Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 4:14

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest , that is passed into the heavens ; Jesus the son of God , let us hold fast our profession .

The excellency of the great Gospel-Minister beyond all others in respect of his Priestly Office, especially beyond Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood, is shewn by the Holy Ghost from this Verse to Chap. 5. v. 11. It is introduced, as the Spirits counsel to these Hebrews, from the Premises for their using of this High Priest, in order to their reaching home to the Rest of God, to whom and whose Profession they ought to adhere, since he is so fit, and so willing to give them an entrance into it, comp. chap. 2.17, 18. and 3.1, 6. Being therefore by the Spirit through Faith not only interested by a common Relation in him, but by a real Union to, and Communion with him, as here described an High Priest, ch. 2.11. and 3.1. so great as none was, or can equal him. All the High Priests on earth but imperfect Types of him; above Aaron and all others; the grand Presider over all God's Worship, who had Work peculiar to himself above all: The Supreme and Universal Priest in Heaven and Earth, whose Title the Roman Antichrist usurpeth; to him only due, Pontifex optimus maximus, yet officiating always for us.

He hath fulfilled his Type, entring into the Holy of Holiest in Heaven, taking Possession of God's Rest, and purchasing an Entrance for us into it, and this after the removal of the Curse, satisfaction of the Divine Justice for our Sins, Victory over all Enemies that would oppose his or our Entrance by him, as Sin, Wrath, Death, and the Devil, and keeping possession of this Rest for us, ch. 9.23, 24, and 28.

Iesus the Saviour of his People from all their Sins, their Emmanuel, Matth. 1.20, 21, 23. who being God the Son by eternal Generation, was incarnate by taking to himself and uniting a true Body and a reasonable Soul, being conceived miraculously by the Virgin Mary from the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost; in which Nature, inseparably united to his Person, he fulfilled all Righteousness, and died a Sacrifice for our Sins, and rose in our Nature, and ascended and entred into the Holy of Holiest in Heaven, and made Atonement, and laid open the way to Believers to enter God's Rest there.

The intire Religion of which Jesus is the Author, as opposite to that of the Iews in its Principles and practick part of it, ch. 3.1. is powerfully, strongly, and perseveringly to be held by his without Relaxation, in which if we follow him, cleave to him, and by him labour to enter, we shall not come short of God's Rest, ch. 7.24, 25. where the Head is, there shall the Body be also, Iohn 14.2, 3. and 17.24.

Marginal references: Chap. 7.26. & 9.12.; Chap. 10.23.