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THe first particular place whereof Christ is here said to be a Minister, is in English thus expressed, the Sanctuary, or word for word, holies. Of •…•…he notation and meaning of this word, holy, See Chap. 3. v. 1. §. 5.
The Greek word is ambiguous. a 1.1 It is of the genitive case in the plurall num∣ber, which compriseth all genders under one termination. * 1.2 Hereupon some 〈◊〉〈◊〉
it in the Masculine gender, and apply it to persons, and thus expound it, a Minister 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Saints: because Christ as a Priest presenteth their persons and prayers to God, •…•…keth intercession for them.
Others take it in the neuter gender: and apply it to holy things: namely, to those heavenly and holy gifts, which Christ dispenseth to the Saints.
But this word is in this Epistle frequently attributed to the place where holy* 1.3 things were administred. I find it eight severall times thus used, as here, and Chap. 9. v. 2, 3, 8, 12, 24, 25. and Chap. 13. 11. In like manner another word of the plurall number, and neuter gender is put for heaven. We translate it heavenly places, Eph. 1. 20. and 2. 6. and 3. 10.
The word thus taken for a place is fitly translated Sanctuary. This is the title given to that place under the Law, where holy Priests administred holy things, Exod. 15. 8.
It is here metaphorically used, and put for heaven; whereof the Sanctuary of the* 1.4 Jewes was a type. Of it the Apostle •…•…us saith, It was a figure for the time then pre∣se•…•…t. And, Christ by his own blood entred in once into the holy place, Heb. 9. 9, 12. The word that is here, is there also used: whereby we see that heaven is metaphorically set forth thereby.
How Christ our Priest is in heaven, was shewed, Chap. 4. v. 14. §. 84.
Here we will consider, how he is said to be a Minister of this Sanctuary. Sanctu∣ary i•…•… sometimes indefinitely put for all those holy places wherein any of the Prists did any of their holy services, as Chap. 9. v. 1, 2.
Sometimes again it is more restrictively used, for that most holy place, wherein∣•…•…o* 1.5 the High-Priest only went once a year, and this for distinction sake is called d 1.6 the •…•…ly of holiest. Our English translates it, The Holiest of all. The doubled phrase, •…•…ly of holies is an e 1.7 Hebraisme. I take the word Sanctuary here, in this restrictive sense, for the most holy place, into which Christ entred after he had offered up his sacrifice, even into heaven.
Christ then is such a Minister of this Sanctuary, as the High-Priest was, a Minister of the most holy place; and that in these particulars especially.
1. The Priest-hood was annointed, Exod. 30. 30. This oyntment ran down from* 1.8 his head, to the skirts of his garments, Psal. 133. 2. This was an outward sign of his calling and gifts.
Thus Christ was annointed, Psal. 45. 7. The Greek name Christ, and Hebrew, Messiah, imply as much. He was called, Heb. 5. 5. and gifted for his work, Iob. 3. 34. And of his fulnesse we all receive grace for grace, Joh. 1. 16.
2. The High-Priest was arrayed with rich and glorious apparell, which is des∣cribed, Exod. Chap. 28.
Thus was Christ arrayed with immortality, incorruption, purity, majesty and all manner of glory fit for his place.
3. Among other things wrought by the art of man; the High-Priest had in his breast-plate two things called f 1.9 Vrim and Thummim: which according to the notation of the words, signifie light and integrity, Exod. 28. 30. what kind of things they were, is not expressed.
By reason of their notation, they are applyed by divines to that light of know∣ledge, and integrity of life which is required of Ministers.
Christ the true High-Priest, hath all the treasurers of wisdome and knowledge in him, Col. 3. 2. His purity is set out to the full, Heb. 7. 26.
4. The High-Priest carryed before him on his breast-plate the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, Exod. 28. 9, 10.
Christ hath the names of the whole Church in continuall remembrance: and presenteth them to his Father, to be graciously accepted by him.
5. On the High-Priests Myter in a plate of Gold was engraven, Holinesse to the Lord, Exod. 28. 36. Two reasons are rendred hereof. One that he might bear (and so take away) the imperfections of their best works. The other that he might make the people acceptable to God.
In Christ were truly and properly accomplished those things which were only typified in and by the High-P•…•…iest.
Christ by his intercession maketh a continuall pleasing sound in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God.
In these and other like respects may Christ be said to be a Minister of the •…•…∣ry.
All this is the more to incite us to take Christ for our High-Priest and so to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him: and that by offering up our prayers and praises in him, and to expect acc•…•…p∣tation from the Father thorough him.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
No•…•…lli▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 San∣ct•…•…rum ita in∣telligunt, ut hominos faciat sanctior•…•…s. Theophilact. in loc. quod sanctis mini∣stratus miseri∣cordiae multae est, & amorts magni, quem nobis impendit. Chrys. Ambr. Lyra. Dlonys.
(b)〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
What Sanctu∣ry here meant.
(c)〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Heb. 9. 3.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sanctum San∣ctorum. Exo. 26. 33.
High-Priest and Christ resembled.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ignis, lux. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 luces. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 inte∣gritas. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 inte∣gritates Vrim & Thummin signa erant quibus respon∣sum divinum dignoscebatur. Num. 27. 21. 1 Sam. 28. 6. Ezr. 2. 63.