remember, that though the meat-offering was for the most part eucharistical, or an expression of thankfulness, it was some- times presented as a sin-offering, to make an atonement for sin : only, on those occasions, it was not mixed with oil, or accom- panied with frankincense, because every thing expressive of joy was unsuited to a sin-offering k. This is a clear proof, that it must typify the sacrifice of Christ, who is the true, the only propitiation for sin '.
Now there was a peculiar suitableness in this offering to represent the sacrifice of Christ. Was it of the finest quality, mixed with the purest oil, and free from any kind of leaven ? this prefigured his holy nature, anointed, in a superabundant measure, with the oil of joy and gladness1", and free from the smallest particle of sin n. Its destruction by fire on the altar denoted the sufferings he was to endure upon the cross ; while the consumption of the remainder by the priests, marked him out as the food of his people's souls, all of them being partakers of the sacerdotal office, a kingdom of priests0. The frankincense also, which ascended in sweet odours, intimated the acceptableness of his sacrifice on our behalf.]
2. Of our services —
[The services of Christians are also frequently mentioned in terms alluding to the mincha, or meat-offering. Their alms are spoken of as a sacrifice well pleasing to Godp, an odour of a sweet smell q. Their prayers are said to be as the evening sacrifice, that was always accompanied with the meat-offering r : and the prophet Malachi, foretelling that, under the Gospel, " all men," Gentiles as well as Jews, " should pray every- where s," uses this language ; " I have no pleasure in you (Jews) saith the Lord, neither will I receive an offering (a mincha) at your hand : for from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering (mincha) ; for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts1." In a word, the conversion of sinners, and their entire devoting of themselves to God, is represented under this image : " They shall bring all your brethren, says the prophet, for an offering (mincha) unto the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering (mincha) in a clean vessel unto the Lordu." And St. Paul (alluding to the flour mixed with oil) speaks of himself as ministering the Gospel to the Gentiles, " that the offering up
k Lev. v. 11, 13. See also 1 Sam. iii. 14. ' 1 John ii. 2.
m Ps. xlv. 7. John iii. 34. n 1 Pet. ii. 22.
0 Exod. xix. 6. with 1 Pet. ii. 9. P Heb. xiii. 16.
«i Phil. iv. 18. r Ps. cxli. 2. with Numb, xxviii. 4, 5.
■ 1 Tim. ii. 8. t Mai. i. 10, 11. « Isai. lxvi. 20.