e to
his people at Horeb, when, in addition to the moral law, he enjoined all
those other laws, among which stand the statutes regarding the
priesthood of Aaron. To his people then present, whether priests or not,
and to his people who should descend from them, throughout the period
over which the covenant there made should extend, his oath was given;
and seeing it was then given, when his people individually acceded to
his covenant, or his faithful servants to the duties of the sanctuary,
it was not repeated. It was only when a new promise was made, or an
enlargement or an illustration of one formerly made was given, or when,
for his Covenant's sake, he denounced wrath on his enemies, that the
Lord sware to his people. And the day of conversion, of entering upon
office, and ordinary seasons of solemn Covenanting, could not afford
such occasions as these. It is in contrast with Christ, the great High
Priest of our profession, that those priests are introduced by the
apostle, as made without an oath. To the covenant of the Levitical
priesthood, the Lord did not append a new and separate oath. The nation
of Israel before, by the oath of God, had been set apart as a nation of
kings and priests. And when that priesthood was appointed, they merely
entered on the enjoyment of privileges formerly promised, and came under
renewed obligation to perform appointed duties. But in addition to the
oath of God to his Son from eternity, upon the occasion of his taking
upon him--in the nature of God-man, the office of His priesthood, in
order to show its speciality His oath was also given. There was not the
same regard to be paid to the type that belonged to the antitype,--to
the priesthood under the law that was due to the priesthood of Christ.
The priests under the law were not appointed to their office as if they
had been principals. It was reserved for Christ to be so appointed.
Perfection was not by the Levitical priesthood. Those priests were made
so after the law of a carnal commandment, and hence to the duties of the
priesthood by Covenant engagement were pledged. Christ on the other
hand, to perform the high functions of his priesthood, was also in
solemn covenant voluntarily engaged; but that testimony might be borne
to the dignity of his character and perfection of his work, by the oath
of God again given, he was made priest. Besides, that oath was sworn to
him as not merely a priest, but as the Surety and Mediator of the new