Here observe, 1. The person spoken of described by his name, Melchizedek to be Shem the Son of Noah; but this cannot be, because of his genealogy is exactly set down by Moses. Others take him to be one of the posterity of Japhet, the father of the Gentiles: In the midst of these sinners, above other... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are the apostle's application of what was before discoursed; by comparing Melchizedek's excellency with Abraham's; he shews Christ's excellency above Melchizedek's, and he calls upon them to consider this, CONSIDER HOW GRAT THIS MAN WAS. It will be fruitless, and to no advantage, to prop... [ Continue Reading ]
Still the apostle goes on to give Melchizedek the preference above Abraham, and from thence to infer, that Christ, whom Melchizedek typified, was much mor excellent than Abraham, and all the Levitical priests which sprang from him. The argument lies thus: "The law allowed Aaron and the other priest... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle still carrieth on the same argument, proving Melchizedek's priesthood to surpass and excel the Aaronical and Levitical priesthood in the immortality of it: As the less is blessed of the greater, so is that which is immortal greater and better than what is mortal: But such is Melchizedek,... [ Continue Reading ]
By Levi here we are to understand the Levites, or the Levitical priesthood; they being in Abraham's loins are said to pay tithes in Abraham to Melchizedek, which the apostle produces as an evidence, that Melchizedek is superior to the Levites, and greater than they: and consequently, that Christ, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
In perfection, that is,. perfect expiation and remission of sin, could have been made by the sacrifice which the legal priests offered, there should then have been no need that God should institute. priest of another and more excellent order, namely, his own Son, to be. priest after Melchizedek's or... [ Continue Reading ]
In the foregoing verses, our apostle had asserted the change of the Priesthood, and there with the changing of the law. In these verses he proves it by the translation of the Priesthood, and therewith the changing of the law. In these verses he proves it by the translation of the Priesthood to anoth... [ Continue Reading ]
That the Aaronical priesthood was to be changed, and consequently the whole law of ordinances that depended thereupon, and that the time was now come wherein this change was to be made, is the grand truth which our apostle here designs the confirmation of; it being indeed that truth, where into our... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the apostle comes to declare, that the Levitical priesthood being abolished, and the ceremonial law abrogated, the whole state of the church, and of the solemn worship of God therein, must necessarily be changed also. This he foresaw would be. mighty surprisal to the generality of the Hebrews, t... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle has not yet done with his several arguments to prove the transcendent excellency of Christ's priesthood above that of Aaron's: His argument in the verses now before us lies thus: he that is made an unchangeable priest by the oath of God, is. better, greater, and more excellent priest, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Now our apostle is come to his last argument, by which he proves the excellency of Christ's priesthood above that of Aaron. The Levitical priests, he says, were many and mortal: their mortality was the cause of their multitude: they were cut off by death, and suceeded one another; but Christ is one... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are. comfortable inference and conclusion, which our apostle draws from his presiding discourse concerning the eternity and unchangeableness of Christ's priesthood; seeing he lives for ever, he is therefore able to save to the uttermost, and that for ever. Observe here, 1. The complete... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Something supposed and necessarily implied, namely, That if we intend to come unto God, we had need of an High Priest to encourage and enable us therunto; SUCH AND HIGH PRIEST BECAME US; implying, that without and High Priest in general we can do nothing in this matter. Observe, 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "As Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, had no sin of his own to expiate, like other high priests, but his business was to offer for our sins; so the oblation and offering he made upon that account, was not bullocks or rams, but himself in sacrifice, and that once, and but once upon the cr... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, the Levitical law appointed men to be high priests that laboured under infirmities, were sinners, and subject to mortality; but the promise made to Christ, and confirmed by God's oath long since the law was given, maketh the Son, and none but the Son, (who is perfect, holy, and consecrated... [ Continue Reading ]