could not cast them out of his thoughts, or be deaf to the intercessions of our great High-Priest.
Here then is the security of all the children of Israel : " they have a great High-Priest, who is passed into the hea- vens, Jesus, the Son of God," who has undertaken their cause, and is their Advocate with the Father, and " who is therefore able to save them to the uttermost, because he ever liveth to make intercession for them."]
2. What Christ will do in us —
[In Christ " are hid all the treasures of wisdom and know- ledge." There is no case wherein we may not consult him ; nor any, wherein he will not vouchsafe to direct our steps. How he will answer us, we will not presume to say : he has ten thousand ways of making known his will, and of over- ruling our purposes, without at all infringing the liberty of our will, or altering the general dispensations of his providence. It is sufficient for us to know, that " the meek he will guide in judgment, the meek he will teach his way ;" and that " whatsoever we ask of him he will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." From the consideration of his being our great and compassionate High-Priest, we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in the time of need11 ; and we are sure, that, if we come unto God through him, " we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us." We need not say, This is so great a matter, that it would be presump- tuous in me to ask it ; nor, This is so small, that it would be unworthy of his attention : for, whether it be great or small, he would spread it before his heavenly Father, and obtain for us an answer of peace : his light should dispel our darkness, and his 'perfections dissipate our fears : the weakest should not be left to faint1, nor the most ignorant to errk.]
In this subject we may find abundant matter,
1. For reproof —
[ When we come into difficult circumstances, we are too apt to imagine, like the Church of old, that " God hath forsaken and forgotten us." But if God reproved them by declaring, that " a nursing mother could sooner forget her sucking child than he could forget them, since they were engraven on the palms of his hands1," how much more are ive reproved by this typical representation of Christ, on whose shoulders we are supported, and on whose heart we are engraved ! O let such unbelieving fears be put away ! Let us " know in whom we
h Heb. iv. 14 — 16. i Isai. xl. 29—31. k Isai. xxxv. 8.
1 Isai. xlix. 14 — 1G.
100/1 aaron's mitre. 475
have believed, that He is able to keep that which we have committed to him." Let us remember, that, whilst he retains his priestly office, and his Father retains his regard for him, " he will not suffer one of his little ones to perish."]
2. For encouragement —
[Our trials may be numerous, and our difficulties urgent: but our High-Priest is ever at hand, to inquire of God for us. Nor does he need to be informed by us, what to ask ; for he " knoweth what is in man," and sees at the same time all the devices of our enemy. If only we lift up our hearts to him, his effectual aid shall be instantly obtained ; for he is with us, to know our desires ; and with God, to interest him in our favour. Let us then be encouraged to cast our care on him: and let us make him, what God has intended he should be to us, " our wisdom, andrighteousnesSjOur sanctification, and redemption111."]
m 1 Cor. i. 30.
c.