§. 98. Of Christs enduring ever.
IT was a deficiency and imperfection which was before noted of the mortali•…•… of the Legall Priests, Therefore the Apostle setteth out Christ in a contrary co•…•…∣tion, as appears by this conjunction of opposition, a 1.1 BUT, which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so used in the Proverbs.
b 1.2 The Greek particle here translated, this man, is not the same that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 translated, v. 4. §. 31. It is here a single article which signifieth, HE.
The continuance of Christ here intended and expressed under this word, c 1.3 •…•…∣dureth, is not to be taken as that continuance which was denyed to the Pri•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the former verse, namely, here on earth. For Christ did not here ever endure. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a continuance where he may exercise his Priestly function: and that is in 〈◊〉〈◊〉
The other Priests function was to be exercised on earth.
Of the phrase translated, d 1.4 ever, see Chap. 5. v. 6. §. 29. That which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said of Christ, enduring ever, is to be applyed to him as he was man and mediat•…•… betwixt God and man, and Priest for men in things appertaining to God. Thus i•…•…, Iesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8.
The Son abideth for ever, Joh. 8. 35. So cleer was this point that the adversaries of Christ could say, we have heard out of the Law that Christ abideth for ever, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 12. 34.
His humane nature being united hypostatically to the divine nature, it was not possible that he should be holden of death, Act. 2. 24.
Object. Christ did die, Matth. 27. 50.
Answ.
- 1. It was no forced death, but that whereunto he voluntarily subjected himself, Iohn 10. 18. For, when it pleased him, he took up his life again, Io•…•… 2. 19. Rom. 1. 4.
- 2. He continued under the power of death but three dayes.
- 3. Christs death was a part of the execution of his Priestly function: so a•…•… it caused no intermission of his office.
- 4. Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more: death hath no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 d•…•…∣on over him, Rom. 6. 9. This is he that saith of himself, I am he that liveth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dead: and behold I am a live for evermore, Rev. 1. 18. This is the enduring 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whereof the Apostle here speaketh.
- 1. Great ground of confidence hence ariseth. It was the ground of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…nfi∣dence* 1.5 that his redeemer lived, Job. 19. 25. By reason of the mysticall and spirituall union that is betwixt Christ and beleevers, they may rest upon it, that so long as the head liveth, the members shall not be utterly destroyed. Because I live, yee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also, saith Christ, Iohn 14. 19. God hath given unto us eternall life, and this life 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Son 1 Joh. 5. 11. Your life is hid with Christ in God, Col. 3. 3.
- 2. The Apostle layeth down this as a speciall point, wherein we should be 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 unto Christ, Rom. 6. 11. For this end we must labour to feel the life of Christi•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Gal. 2. 20. And we must nourish the Spirit of Christ in us, Rom. 8. 11.
- 3. This is a forcible motive to draw us unto Christ, and to make us hold close* 1.7 unto him, and never depart from him. Christ being the living God, is to be tru•…•…ed in, 1 Tim. 4. 10. and 6. 17. Peter and the rest of the Disciples would not dep•…•… from Christ, because he had the words of eternall life: and was the Son of the being God, John 6. 68, 69. We cannot go from him, but to death and damnation.
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