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ON HEBREWS, IX. 11, 12.

But Christ being come a High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this build ing; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

IT has often been observed, that no person besides the high priest was permitted to enter the most holy place, and he only once a year. On this solemn day he first offered a young bullock, took the blood, went into the most holy place, and sprinkled it there to make an atonement for himself. Having done this, he returned to the outer court of the tabernacle, where two goats were brought unto him as a sin-offering for the people: he then cast lots to decide which of the two should be slain, and which saved alive. One of them being slain (according to the decision of the lot), the high priest took of its blood, and entered a second time within the vail, and then inked the blood both before and upon the mercy-seat, to make an atonement for the whole congregation of Israel. He then returned to the outer court, and laid both his hands on the head of the live goat (which was called the scape-goat), and confessed over him all the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of the children of Israel, and then immediately sent the goat away by some fit person into the uninhabited wilderness, where he could never be found again *.

The Holy Ghost has most clearly unfolded the typical meaning of all this by the pen of St. Paul. "Christ being come an High Priest of good things to

* See Leviticus, xvi.

come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." From hence it appears, not only that Jesus Christ is the person typified by Aaron and his successors in the sacerdotal office; but that his ascension into heaven, where he pleads the merit of his own blood, was presignified by this solemn entrance of the Levitical high priest into the most holy place. The Apostle observes again," Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us *.” May the Holy Spirit of God be pleased so to assist our meditations on this most beautiful type, that they may be edifying unto our souls!

Our

Of the first sacrifice and en. trance of the high priest into the most holy place, on the day of expiation, little need be said, because this was designed to be an atonement for himself; it was intended to remind him of his personal guilt and depravity, and personal need of redemption. great High Priest, being entirely pure from all spot of sin, needed not to offer any sacrifice or make any atonement for himself. The second sacrifice and second entrance into the most holy place, more peculiarly claim our notice, because designed for the benefit of the people in general. The two goats which were offered on this solemn day, viewed in connexion with each other, afford a most striking and instructive exhibition of the sacrifice of the death of

Hebrews, ix. 24..

Christ. The slain goat was evidently intended to represent the sufferings of the Saviour, who was crucified and slain for us, who poured forth his own most precious blood upon the cross, endured the severest tortures of body and soul, and expired in the greatest agony. The scape-goat exhibited the cause as well as the glorious consequences or effects of his sufferings. Divine justice would never have inflicted such bitter pains on the innocent, the holy Jesus, if the guilt of others had not been transferred unto him. When, therefore, we behold the priest "laying both his hands on the head of the goat, and confessing over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat," which is said "to bear upon him all their iniquities*; what a most striking illustration does it afford of those words of the evangelical prophet, "The Lord hath laid (hath made to meet) on himon the great Surety of sinners-the iniquity of us allt." What a striking illustration does it afford also of those words of the Apostle, "He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin † ;" and also of St. Peter, "who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree §." From hence it appears, that the guilt of the true Israel of God was imputed to the blessed Redeemer by the eternal Father: this imputed guilt was the sole cause of all that he endured: this drew down upon him that curse of the law which he endured. "For the transgression of my people," the Lord declares, he stricken ||."

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But when we further behold the scape-goat sent away into the wilderness, "bearing upon him the

Leviticus, xvi. 21, 22. † Isaiah, liii. 6. 2 Cor. v. 21. § 1 Peter, ii. 24. Isaiah, liii. 8.

iniquities of Israel unto a land not inhabited," where the goat would soon be lost, so as never to be found any more; what a striking illustration does it afford of the divine declaration made with reference to the mysterious transactions on Mount Calvary, and recorded by the prophet Jeremiah; "In those days and at that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found; for I will pardon them whom I reserve *.* And what a striking illustration does this also afford of the Psalmist's observation; "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our sins from us t." From hence it follows, that our adorable Redeemer hath accomplished the great end of his incarnation, which (according to the testimony of the angel Gabriel) was "to finish transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in an everlasting righteousness t," for the full, free, complete justification of all his believing people.

Let us now compare the entrance of the high priest into the most holy place, with our Lord's entrance into heaven. The high priest of old was not allowed to appear in the immediate presence of Jehovah until he had made a typical atonement. Our Lord Jesus entered not into heaven until he had "obtained eternal redemption for us;" until HE had, "by his one offering, perfected for ever them that are sanctified §." And as the high priest entered the most holy place with the blood of sacrifices, which he sprinkled before the visible emblems of Jehovah's presence and glory, that Israel might obtain remission; so our Lord Jesus entered into heaven "by his own blood," now to appear in the presence of

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God for us." Our adorable Mediator constantly presents himself before the Father, as our great atoning sacrifice: he appears in heaven in that very body which was crucified, with the print of the nails in his hands and feet, and the mark of the spear in his side; he exhibits that precious blood which he shed upon the cross: "he appears before the throne as a lamb that has been slain *** This constant exhibition of his crucified body pleads most powerfully on behalf of all his covenant-people, and never fails to procure for them every spiritual blessing which they can need. The eternal Father is bound both by justice and equity to bestow those blessings, which he has freely promised in his everlasting covenant with his co-equal Son, on condition of his obedience unto death, the condition being perfectly fulfilled. Hence St. John observes, that, "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins t." St. Paul likewise declares, that "HE is able to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." This representation (which is evidently given in condescension to our infirmities) is designed to teach us, that our Redeemer, in his state of glorious exaltation, possesses a most tender concern for his people on earth; that he is constantly employed in, promoting their benefit; and that there is no other way of access to God, to heaven, and eternal happiness, but through his mediation and intercession.

These few hints that have been given, are peculiarly adapted to afford encouragement to those sincere Christians who are deeply humbled under a sense of their guilt and infirmities, and who lament their own weakness. Are

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you burdened with an heavy load of guilt lying upon your conscience? Are you grieved (as indeed every true Christian must be) on account of those infirmities by which you are encompassed day by day? Is "the law in your members that warreth against the law of your mind" an occasion of constant distress? What strong consolation may you derive from beholding, by the eye of faith, your Almighty Advocate with the Father, who will ever "multiply to pardon *, according to your multiplied transgressions. Behold him then appearing before the throne above as 66 a lamb that was slain :" behold him exhibiting his crucified body on your behalf, and on the behalf of all who believe on his name. A believing view of him, under the Spirit's teaching, will remove the burden of guilt which may at any time oppress you. How can the wrath of God descend upon you, when there is in his immediate presence such a memorial of the perfect satisfaction which his infinite justice has received? While, therefore, you plead the merit of his precious blood, and live in the exercise of faith in him; while you abhor the thought of sinning because grace abounds, and strive against the evil workings of depraved nature (as every one must do who has the least spark of true grace in his heart), you have abundant cause to rejoice; and notwithstanding the trials with which you are surrounded, you may adopt the triumphant language of the Apostle with application to yourself, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for ust." Do you fear lest your faith should fail? do you tremble when you reflect upon the power of your spiritual adversaries and your own weak* Isa. lv. 7, last clause, marginal reading. + Romans, viii. 34.

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ness? do you fear lest you should be overcome by temptations, and so make shipwreck of the faith and of a good conscience? look unto Him who is both the "author and finisher of your * faith "" his intercession affords perfect security against final apostacy. Remember his language to St. Peter, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail nott." Thus prays on behalf of all his people, and therefore, though their faith may be assaulted by many grievous temptations, it does not fail totally or finally. Make known all your temptations to your exalted Redeemer; for he most tenderly feels for you under all your sufferings. In all your afflictions he is afflicted. He is touched with the feeling of your infirmities, having been in all points tempted like as you are, though without sin : and," in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted §." Through his never-failing intercession you shall be " strengthened with all might by his Spirit in the inner man," and shall daily increase in his holy Spirit more and more, until you come unto his everlasting kingdom. But let all who disregard the mediation and intercession of the Lord Jesus remember, that his precious blood, which cries to heaven for mercy on behalf of all those who plead the merit of it before God, will hereafter cry to heaven for vengeance against all impenitent unbelievers. He who is now a

LETTER TO A LADY ON THE To the Editor of the Christian Guardian.

SIR,

IF you should deem the subjoined letter, sent to a pious lady in a distant part of the country, on

Hebrews, xii. 2. + Luke, xxii. 31, 32.
Hebrews, iv. 15. § Hebrews, ii. 18.

most powerful and prevailing advocate on behalf of all who come unto God by him, will hereafter be a swift witness against all who neglect or despise him and his great salvation. The condition of all unbelievers is most awful and dangerous; they are entirely excluded from the benefits of redemption, and consequently must remain under the sentence of condemnation, which is pronounced by the divine law upon every one that continueth not in all things which are written therein to do them. He that believeth not," such is the language of Christ himself, "is condemned already, because he hath not be lieved in the name of the only begotten Son of God *." And while unbelief leaves men under the sentence of the moral law, it must, if persisted in, awfully aggravate their condemnation; for, however much it may be disregarded by many, it is a sin of all others the most heinous in God's 'estimation; because it pours contempt on the most glorious plan of mercy which it was possible for him to devise; it treats the God of truth as if he were unworthy of credit: hence St. John affirms, that "he that believeth not God hath

made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son t." Therefore it is declared, that "he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him ‡.” A most alarming sentence! O that it might make a due impression on all who are obnoxious to it!

GREGORY PETER.

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HAVING heard nothing of the illness of your late excellent husband, my respected, but now much-lamented friend, it was not without some surprise, but abundantly more concern, that I saw his death announced in a newspaper of the 15th instant. Hoping that I shall not enlarge the wounds which I am aware have been deeply inflicted on your heart by this bereaving dispensation, allow me to offer a word of condolence on the melancholy occasion. I would mitigate your sorrows by bearing a part, and wish my burden could ease your case. I am not vain enough to suppose that I have arguments abundantly more consoling to offer than those with which you are already favoured, surrounded as you are by Christian friends, who I am sure participate in your feelings with pious sympathy and affection; but I deem it a debt of gratitude I owe to your husband's memory to say, that having been in habits of friendship and intimacy with him for more than forty years, I have seen him shine in much meekness, humility, and goodness, an ornament to the Christian profession, a blessing to his family, his friends, and the community, though not exempt from the common infirmities of our nature; nor do I scruple to affirm that I have never known a man of whose piety to God, and of whose justice and benevolence to man, I had a more decided and firm conviction.

You had three jewels which you held precious, a husband and two lovely children: the one was your self divided, the others yourself multiplied; and you are bereaved of them all. Well, now is the time of trial of your fortitude, yea of your Christian attainments. The last event has not surprised you of a sudden. I well remember the

time, a few years ago, when he was thought to be in dying circumstances, yet, contrary to the apprehensions of all, he was restored for a season, the blessed God lent him you a little longer, and we should not repine when he calls for his own. These are sentiments, it is true, which I have found it hard it digest in my own case*; but we oftentimes mistake our lot, and take that for a gift which the Lord only intends as a loan. Our nearest and dearest friends are only gone a little before. Infinite Wisdom did not deem it expedient that we should all go together; but our blessed Lord having said, that where he is, there shall his servants also be, we know where to find them, persuaded that they have reached their destined place in safety, even the city of the living God, where the inhabitants shall no more say, I am sick; where they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and lead them to fountains of living waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And, O how animating the thought! soon will the Lord of that country summon those who were their companions in the kingdom and patience of Jesus to partake with them of the heavenly banquet. Let patience have its perfect work under this heavy loss; let God have those he lent you with resignation, and if possible with cheerfulness, and ere long you shall enjoy God with them in glory everlasting.

Accept this humble but affectionate effusion of regard for your dear departed husband and his family, and believe me to be in great truth and sincerity,

Your sympathizing friend
And servant.

Dec. 24, 1821.

*The writer has drank deeply of the bitter cup of domestic affliction.

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