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 22.

VPon the former premisses followeth the conclusion.

In as much as hee was made with an oath, they without an oath; by so much, &c.

Hee doth not say, he is made a better Priest: but that which serveth more for our consolation, he was made a surety of a better Testament.

Of a better covenant. Sureties are in covenants, not in Testa∣ments.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in manibus. At the making of covenants pledges were put in hand, and sureties were provided which did un∣dertake for the performance of the things covenanted: even so in the covenant made betweene God and us, our Saviour CHRIST is the surety, that undertakes for both parts: on the behalfe of God the Father, hee doth undertake to satisfie his wrath; for us on our behalfe, he doth undertake to reconcile us to God and to make him our friend.

A singular comfort to us. Wee have sinned; we are indebted to God many thousands sinnes, and because wee cannot satisfie for them, wee must goe to the prison of Hell: then CHRIST steps forth saying, nay, I will bee their surety, I will pay the debt for them: therefore they shall not goe to hell: unspeakeable comfort! ô loving surety! he payes the debt with no lesse price than his own bloud.

How are wee beholden to this surety? All the Priests in the time of the law could not doe so much for the people: therefore Christ is better than they.

The new Testament is better than the old, not in regard of the substance, but of diverse circumstances: the substance of both is one, which is Christ Iesus.

1. The Old Testament did but shadow out things to come: the new Testament makes a gift and an exhibition of them, Col. 2.17. and as the body is better than the shadow; so is the New Te∣stament then the Old.

2. The Old Testament was dark and obscure; this is plain and perspicuous: that did darkely speake of Christ; this plainely.

This hath fewer, more lively and easie Sacraments.

That was temporall, and therefore not ratified with an oath: this is eternall and lasteth for ever. For the which cause it was confirmed with an oath: So was not that.

5. The Mediatour of surety of that was Moses; the surety of this is CHRIST: therefore many degrees greater and better than that.

It is a weighty thing that makes GOD sweare: as Hebr. 3.11.6, 17. here he sweares that CHRIST is a Priest for ever: there∣fore wee are not to call into question the eternity of his Priest-hood.

The Pope and his skamblings would faine winde themselves into the society of this Priest-hood. Christ is a Priest for ever: ergo, the Pope and his Clergy are Priests for ever.

I but this is proper to Christ: this Priest that is for ever, sitteth at the right hand of God, Psalm. 110.1. So doe not the Pope and his Clergy, therefore it makes nothing for them.

We in the time of the Gospell have all things better than they had in the time of the Law: we have a better Priest, a better sacrifice, a better Testament: therefore in reason wee should bee better than they. A King deales better with such a man then with many thou∣sands of his subjects; therefore he should bee more dutifull to him. The King of Kings hath dealt more bountifully with us, then with them in the time of the Law: therefore we should be more religi∣ous, more carefull to serve him, then they were. Yet it is to bee feared we are worse than they. Drunkennesse, abhominable swea∣ring, covetousnesse, loathing of the sweete and heavenly Manna of the Word of God, hard-hearted dealing one with another, all kind of vices flow with a more full streame among us, then among them. Having all things better, wee our selves should bee better: yet wee are worse, and therefore have the more fearefull account to make at the latter day.