in the very act of believing, they performed that service, which, in other sacrifices, was performed by the priest e. And this is the very thing noticed by St. Paul in another place, when he beseeches men to "present their oivn bodies a living sacrifice unto God, as an acceptable and reasonable service*." This, too, is beautifully intimated by the Prophet Isaiah, as charac- terizing, in a very eminent degree, the millennial period, when converts will shew an extraordinary readiness to devote them- selves to God : " All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee ; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee (not waiting for a priest to lead them, but presenting themselves for sacrifice at the foot of the altar) ; they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar ; and I will glorify the house of my glory g."
' Now,' says the Apostle, ' since I have seen you so willingly present yourselves as sacrifices to the Lord, I am willing to have my own blood poured forth as a libation or drink-offering, that so every one of your sacrifices may be complete, and God may be glorified in us all. And, whoever be the instrument to draw forth my blood, or with whatever horrors the shedding of it maybe accompanied, I account that not worth a thought: I am in daily expectation of suffering martyrdom ; and I am willing to suffer it for your sake, in any way that God himself shall see fit.']
This he was ready to welcome as a ground of
j°y—
[Doubtless, to flesh and blood, the prospect of a cruel death was terrific. But the Apostle was borne up far above all the feelings of unassisted nature, and was enabled to con- template the deepest sufferings with joy : he could look for- ward to death itself, not as an object of terror, but as a ground of universal joy. For, with respect to his converts, though it would deprive them of his instructions, and rob them of their dearest friend, yet it would tend to confirm them in the faith they had received, and would embolden them to serve the Lord without fear, yea, and with tenfold greater earnestness than ever. With respect to Jehovah, too, it would reflect on him the highest honour : for, though by the murderers, he would be dishonoured, by the victim he would be glorified ; since it would be made obvious to all, how worthy he is to be loved and served, and how able he is to succour his tempted people under all that they may be called to suffer for his sake. And with respect to himself, death in such a cause would be the highest honour that could be conferred upon himh ; and he had
e £7rt rrj Bvrria kcu Xeirovpyiq rf]Q -n-iffrewc vf.iCJ)\ t Rom. xii. 1. g Isai. lx. 7. h Acts v. 41.