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Our apostle has not yet done with his several arguments to prove the transcendent excellency of Christ's priesthood above that of Aaron's: His argument in the verses now before us lies thus: he that is made an unchangeable priest by the oath of God, is a better, greater, and more excellent priest, than any made so without it. But whereas the Levitical priests were made without an oath, by the law changeable at the will of the lawgiver; Jesus Christ was made a Priest by the unchangeable oath of God. The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever.
Learn hence, That nothing was wanting on the part of God, that might either give eminency and glory, or stability and efficacy to the priesthood of Christ: This was both due to the glory of his person, and also needful to encourage and secure the faith of the church.
Learn, 2. That Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, being initiated into his office by the oath of God, his priesthood is liable to no alteration, succession, or substitution; but the church may continually draw nigh to God, in full assurance of his meritorious satisfaction and prevailing intercession, and receive from thence a solid foundation of peace and consolation; By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Observe here, 1. The title given to the gospel-covenant, it is here called a better testament: Better not for substance, but for clearness; for substance, the old covenant dispensation and the new are the same: but the latter is made more clear, more free, more full, more surely ratified, by the death of Christ, and accompanied with a more mighty operation of the Spirit of God.
Observe, 2. The title here given to Christ, he is the surety of a better testament. Our surety, because our sacrifice. The Socinians own Christ to be the surety of the covenant in respect of his holy life, and exemplary death, sealing it as a testimony by his blood, but deny him to be a surety in respect of his satisfaction, merit, and intercession. But alas! as our sinful condition requires a mediator of redemption so our changeable condition requires a mediator of intercession; and, blessed be God, he has appointed one for both, even his own and only Son, who is the surety of a better testament.
Learn thence, that the Lord Jesus was not only made a surety on God's part to us, to assure us, that the promise of the covenant on his part, should be performed, but was also a surety on our part, to furnish us with that grace and assistance which shall enable us to do, answer, and perform all that is required on our part, that we may enjoy the benefit of the covenant, first, to satisfy for sin, by offering himself a propitiatory sacrifice: and next to furnish forth sufficincy of grace to enable for the fulfilling the conditions of the gospel-covenant. Thus was Jesus the surety of this better covenant.