It is in this last view that his office is spoken of in the passage before us. The Aaronic priests offered often because their offerings could never take away sin : but he, " by his one offering, hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified : whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us."
The peculiar solemnity with which his asseveration is here confirmed, even by an appeal to God himself, will lead me to consider,
I. The truth attested —
A more important truth than this can scarcely be conceived ; it is, that Christ's one offering has done that which all the Levitical sacrifices never could have done ; it has procured for all who trust in it a full and perfect and everlasting remission of all their sins. But,
Let us notice this truth as contrasted with the ordinances of the Mosaic law —
[The Levitical sacrifices were renewed from year to year, because of their inefficiency : but Christ's was oflTered only once, because it completely answered every end for which it was designed. The Levitical sacrifices perfected no man, either as to his acceptance before God, or as to the peace of his own soul : as far as they had any efficacy, they prevailed only for a year ; and then must be repeated, in order to obtain a further remission : but Christ's sacrifice rendered men perfect, both before God and in their own consciences. God was so satisfied
with it, that he has nothing more to demand at the hands of those who trust in it : He considers it as a full discharge of all that the law requires of us, and a full price for all that our souls can need either in time or eternity. And the sinner who looks to it may well be satisfied, since God himself is satisfied, and all the demands of law and justice are satisfied. Thns, all who are " sanctified" to the service of their God, whatever their past sins may have been, are perfected, and that for ever : sins of the deepest die are purged by this sacrifice ; and " all who believe in it, are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses."]
In this view, what a glorious truth it is ! [How honourable to Christ ! how consoling to us ! As it respects the Lord Jesus Christ, it shews how completely he has effected all which he came into the world to do. " He has made an end of sin, and made reconciliation for iniquity ;" and " obtained eternal redemption for us." Nothing is wanting to complete his work : his one offering has effected all. As it respects us, we have in Christ's sacrifice all that we can desire. When once we recollect who he is, not man only, but God manifest in the flesh : when we recollect the covenant-engage- ments entered into between his Father and him ; he on his part undertaking to make atonement for sin ; and the Father undertaking to accept it in our behalf: when we recollect that he has been raised from the dead in proof of his having fulfilled all his engagements; and that he is now invested with all power in heaven and in earth to impart to sinners the blessings he has purchased for them : what can we want more ? The soul acquiesces in this mysterious appointment, and con- fidently relies upon it, assured, that, if salvation is not to be found in him, it is not to be found at all.]
This truth being attested by the Holy Ghost, let us consider, II. The testimony adduced —
The witness to this truth is no other than " the Holy Ghost"—
[" All Scripture is given by inspiration of God :" and whether the writers of it were Prophets or Apostles, " they all spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Throughout the whole Scripture, too, that Divine Spirit has one great object, which is, to testify of Christ. By the prophets he testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ, and of the glory that should follow. Indeed, " the testimony of Jesus was the spirit of prophecy" throughout'', and in this light we should