Yet must it be observed, that although this was the peculiar ser- vice of the priests, yet was it not their only service. Their whole sacred employment was not confined unto this their entrance into the sanctuary. There was a work committed unto them, whereon their whole service in the sanctuary did depend. This was the offer-
ing of sacrifices; which was accomplished in the court without, on the brazen altar before the door of the tabernacle: which belonged not unto the purpose of the apostle in this place.
This was the great privilege of the priests under the old testa- ment, that they alone might and did enter into the sanctuary, and make an approach unto God. And this privilege they had as they were types of Christ, and no otherwise. But withal it was a great part and a great means of that state of servitude and fear wherein the people or the body of the church was kept. They might not so much as come nigh the pledges of God’s presence; it was forbidden ‘them under the penalty of death and being cut off; whereof they sadly complained, Num. xvii. 12, 13.
This state of things is now changed under the gospel. It is one of the principal privileges of believers, that, being made kings and priests unto God by Jesus Christ, this distinction as unto especial gracious access unto God is taken away, Rev. i. 5, 6; Eph. ii.18; Rom.
_y.2. Neither doth this hinder but that yet there are and ought to be officers and ministers in the house of God, to dispense the holy things of it, and to minister in the name of Christ. For in their so doing
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they do not hinder, but promote, the approach of the church into the presence of God; whichis the principal end of their office. And ' as this is their peculiar honour, for which they must be accountable, Heb. xiii. 17; so the church of believers itself ought always to con- sider how they may duly improve and walk worthy of this privilege, purchased for them by the blood of Christ.
2. The general foundation of the service of these priests in the sanctuary was, that they went or entered into it,—¢io/a- ov. This also itself was a divine ordinance. For this entrance both asserted their privilege, all others,being excluded on pain of death, and gave bounds unto it. Hereinto they were to enter; but they were to go no farther: they were not to go into or look into the most holy place, nor to abide in the sanctuary when the high priest entered into it; which the apostle here hath an espe- cial regard unto. They entered into the first tabernacle, but they went no farther. Hereinto they entered through the first veil, or the covering of the door of the tabernacle, Exod. xxvi. 36, 37. Through that veil, by turning it aside, so as that it closed imme- diately on their entrance, the priests entered into the sanctuary. And this they were to do with an especial reverence of the presence of God; which is the principal design of that command, “Ye shall reverence my sanctuary,” Lev. xix. 30: which is now supplied by the holy reverence of the presence of God in Christ which is in all believers. But moreover, the equity of the command extends itself unto that especial reverence of God which we ought to have in all holy services. And although this be not confined unto any postures or gestures of the body, yet those that naturally express a reveren- - tial frame of spirit are necessary unto this duty.
3. The time of this their entrance into the sanctuary to discharge their service is expressed. They entered it diaaavrde: that is, xpévov, “ quovis tempore;” “always,” say we; “ jugiter,” that is, “every day.” There was no divine prohibition as unto any days or times wherein they might not enter into the sanctuary, as there was with respect unto the entrance of the high priest into the most holy place, which was allowed only once a-year. — And the services that were required of them made it necessary that they should enter into it every day. But the word doth not abso- lutely signify “every day,” seeing there was a special service for which they entered only once a-week; but “always,” is “at all times,” as occasion did require. There was also an especial service, when the high priest entered into the sanctuary, which was neither daily nor weekly, but occasional; which is mentioned, Lev. iv. 6, 7. For when the anointed priest was to offer a sacrifice for his own sins, he was to carry some of the blood of it into the sanctuary, and sprinkle it towards the veil that was before the most holy place.
Eiciaciy.
Aieravros.
!
VER. 6, 7.| EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 227
This he was to do seven times; which isa mystical number, denoting that perfect atonement and expiation of sin which was to be made by the blood of Christ. But this being an occasional service, the apostle seems to have had no respe¢t unto it.
4, The service itself performed by them is expressed: Tas Aurpefag émiredouvres,—“ Accomplishing the services.” The ex- pression is sacred, respecting mystical rites and ceremo- nies, such as were the things here intended: ‘ Officiating in the ministry of the sacred ceremonies.” For éairedoivres is not “perfecting” or “ accomplishing” only, but “‘sacredly ministering :” ‘In discharge of the priestly office, accomplishing the sacred services committed unto them.’ And these services were of two sorts: (1.) Daily. (2.) Weekly.