instruction of every kind, except the blessed book of God, are often so richly taught by the Spirit of God, as to put to shame those who enjoy the greatest external advantages"1.
The forgiveness of sins which was vouchsafed under the old covenant, was not such as to bring peace into the conscience of the offender: (" the sacrifices which he offered, could not make him perfect as pertaining to the conscience11:") nor indeed were any means appointed for the obtaining of pardon for some particular offences : but under the new covenant, " all who believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses0:" and, " being justified by faith, they have peace with Godp," " a peace that passeth understanding," " a joy unspeakable and glorified."
How glorious does the new covenant appear in this con- trasted view ! and what reason have we to adore our God for the rich provisions contained in it !]
3. In the duration of their benefits —
[The annual repetition of the same sacrifices under the old covenant was intended to intimate to the people, that their pardon was not final : had their guilt been perfectly removed by them, the Apostle observes very justly, that " they would then have ceased to be offered ; because the worshippers would have had no more conscience of sins : " but, inasmuch as the sacrifices were annually renewed, they were, in fact, no more than " a remembrance of sins made every yearq." But under the new covenant God engages to " remember our sins and iniquities no more:" they are not only forgiven by him, but forgotten; not only cancelled, but " blotted out as a morning cloud1;" not only removed from before his face, but " cast behind his back into the depths of the sea5." His former people he put away, " though he was an husband unto them:" but to us his " gifts and callings are without repentance*." This is particularly marked by the prophet, in the verses following our textu ; and by an inspired Apostle, in his com- ment on the very words we are considering. He is shewing the superiority of Christ's priesthood to that appointed under the law : and he confirms his position from this circumstance ; that the sacrifices offered by the Levitical priests could never take away sin, and therefore were continually repeated; whereas Christ's sacrifice, once offered, would for ever take away sin, and " perfect for ever all them that are sanctified." He then adduces the very words of our text ; and says, that,
m See 1 John ii. 27. where the Apostle manifestly refers to the expressions in our text. n Heb. ix. 9. ° Acts xiii. 39.
p Rom. v. 1. 4 Heb. x. 1 — 3. r Isai. xliv. 22.
s Mic. vii. 19. t Rom. xi. 29. u ver. 35—37.