A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 20.

THe third argument is taken from the manner of the institution of both Priest-hoods. He that is made a Priest with an oath, is greater than they that are made without an oath. Christ was made a Priest with an oath: the Levites without an oath. Ergo.

The consequence of the proposition is evident: it must needs be a great thing, and of singular weight and importance, which God Almighty ratifieth with an oath. God Almighty swore at the conse∣cration of our high-Priest; so did he not at the consecration of Aa∣ron and his Sons: therefore he is greater than they.

Both the parts of the assumption are expressed in the Text: and the conclusion is emphatically inferred, Verse 22.

For so much as Christ was not made a Priest without an oath, whereas those in the time of the Law were.

The word of the high and eternall God, which is truth it selfe, in whom there is not a shadow of turning, is sufficient to procure credit and authority to that which hee speaketh. By the word of a King, as we use to say: nothing can bee more sure. Shall not then the word of the King of Kings bee believed? but when an oath is annexed to it, we ought the rather to be confirmed in it.

Now there be three principall things which God sweareth in Scripture.

The first, is the eternity and perpetuity of Christ's Priest-hood: he hath not onely said, but sworne, thou art a Priest for ever—Which is a singular comfort to us all: wee may bee bold to believe Gods oath. Our Priest that makes intercession for us, lives for ever.

The second thing, is the destruction of the wicked, of stub∣borne and disobedient persons, that by Gods voice in the Ministery of the word will not be reclaimed from their sins. I have sworne in my wrath, that such shall never enter into my rest. God sware that none of those that came out of Aegypt, save Caleb and Ioshua should enter into the land of Canaan. It came so to passe, all their Carhasses fell in the wildernesse. God hath sworne, that such as have the Trumpet of the word continually sounding in their eares, and yet will lye snorting in their sins, shall perish eternally. Therefore let us tremble at it and believe it.

The third thing that God hath sworne unto in the Scripture is the salvation of the faithfull,* 1.1 that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye, wee might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Hast thou a true and lively faith in CHRIST, which is fruitfull in all good workes, as Dorcas was? and canst say with Saint Paul, I live; yet not I, but CHRIST in mee, &c. GOD hath sworne that thou shalt be saved: therefore doubt not of it. Though the Devill walke about as a roaring Lion seeking to devoure us: though he labour to win now us as Wheat, though through the corruption of our nature we fall in∣to many sinnes, as the holyest of all doth sometimes fall, though we be visited with grievous sicknesses, though brought to poverty, though death is before our eyes; yet let us not stagger about our salvation, we have Gods Word and oath for it: therefore undoubted∣ly we shall be saved. Howsoever wee bee here tossed in the Waves of this miserable world, yet at length wee shall arrive at the haven of eternall rest. Shall God sweare a thing, and not performe that which he hath sworne?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hebr. 6.18.