And he was their forerunner also. For although I have no apprehension of the “limbus patrum” fancied by the Papists, yet I think the fathers that died under the old testament had a nearer admission into the presence of God upon the ascension of Christ than what they enjoyed before. They were in heaven before, the sanctuary of God; but were not admitted within the veil, into the most holy place, where all the counsels of God in Christ are displayed and represented. There was no entrance before, either as to grace or glory, within the veil, Heb. 9:8; for, as I said, within the veil are all the counsels of God in Christ laid open, as they were typed in the holy place. This none could or were to behold before his own entrance thither. Wherefore he was their forerunner also. [2dly.] To declare the redemption of all the elect that were to follow him in their several generations. This is triumphantly declared in heaven, Ps. 47:5–7, 68:18, 24–26.

John Owen | An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, ed. W. H. Goold, vol. 22, Works of John Owen (Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter, 1855), 288–89.

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