God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Ver. 1. _God who at sundry times, &c._] See my True Treasure. _ God who in times past, &c._] The Hebrews had generally a lighter esteem (though without cause) of the prophets than of the law; and of... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by _his_ Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Ver. 2. _Hath in these last days_] God doth his best works last (our last also should be our best, as Thyatira's, Rev 2:19); the sweetest of honey lies in the bottom. Con... [ Continue Reading ]
Who being the brightness of _his_ glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Ver. 3. _Who being the brightness of his glory, &c._] A beam of that sun, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Ver. 4. _Better than the angels_] Therefore is his doctrine, the gospel, with more heed to be heard, than the law ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator, that is, Moses, Galatians 3:... [ Continue Reading ]
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? Ver. 5. _This day_] Either the day of eternity, and so it is meant of Christ's eternal generation; or else the fulness of time, wherei... [ Continue Reading ]
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Ver. 6. _When he bringeth in the first begotten_] He is the "only begotten," and yet is called the first begotten; because he hath the right of firstborn over his brethren, and was... [ Continue Reading ]
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Ver. 7. _A flame of fire_] Hence they are called seraphims, because they flame, like heavenly salamanders, in the fire of pure and perfect love to God and his people; and cherubims, from their winged swift... [ Continue Reading ]
But unto the Son _he saith_, Thy throne, O God, _is_ for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness _is_ the sceptre of thy kingdom. Ver. 8. _Thy throne, O God, is for ever_] Christ is God, then, as is here set forth by many arguments. God hath laid "help on one that is mighty." "I and the Father am... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, _even_ thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Ver. 9. _Hath anointed thee_] This imports two things: 1. Ordination to his office, and so the Godhead also of Christ was anointed. 2. Qualification for i... [ Continue Reading ]
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: Ver. 10. _The works of thy hands_] Psalms 8:3, they are called the works of God's fingers, artificially elaborated; that heaven of heavens especially, whose artificer and workman i... [ Continue Reading ]
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; Ver. 11. _They shall perish_] The visible heavens are defiled with man's sin, and shall therefore be purged by the last fire, as the vessels that held the sin offering were to pass the fire. _ They shall all wax o... [ Continue Reading ]
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Ver. 12. _But thou art the same_] As in essence, so in will and counsel. Repentance with man is the changing of his will; repentance with God is the willing of a change; _Mutati... [ Continue Reading ]
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Ver. 13. _Sit on my right hand_] As mine equal in honour and power. It seems to be a metaphor from some king, who, having an only begotten, lets him in the throne as heir and successor to... [ Continue Reading ]
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Ver. 14. _Are they not_] See nly Common-place of Angels. _ Sent forth to minister, &c._] The saints are the spouse, the bride, yea, the members of Christ; and so in nearer union than angels or an... [ Continue Reading ]