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§. 3. Of Christ a Minister.
A Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord pitched and not man.
IN the former verse the Apostle sets out the excellency of Christs Priest-hood •…•…∣ply and plainly, by the supereminency of the place where he continueth to •…•…∣cise it. Now that he may more distinctly manifest, that therein Christs Priest-hood far surpassed the Leviticall, he doth in this verse further insist on the same poin•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 metaphorically; his Metaphors being taken from the places where those Priests •…•…∣ercised their function. The first is thus expressed, A Minister of the Sanctuan.
The Greek word translated a 1.1 Minister, is the same that was used, Chap. 1. •…•…. 7. §. 79. where it was shewed, that according to the notation of the word, it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out one that is imployed about publick services. The b 1.2 Hebrew word whe•…•… to this Greek one answereth, is applied to Priests, who are stiled Ministers f•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house of God, Ezr. 8. 17. and Ministers of the Altar, Joel. 1. 13. and Ministers of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord, Joel, 2. 17. It is here spoken of Christ: so as Christ was a Minister of those things which belonged to his place. There is another c 1.3 Greek word which sig∣nifieth in generall the same thing, and in our English translated, Minister, attri•…•… to Christ, Rom. 15. 8. He is expresly called Gods servant, Isai. 42. 2. He took 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the form of a Servant, Philip. 2. 7. and thus he saith of himself, the Son of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to minister.
The work which he undertook required matters of service and suffering. There∣fore* 1.4 rather then that work should not be done, he would become a Minister to do it.
Object. That which is here spoken of Christ is a matter of dignity and authority. He is here set on a throne of Majesty, and that in heaven. Is he there a Minister▪
Answ.
- 1. This title may be here given him in reference to his whole work 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the beginning to the end: and because while he began it on earth, he was property a Minister, the same title is still continued.
- 2. This title is here given unto him, in reference to the Priests under the Law▪ that as they were Ministers of that Sanctuary which belonged to them: so Christ of that which belongeth to him.
- 3. The title Minister hath reference to the work done: which if it tend to the good of others is counted and called a service; not in reference to any subject•…•… or inferiority of the person that doth it, but meerly in reference to the good of o∣thers to whom thereby service is done: thus the highest in a Kingdome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stiled •…•… Minister (Rom. 13. 4.) and that, as the Apostle saith, for good, even the good of others. Of different kindes of service. See Domest. Dut. on Eph. 5. 21. §.
Our Lord Christ doth in this very thing set himself forth as a patern u•…•…to 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ For when he had shew'd himself a Minister, by doing a work of service to his Dis•…•…∣ples in washing their feet, he maketh this application, Ye call me Master and L•…•…: and ye say well: for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 al∣so ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have given you an example, that you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I have done to you, Joh. 13. 13, 14, 15. This patern of Christ sheweth, that •…•…o m•…•… ought to think himself too great to be a Minister, specially for doing good to o•…•…▪ The glorious Angels are ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them w•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…eires of Salvation, Heb. 1. 14. Magistrates, Ministers, Masters, Parents, all of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sorts apply this.