THerefore, weigh well what a one Christ is, and prefer none before him, Vers. 1. For, he is as faith∣ful in his Message, for changing of the typical Priest∣hood, as Moses was in his Message, when hee delivered it, Vers. 2. And so much more honourable than Moses, as the Builder is over the stones builded, Vers. 3, 4. And Moses was faithful, as a servant, in the Church, Vers. 5. But Christ, as Son, and Lord, over the Church, to dispose of the service thereof, at his pleasure, Vers. 6. Therefore, beware of old Israels hard heart, lest you be debarred of Gods rest, Vers. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Beware of like unbelief: for it is the ground of Apostacy, Vers. 12. And do your best to preserve others from it also, Vers. 13. For, perseverance in Faith, is necessary to salvation, Vers. 14. For, Davids words do prove, that there were some, albeit not all hearers of Gods word of old, that did provoke him, Vers. 15, 16. And, who were these, but such as hee punished? Vers. 17. And, whom punished hee, but unbeleevers? Vers. 18. So mis∣belief debarred them out of Gods rest of old, and will also do the like yet, if men continue in it, Vers. 19.
The Doctrine of Chap. III.
Vers. 1. Wherefore, holy Brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession, Christ Iesus.
1. After hee had taught them somewhat more of Christ, bee exhorteth them, of new, to consider of him. Then, 1. As wee get further light of Christ, wee are bound to further use-making of our light. 2. As further is revealed unto us of Christ, so must wee set our minds on work, to ponder, and weigh, what is revealed: that the matter may sink deeper in our mind, and in our heart. 3. Except wee shall consider seriously what is spoken of Christ, wee can make no profitable use of the Doctrine: For, such high mysteries are not soon taken up; and the heart is not soon wrought upon, so as to receive impression of his Ex∣cellency, except after due consideration.
2. Hee calleth Christ Iesus, the High Priest, and the Apostle of our Profession.] The high Priesthood was the highest calling in the Iewish Church: The Apostleship, the highest calling in the Christian Church. Christ is here stiled by both. Then, Christ hath inclosed in his Office, the Perfection and Dignities of the highest Callings, both in the Jewish and Christian Church. Those Dignities which were divided in men, or conjoyned in him; in men, by way of Ministerial imployment, under him, in Christ, by original Authority, above all.
3. Hee calleth the Christian Religion, our Profession, or Confession. Then, It is the nature of Christian Reli∣gion, not to be smothered; but, to be openly brought forth, confessed, and avowed in word and deed; to the glory of Christ, who is the Author thereof.
4. Hee stileth these Hebrews, to whom ••ee writeth, Holy Brethren, Partakers of the Heavenly Calling. Then, 1. Christians do not possess their prerogatives without a warrantable title. They have a calling there∣to. 2. The calling is heavenly, because God, by his Word and Spirit, calleth men to the communion of his grace and glory, by forsaking of themselves, and things earthly, and following Christ in an holy conversation: all is heavenly here. 3. Christians are partakers alike of this vocation: that is, have alike warrant, and obliga∣tion, to follow him that calleth them: albeit all do not alike follow the calling. 4. They are Brethren amongst themselves, for their adoption: albeit some weaker, some stronger. 5. And holy is this Brotherhood: that is, spiritual; and so, superiour to civil, or natural, or earthly bands, whatsoever.
Vers. 2. Who was faithful to him that appointed Him: as also Moses was faithful in all His House.
1. Because the Iews did too highly esteem of Moses, in appointing of the Legal Service; and not so highly of Christ as became, in abrogating thereof, the Apostle com∣pareth Moses and Christ, giving to Moses his due place of a servant; and to Christ, the place due to the Master.
Then, It is no new thing, that people incline so to esteem of good mens authority, as to forget to give Christ his own room. 2. The way to help this, is, so to esteem of Gods Servants, Fathers, or Councils, more, or fewer, as the estimation that men have of them, derogate nothing from the estimation due to Christ.
2. In special, hee maketh all the points of Moses com∣mendations, duly deserved points of Christs commenda∣tion. 1. Did Moses Office reach it self to all the house of God, under the Law, and all the service of it? so did Christs Office reach to all the Church of God, and all the service of it, under the Gospel. 2. Was Moses appointed to give out what hee delivered? So was Christ appointed to institute what hee did institute, and abrogate what hee did abrogate. 3. Was Moses faithful to him who appoint∣ed him, in all the matters of Gods House, keeping back no∣thing that hee was directed to reveal? So is Christ faith∣ful to the Father, who did appoint him in like man∣ner.
Then, like as if any man should have added or pared, chopped or changed, the Ordinances of Gods House, un∣der the Law, it had been an imputation, either unto God, of not sufficient directing his Church, or unto Mo∣ses, and the Prophets, of unfaithful discharge of their duty in the Church of the Old Testament. So is it alike imputation to God and Christ, if any shall add or dimi∣nish, chop or change, the ordinance of Gods Church un∣der the New Testament.
Vers. 3. For, this man was counted worthy of more glo∣ry than Moses; inasmuch as hee who hath builded the House, hath more honour than the House.
1. Having equalled Christ unto Moses, bee now prefer∣reth Christ to Moses.
Then, Christ is not rightly esteemed of, except hee be preferred as far above all his servants, as the Father hath counted him worthy of more glory than his ser∣vants.
2. Hee preferreth Christ above Moses, as the Builder is above the House. Then, as no stone in the house, nor all the house together, is comparable in honour with the Builder of the house: So the honour and authority of no particular member of the Church, not of the whole Ca∣tholick Church together, is comparable to the honour and authority of Christ. Yea, as far as the builder is above the house in honour, as far is Christs authority above the Churches authority, which is his house.
Vers. 4. For, every house is builded by some man: but hee that built all things, is God.
Hee proveth Christ to be the builder of the Church, be∣cause some builder it must have, as every house hath. But onely God that buildeth all things, is able for this work: Therefore, Christ, who buildeth all things, is the builder of it.
Then, 1. Whatsoever imployment a man get of God, in edifying of the Church, yet, in proper speech, hee is a part of the building, builded by another. 2. The ho∣nour of building the Church, belongeth to God alone properly. 3. The building of the Church, is a work re∣quiring omnipotency in the builder: For, to make a Saint of a sinner, is as hard, as to make a man of the dust of the earth, or of nothing.
Vers. 5. And Moses, verily, was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.