Hebrews 8

Hebrews 8:1

OF the things] the Italian, Besides the things] this point is likewise very considerable, that Christs Priesthood is now altogether heavenly, and that he doth exercise it continually in Heaven, vvhere He is ascended, vvhereas the earthly Levitical Priesthood was but a figure thereof, whereby he would infer, that the heavenly Priesthood being established, the earthly one is disannulled.

Hebrews 8:2

A Minister] Administring his sacred Office in Heaven, which was figured by the ancient Sanctuarie, Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:18; Hebrews 9:24. which he doth representing his obedience, righteousnesse, and sacrifice to his Father, as the ancient Priest did bring the anniversary expiations of bloud into the Sanctuarie, Leviticus 16:15. And of the true] namely, as it hath also been said of the Tabernacle, that having likewise fulfilled those parts of his Priesthood which were to be fulfilled in this world, in his bodie, which was figured by the outward part of the Tabernacle, or of the ancient Temple, which is here called Tabernacle, and else where in the Scripture, the holy place, Heb. 9 11. Which the Lord] the meaning is, that God hath in a supernatural and miraculous manner framed, and sanctified Christs humane Nature, and hath appointed it to be as the Temple of his habitation, in which he should accomplish the mysterie of salvation.

Hebrews 8:3

For every] He proves by the end of the Priesthood, that Christ being the high, everlasting, and heavenly Priest, was once to offer a true sacrifice, which is according to that he had spoken verse 2. that he is Minister of the Tabernacle; and besides, that he must have somewhat to offer in Heaven continually to the Father, namely, the infinite price and merit of his death, our prayers, and thankes givings, &c. which is according to that he is Minister of the Sanctuarie, verse 2.

Hebrews 8:4

For if he] now he proves, that seeing Christ is truely a Priest, he ought to be an heavenly One, (contrary to the Jewes opinion, who apprehended no other Priesthood but an earthly one) for according to Gods most strict order, who appointed the earthly Priesthood onely for the Levites, Christ could not have that Priesthood, being of another Tribe, Hebrews 7:14.

Hebrews 8:5

Who serve] All whose Ministerie was appointed onely to be a figure of Christs spirituall and heavenly Ministerie As Moses was] this passage is alleadged onely by allusion to shew that as Moses had received a modell from God of all the materials, fabriques, and workes of the Tabernacle, to which modell they were to be conformable, and answerable: so the terrestrial and Levitical Priesthood had Christs heavenly Priesthood for its soveraigne end and modell.

Hebrews 8:6

But now] Christs Priesthood ought to be according to the covenant, which ought to be established upon it, wherefore if this be spirituall and everlasting, the other ought also to be o,A better] the substance of the covenant of grace hath indeed been alwayes the same, Romans 4:13; Romans 4:16; Romans 4:24. Galatians 3:15-17. but under the Gospel it hath been dispenced with greater clearnesse, abundance, and power of the Holy Ghost, and also with more feeling, and fruition of the right of divine Adoption. See Galatians 4:1.

Hebrews 8:7

For if] He proves that the Euangelicall covenant is more excellent, because God hath established it after the covenant of the Law, which the most wise God, who never altereth those things which he hath first made, but for the better would never have done if that covenant which was under the Law had been sufficient and perfect. See Hebrews 7:11. Then should] that is to say, God would not have brought in another.

Hebrews 8:8

For] We must supply, now God brought in another, as it appeareth by this passage of Jeremiah. With them] namely, with the Israelites, whose perfidiousnesse and perversenesse, is not indeed imputed to the ancient covenant, but onely the weaknesse of the forme of it is declared, because it had not overcome nor corrected their said perfidiousnesse and perversenesse which was to be effected under the Gospel, by the power of the Holy Ghost enlightening, and moving more lively, and powerfully, Romans 8:3-4.

Hebrews 8:13

He hath made] that is to say, God hath shewed that at his appointed time he would disannull the order of the former, after which must necessarily follow the abolishment of its use and practise.