180.]
to point out the correspondence between Christ and these spotless lambs, in the perfection of his nature, in the holiness of his life, or in the intent of his death : but, passing by these tilings as known and understood among you ', we shall content ourselves with saying, that, in this offering, there was virtually the same proclamation made to the Jews, as was afterwards expressly made by John the Baptist, " Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the worldk!"]
2. The meat-offering and the drink-offering —
[With the lamb a portion of flour, about three quarts, was to be offered, mixed up with somewhat more than a quart of beaten oil : and whilst they and the lamb were burning toge- ther upon the altar, some strong generous wine, (of equal quantity with the oil,) was to be poured out as a libation : and the whole together being consumed by fire, was " of sweet savour unto the Lord."
The meaning of this is not so clear as that which relates to the lamb. It may possibly be a tribute of thanksgiving to God for all his mercies, which are comprehended under the terms, " corn, and wine, and oil :" and, in that view, the ordi- dance will be a compound of prayer and praise, corresponding with that injunction of St. Paul, " in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God1." But we rather suppose that there is an allusion made here to feasts, of which corn and wine and oil were very distinguished parts : and that the consumption of these upon the altar was intended to convey the idea, that God himself feasted with his people, and would always meet them with tokens of his love, whensoever they came to him as sinners, trusting in the atonement that should in due time be offered for them. This interpretation is clearly countenanced by the gracious promises which God made, when first he in- stituted this ordinance on Mount Sinai ; saying, " There will I meet you, to speak there unto thee : and there will I meet with the children of Israel ; and the tabernacle shall be sanc- tified by my glory"1." In this view the ordinance is most instructive ; in that it announces the truths proclaimed after- wards by the voice of Christ himself, " No man cometh unto the Father but by me ;" and, " him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out"."]
That which distinguishes this offering from all others will be found particularly in,
1 If this Discourse were delivered in a congregation that was unac- customed to hear such subjects treated of, the parallel should be dis- tinctly drawn. k John i. 29, 36. l Phil. iv. 6. m Exod. xxix. 42. 43. n John vi. 37. and xiv. 6.