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498 SUMMARY OF DOCTRINAL AND [CHAP. IX. 1.
CHAPTERS IX., X. 1-18.
SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST'S PRIESTHOOD FROM THE SUPERIOR VALUE OF HIS SACRIFICE.
Crap. 1X. Ver. 1.—1. Every covenant of God had its proper pri- vileges and advantages. 2. There was never any covenant between God and man but it had some ordinances or arbitrary institutions _ of external divine worship annexed untovit. 3. It is a hard and rare thing to have the minds of men kept upright with God im‘the observance of the institutions of divine worship. 4, Divine institution alone is that which renders any thing acceptable unto God. 5. God can animate outward, carnal things with a hidden, invisible spring of glory and efficacy. 6. All divine service or worship must be resolved into divine ordination or institution. 7. A worldly sanctuary is enough for them whose service is worldly.
Ver. 2.—1. Every part of God’s house and the place wherein he will dwell is filled and adorned with pledges of his presence and means of communicating his grace. 2. The communication of sacred light from Christ, in the gifts of the Spirit, is absolutely necessary unto the due and acceptable performance of all holy offices and duties of worship in the church. 3. No man, by his utmost endea- yours in the use of outward means, can obtain the least beam of saving light, unless it be communicated unto him by Christ, who is the only fountain and cause of it.
Ver. 3-5.—1. The more of Christ, by the way of representation or exhibition, any institutions of divine worship do contain or ex- . press, the more sacred and holy are they in their use and exercise. 2. It is Christ alone who in himself is really the Most Holy, the spring and fountain of all holiness unto the church, 3. The time of the burning of the incense was after the sacrifice of the sin-offering, 4, The incense was kindled with fire taken from the altar when the blood of the sacrifices was newly offered. 5, The mediatory inter- cession of Jesus Christ was a sweet savour unto God, and efficacious for the salvation of the church. 6. The efficacy of Christ’s interces- sion dependeth on his oblation. 7. The glory of these types did no way answer the glory of the antitype, or that which was represented by them. 8. We are always to reckon that the efficacy and pre- valency of all our prayers depends on the incense which is in the hand of our merciful high priest. 9. Although the sovereign will and pleasure of God be the only reason and original cause of all instituted worship, yet there is, and ever was, in all his institutions, such an evidence of divine wisdom and goodness as gives them beauty, desirableness, and usefulness unto their proper end. 10. All
CHAP. IX. 9.] PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 499
the counsels of God concerning his worship in this world, and his eternal glory in the salvation of the church, do centre in the person and mediation of Christ.
Ver. 6, 7—A continual application unto God by Christ, and a continual application of the benefits of the mediation of Christ by faith, are the springs of the light, life, and comfort of the church.
Ver. 7.—1. A spiritual illumination of the mind is indispensably necessary unto our walking with God. 2. Those who would be pre- seryed from sin must take care that spiritual light do always bear sway in their minds. 3. They ought constantly to watch against the prevalency of corrupt prejudices and affections in their mind. 4. When the light of the mind is solicited by temptations to suspend its conduct and determination on present circumstances, to know that sin lies at the door, this is its last address for admission. 5. If error grow strong in the heart through the love of sin, truth will grow weak in the mind as to the preservation of the soul from it. 6. Nothing ought to influence the soul more unto repentance, sorrow, and humiliation for sin, than a due apprehension of the shameful error and mistake that is in it.
Ver. 8.—1. The divine ordinances and institutions of worship are filled with wisdom sufficient for the instruction of the church in all | the mysteries of faith and obedience. 2. It is our duty, with all humble diligence, to inquire into the mind of the Holy Ghost in | all ordinances and institutions of divine worship. 3. Although the Lord Christ was not actually exhibited in the flesh under the old | testament, nor had actually offered himself unto God for us, yet had believers then an actual access into the grace and favour of God, though the way, the cause, and means of it were not manifestly de- clared unto them. 4. The design of the Holy Ghost in the taber- nacle, and in all its ordinances and institutions of worship, was to direct the faith of believers unto what was signified by them. 5. Typical institutions, attended diligently unto, were sufficient to direct the faith of the church unto the expectation of the real expia- tion of sin, and acceptance with God thereon. 6. Though the stand- ing of the first tabernacle was a great mercy and privilege, yet the removal of it was a greater. 7. The divine wisdom in the economy and disposal of the revelation of the way into the holiest, or of grace and acceptance with himself, is a blessed object of our contempla- tion. 8. The clear manifestation of the way of redemption, of the expiation of sin, and peace with God thereon, is the great privilege of the gospel. 9. There is no access into the gracious presence of God but by the sacrifice of Christ alone.