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VER. VIII.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
For finding fault with them, [complaining of them] he saith, Be∣hold * 1.1 the dayes come, saith the Lord, and I will make [when I will make] a new Covenant with the House of Israel, and the House of Judah.
IN this Verse the Apostle entreth upon the Proof of his Argument laid down in that foregoing. And this was, that the first Covenant was not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, un∣blameable, or every way sufficient for Gods general end, because there was room left for the introduction of another, which was done accordingly.
Of this Covenant so to be introduced, he declareth in the Testimony of the Pro∣phet afterwards two things.
(1) The qualification of it, or its especial Adjunct; it was new, ver. 8.
(2.) A description of it; first, Negative with respect unto the old, ver. 9. 2dly, Positive in its nature and effectual properties, ver. 10, 11, 12. From all which he inferreth the conclusion which he was contending for, inforced with a new consi∣deration confirming it, ver. 13. which is the Sum of the last Part of this Chapter.
There are two general Parts of this Verse.
(1) The Introduction of the Testimony to be improved from the occasion of it, as expressed by the Apostle.
(2) The Testimony itself, which he insists on.
The first is in these words; For finding fault with them he saith. Wherein we have (1) The note of Connexion; (2) The ground whereon the Testimo∣ny is built. (3) The true reading of the words is to be considered.
1. There is the causal Conjunction 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 For, which gives them connexion unto * 1.2 the foregoing Verse. That which is designed, is the confirmation of the forego∣ing Argument. This is the Proof of the Assertion, that place was sought for ano∣ther Covenant, which evinced the insufficiency of the former, For; And the Rea∣son it intimates doth not consist in the word wherewith it is joined, finding fault with them; but respects those following, he saith: For he saith, the days come, which directly prove what he had affirmed. * 1.3
2. There is the ground intimated, of what is affirmed in the ensuing Testimo∣ny. For the New Covenant was not to be introduced absolutely without the con∣sideration of any thing foregoing; but because the first was not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or unblameable. Therefore the Apostle shews, that God brought it in in a way of blame. He did it finding fault with them. * 1.4
3. These words may be diversly distinguished and read. For (1) placing the note of distinction thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the sense is; For finding fault, complaining, blaming; he saith unto them: so that expression 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, finding fault, respects the Covenant itself. Piscator was the first that I know of, who thus distinguished the words, who is followed by Schlictingius and others. But place the note of distinction at 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as it is by most Interpreters and Expositors, and then the sense of the words is rightly expressed in our English Translation; For finding fault with them (that is the People) he saith; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be regu∣lated either by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
The Reasons for fixing the distinction in the first place are (1) Because 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, finding fault, answers directly unto 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was not without fault. And this contains the true Reason why the New Covenant was brought in. And (2) It was not Gods complaint of the People, that was any cause of the introduction of the New Covenant, but of the Old Covenant itself, which was in∣sufficient to sanctifie and save the Church.