VER. 11.
If therefore Perfection were by the Levitical Priesthood, (for under it the Peo∣ple Received the Law) what farther need was there that another Priest should rise after the Order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the Or∣der of Aaron.
The first thing in the words is the Introduction of the ensuing Discourse and Argument, in those particles of Inference, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, if therefore. If things be * 1.1 as we have declared. He had a peculiar Scope and Design in all those things. These he is now introducing. The Improvement of his whole preceding Dis∣course, and the whole Mystery of the Priesthood of Melchisedec, he will now make an Application of unto the great cause he had in hand. He hath proved by all sorts of Arguments that the Priesthood of Melchisedec was Superiour unto that of Aaron. Before he had evinced that there was to be another Priest after his Or∣der; and this Priest must of necessity be greater than all those who went before him of the Tribe of Levi, in as much as he was so, by whom he was represented before the Institution of that Priesthood. Now he will let the Hebrews know whi∣ther all these things do tend in particular, and what doth necessarily follow from, and depend upon them. This he lays the Foundation of in this Verse, and declares in those following. And that they might consider how, what he had to say, was educed from what he had before proved, he introduceth it, with these Notes of Inference, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, if therefore. And to comprehend the meaning of these words in general, with the Design of the Apostle in them, we may observe,
1. That his Reasoning in this case is built upon a Supposition which the Hebrews * 1.2 could not deny. And this is, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Perfection or Consummation is the end aimed at in the Priesthood of the Church. That Priesthood which perfects or con∣summates the People in order unto their acceptance with God, and future enjoyment of him, their present Righteousness and future Blessedness, is that which the Church stands in need of, and cannot rest till it comes unto. That Priesthood which doth not do so, but leaves Men in an imperfect unconsummate estate, whatever Use it may be of for a season, yet cannot it be perpetual unto the exclusion of another. For if