keeping the promise in remembrance; by natural, or (if necessary) by artificial means. We may infer- IV. 'l'HAT IF SPECIAL RESPONBIBil.ITY ATTACHES TO A PROMISE WITH WlilOH GoD'B NAME IS ASSOCIATED, so DOES IT TO ONE IN CONNECTION WITH me OAUSE. If we cannot vow, before him, to do any humblest thing without incurring added liability, neither can we undertake to serve in the affairs of his kingdom without similar obliga- tion. A promise made to take any post or fill any office in the Church of Christ should be regarded as exceptionally sacred and binding; neglect by inadvertence is wrong, sinful. We are bound to keep before our mind and on our heart anything with which God's name and cause are immediately connected.-C. Vcrs. 5-13.-Pardon possib~ to all. The requirements of the Law, as stated in these verses, speak of the possibility of_ pardon for every offender, if he be willing to submit himself to the will of God. We have- I. CoNFESSION OF SIN. "He shall confess that he bath sinned" (ver. 5). It is believed that confession was always required from the offerer when he laid his hand on the victim's head. It was a marked feature in the ceremonies of the Day of Atone- ment; it is expressly enjoined here. This was not only necessary from all, but possible to all; within every one's power: none would be unable, and none would be unwilling, but the impenitent who were unprepared for pardon. II. AN OFFERING WHICH EVERY ONE COULD PRESENT. He that could do so was to bring a lamb or kid (ver. 6) ; he that could not might bring "two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons" (ver. 7); if this were beyond his means, he might bring a portion of "fine flour" (ver. 11). The costliness of the offering was thus graciously graduated to the circumstances of the offerer. And of so much importance did it appear to the Divine Legislator that the sacrifice should be within the reach of all, that he allowed a deviation from the otherwise unalterable rule that there must be the shedding of blood for the remission of sins (eh. xvii. 11; Heh. ix. 22). The very poor might bring flour (ver. 11), though, in order that there might be no mistake as to the import of it, it was specially prohibited to mix oil or frankincense with it (ver. 11). III. A PLACE OF APPROACH OPEN TO ALL. The transgressor, convinced of hie error, was to take his offering "unto the Lord," by taking it "to the priest." The priest at the door of the tabernacle was always approachable; never a day when he might not be found. IV. INBTBUCTIONB THAT ALL COULD UNDERSTAND. There could be no doubt or difficulty as to what precise things were to be done. What offering should be presented, whither it should be taken, what should be done with it,-all this was so explicitly and clearly laid down in the Law (vers. 6-12), that every Israelite who had the burden of conscious sin upon his soul, knew what he should do that the guilt might be removed, and that he himself might stand clear and pure in the sight of God. In the gospel of Christ we have analogous but fuller advantages. We have-. 1. Confession of sin. We must all say, as we all can say, "Father, I have smned" (Luke xv. 21). (See Rom. x. 10; John i. 9.) 2. One Offering that all can pkad. No need of lamb, or goat, or turtle-dove, or even the humble measure of flour. 'l'he rich and the poor of the land may say," Nothing in my hand I bring;" for they have but to plead the one Great and .All-sufficient Sacrifice that has been presented, once for all (Rom. vi. 10; Heb. ix. 28; 1 Pet. iii. 18), and they will find mercy of the Lord. The richcHt can do no more ; the poorest need do no less. 3. .An open throne of grace. "In Christ Jesus our Lord we have boldness and access with confidence" (Eph. iii. 11, 12). No day nor ho_ur when the w~y to the mer~y- seat is barred; from every home and chamber the am-laden, struggling soul finds its way thither: one earnest thought, and it is there I 4. Familiar knowle,dge of the will of God. Every unlettered man and untutored cbild may know what is" the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us." Our ~tatute- book, our New Testament, makes it clear as tho day that, if we would find forgiveness of our sin, we must not only confess our transgression, but havo faith in the l.oord Jesus Christ, and by faith we shall be saved.-0, OIi, v. 14-19,] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 79
Vers.1-13.-0ases of roncealment qf knowkdge and ceremonial uncleanness. They are in some sense trespasses, although not properly under the head of trespass offering~. The ground of guilt is covenant relation violated. We may take this in its twofold aspect- I. As revealing THE POSITIVE VALUE OF THAT COVENANT RELATION. 1. It separated from the unclean, and therefore enforced holiness. 2. It maintained society. Man's duty to his fellows was exalted, He must speak the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth; for we are members one of another, 3. It promoted vigilance and circumspection in conduct, both personal and relative. See that you are pure both in your intentional acts and in· your circumstances; walk in wisdom towards them that are without. II. The offering provided and the atonement possible in all cases, even the most mjnute, plainly said, Goo WILL ABUNDANTJ:Y PARDON; ~s LAW IS LIBERTY," The covenant was not intended to be bondage; 1t was salvation, not destruction. If any man sin, there is forgiveness. But this_ waited to be gloriously illustrated when the perfect fulfilment of the Law was set forth in him who offered himself without spot, "able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God through h.im."-R.
EXPOSITION.