1. m ^^r*t ^^BbLv ^*t_J^ '* *;s* X ^ ,v.,. -J. *a-# M>.
2. LIBRA.RY OF THE Theological Seminary, PRINCETON, N.J. C^^7
d
3. I
4. OWEN'S EXPOSITION EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
5. AN EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS PRELIMINARY
EXERCITATIONS. BY JOHN OWEN, D.D A NEW EDITION, IN FOUR VOLUMES.
VOL. I. Search thk Scriptures.John v. 89. LONDON PRINTED FOR
TIiaMAS TEGG, 73, CIIEAPSIDE. 1840.
6. LONDOM rRl.NTl.O BY J. HADDON, CASTLE STHEET, FINSBURY.
7. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir WILLIAM MORRICE, Knight, ONE OP
HIS majesty's MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL, AND PRINCIPAL
SECRETARY OP STATE, &C. Sir, * The dedication^of books unto
persons of worth and honour hath secured itself from the
impeachment of censure, by taking sanctuary in the usage of all
times and ages. Herein, therefore, as none is needed, so I shall
make use of no apology. But the consideration of some circumstances
(needless to be repeated) seem to render an account of the reason
of my particular address unto you in this man- ner necessary. This
therefore, I shall give but briefly ; Ne longo sermone morer tua
tempora That which principally in this matter I resolved my
thoughts into, was a design to answer my own inclination and
desire, in testifying a respectful honour to a person who in a
place of eminency, hath given so fair an example of a singular
conjunction in himself, of civil pru- dence, and all manner of
useful literature, with their mutual subser- viency unto each other
; an endeavour whereof, the wisdom of all ages hath esteemed
needful, though few individuals have attained unto it. For whereas
a defect in learning hath tempted some, otherwise prudent and wise
in the management of affairs, unto a con- tempt of it ; and skill
therein hath given unto others a mistaken confidence, that it alone
is sufficient for all the ends of human life, an industrious
attempt, for a furnishment of the mind with a due mixture of them
both, hath been greatly neglected, to the no small disadvantage of
human afiairs. It cannot therefore seem strange, nor ought any to
be offended, that one who dares to profess a great honour unto, and
admiration of both these endowments of the mind of man, should
express them with that respect, which alone he is capable to give
unto him, who in a place of eminent trust and em- ployment, hath
given a singular instance of their happy conjunction, and readiness
to coalesce in the same mind, to enable it unto a re- gular and
steady pursuit of their common ends. Whether I shall by this
address attain that end or no, I know not; but this is that which
principally I aimed at therein : and to the reason whereof I leave
the judgment of my undertakings. But yet I may not omit, that your
favour hath also given me particular grounds for this confidence ;
and a 2
8. IV THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. such as have been prevalent
against those impressions of discourage- ments, which I am
naturally very liable to admit of and receive. Your candid esteem
of some former endeavours in this kind (and which when carried
without the verge of those lines of communica- tion, within whose
compass men and their writings are judged by party and scarce
otherwise, have received a fair acceptance in the world) were no
small encouragement unto me, not to desert those wearisome labours
which have no other reward or end, but the fur- therance of public
good ; especially having this only way left me to serve the will of
God, and the interest of the church in my genera- tion. It was also
through the countenance of your favour, that this and some other
treatises have received warrant to pass freely into the world ;
which though I am uncertain of what advantage they may be unto any,
by reason of their own defects, and the prejudices of others ; yet
1 want not the highest security, that there is nothing in them
tending to the least disadvantage unto those, whose concern- ment
lies in peace and truth in these nations. For the treatises
themselves, which I desire herewith to repre- sent to some of your
leisure hours, I shall not offend against the public service, in
detaining you with an account of them. Their subject matter, as to
its weight, worth, and necessity, will speak for itself; the main
objects of our present faith, and principal founda- tions of our
future expectations, our pleas and evidences for a blessed
eternity, are here insisted on. And whether the temptation,
opinions, and bold presumptions of many in these days, do not call
for a re- newed consideration and confirmation of ihem, is left to
the judg- ment of persons indifferent and unprejudiced; the manner
of their handling is submitted unto yours, which is highly and
singularly esteemed, by Sir, Your most humble and obliged Servant,
John Owen. March 20, 1667.
9. PREFACE Christian Reader, If thou intendest to employ any
part of thy time in the perusal of the ensuing Discourses and
Exposition, it may not be amiss to take along vitli thee the
consideration of some things concerning the design and aim of their
author, in ANTiting and publishing of them. It is noAv sundry years
since I purposed, if God gave life and opportunity, to endeavour,
according to the measure of the gift received, an Exposition of the
Epistle to the Hebrews. A subject this was, I then knew, and now
acknowledge, in which many eminent and learned men, both of old and
of late, had la))Oured much. In particular, some entire
commentaries, composed with good judg- ment, and to very good
purpose, have been published in our own language. Yea, from him who
first began a serious Exposition of this Epistle, and whom none in
all things have to this day exceeded, there have passed few ages
wherein some or other have not endeavoured the explication of it.
And this also hath been done by men of all sorts and parties, of
all persua- sions and opinions in Christian religion ; an account
of v/hose several en- deavours shall elsewhere be given. Somewhat
there was of encourage- ment unto me in my designed undertaking,
and somewhat of quite another tendency, in this consideration. The
help which I might receive from the sedulous labours of so many
learned men, and those in times, places, principles, distant, and
distinguished from each other ; as also managing their common
design with great variety as to particular intentions ; I looked on
as a matter of no small advantage unto me. Some I found had
critically examined many of the words, phrases, and expressions of
the writer ; some compared his quotations with the places in the
Old Testament from whence they are taken. Some had endeavoured an
analysis of the several discourses of the author, -with the nature
and force of the arguments insisted on by him. The labours of some
were to apply the truths contained in the Epistle unto practice ;
others have collected the difficulties which they observed therein,
and scanned them in a scholastical wav, with objections and
solutions after their manner. Others had an especial regard unto
the places, w^hose sense is controverted amongst the several
parties at variance in Clmstian religion ; all in their way and
manner endeavouring to give light to the intentions of the Holy
Ghost, either in particular passages, or in the whole Epistle. The
helps and advantages in the investigation of the mind of God, which
by their labours might be obtained, I looked on as a great
encouragement to undertake the same work with them, and to promote
the light of truth thereby. But on the other side, no small
objection unto the whole work and de- sign did hence also arise.
For it might seem to some altogether needless to engage in that, in
which so many had already been employed, to the great profit and
edification of the church. And nothing can or ought more
10. VI TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. justly to weaken and take off
the resolution of any man in this kind of undertaking than that it
is needless. For whatever is so, will also thereby he useless, and
because useless, burdensome. This consideration, I confess, did for
a long time deter me from executing my pui-pose, of casting my mite
into this sanctuary. But yet after I had made a thorough perusal of
all the Comments, Expositions, Annotations, or Observations, on the
Epistle, which by any means I could obtain ; sundry considerations
led me to re- turn again to my former thoughts and resolutions.
For, first, I found the excellency of the writing to be such ; the
depth of the mysteries contained in it to be so great ; the compass
of the truth asserted, unfolded, and ex- plained so extensive and
so diffused through the whole body of Christian religion ; the
usefulness of the things delivered in it so important, and in-
dispensably necessary; as that I was quickly satisfied that the
wisdom, grace, and truth, treasured in this sacred store-house, are
far from being ex- hausted and fully drawn forth by the endeavours
of all that are gone before us. So far did these truths then seem
from being all perfectly brought forth to light by them ; that I
was assured that there was left a sufficient ground, not only for
renewed investigation after rich ore in this mine for the present
generation, but for all them that shall succeed till the
consummation of all things. For we find in human sciences, that no
ability, no industry, no combination of the most happy wits for
their improvement in former ages, hath hindered persons of
ingenuity and learning in the present day from adding considerably
in several kinds unto their respective advancement. Nor shall the
sedulity of this age in the furtherance of these sciences, be ever
able to bring them to any such perfection, as to condemn succeeding
generations to the slothful and servile drudgery of the mere
perusal of their dictates and prescriptions, and so by their
inventions leave to others only the use of their memories. If new
discoveries are thus constantly making in human science, how much
more may we expect, that renewed researches will advance the
spiritual knowledge of the things of God, whose stores are
absolutely inex- haustible in this life, and whose depths can never
be fully fathomed. ^ Again, it is evident that the principal things
asserted and taught in this Epistle, such as is the doctrine of the
Person and the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, have received a more
eager and subtile opposition since the laboui'S and cndeavom-s of
the greater part of Expositors, than they had done be- fore. And as
this renders the vindication of the places wherein they are taught
and asserted necessary, so it is not unknown unto those who are
con- versant in these kind of studies, what advantage may be
obtained in the investigation of truth by the opposition that is
made mito it ; especially Avhen that opposition is managed with a
curious search into every word and syllal^le which may seem to give
it countenance, as also in the sifting of every tittle and particle
that stands in its way ; in which course of pro- cedure, the
enemies of the truths mentioned, have with much art and in- dustry
engaged. But that which most of all took oft' the weight of the
discouragement that arose from the multij)lied endeavours of
learned men in this kind, Avas an observation, that all of them
being intent on the sense of the words, as absolutely considered,
and the use of them to the present church, had much overlooked the
direct regard that the author had in the writing of tns Epistle to
the then past, and to the present and the future condition of the
Hebrews or church of the Jews. Looking at these things as dead and
buried, and of no use in the present state of the church, they did
either wholly neglect them, or pass them over in a light and
perfunctory manner. Nor
11. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. VU indeed had many of them, though
otherwise excellently qualified, a compe- tency of skill for the
due consideration of things of that nature. But yet those that
shall seriously and with judgment consider the design of the writer
of this Epistle, the time wherein he wrote it, the proper end for
which it was composed, the subject-matter treated of in it, the
principles he proceeds upon, and his manner of arguing, will easily
perceive, that without a serious consideration of these, it is not
possible in many things to come to a right understanding of the
mind of the Holy Ghost. Many principles of truth he takes for
gi-anted, as acknowledged amongst the He- brews during their former
church state, and makes them a foundation for his own
superstructure ; many customs, usages, ordinances, institutions,
and re- ceived sense of places of Scripture amongst the Jews, he
either produceth or reflects upon, and one way or the other makes
use of the whole Mosaical economy, or system of divine worship
under the law, unto his own pur- pose. The common neglect of these
things, or slight attention to them by most Expositors, was that
which principally relieved me from the foremen- tioned
discouragement. And this also at length gave rise unto those
Exercitations, which I have prefixed to the ensuing Exposition.
Some of them are indeed indispen- sably due to the work itself Such
are those which concern the canonical authority of the Epistle ;
the WTiter of it ; the time of its being Avi-itten the phraseology
of the author ; with the way in which he proceeds in quo- ting
testimonies out of the Old Testament ; and some others of the same
tendency. The residue of them were occasioned merely by the
considera- tion before insisted on. I observed that the apostle
supposed some great principles on which he built all his arguings
and exhortations, not directly proving or confirming the principles
themselves, but as taking them for granted ; partly from the faith
of the Judaical church, and partly from the new revelation of the
gospel, which those to w^hom he wrote did as yet admit of and avow.
Such were these. That there w^as a Messiah promised from the
foundation of the world, to be a spiritual Redeemer of mankind.
That this Messiah was come, and had performed and accomplished the
work assigned unto him for the end of their redemption. That Jesus
of Naza- reth was this Messiah. There is not one line in the whole
Epistle, but is in an especial manner resolved into these
principles, and deduced fi-om them. These therefore I found it
necessary to examine and confirm, to unfold, vindi- cate, and
declare, that their influence upon the apostle's discourse might be
manifest, and his arguing from them be understood. It is true I
have so handled them, as all along to represent the opinions of the
incredulous apostate Jews about them, and to vindicate them from
the exceptions of their greatest masters, of old and of late. But
he that shall look on these considerations and discourses as a
matter only of controversy with the Jews, will but evidence his own
weakness and ignorance in things of this nature. Who knows not that
they are the very fundamental princi- ples of our Christian
profession, which, because of that opposition that is made unto
them, ought to be frequently inculcated and strongly confirmed.
Learned men find it in this day necessary for them to dispute in
support of the very principles of natural theology ; to prove and
to vindicate the being and attributes of God ; though these truths
have left indelible characters of themselves upon the minds of all
the children of men. How much more necessary then must it needs be,
to endeavour to confirm and establish these gi-and principles of
supernatural revelation, which have no contribu- tion of evidence
from the inbred inextinguishable light of nature, and yet
12. Vlll TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. are no less indispensably
necessary unto the future welfare of the souls of men, than those
others are. I am not therefore without hope, that the handling of
them as it was necessary unto my design, so it will not be
unacceptable to the candid reader. I also hope that Avhat is mixed
in our discourses con- cerning Judaical customs, opinions,
practices, expositions, interpretations of promises, traditions,
and the like, will not give distaste unto any, unless it be to such
as being unacquainted with them, will choose to continue igno-
rant, rather than to be instructed by them, whom they would by no
means have supposed to be in any thing more knowing than
themselves. I doubt not therefore, but our endeavours on that
subject will be able to secure their own station, as to their
iisefulness, both by the importance of the matter treated of in
them, as also from the necessity of laying them as a sure
foundation unto the ensuing exposition of the Epistle itself
Besides these general principles, there are also sundry other
things be- longing to the Mosaical order and frame of divine
worship, which the apostle either directly treateth of, or one way
or the other uses, to serve his own peculiar design. This also he
doth sometimes directly and intentionally, and sometimes in
transitu he reflects on them, and as it were only calls them to
mind ; leaving the Hebrews to the consideration of what they had
been formerly instructed in concerning them. Such is the whole
matter of the priesthood and sacrifices of. the law, of the
tabernacle, and utensils of it, of the old covenant, of the giving
of the law, and of the commands, precepts, and sanctions of it in
its promises and threatenings, rewards and punish- ments. He also
brings to their remembrance the call of Abraham, with the state and
condition of the people from that time unto the giving of the law,
with sundry things of the like nature. Without a competent com-
prehension of, and acquaintance with these things, and their
relation to the will and worship of God ; it is altogether in vain
for any one to imagine, that he may arrive at any clear
understanding of the mind of the Holy Ghost in this portion of
Scripture. Now, as I had observed, that the consideration and
explanation of these things had been too much neglected by the
generality of expositors, so I quickly found that to insist at
large upon them, and according as their weight doth deserve, in the
particular places, wherein the mention of them doth occur, would
too often, and too much divert me from the pursuit of the especial
design of the apostle in those places, and would hinder the reader
from carrying on the tendency of the whole in the perusal of it. To
prevent both Avhich inconveniences, I resolved to handle them all
severally and apart, in previous Exercitations. In these
Exercitations I must acknoAvledge that I have not been able to
accomplish the whole of what I designed. For it was my purpose to
have pursued the tradition, and given an account of sacrifices with
priests for their offering, as also of the occasions, rise, and
discharge of the office of the priest- hood among the principal
nations of the world during their state of Gentilism and apostasy
from God therein. Moreover, what doth concern the person and
priesthood of Melchizedec, I had designed as a part of this work
and undertaking. And I had also proposed an historical account of
the suc- cession and actings of the high -priests among the Jews,
from the institu- tion of their office unto its dissolution ; all
which belong unto the illustra- tion of that office, which, as
vested in Jesus Christ, is the subject of these discourses. From
these things, with others of the like nature, I have been forced to
abstain. In my near approach to the grave, continued infirmities
have rendered me insufficient for the labour, especially
considering what
13. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. other duties have been, and yet
are incumbent upon me. However, my choice also was compliant with
this necessity. For I found that a full ex- amination of these
subjects would have been vastly too voluminous. But as I have not
considered these subjects in the Exercitations, the reader will
find them handled more largely than they would otherwise have been,
in the exposition of the places where they occm* in the epistle.
And al- though they do all, as was said, belong unto the
illustration of the priestly office and its administration, yet the
doctrine of the priesthood of Christ is complete without them. Let
not therefore the reader suppose that on this occasion our
Exercitations concerning the priesthood of Christ are imper- fect
or defective as to the subject-matter of them, as though any thing
materially belonging thereunto were left undiscussed. But other
imper- fections and defects, it is most probable, they may be
justly charged with. I shall only farther say concerning them, that
as it is wholly without the compass of my knowledge, if the reader
can find any other Avork, in which the doctrine of the priesthood
of Christ hath been so handled in its proper order and method, as
to its original, causes, nature, and effects ; so for the truth
that is taught concerning it, and for the discharge of the office
to the benefit and salvation" of the church ; I shall, God
assisting, be accountable for it unto any by whom it shall be
called into question. The greatest opposition that ever was made
among Christians unto the doctrine of the priesthood of Christ, or
rather unto the office itself, is that which at this day is managed
by the Socinians. It is therefore manifest, and as I suppose will
be confessed by all who inquire into these things, that I could not
answer my design of the full declaration of it unto the edification
of the present church, without an accurate discussion of their
sentiments about it, and opposition unto it. This therefore was so
necessary as things now stfind, that my undertaking an express
examination and refutation of their principles in this matter, is
no way liable unto any just exception. Only it may seem
inconvenient unto some, that in a discourse of this na- ture, the
discussion of the writings of particular men, as Eniedinus,
Socinus, Smalcius, Crellius, and others, should be so much insisted
on. And I must acknowledge that at first it seemed unto myself not
altogether suited unto the nature of my design. But second thoughts
inclined me to this course. For it is known unto them who are any
way exercised in these things, Avith how many artifices this sort
of men do palliate their opinions, endeavouring to insinuate
contrary and adverse principles under and by those words, phrases
of speech, and expressions, whereby the truth is declared. Where-
fore if any one shall charge them with what is indeed their mind
and judg- ment in these things, he may sometimes be thought unduly
to impose upon them what they do not own, yea, what their words
seem expressly to free them from. For instance ; suppose that it
should be reflected as a crime on them, that they deny the priestly
office of Christ itself, tliat they deny that he was ever a priest
on earth, or yet is so in heaven, that they deny that he oftcred
himself a perfect expiatory sacrifice unto God, or that he maketh
intercession for us ; those who are less wary and circumspect, or
less ex- ercised in these controversies, might possibly on the
consideration of their words and profession, suspect that this
charge must needs be very severe, if not highly injurious. For
nothing occurs more frequently in their writings, than a fair
mention of the sacerdotal office of Christ, and of his expiatory
sacrifice. AVhat way therefore remained to state a right judgment
in this contro- vei-sy, but a particular discussion of what their
principal authors and leaders,
14. X TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. with great agreement among
themselves, do teach in this matter. And if from thence it do
appear, that what they call the sacerdotal office of Christ is
indeed no such office, nor any thing that holds the least analogy
with -what is properly so called, and that what they terra his
expiatory sa- crifice and his intercession, is neither sacrifice
nor intercession, nor hath the least resemblance to what is so
indeed, the principal difficulty w^hich lieth in our contest with
them is removed out of our way. And herein, that none might suspect
that advantages have been sought against them, by un- due
collections of passages out of their writings, or by a
misrepresentation of their sense and intentions, it was necessary
that they should be heard to speak for themselves, and that their
own words at large, without alteration or diminution, should be
represented unto the reader. And this is done so fully out of their
principal authors, as that I dare say "with some confi- dence,
there is nothing in the ^^Titings of the whole party of any import-
ance in this cause, which is not strictly examined. And the reader
is de- sired to observe, that if the tnith which we profess
concerning this office of Christ, and his discharge thereof, be
sufficiently confirmed and vindicated, all the other notions of
these men, concerning a metaphorical redemption, a metaphorical
sacrifice, and the like, do vanish and disappear. So that although,
if I live, and if God will, I intend to WTite a full declaration of
the true nature of the sacrifice of Christ, and a vindication of
the doctrine of the church of God concerning it ; yet I must take
it for granted, that whilst what we have asserted and confirmed
concerning his priesthood re- mains unshaken, the whole truth
relating thereunto, will not only easily but necessarily follow.
And what in these discourses is effected towards that end, is left
to the judgment of the learned and candid reader. Besides, I
thought it not unmeet to give a specimen of the way and manner
whereby this sort of men do manage their opposition to the
principal truths and mysteries of the gospel, that such as are less
conversant and exercised in their writings, may be cautioned
against those sophistical artifices -whereby they endeavour to
inveigle and infect the minds and imaginations of men. For this is
their peculiar excellency, (or call it what you ^Yi) that under an
appearance and pretence of perspicuity, clearness, and reason, they
couch senses, the most uncouth and most alien from the common
reason of man- kind, that can possibly fall under the imagination
of persons pretending to the least sobriety. Instances hereof, and
those undeniable, the reader will find in the ensuing discourses
plentifully produced and discovered. Having given this general
account of my design and purpose in the ensuing discourses ; some
few requests unto the reader shall absolve him from farther
attendance in this entrance. First. I must beg his candid
inteii)rctation of my conduct in relating some of those Jewish
fables and traditions which he will meet with in some of the
Exercitations. I could plead necessity and use ; and those such as
will, evince themselves in the several places and passages of the
discourses where they are reported. For they are none of them
produced, merely to satisfy the curiosity of any : but cither the
investigation of some truth hidden under them, and involved in
them, or the discovery of their rise and occasion, or the laying
open of the folly of the jjretences of the present Jews in their
unbelief, "doth still ac- company their recital. However, I will
not rigidly justify the production of all and every of them, but
put it amongst those tilings wherein the can- dour of the reader
may liave an opportunity to exercise itself. I must beg also of the
learned reader a consideration of the state and condition,
15. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. xi wherein through the good
providence of God I have been, during the greatest part of the time
wherein these Exercitations were ^vritten and printed.' And I shall
pray, in requital of his kindness, that he may never know by
experience, what uncertainties, failings, mistakes, and several de-
fects in exactness, straits, and exclusion from the use of books,
will occasion in endeavours of this kind. And whatever defects they
may meet with or complain of in these discourses, my design was,
through the blessing of God, that they should have no cause to
complain of want of diligence and indus- try in me. But yet I am
sensible in the issue, that many things may seem to indicate that
carelessness of mind, or precipitancy in writing, which is
altogether unmeet to be imposed on men in this knowing age. But
what- ever other reflections I may be obnoxious unto, for the want
of ability and judgment, which in me are very small in reference to
so great an undertak- ing, I must crave of the reader, to believe,
that I would not willingly be guilty of so much importune
confidence, as to impose upon him things trite, crude, and
undigested, Avhich either ordinary prudence might have conceal- ed,
or ordinary diligence might have amended. Whatever therefore of
that kind may appear unto^ him, I would crave, that it may be laid
to the account of my circumstances, 'which I have intimated before.
For the Exposition of the Epistle itself, I confess, as was said
before, that I have had thoughts for many years to attempt
something in it, and in the whole course of my studies have not
been without some regard thereunto. But yet I must now say, that
after all my searching and reading, prayer, and assiduous
meditation on the text, have been my only reserve, and far most
useful means of light and assistance. By these have my thoughts
been freed from many and many an entanglement, which the writ- ings
of others on the same subject, had either cast me into, or could
not de- liver me from. Careful I have been, as of my life and soul,
to bring no prejudicate sense unto the words, to impose no meaning
of my o^^ti, or other men's upon them, nor to be imposed upon by
the reasonings, pre- tences, or curiosities of any ; but always
went nakedly to the word itself, to leam humbly the mind of God in
it, and to express it as he should ena- ble me. To this end, I
always in the first place considered the sense, meaning, and
importance of the words of the text, and the consideration of their
original derivation, use in other authors, especially in the LXX.
of the Old Testament, in the books of the New, particularly the
writings of the same author, was constantly made use of to that
purpose. Oft-times the words expressed out of the He])rew, or the
things alluded unto amongst that people, I found to give much light
into the words of the apostle them- selves. Unto the general rule
of attending unto the design and scope of the place, subject
treated of, mediums fixed on for arguments, methods of
ratiocination, I still kept in my eye the time and season of
writing this Epistle, the state and condition of them to whom it
was ^vrittcn, their per- suasions, prejudices, customs, light and
traditions ; I kept also in my view the covenant and worship of the
church of old, the translation of covenant privileges and worship
to the Gentiles upon a new account, the course of providential
dispensations that the Jews were under, the near expiration of
their church and state, the speedy approach of their utter
abolition and de- struction, with the temptations that befel them
on all these various accounts without which it is impossible for
any one justly to follow the apostle, so as to keep close to his
design, or fully to understand his mind and meaning. If any shall
think that I have referred too many things unto the customs and
usages of the Jews, and looked too much after some guidance in
sun-
16. Xll TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. dry expressions and discourses
of the apostle from them ; I only answer, that as when I am
convinced by particular instances of mistakes therein, I shall
^villingly acknowledge them ; so for the -present I am satisfied,
that other expositors have had far too little regard thereunto. The
exposition of the text is attended Avith an improvement of
practical observations, an- swering the great end for which the
Epistle Avas committed over to all generations for the use of the
church. If in some of these I shall seem to any to have been too
prolix, I must only answer, that having no other way to serve the
edification of the gene- rality of Christians, I thought not so.
Moreover, I have sundry things to offer towards his satisfaction :
as, 1 . The method of the whole is so disposed, as that any one, by
the sole guidance of his eye, without further trouble than in
turning the leaves of the book, may carry on or continue his
reading of any one part of the Avhole without inten-uption, or
mixing any other discourses therewith. Thus he may in the first
place, go over our consideration of the original text, with the
examination of ancient and modern translations, and the grammatical
construction and signification of the words, without diverting unto
any thing else that is discom-sed on the text. In like manner, if
any desire to peruse the exposition of the text and context, Avith
the declaration and vin- dication of the sense and meaning of the
Holy Ghost in them, Avithout the least intermixture of any
practical discourses deduced from them, he may under the same
guidance, and Avith the same labour confine himself to this, from
the beginning unto the end of the AA^ork. And Avhereas the
practical observations, Avith their improvement, do virtually
contain in them the sense and exposition of the Avords, and give
light unto the intendment of the apostle in his Avhole design, for
aught I knoAv, some may be desirous to ex- ercise themselves
principally in those discourses ; Avhicli they may do by folloAving
the series and distinct continuation of them from first to last.
Wherefore from the constant observation of the same method, as to
the principal distinct parts of the Avhole exposition, CA^ery one
is at liberty to use that order in the perusal of it, Avhich he
judgeth most for his OAvn advantage. 2. There Avill be relief found
against that discoui-agement Avhich the ap- parent length of these
discourses may give the reader, from the variety of tiieir subject
matter, or the things that are contained in them. For there are
fcAv of them on any single head, that extend themselves beyond a
page or a leaf at the most. WJierefore, although all of them
together may make an appearance of some tediousness unto the
reader, yet he Avill find it not easy to fix tliis charge on any
one in particular, unless he judge it Avhollv im- pertinent. And
for those few of them Avhich must exceed the bounds mentioned,
their importance Avill plead an excuse for their taking up so much
room in the work itself. In illustration of this, Ave may refer to
the third chapter, in Avhich our attention is called to the
authority of Christ- as the Son of God over the church ; to the
nature of faith ; as also of unbelief, and to the danger of eternal
ruin AvhercAvith it is attended ; to the deceit- fulness of sni,
Avith the Avays and means by Avhich it hardens the hearts of men ;
to the limitation of a day or season of grace, Avitli the use of
Old Testament types and examples. These subjects, Avhich are
therein treated of by the jipostU', are tilings Avliich in their
oAvn nature deserve a dilio-ent enquiry into them, and declaration
of them. And however others who have had oidy some particular
design and aim in the exposition of this Epistle, or of any other
book of the Scripture, may satisfy themselves in opening the Avords
of the text so far as it suits their design ; vet he who
17. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. XIU professedly undertakes aTiill
and plenary exposition, cannot discharge his duty and undertaking,
without the interpretation and improvement of the things themselves
treated of, according to the intention and mind of the Spirit of
God. And I could heartily wish that the temptations and sins of the
days wherein we live, did not render the diligent consideration of
the things mentioned, more than ordinarily necessary unto all sorts
of pro- fessors. 3. The reader may ohserve, respecting most of
those discourses, that they either consist in the exposition of
other places of Scripture suggested by their analogy unto that
under consideration, or that they have such exposi- tions, with a
suitable application of them every where intermixed with them. Unto
them to whom these things are not satisfactory, with respect unto
the length of these discourses, I have no more to offer, but that
if they think meet on this, or on any other consideration, to spare
their charge in buying, or their labour in reading the book itself,
they will have no reason to complain of any thing contained in it,
or of the manner in which it is handled. There is one thing also
respecting the exposition of the fourth chapter, wdth which the
reader must be made acquainted. I have already published
Exercitations respecting the Sabbatical day of divine worship. Two
editions of these Exercitations are now in the hands of the public.
I am unwilling to reprint what I have there advanced. I therefore
only request the reader to observe, that in the exposition of that
discourse of the apostle about the several rests mentioned in the
Scripture, I will not absolutely stand to his censure and judgment
upon the perusal of the Exposition alone, (though I will maintain
it to be true, and hope it to be clear and perspicuous) without
regard to those Exercitations, wherein the truth of the exposi-
tion itself is largely discussed and vindicated. I have no more to
add concerning the ensuing Exposition. For to give the reader a
particular account either of my travail therein, or of the means
used in carrying it on, I judge not convenient ; as unwilling to
give the least appearance of any satisfaction, much less glorifying
in any thing of my own but in my infirmities. This I neither do,
nor desire, nor dare to do. Only duty l3inds me to declare. That as
I have used the utmost sincerity whereof I am capable, in the
investigation and declaration of the mind of the Spirit of God in
the text, without the least respect unto any parties of men,
opinions, ways of worship, or other differences that are amongst us
in and about the affairs of religion, because I feared God so in
the issue and fruit of my endeavours, the reader will find nothing
savouring of an itch after novelty or curiosity, that will divert
him from that sound doctrine and form of wholesome words, wherein
the profes- sors of this nation have been educated and
instructed.
18. CONTENTS. Dedication .......Preface by the Author
.....EXERCITATION I. Canonical Authority of the Epistle to the
Hebrews EXERCITATION II. Of the Penman of the Epistle to the
Hebrews EXERCITATION III. Of the Time when the Epistle to the
Hebrews was written EXERCITATION IV. The Language wherein the
Epistle to the Hebrews was written EXERCITATION V. Citations from
the Old Testament in the Epistle to the Hebrews EXERCITATION VI.
Oneness of the Church .....EXERCITATION VII. Distribution of the
Books of the Old Testament by the Jews EXERCITATION VIII. The First
Dissertation concerning the Messiah, proving him to be promised of
old . . . . . EXERCITATION IX. Promises of the Messiah vindicated
EXERCITATION X. Appearances of the Son of God under the Old
Testament EXERCITATION XI. The Faith of the Ancient Church of the
Jews concerning the Messiah EXERCITATION XII. The promised Messiah
long since come EXERCITATION XIII. Testimonies proving the Messiah
to be come EXERCITATION XIV. Daniel's Prophecy vindicated
EXERCITATION XV, Computation of Daniel's Weeks EXERCITATION XVI.
Jjewish Traditions about the coming of the Messiah EXERCITATION
XVII. Jesus of Nazareth, the only true and promised Messiah
EXERCITATION XVIII. Jewish objections against the Christian
Religion answered EXERCITATION XIX. State and ordinances of the
Church before the giving of the Law EXERCITATION XX. The Law and
Precepts thereof . . . : . EXERCITATION XXI. The Sanction of the
Law in Promises and Threatenings . Page iii V 1 82 63 58 61 G9 74
87 121 145 159 182 199 215 236 249 264 308 325 S51 366
19. CONTENTS. EXERCITATION XXII. Of tlic Tabernacle and Ark .
EXERCITATION XXIII. Of the Higli Priest and his Office
.....EXERCITATION XXIV. Sacrifices of the Old Law
......EXERCITATION XXV. Of the Office of Priesthood
.....EXERCITATION XXVI. Of the Orio-in of the Priesthood of Christ
....EXERCITATION XXVII. Of the Orjo-in of the Priesthood of Christ
in the Counsel of God . EXERCITATION XXVIII. Federal Transactions
between the Father and Son about the Work of Redemption
......EXERCITATION XXIX. The Necessity of the Priesthood of Christ,
on the Supposition of Sin and Grace ....... A Djf^-ression
concerning the Sufferings of Christ : whether thej' were of the
same kind with what sinners should have suffered ; or whether he
suffered the same that we should have done EXERCITATION XXX. The
same subject continued . . . . ' . EXERCITATION XXXI. The true
Nature of the Priesthood of Christ, explained and vindicated
EXERCITATION XXXII. The same Subject continued .....EXERCITATION
XXXIII. Of the Acts of the Priesthood of Christ, their Object, with
the time and place of its exercise ......EXERCITATION XXXIV.
Prcfigurations of the Priesthood and Sacrifice of Christ . Preface
to the Exercitations concerning the Buy of Sacred Rest EXERCITATION
XXXV. Different Opinions concerning a Day of Sacred Rest
EXERCITATION XXXVI. Of the Original of the Sabbath ....EXERCITATION
XXXVII. Of the Causes of the Sabbath EXERCITATION XXXVIII.
EXERCITATION XXXIX. Of the Judaical Sabbath Of the Lord's Day . ...
. - EXERCITATION XL. Practical Observance of the Lord's Dav
20. EXERCITATION I. 1. The Canonical authority of the Epistle
to the Hebrews. 2. Notation of the word. n2p Kaneh, a measuring
reed. The beam of a balance. 3. Thence Kaviuv of the same
signification. 4. Metaphorically a moral rule. Rectum and Canon,
how far the same. The Scripture a rule. Canonical. 5. The antiquity
of that appellation. 6. The Canon of the Scripture. 7. What
required to render a book Canonical. All books of the holy
Scripture equal as to their divine original. 8. Jews' distinction
of the books of the Old Testament, as to the manner of their
writing, disproved. 9. All equally Canonical. No book Canonical of
a second sort or degree. 10. The Epistle to the Hebrews Canonical.
11. Opposed by Heretics of old. 12. Not received into the Latin
Church until the days of Hierome. 13. Proved against Baronius. 14.
Not rejected by any of that Church. 15. Only not publicly approved.
16. The Church of Rome not tjie sole proposer of books Canonical.
Occasion of its non-ad- mittance at Rome. Boldness of some in
rejecting and corrupting the Scripture. 17. By whom this Epistle
opposed of late. 18. The objection of the uncertainty of the penman
answered. 19. Citations out of the Old Testament not found therein.
An- swer. 20. Citations not to his purpose. Answer. 21. Countenance
to old Heresies. Answer. 22. General heads of Arguments to prove
its Canonical Authority. Cha- racters to discover between books of
divine inspiration and others, yvaifxr), (^^as-eax;
;3^aja>tTr)p, 7rf(W{fE
21. 2 CANONICAL AUTHORITY OF THE 3. And tliis also is the first
and proper signification of the Greek word, Kavoiv, canon. So the
Scholiast on these "words of Aristophanes, Kai Kavovag t'ioiaovai,
kui TraxiiQ fTTwv.^ tells US, that Kavwv is Kvptwc ro iTravio Tijg
rpvravijQ ov kui uq laorrjTa tuvttjv ayov; 'properly that which is
over the scales bringing them (and the things weighed in them) to
equality.' The very same with the Hebrew H^p from which it is
derived. So Varinus tells us that it is properly the tongue in the
balance, and in use /.lerpov aSiaxptvaTov. And Aristotle says, t'v
tvQsL Kai avro kui KafiTTvXov yivdJcrKOfUV, Kpirijg yap afi^oiv 6
Kavcjv,^ ' by that which is right, we know its self, and that which
is crooked, for the canon is judge of both :' where he useth the
word for any kind of rule or measure, answering unto the other
signification of Kaneh in the Hebrew. Rectum and Canon^ that which
is ri^ht, and the nik, are one and the same ; the one expression
de- noting the perfect nature of any thing, the other its use and
application, 4. From this original and proper import of the word,
is its metaphorical use deduced, which is most common ; and therein
it signifies a moral rule, or a measure, for direction, trial, and
judgment. Hence the philosopher calls the law Kavova ttjq
TToXiTtiag," ' the rule of the administration,' or government of
the commonwealth ; that whereby all the parts of it are dis- posed
into their proper places, whereby they are regulated, and all
things done in it are tried and judged. And in this sense it is
applied by St. Paul unto divine revelation, Gal. vi. 16. ocrot
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