In confirming the Apostle's assertion, I shall con- sider it,
I. In reference to the law which belonged exclu- sively to the Jewish people —
The Jewish dispensation itself was good, as being well adapted to the persons to whom it was given, and for the purposes for which it was established. God intended to keep the posterity of Abraham a separate and distinct people ; and, in due time, to bring forth from them, and in the midst of them, the promised Messiah. For this end were ordinances given to them ; even such ordinances, as, if observed, must prevent them from ever becoming blended with the other nations of the earth. Still, if this dispen- sation were regarded as of universal and perpetual obligation, its excellence would wholly disappear.
But, to speak more particularly of the whole Cere- monial Law, which formed the great line of distinc- tion between them and others ; this was good :
It was good, I say, if used lawfully —
[The ceremonial law was intended to shadow forth the mysteries of the Gospel, the 'privileges of the Gospel, the duties of the Gospel ; and thereby to prepare men for the Gospel itself.
Does the Gospel hold forth to us the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his substitution in the place of sinful man, and the reconciliation effected between God and man by the blood of his cross? Does it declare, that, by the operation of the Spirit of God upon the soul of man, the most polluted of sinners may be sanctified and saved ? All this was shadowed forth by the special presence of the Deity in the most holy place ; by the sacrifices offered upon the altar ; by their blood sprinkled upon the mercy-seat; and by all the various lustrations and sprinklings which were appointed for the cleansing of the offerers, and of every thing connected with them. Even the offices of Christ were distinctly marked : as the Sacrifice, he bled, whilst, as the great High Priest, he offered up himself; and with his own blood he entered within the vail, there to offer up continual intercession in behalf of those for whom he died. The more this subject is prosecuted, the more excellent will that law appear, which so minutely exhibited every part of this mysterious dispensation
The privileges too, that are enjoyed by means of the Gospel,