b Lev. xiv. 22, 30—32. '^ Lev. vii. 13.
^ Lev. xxii. 21 — 23. ^ Nmnb. viii. 7, 8, 21.
first lay hold on his promises of mercy, and then " cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of God*^." Nevertheless, I still ask, have you not found God ever ready to hear and to accept your prayers ? It is remarkable, that though a peace-offering was to be eaten on the day that it vi'as presented, yet, if it were offered as a free-will offering in consequence of a vow, it might be feasted upon by the offerer both on that day and on the day following; though by no means on the third day^. So I will ask, whether the savour of your religious exercises has not often abode upon your soul long after the hour in which they were presented unto God? If it continue not a third day, it is to teach you, that you are not to live upon your frames and feelings, but to be continually presenting yourselves to God afresh. Take ye then this encouragement from the Lord ; and let the fire never go out upon your altar, and the altar never want a sacrifice to ascend up with an odour of a sweet smell before your God^.]
f 2 Cor. vii. 1. s Lev. vii. 15, 16. ^ Eph. v. 2.
Heb. xiii. 11 — 13. The- bodies of those beasts, tvhose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high-priest for sin, are burned without the camj). Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his oivn blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, hearing his reproach.
SUCH is the proneness of men to superstition, that they need to watch with care, lest, after having once shaken off its fetters, they be again subjected to its dominion. The Hebrew Christians in particular were liable to be drawn aside from the simplicity of the Gospel : their fond attachment to the law of Moses, seconded by the subtle arguments of Judaizing teach- ers, exposed them to continual danger. Hence the inspired author of this epistle cautioned them against returning to their former bondage. And, lest they should be led to think, that by renouncing the law of Moses, they deprived themselves of the blessings