§. 44. Of the congruity of the Apostles words in quoting the testimony.
THe particular testimony followeth; before which the Apostle premiseth these words, For after he had said before, which minister some scruple betwixt those that do not duly observe them; for they seem to be here set down a 1.1 incongruous∣ly, without any other clause to answer them. The reason of this seeming incon∣gruity is this. Some take this phrase, saith the Lord, to be brought in by the Apostle, as the words of the Prophet, and as a part of the testimony. I will not deny, but that by the Prophet they may be so used. But here they are to be taken as the A∣postles words, which being so taken, there will be a very good congruity in the words, and a just consequence following upon them. For if it be demanded, what was it that was said before? surely this, this is that covenant that I will make with them. What is it that is said after? even this, I will put my lawes into their hearts, &c. Thus these two phrases, after he had said before, and saith the Lord, are the words of the Apostle, who thereby applyeth the testimony to his purpose: which will the better appear, if we thus read them, After he had said before, this is the covenant I will make with them after those dayes, the Lord saith, I will put my lawes into their hearts.
Our English translators by putting the nominative case after the verb, thus, saith the Lord, make the sense obscure, but if the nominative case be set before the verb, thus, the Lord saith, the sense will be more clear; or if this conjunction of time, then, be prefixed, it will run the more roundly, thus, After he had said before, this is the covenant, that I will make, &c. then saith the Lord, I will put my lawes, &c. Thus these gifts of having Gods lawes put into mens hearts, and their sins clean forgiven, are declared to be fruits of Gods covenant with man.
Concerning the main scope of the testimony, the point proved thereby is, that* 1.2 Christs one sacrifice once offered, is perfect in it self, and maketh others perfect. This is here proved by the powerful effects thereof; which are two.
One concerning our sanctification, which is Gods putting his lawes into mens hearts.
The other concerning our justification, which is, a remembring of sins no more. That this is the main end of the Apostles alledging this testimony, is evident by these words, Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin, v. 18.
Object. In this testimony there is no mention of Christs sacrifice. How then can it prove the perfection thereof?
Answ The covenant presupposeth Christs sacrifice, for it is shewed, Chap. 8. v. 6. that Christ is the Mediator of the covenant here intended: and again it is shewed, Chap. 9. v. 16. that by Christs death, which is the sacrifice here meant, that covenant is confirmed. The Apostles mind may be manifested by this argument.
What is done by the new covenant, is done by Christs sacrifice.
But the sorenamed effects are done by the new covenant; Therefore they are done by Christs Sacrifice.