self. 28. For the law appoints men high priests who have infirmity, (or faults); but the word of the oath, which goes beyond the law, appoints the Son (a priest), who is consecrated for ever

more.

CHAP. VIII.

THE ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST.

Now this is the sum of what is said; We have such an high priest as is set on the right hand of the majestic throne in the heavens; 2. A minister of the most holy place, (viz. heaven) and of the true tabernacle (himself) which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3. For every high-priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; wherefore it is necessary that this one have somewhat also to offer. 4. For if he were on earth, he could not be a priest, (as he is not of their pedigree) for there are priests (of Levi's tribe), who offer gifts according to the law; 5. Who serve for an example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses, being about to make the tabernacle, was instructed of God, thus, See, saith he, to make all things according to the pattern shewed thee in the

mount.

6. But he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises. 7. For if the first covenant, had not been imperfect, no place could have been sought for the second. 8. But finding fault with the people, he said, Lo, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with Israel and Judah; 9. Not according to the covenant I made with their fathers, in the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, when they continued not in my covenant, tho' I was an husband to them, saith the Lord. But this is the covenant I will make with Israel, After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and

10.

I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11. Nor shall every man teach his neighbour, or his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more. 13. In saying A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now what waxeth old becomes antiquated and ready to disappear.

CHAP. IX.

THE RITES OF THE LAW SHADOWS OF CHRIST.

THEN verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine worship, and a worldly sanctuary. 2. For there was a tabernacle made, in the first part of which, called the holy place, was the candlestick, and the table with the sacred bread (and the incense altar).

3. And beyond the second vail was that part of the tabernacle called the most holy. 4. Having the (use of the) golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid around with gold, beside which was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and in it were the tables of the covenant; 5. And over it the cherubs attending the cloud of glory shadowing the (propitiatory) mercyseat, (the atonement cover of the ark), of which we cannot now speak particularly.

6. So these things being thus prepared, the priests went always into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the service of God daily. 7. But into the second part went the high priest alone once yearly, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the people's errors of ignorance; 8. The Holy Spirit by this signifying, that the way into the most holy place was not made manifest, while the first tabernacle yet standeth: 9. Which is a figure for the time present, in which are offered both gifts

and sacrifices, that could not make him who worshippeth perfect, as to the conscience, 10. Consisting only in meats and drinks, and diverse washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed upon them until the (gospel) time of reformation. 11. But Christ having become an high priest of future good things, entered once into the most holy place thro' the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this lower creation; 12. Not by the blood of goats, and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13. For if the blood of bulls, and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the aids of the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from sinful works, that bring death, to serve the living God. 15. And therefore he is the mediator of the new covenant, that by means of death, for the redemption from the transgressions under the first covenant, they who are called might receive the promised eternal inheritance. 16. For where a covenant is, it necessarily imports the death of that whereby it is confirmed. 17. For a testament has the effect after men are dead, but it is of no force whilst the testator liveth, (as the legacy cannot be charged).

18. Hence neither was the first covenant ratified or confirmed without blood. 19. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves, and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and the book, and sprinkled it and all the people, 20.. Saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God hath enjoined to you. 21. Moreover, he sprinkled likewise with blood the tabernacle, and all the vessels for the ministry. 22. And almost all things are by the law purified with blood; and

without shedding of blood is no remission. 23. It was necessary that the emblems of things in heaven should be purified with these (victims), but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25. Not that he should offer himself often, as the high-priest entered into the holy place every year with blood of others (as lambs). 26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once for all at the conclusion of the prior dispensations, he hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27. And it is appointed to men once to die, but after that the judgment; 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and to them that wait for him he shall appear the second time without a sin-offering to their salvation. (Rom. viii. 3.)

CHAP. X.

THE WEAKNESS OF THE LAW SACRIFICES.

For the law having a shadow of future good things (in heaven), not the very image of the things (like the gospel), could not by those sacrifices always offered yearly (on the great yearly fast and day of atonement) perfect those who come to them. 2. Otherwise they would have ceased to be offered; because the worshippers being once purified (by it), would have had no more consciousness of sins; 3. But in them there is an yearly repeated memorial of sins. 4. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sins. 5. Therefore when (Messiah is spoken of) as coming into the world, (Psalm xl. 7.) he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not approve, but a body hast thou

provided me. 6. In holocausts, and sin-offerings thou hast no delight.

7. Then I said, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God, in the volume of thy book it is written of me. 8. Above, when he said, Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offerings for sin, thou wouldst not approve, nor hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the law. 9. Then he said, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. 10. By which will we are sanctified, thro' the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11. And every priest stands daily ministering, and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12. But he, having offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God; 13. Waiting further till his enemies be made his footstool.

14. For by one offering he for ever perfected them that are sanctified (by it); 15. Whereof the holy Spirit testifieth to us (Jer. xxxi. 33). after having said before, 16. This is the covenant that I will make with them, After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18. Now, where remission of these is there is no more offering for sin. 19. Having, therefore, brethren, liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20. In a new and living way, which he hath prepared for us thro' the vail, that is to say, his flesh; 21. And having a great high priest over the house of God, 22. Let us draw near with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts cleansed (by the blood of sprinkling, 1 Pet. 4.), from the evils we are conscious of, as our bodies are washed with pure water, (that the heart may not devise, nor the body practise evil.)

23. Let us hold fast the profession of our hope 3 T

VOL. III.

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