Sacrifices are of two kinds, propitiatory , and eucha- ristical; the one to make atonement for sins committed; the other to render thanks for mercies received. Of the propitiatory sacrifices we have an account of no less than six different sorts ; (all of which are stated in the seven first chapters of Leviticus;) "the burnt- offering, the meat-offering, the sin-offering, the tres- pass-offering, the offering of consecrations, and the peace-offering a." It is of the first of these that we are to speak at this time.
We shall notice, I. The offering itself —
[The burnt-offering was the most ancient and dignified of all the sacrifices, and at the same time the most frequent ; there being two every day in the year, except on the Sabbath-days, when the number was always doubled. The things of which it consisted, varied according to the ability of the offerer : it might be taken from among the herd, or the flock, or of fowls b: that so no one might have any excuse for withholding it at its proper season. By this accommodation of the offering to the circum- stances of men, it was intended, that every one should evince the sincerity of his heart in presenting unto God the best offering that he could; and that no one should be discouraged from approaching God by the consideration that he was not able to present to him such an offering as he could wish. " The turtle-dove or young pigeon " was as acceptable to God as the "ram" or "bullock," provided it was offered with a suitable frame of mind. Indeed the directions respecting the poor man's offering were as minute and particular as anyc: which shewed, that God has no respect of persons ; and that his Ministers also must at their peril be as anxious for the welfare, and as attentive to the interests, of the poorest of their flock, as of the most opulent.
One thing was indispensable ; that the offering, whether of the herd or of the flocks, must be " a male, and without blemish." It was to be the most excellent of its kind, in order the more fitly to shadow forth the excellencies of our incarnate God ; who alone, of all that ever partook of our nature, was truly without sin. Had the smallest imperfection attached to him, he could not have been a propitiation for our sins. The utmost care therefore was to be taken in examining the offerings
a Lev. vii. 37. They were not altogether propitiatory; but are numbered with the propitiatory, because they were in part burnt upon the brasen altar.
b ver. 3, 10, 14. c ver. 14—17.