from the very moment that the promise was given in Paradise, that " the Seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head." But, having been only tradition- ally handed down, it was but very imperfectly known, even in the family of Abraham ; and by the world at large it was almost, if not entirely, forgotten. But it pleased God, when he brought out from their bondage in Egypt the descendants of Abraham, to give them a written revelation of his will, and to make known to them the way of salvation, not only in its great leading article, the sacrifice of Christ, but in many minute particulars, as we shall see by an investigation of their Ceremonial Law.
The Jewish religion, so far as the way of salvation was concerned, was founded altogether on sacrifice. No person could approach unto God without a sacri- fice : but by means of sacrifices specially appointed, every one might hope to obtain forgiveness of sin, and acceptance with his reconciled God. For this end there were sacrifices offered every morning and every evening throughout the year ; and on the Sab- bath-day they were doubled g : but on the great day of annual atonement they were multiplied, with the most significant rites that can be imagined. The high priest was to take the blood of the sacrifices, and to carry it within the vail, and to sprinkle it upon the Mercy-seat, and before the Mercy-seat, in token that the hopes of all Israel were founded upon the sacrifices thus offered as an atonement for their sinsh. After that was done, he was to offer incense, and then to come out and bless the people.
But, as has been observed, there were many pecu- liar ordinances appointed for their instruction, as to the more minute points to be attended to in this great work. On some occasions, the offenders them- selves were to lay their hands upon the head of their sacrifices : on some, the blood of the sacrifices was to be sprinkled on the offerers : on some the blood was to be sprinkled, mixed with water1. And the efficacy of
s Numb, xxviii. 3, 4, 9, 10. h Lev. xvi. 14.
1 Lev. xiv. C, 7. Heb. ix. 19.