soule,19 Which hope wee have as an anchor of the soule, both sure and stedfast, and which entreth into that within the vaile. as an anchor is to the ship, a sure and stedfast stay thereunto in all the stormes, and tempests of temptation; which is firmely pitched, not below on earth, but above in heaven, the true holy of Holies, within the vaile.

Whither Jesus Christ our blessed ringleader,20 Whither the forerunner is for us entred: even Iesus made an high Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. and forerunner, is before-hand entred for us, to take possession thereof, even for us also; and there to intercede for us, as being an High-Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.

CAP. VII.

BEing by his name, Melchisedec,2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all: first being by interpretation King of righteousnesse, and after that also King of Salem which is King of peace. King of righteousnesse; and, by his title, King of Salem, that is, of peace, and therefore carrying in his very appellation those two honorable attributes of his royalty, peace and righteousnesse. Brought in

Without any father,3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of dayes, nor end of life: but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a Priest continually. or mother mentioned in the Scripture; without any mention of his pedigree or descent; without any record either of his beginning, or ending; in all these regards resembling the Son of God; doth therefore abide an High-Priest for ever, in that there is no intimation given of any time wherein that office of his ceased.

But this Melchisedec,6 But he whose descent is not counted from them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. whose descent is not reckoned either from Levi or Abraham; as being before them both, and of an higher (though not recorded) pedigree, received tithes even of Abraham himselfe; and blessed that man, in whose seed all the nations of the earth were promised to be blessed.

And here men that are mortall,8 And here men that die, receive tithes: but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. and whose death and succession is apparently notified, receive tithes; but in that history of Abraham, he receiveth tithes, of whom there is no other mention but of his life, and continuance.

And, as I may so say, Levi himselfe,9 And as I may so say, Levi also who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. the father of that Priestly Tribe, who received tithes from all the rest of Israel, payed tithes (after a sort) to Melchisedec, in and p. 332by the hands of his father Abraham.10 For hee was yet in the loines of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

For hee was potentially in the loynes of his great grand-father Abraham, when Melchisedec met him.

If therefore perfect justification, and full consummation,11 If therefore perfection were by the Leviticall Priest-hood, (for under it the people received the Law) what further need was there that another Priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? both of grace and glory, might have beene had by the ministery and sacrifices of the Leviticall Priest-hood, (for under it the people received the great variety of lawes and ordinances from God, by which they were governed) what further need was there, that another High-priest should arise, of a more high and excellent order, which is the order of Melchisedec; and not rather hold on still in that Leviticall line, and order from Aaron?

12 For the Priest-hood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law.As the Priest-hood is no small part of the law and ordination of God, and that which is exercised in, and about the care and over-sight of the observations thereof; so it must thereupon follow, that the Priest-hood being changed, the law must of necessity be changed also.

13 For hee of whom these things are spoken, pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the Altar.For that Messiah of whom these things are spoken, that he should be such an High-priest, pertaineth to a quite other tribe, then that of Levi; even to the royall Tribe of Juda, out of which none ever descended that served at the Altar of God.

16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnall commandement, but after the law of an endlesse life.Who is made an High-Priest, not by vertue of a command, or institution, which stands upon a fleshly succession, but upon that infinite power of God, which continueth an endlesse life unto him, without all need, or possibility of a successour.

For that old Mosaicall law was disannulled by reason of the weaknesse thereof,18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandement going before, for the weaknesse and unprofitablenesse thereof. and the utterly disability that it had to justifie, and save any client whomsoever; another therefore, which is an Evangelicall law, must of necessity come in the roome of it.

19 For the law made nothing perfect: but the bringing in of a better hope did: by the which we draw nigh unto God.For the Law verily could not, by the rituall observations thereof, give perfit justification to any follower of it; but this new Law and Priest-hood of Christ, which raises up our hearts to a comfortable hope and assurance of the favour of God, and salvation, brings us at last unto an happy perfection.

20 And in as much as not without an oath hee was made Priest,And in so much as God doth not mention his ordaining of Christ to be an High-priest without the preface of a solemne oath,

21 (For those Priests were made without an oath: but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware, and will not repent, &c.(For those other Leviticall High-Priests were not brought in with this solemne attestation of the oath of the Almighty; but this true and onelyonly High-priest, was so; whiles it is said: The Lord sware, and will not repent. Thou art a Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.

p. 333By so much was Jesus made the undertaker and Mediator of a more noble, and excellent covenant,22 By so much was Iesus made a surety of a better testament. which God hath made with mankinde, under the Gospell, then that old covenant whereof Moses was the interpreter.

But that other ordination and profession,28 For the Law maketh men high Priests which have infirmitie, but the word of the oath which was since the law, maketh the Sonne, who is consecrated for evermore. which God made since the Law, wherein by his word & his oath, he published a more perfect Priest-hood, declareth his eternall Sonne to be that High-priest, who is fully glorified for evermore.

CAP. VIII.

A Minister of that glorious Sanctuary,2 A minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man. whereof this below was but a figure; and of that everlasting Tabernacle of heaven, which was pitcht by the hands of God alone; and not by men, as that other Mosaicall Tabernacle was; which is indeed the truth, and substance of that, whereof that other was but a type, and shadow.

For if he were such an High-priest,4 For if hee were on earth, he should not bee a Priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the Law. as ye Jewes would have your Messias to bee, conversing still on earth, and exercising these Leviticall actions, in a materiall Temple, hee should bee indeed no Priest at all; seeing yee know those Priests which doe these like functions, are of another Tribe, then that whereof hee was; neither were there any use of him for these kinde of sacrifices; neither could they be worthy of an High-priest, of so glorious order & condition; others were by God assigned to that purpose.

Whose service was altogether umbraticall,5 Who serve unto the example, and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished, &c. and Typicall; shadowing, and representing heavenly things, by these outward, and earthly rites, fabricks, sacrifices: As Moses was admonished, &c.

By how much Christ is the Mediator of a more excellent covenant, even that Evangelicall,6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministery, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. more excellent then the legall, which is grounded upon the promises of life, and salvation to every beleever.

For if that other covenant of workes and rituall observations could have beene fully able to justifie mankinde,7 For if that first covenant had beene faultlesse, then should no place have beene sought, &c. then should no place have beene left for this other covenant of faith.8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the dayes comes (saith the Lord) when I will make, &c.

But as finding an insufficiency in the trust which they p. 334reposed in the old covenant; he promiseth a better; saying, Behold, in the dayes of the Gospell, I will (saith the Lord) make, &c.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make, &c.See Ier. 31.33.34.

CAP. IX.

1 Then verely the first Covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.THen verely, that first covenant was altogether in types, and significations of spirituall things, consisting of many ceremonies, and having an outward, and materiall sanctuary.

2 For there was a Tabernacle made, the first wherein was a candlesticke, and the Table, and the shew-bread, which is called the Sanctuary.For there was a tabernacle made; in the first roome whereof (which was next to the open court where the people assembled) was the candlesticke and the Tables, whereon the shew-bread was dayly set; and this former roome was called the holy place, or Sanctuary.

3 And after the second vaile, the Tabernacle, which is called the holiest of all:And within the vaile, there was a second roome of the Tabernacle called the holy of holies; or the holiest of all.

4 Which had the golden censor, and the arke of the covenant, over laid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aarons rod that budded, and the Tables of the Covenant.Into which the High-priest onelyonly entred with his golden censor; and in which was the Arke of the Covenant, over-laid round about with gold; within which Arke were reserved the two tables of the Law; and in the verge whereof were kept the pot of Manna, which God would have laid up for a monument of that miraculous provision for Israel, and the rod of Aaron that budded.

5 And over it the Cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat, of which wee cannot now speake particularly.And over it were those glorious Cherubims, whose wings, being spread forth, shadowed the cover of the Arke, which was called the mercy-seat; of all which severall things, there is no need in this place to make a particular discourse.

6 The Priests went alwaies into the first Tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.The priests went daily into the first roome of the Tabernacle, accomplishing those ordinary services of God, which were required of them in their daily ministration.

7 But into the second went the High-Priest alone once every yeare, not without blood, which hee offered for himselfe, and for the errours of his people.But into the second, or inner roome of the Tabernacle, went the High-priest alone, once every yeare, not without a solemne sacrifice, first offered, (and the blood thereof sprinkled about) for the expiation of his owne sinnes, and for the errours, and over-sights of the people.

8 The holy Ghost this signifieth, that the way into the holiest of all, was not yet made manifest, while as the first Tabernacle was yet standing.The holy Ghost signifying this mystery unto us, that while the outer roome of the Tabernacle (whereby was p. 335signified the state of the Church under the law) stood, separated by a vaile from the holiest of all; (which represented heaven) the way to heaven howsoever it were knowne to some few, yet was not openly manifested to the world, as it was by Christ afterward.

Which outward roome of the Tabernacle,9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience, and the court leading thereinto was a figure of the then present time and condition under the old law, wherein were offered both gifts and sacrifices of all kindes; yet such, as in, and of themselves, had no power or vertue, to acquit and justifie him that did that service; and to appease and cleare the conscience in spirituall matters.

Which said law consisted, for the most part,10 Which stood onelyonly in meates and dri…kes, and divers washings, and carnall ordinances imposed on them untill the time of reformation. in the differences of meates, and drinkes, cleane and uncleane, in divers washings and rinsings, and manifold outward bodily ceremonies, and rituall observations, imposed upon the Jewish people, untill the time of the new Testament; wherein the Messias should rectifie and reforme, and supply, whatsoever was amisse or wanting in their performances.

But Christ being now comne,11 But Christ being come an High-priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building: a true and ever-glorious High-priest, bringing and obtaining eternall happinesse to his Church, hath in his humane nature, which is a more noble and excellent Tabernacle, then that materiall one; and of a divine making, (whereas that other was made by the hands of men,)

Not with the shedding,12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves: but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternall redemption for us. and sprinkling of the blood of, whether goats or calves, or any other beasts, but having willingly shed his owne most pretious blood; hee entred once for all into the high and holy heavens, having thereby redeemed us from sinne, and death, and obtained an everlasting inheritance for us.

For if the blood of buls, &c. sanctified so farre,13 For if the blood of buls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the uncleane, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; as to wash off a legall impurity from the flesh,

How much more shall the blood of Christ,14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternall Spirit, offered himselfe without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead workes, to serve the living God. who by the motion of his eternall Spirit (the infinite efficacie and power whereof made his death fully meritorious, and perfectly availeable) offered himselfe, as a most pure, and spotlesse sacrifice unto God; purge and cleanse your conscience from all those sinfull, and odious corruptions, which are noysome to God, and deadly to your owne soules; that yee might be wholly consecrated to the service of the true and living God.15 And for this cause hee is the Mediator of the new Testament, that by meanes of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were made under the first Testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance.

And for this cause is he the mediator of the new Testament; p. 336not that hee might flourish, and raigne upon earth, in an outward pompe, as yee Jewes vainly imagine, but that hee might suffer death even for those transgressions, under the old Testament, which the blood of beasts could no way expiate, and that all those which are effectually called by him, might receive the promise and performance of an eternall inheritance.

16 For where a Testament is, there must also of necessitie be the death of the Testator.Neither should it seeme strange to you to heare of the death of the Messias; for where a testament is, there must be also of necessity the death of the Testator.

19 Hee tooke the blood of calves, and of goats, with water and scarlet wooll, and hysope, and sprinkled both the booke and all the people.Hee tooke the blood of calves and goats, mixing it with water; that it might not clodder and congeale together, and dipping therein scarlet wooll which might drinke up and retaine it, and sprigs of hyssop, that might disperse it abroad, hee sprinkled therewith both the booke of the Law, and the people, to signifie that neither that law could bee fulfilled, nor the people freed from their sinnes, but onelyonly by the blood of Christ.

22 And without shedding of blood is no remission.Without shedding, and sprinkling of blood, there was no doing away of any legall impurities: and without Christs blood shed, no doing away of any spirituall, or morall impurity of the soule.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patternes of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices then these.It was therefore necessary that this earthly Tabernacle (which was a patterne of the heavenly, and spirituall) should be thus consecrated with these earthly rites, and with the blood of beasts; but the true spirituall and heavenly Tabernacle, which is his holy Church it selfe, was to be purified with a better sacrifice, even with the blood of Christ.

24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven it selfe.For Christ is not entred into that externall and materiall holy of holies, which was a type of that true and blessed sanctuary of heaven, but into the very heaven itselfe, &c.

28 So Christ was once offered to beare the sinnes of many, and unto them that looke for him, shall he appeare the second time without sinne unto salvation.So Christ was once offered, to make full satisfaction for the sins, not of some few, but of many, yea of all mankinde, if they could all beleeve in him; and unto those that are his, who love and looke for his glorious appearance, shall he come againe and shew himselfe, not in infirmity, as before, but with power; not to be offered up againe for sinne, but to judge sinners, and to perfect the salvation of his elect.

p. 337CAP. X.

THe Spirituall state of things is like unto a picture,1 For the Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered yeare by yeare continually, make the commers thereunto perfect. wherein there are first, some rude lines chalked out; afterward, the colours are laid, and the full resemblance expressed; even so it was here; the law was but as the first rude draught of good things, to come; and had not the full image, or lively expression of the things themselves; & therefore could never by those shadowie sacrifices, which they offered cōtinually, yeare by yeare, make perfect those that followed the rules, & practise thereof.

For where there is no sinne,2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered, because that the worshipers once purged, should have had no more conscience of sinnes. there needs not be any offering for sinne; if therefore sinne had beene done fully away, by those offerings; what use could there have beene of any more oblations? since that these legall worshipers, being once purged from their sinne, should have found no more trouble in their conscience for that sinne, from which they were once cleared.

But now it is plaine,3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance againe made of sinnes every yeare. that in these legall sacrifices there is a continuall refrication of the memory of those sinnes every yeare, which wee have committed, so as we are put in minde, both of our guilt thereby, and of satisfaction to be made unto God for it.

Wherefore when hee intimates the incarnation of Christ, and his comming into the world in the flesh,5 Wherefore when hee commeth into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared mee. hee saith, Sacrifice and oblation is not the thing that thou restest in, or wherein thou receivest full satisfaction: but thou hast personally designed mee to thy perfect, and entire service; both in doing and suffering; and thereby art reconciled to the world.

See Psal. 40.7.7 Then said I, Lo I come, (In the volume of the book it is written of me) to doe thy will, O God.

Hee taketh away the use of sacrifices, and oblations,9 Hee taketh away the first, that hee may establish the second. that he may establish the perfect use, and improvement of Christs incarnation, and exquisite obedience.

That will which Christ came to doe,10 By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Iesus Christ, once for all. was Gods decree of his perfect fulfilling the Law, and suffering death for our redemption; by the exact performance whereof, we are sanctified, through his voluntary offering of himselfe to death, once for all mankinde.

Every priest after the Leviticall order,11 And every Priest standeth daily ministring, and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. is imployed dayly, in his externall ministration, and offereth oftentimes, the same kinde of outward, and bodily sacrifices, which yet have not the vertue to take away any sins at all.

For by one offering hee hath perfectly satisfied for all those whom hee hath chosen to himselfe;14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. and hath p. 338thereby wrought out the salvation of all those which are, or shall be in all times sanctified to his service, and glory.

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldnesse to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Iesus;Now therefore, seeing we see so happy a change made, that whereas under the law, none but the High-priest might enter into the holy of Holies, with the blood of beasts, now wee all may have free entrance into heaven it selfe (which is the truth and substance of that shadow) through the pretious blood of Jesus Christ.

20 By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the vaile, that is to say, his flesh;As under the law, the High-priest passed through the vaile into the Holy of holies; so now under the Gospell, the vaile, through which we must enter into the holy heavens, is the flesh of Christ; that is the new, and everliving way, which is ordained, and consecrated for our onelyonly passage into glory.

21 And having an high Priest over the house of God;And having now, insteed of that Leviticall Priesthood, so absolute and glorious an High-priest, set over the whole Church of God,

22 Let us draw neere with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.Let us doe all things really, and spiritually, which were signified by those externall rites; and therefore, let us draw neare unto God, not with outward aspersions, but with a true heart, in full confidence, and stedfast relyance upon the mercies of God; having (instead of those outward sprinklings of the body) our hearts sprinkled, and cleansed from an evill conscience; even from all our sinfull corruptions; and our bodies washed, as with baptismall water, whereby wee are initiated into the Church, so also sanctified by the Spirit of God, and delivered from all filthinesse of sinne.

24 And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good workes.And let us have a charitable, and tender respect one to another; in stead of those strange and envious dispositions, and carriages, that are wont to be betwixt Jewes and Gentiles; let us so frame our selves and our affections, as that we may draw on each other to mutuall love, and good workes.

25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Not withdrawing, & utterly separating our selves from the assemblies of Gods people, upon conceit of the peculiar rights, & prerogatives, which God hath given to the Jewes, above the Gentiles; and standing upon the high termes of difference, as the manner of some is; but rather incouraging and exhorting one another, to these holy services, and so much the rather, now, because yee know, that the day of the Lords comming draweth on.

26 For if we sinne wilfully, after that wee have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes.For if we do wilfully abandon the Church of God, & fall totally away from that saving truth, & holy religion, which we have received the knowledge of, and professed to imbrace; purposely, and malitiously opposing our selves thereunto, thus sinning against the holy Ghost; p. 339there remaineth no way, or meane to expiate our sinne, since that blood of Christ, which is the onelyonly sacrifice for sinne, is thus by us contemned, and troden under foot.

Neither doth, or can ought remaine for us,27 But a certaine fearfull looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. in this fearfull, and deplorable condition, but a certain dreadfull exspectation of Gods terrible judgments, and that wrath and indignation of his, which shall be as a consuming fire to devoure the wilfull adversaries of his Truth.

Hee that did willingly violate,28 Hee that despised Moses law, died without mercy, under two or three witnesses. or transgresse (much more that did wilfully contemne, or blaspheme) the law of Moses, suffered death, without mercy, upon the accusation, and evidence of two or three witnesses.

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose yee, shall hee be thought worthy, who hath troden under foot the Son of God, & hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith hee was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despight unto the spirit of grace. shall that wilfull apostate be thought worthy of, who by his revolt, from the profession of Christ, and his contemptuous opposition to his Gospel, hath, as it were, troden under foot, the Son of God; and powred contempt, and scorne, upon that precious blood of Christ, wherewith the covenant betwixt God, and his people is made, and ratified, and that, whereupon dependeth all the sanctification of men; making no difference betwixt that sacred blood of his, & the blood of brute creatures, and hath done a spightfull affront unto that good Spirit of God, whereby grace is wrought in the hearts of men, by contemning and opposing the gratious motions thereof.

But do ye call to remembrance those good,32 But call to remembrance the former dayes, in which, after yee were illuminated, yee endured a great fight of afflictions. and holy beginnings of yours, when ye first received the Gospell; how that after yee were inlightned with the knowledge of Christ, ye did cheerfully resolve to suffer for his name, and underwent a great triall of afflictions, for your good profession.

For in these manifold, and great difficulties,36 For yee have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, yee might receive the promise. and fiery trials, ye will have need of a strong and invincible patience, that after ye have undergone, and fulfilled the will of God, in your active and passive obedience, ye may be made partakers of the promised inheritance.

Neither shall ye need to feare that ye shall linger over long, under your sufferings;37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tary. for God your sure and gracious deliverer, hath set the time, wherein he will free you from all your troubles; and that time shall not be long, neither can be protracted beyond that period, which he hath limited unto it.

Untill the accomplishment whereof (however it may seeme delayed) the true and sound Christian shall live,38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw backe, my soule shall have no pleasure in him. and uphold himselfe, by the strength of his faith; but if any man shall cowardly slinke from his holy profession, and renounce that calling of his Christianity, which hee p. 340sees thus persecuted, my soule shall hate that man, as worthy of the displeasure both of God and man.

39 But wee are not of them who draw back unto perdition: but of them that beleeve to the saving of the soule.But we are not of them which apostate from Chr…ist to their utter damnation; but of that number of beleevers, which persist in a lively faith, and constant profession, to the saving of our soules.

CAP. XI.

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seene.NOw this faith wherof we speake, and which we hold fast is that, which gives us a present cōfidence in, and a fruition of those things, which are onelyonly yet in hope ours; and that which doth clearely and certainly reveale and disclose unto us those things, which are not discernable by the eye of sense, or reason.

2 For by it the Elders obtained a good report.Neither, did our fore-fathers any other way finde acceptation from the hands of God, then by their faith.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seene were not made of things which doe appeare.Whereas the wisest heathens have doubtfully disputed concerning the state of the world, whether it had any beginning, and how it came to have a being; we, through faith, doe clearely apprehend the truth of this matter; and doe certainely understand that the world was framed by the all-powerfull word of God; and that it was made of nothing; so as of that which was not at all, nor had any pre-existence in nature, was made this visible frame of heaven, and earth.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice then Cain, by which he obtained witnes, that hee was righteous; God testifying of his gifts, and by it he being dead, yet speaketh.It was onelyonly the faith of Abel, that made the difference betwixt his sacrifice, and the sacrifice of Cain; whereupon God gave a sensible testimony of his accepting, first the person, and then the offering of Abel; and, by the vertue of that faith it was, that God regarded so the blood of Abel, as that, after he was dead, he heard the cry thereof, and tooke order for the revenge of it.

It was upon the faith of Enoch, that he was in an extraordinary,5 By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation, &c. and supernaturall maner translated from earth to heaven; without passing through the gates of death, which is the common way of mankinde; and was no more to be found upon earth, because God had miraculously translated him, &c.

7 By the which he condemned the world, and became heire of the righteousnesse which is by faith.By which example of his obedience, and faith, he condemned the unbeleefe, and obstinacy of the world; and shewed, by his preservation, that the world did justly perish, for not being warned by him; whose word, if they had obeyed, they had escaped that destruction.

10 For hee looked for a citie which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.Hee was content to dwell, a while, in those moving Tents, because his heart was set upon the expectation p. 341of a fixed, and during city, in heaven; the foundations whereof are eternall; whose builder, and maker is God.

By faith,11 Through faith also Sarah her selfe received strength to conceive seed. Sarah her selfe (though at first she laughed distrustfully) recollecting her selfe, received strength to conceive, &c.

Therefore sprang there of one (even Abraham) who was (in respect of any likelihood of propagation) as good as dead, an innumerable issue, &c.12 Therfore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the starres.

These all died in faith, not having received the performance of those gracious promises,13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seene them a farre off. concerning the comming of the Messiah in the flesh, & the accomplishment of his spirituall Kingdome; but having seene them a farre off, &c.

They that doe confesse themselves to be strangers,14 For they that say such things, declare plainly, that they seeke a country. and pilgrims on earth, doe therein plainly declare, that their thoughts, and endevours are bent upon their glorious home in heaven.

It was not in respect of Mesopotamia,15 And truly, if they had beene mindfull of that countrey, from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to, &c. whence they came, that they accounted themselves strangers; for if they had had a mind thither, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

But accounting themselves strangers, both in Chaldea,16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a citie. and in Canaan, they raised up their hearts to the desire of a better country, that is, an heavenly; and God respected them accordingly; disdaining to intitle himselfe particularly by their name; as styling himselfe their God; having prepared for them that blessed city, and country of heavenly glory, which they looked for.

From whence, also, in a sort, hee received him;19 From whence also he received him in a figure. in that the suddaine, and inexpected ereption of Isaac from that his imminent, and intended death, was, as it were, a figure, and resemblance of his raising from the dead.

By faith Isaac did so blesse Jacob, and Esau,20 By faith Isaac blessed Iacob and Esau concerning things to come. concerning their future estate, as that he both knew, and signified, that the elder should serve the younger; and gave a greater benediction to Jacob, then to his elder brother.21 And worshipped leaning upon the top of his staffe.

And being now so weake with age, that hee was not able to stand upright, hee, leaning upon the top of his staffe, worshipped God; and prayed for a blessing on Ephraim, and Manasseh.

And feared not the danger of not fulfilling the edict of Pharaoh, concerning the drowning of the males, &c.23 And they not afraid of the Kings commaudement.

Esteeming that reproach (which hee,26 Esteeming the reproch of Christ greater riches then the treasures in Aegypt. together with Gods people, suffered, in, and for the expectation of Christ, whom he fore-saw to come,) greater riches, then all the treasures of Aegypt, &c.

p. 34227 By faith he forsooke Aegypt not fearing the wrath of the King: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.By faith, he having forsaken Aegypt, upon the slaughter of the Aegyptian, returned to bring Gods message for the deliverance of his people, not fearing the wrath of King Pharaoh; but resolved to undergoe all dangers, as setting before his eyes that powerfull God, which is invisible; whom he knew to be both able, and willing to rescue him.

28 Through faith hee kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first borne, should touch them.Through faith, he kept that Passover, which God ordained, and appointed; and caused the posts, and lintells of the Israelites doores to be sprinkled with blood, that the destroying Angell, which slew the first borne of the Aegyptians, might not touch them.

33 Who through faith subdued Kingdomes, wrought righteousnesse, obtained promises, stopped the mouthes of lions,Who through faith, subdued kingdomes, as Josuah, and David: wrought righteousnesse, carrying themselves justly in their government, as Samuel, and David; obtained the promises made unto them, by God, as Abraham, of a sonne; Caleb and Joshuah of the promised land; Gedeon & Jepthe of victories; stopped the mouths of Lions, as Samson, and as Daniel;

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weaknesse were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.Quenched the violence of the fire, not being so much as scorched therewith, as the three children; escaped the edge of the sword, and David the sword of Saul, Elias of Jezebel; out of weaknesse were made strong, as Job, and Ezekias; became valiant in battell, as Joshua, Samson, Samgar, and David; turned to flight the armies of aliens, as Samson, Jonathan, Jehosaphat.

35 Women received their dead raised to life againe, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtaine a better resurrection.Women received their dead restored to life, as the Shunamite, and the Sareptan; others were tortured, and tormented for their religion, and would not accept of deliverance, and ease, (as Eleazar and the Maccabean brothers,) that dying for Gods cause, they might be partakers of an happy resurrection to eternall life.

They were stoned, as Zachariah; they were sawne a sunder,36 They were stoned, they were sawne asunder. as Esay, &c.

39 And these all having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.All these, having received a good testimony, and a gratious acceptation through their faith, yet received not that large measure of grace, which was promised, and performed under the Gospell; neither did injoy the presence of that (now-exhibited) Saviour, in whom all the promises of God are Yea and Amen.

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.God having provided for us, in these later times, better things, even the manifestation of Christ in the flesh, and abundance of grace and illumination; that they might not over-runne us in spirituall priviledges, and perfection; and that their salvation and happinesse might wholly depend upon that, which is exhibited, and performed in our dayes.

p. 343CAP. XII.

VVHerefore since wee are compassed about with such innumerable examples of holy men,1 Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sinne which doth so easily beset us, and let us runne with patience unto the race that is set before us. who have so fully testified the vertue, and power of faith, let us, (as those that runne a race) cast away every thing that may clog and burden us in our passage; and particularly all our sinfull corruption, which is both the heaviest, and closest weight that lies upon the soule, & let us stirre up our selves to runne with patience, and couragious resolution, the race that is set before us.

Yee have indeed suffered many things for the name of Christ, ye have beene stripped of your goods,4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sinne. and afflicted in your bodies, but yet ye have not (which yee must not refuse, if ye be called unto it) suffered death, for the defence of the truth, and opposition to wickednesse, and errour.

If ye be utterly exempted from whatsoever chastisements, (whereof,8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are yee bastards, and not sonnes. all the true Sonnes of God are partakers) this shall argue unto you, that yee are not the true, and naturall, but the base and supposititious sons of God.

As it is in these humane corrections,11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous: neverthelesse, afterward it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesses unto them which are exercised thereby. those chastisements, which were grievous unto our childhood, are afterwards allowed of us, as profitable unto us; so it is in these afflictions from the hand of God; none of them are for the time, pleasing; but grievous and irksome; yet afterwards, we finde them to bee exceeding beneficiall; working an happy, and sweet peace in the heart, after all the unquiet broyles and tumults of temptation; and a blessed increase of all grace, and sanctification, in the soule of him, that is therewith exercised.

Wherefore, comfort your selves with these things,12 Wherefore lift up the hands, which hang downe, and the feeble knees: and rouze up your fainting courage, to the chearefull induring of all afflictions.

And go on evenly,13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame bee turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed; and steddily in this course of Christianity, which yee have entred into; lest yee come once to halt betwixt truth, and errour, God and the world; ye be, at the last, utterly perverted; but be carefull rather, upon the first sense of your doubts, or complaints, to receive full satisfaction, and due incouragement.

Looking diligently, not onelyonly to your selves,15 Looking diligently, lest any man faile of the grace of God, lest any root of bitternesse springing up, trouble you and thereby many be defiled. but to each other also; carefully stirring up each other, lest any man languish in and come short, of that grace of God which hee either had, or might have had; lest any erroneous, or apostating spirit rise up among you, p. 344and trouble your peace, and draw away (or at least) infect many.

17 For hee found no place of repentāce, though he sought it carefully with teares.For though he did at last earnestly, and with teares repent him of his bargaine; yet he found no such benefit of that his late repentance, as thereby to recover that which he yeelded to forgoe; neither could those teares of his move his father Isaac, to repent of that benediction, which he had justly given to Jacob.

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, not unto blacknesse, and darknesse. and tempest.I would have you to know, and seriously consider, that under the Gospell, there is required a greater care of your holy cariage, then there was under the Law, by how much the meanes thereof are more gracious, and effectuall; This different condition may be well expressed to you, by two Mounts, the one of Sinai, the other of Sion; ye are not then comne to that earthly, and materiall mount of Sinai, which might be touched and felt; and that burned (in a delivery of the Law,) and was compassed about with blacknesse, and darknesse, and tempest.

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Ierusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels:But ye are comne to the spirituall mount Sion; even to the holy Church of the living God; the heavenly Jerusalem; where ye shall bee in the society of innumerable Angells.

23 To the generall assemblies, and Church of the first borne which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.Where ye shall be joyned to the universall company of those Saints of God, that are, and have beene most eminent in grace here on earth, and are most conspicuous for glory, above; where ye shall injoy the presence of God, the righteous, & glorious Judge, governor of all; and of the glorified Spirits of just, and holy men, which are now happy in the blessed vision of God.

24 And to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things then that of Abel.Where ye shall injoy the presence of our deare Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is the Mediator of the new Tes… ment, whose blood being shed for the redemption of mankind, calls out unto God, not for revenge, as Abels, but for a full remission of sinne, and reconciliation of man unto God.

25 See that yee refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth; much more shall not wee escape if wee turne away from him that speaketh …rom heaven.See then that ye refuse not that Christ, which speaketh unto you, in his heavenly Gospell; For if they escaped not, who refused to harken to the Law, which God by Angell delivered to man, here upon earth; how much lesse shall we escape, if we despise the Gospell, which is delivered unto us from heaven?

Whose voice then, in the delivery of the Law was so terrible,26 Whose voice then shooke the earth, but now he hath promised, saying, that it caused the earth to tremble, and quake; but now speaking of the promulgation, and successe of his Gospell, he promiseth a further change, and motion, p. 345that he will make, even in the heaven also, and in the spirituall condition of his Church.

And this word, Once more, signifieth,27 And this word yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot bee shaken may remaine. that one maine alteration, that shall be made by God, in the bringing in of his Gospell; that all those things which are subject to change, and corruption, shall be removed (as those that are made and ordained to mutation) that the everlasting Kingdome of Christ may be perpetually established.

Wherefore, we having our part in the spirituall,28 Wherefore wee receiving a Kingdome, which cannot bee moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly feare. and everlasting Kingdome of Christ, which cānot be moved, let us labour for that true grace of his Spirit, which may enable us to serve God acceptably, in all holy awe, and reverence of his divine Majesty.

For God, as he is most gracious and mercifull to those that feare and serve him,29 For our God is a consuming fire. so he is a most terrible avenger of all wickednesse, and disobedience, and will bee sure to punish it with unspeakable torments.

CAP. XIII.

FOr thereby some, as Abraham, and Lot,2 For thereby some have entertained Angels unawares. have intertained Angells in the shape of men unawares.

Having an eye to the patience, and constant martyrdome,7 Considering the end of their conversation. wherewith those your teachers have shut up their well-led lives, here on earth.8 Iesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

And as theirs, so let your faith be stedfastly fixed on Jesus Christ your Saviour, who altereth not, but is, and was and will be still the same for ever.

And as Christ is one, & the same,9 Be not carried about with divers & strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart bee established with grace, not with meates, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. so is the truth of his doctrine; which ye ought, therefore, constantly to embrace; Be not therefore carried away with diversity, and new-fanglenesse of doctrines; with vaine, and superstitious observations; For it is a good, and happy thing to have the heart truly setled in a state of regeneration, and not to be taken up with frivolous disquisitions, concerning the choice, or cleannesse, and uncleannesse of meats, which have no way availed, or benefited those that have exercised themselves therein.

VnderUnder the Law it was appointed,10 Wee have an altar whereof they have no right to eate, which serve the Tabernacle. that they which served in the Tabernacle, should eate of those sacrifices, which were offered upon the Altar; but now, it is otherwise; we have a Spirituall and living altar, and sacrifice, even Christ Jesus himselfe; of whom they cannot claime any right to partake, that are addicted to the ceremonies of the abrogated law.

p. 34613 Let us goe forth therefore unto him without the campe, bearing his reproch.Let us therefore couragiously, and cheerfully imitate the example of his sufferings; bearing that reproch of impurity, and unworthinesse, which is cast upon us, for his names sake.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus Christ that great shepheard of the sheepe, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.Now the God of peace, who brought againe from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, having approved himselfe, as the great, so the true and good shepheard of his elect, by shedding that precious blood of his, whereby the everlasting covenant of peace and reconciliation, is ratified and confirmed betwixt God and man.

22 For I have written a letter unto you in few words.For I have written a letter unto you, howsoever large in it selfe, yet very short in comparison of the weight, and worth of the argument, and that entire affection of mine, from whence it hath proceeded.