even after they have for some time maintained, in appearance at least, an upright walk and conversation. But beware lest ye be in any wise hindered in running the race that is set before you : difficulties ye must meet with, both within and without : and it is well that you do meet with them ; for how else shall your fidelity to God be tried ? But ask yourselves, what any of the holy angels would do if they were in your place ? or what any of the spirits of the just that are now made perfect would reply to those who should either by menaces or allurements attempt to turn them from God? You cannot doubt. Be ye then like them, to whose society you are brought, and with whom you are to dwell through ever- lasting ages : and as ye are already come to the very gate of heaven, see that " an entrance into it be ministered unto you abundantly through Jesus Christ our Lord."]
Abel's sacrifice and Christ's compared.
Heb. xii. 22, 24. Ye are come to the blood of sprink- ling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
AS the Christian dispensation differs widely from that of Moses as to the manner in which it was pro- mulgated, so does it most essentially differ with respect to the spirit and temper which it is calculated to produce in the minds of men. The terrors of Mount Sinai were suited to impress the Jew^ with a servile fear ; as their whole system of rites and cere- monies was, to keep them under bondage. But the mild genius of the Gospel introduces us at once to peace and liberty. In the passage before us the Apostle exemplifies this remark in many particulars ; the last of which demands our attention at this time. We propose to shew,
I. The efficacy of Abel's blood —
By *'the blood of Abel" we are not to understand his own blood, but the blood of his sacrifice —
[The generality of commentators indeed explain this as relating to Abel's blood, which cried for vengeance against his murderous brother'\ But to connnend the blood of Christ
"^ Gen. iv. 10,
2340. J Abel's sacrifice and Christ's compared. 4S1
in this view, would indeed be no commendation at all. The history of Abel informs us, that he offered one of the firstlings of his flock i?t addition to the same kind of offering as Cain brought'', manifesting thereby not merely his obligations to God as a creature, but his conscious guilt as a sinner, and his faith in that Lamb of God, who was to take away the sin of the world *=. That sacrifice of his was honoured with very peculiar tokens of God's acceptance''; and may therefore fitly be referred to as illustrative of the sacrifice of Christ.]
It spake to him that offered it very excellent things —
[Had not the marks of God's favour been such as were most desirable, Cain would not have so cruelly envied his brother the attainment of them. But they manifestly declared to Abel the acceptance of his person, and an approbation of his service. What could be more delightful than such a testimony to a pious soul ? Had life itself been the price of such a bless- ing, it had been well bestowed.]
But the excellence of Abel's sacrifice is far sur- passed by, II. The superior efficacy of Christ's —
The blood of Christ is here, as in other places^ called " the blood of sprinkling" —
[There is in this place an allusion to the sprinkling of blood on the book and on the people, when God made his covenant with the Jewish nation^. The blood of Christ is sprinkled upon us, when we enter into covenant with God ; and it binds God, if we may so say, to fulfil to us his promises, while it binds us on the other hand to obey his precepts.]