do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God and the Father by hira^."]
But that which in one view is our duty, in another view is,
II. Our privilege —
In this view the injunction in our text is intro- duced : *' We have an altar, of which the Jews, whilst so continuing, have no right to eat :" " therefore" let us enjoy our high privileges, and offer our sacrifices continually upon this altar. And truly, to offer these sacrifices is a most inestimable privilege : for,
1. We may all present them in our own person —
[This the Jews could not do : they must come to the priest, and put their sacrifices into his hands: and he alone could offer them upon the altar. But tve who believe in Christ, are " a kingdom of priests :" amongst us there is " no distinction of male or female, bond or free ; but we are all one in Christ Jesus y;" "we are all kings and priests imto our God^ :" " the vail of the temple was rent in twain;" we all " have access unto God through Christ ^" " even into the holiest of all, by that new and living way which he hath opened for us^."
Now let us only conceive what were the feelings of the Jews when they saw their high-priest on the day of annual expiation go within the vail into the presence of Jehovah, even to his mercy-seat, on which he dwelt in the Shechinah, the symbol of his more immediate presence: how highly privileged would they consider him ! and how happy would they have accounted themselves, if that honour had been vouchsafed to them ! But you, beloved, need not envy even the angels themselves : for through Christ you may go, every one of you for himself, " unto God as your exceeding joy," and may " lay hold of him," arid commune with him, and hear his voice, and taste his love, and receive into your souls the communications of his grace and peace. It was not of himself alone, but of all the godly without exception, that St. John affirmed, " Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ''."
Learn then, brethren, to appreciate this privilege aright : and let the thought of it encourage you to draw nigh unto your God continually, and to present to him such sacrifices as the occasion may require.]
X Col. iii. 17. y Gal. iii. 28. = Rev. i. 6.
^ Eph. ii. 18. ^ Heb. x. 20—22, ^ 1 John i. 3.