Ver.18.-0ompleteforgiveness through the perfect Sacrifice. "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." Our text authorizes three observation8. I. THAT THE SAVIOUR'S SACRIFICE FOR SIN WAB PERFECT. This is implied in the text, It is stated more than once in the preceding argument. To prove it was one of the great objects of the doctrinal portion of this letter. It has already come under our notice in several of our homilies (see on eh. vii. 26-28; ix. 11, 12; ix. 13, 14; x. 6-10). II. THAT THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN THROUGH THE SAVIOUR'S SACRIFICE IS COl!PLETE, This completeness is exhibited by the writer: 1. By comparing it with the partial putting away of sins obtained through the legal sacrifices. "Sacrifices which can. never take away sins" (ver. 11). The word employed here signifies "to take clean away (cf. Acts xxvii. 20), i.e. to put off like the garment which clings to the person, or the ring on the finger; as, for instance, the beseting sin of xii. 1, or the besetting infirmity of ver. 3. The sacred writer does not mean to say that sins were not forgiven to sacrificial worshippers under the Law; but that the legal sacrifices had no inward spiritual power w give peace to the conscience, or any assured sense of pardon, purity to the heart, 01 any really new beginning of sp:-..;tual life (eh. ix. D). With these in their subject-matter and their inadequacy, ever similar and oft-repeated sacrifices, he contrasts (ver. 12) the' one sacrifice for sins' of Jesus Christ, which is no other than himself" (Delitzsch). And Alford, "The (legal) sacrifice might bring 11ense of partial forgiveness; but it could never denude the offerer of sinfulness-strip off and take away his guilt." But through the sacrifice of the Christ sin is really taken away. He who heartily believes in him is reconciled unto God, receives absolute and full forgiveness of sins, and is inspired by a new and holy affection, even supreme love to God. And this affection is the mightiest antagonist of sin. He who is inspired by it is not overcome of evil, but overcomes evil with good. 2. By the expressions which are used to set it forth. "Their sins and their iniquities willl remember no more " (see our remarks on eh. viii. 12). Here is the greatest encouragement to sinners to seek forgiveness from God. "There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. With the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption." "Let the wicked forsake his way," etc. (Isa. Iv. 7). III. THAT THE SAVIOUR'S SACRIFICE WILL NEVER BE B£PEATED. "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." Being perfect in itself and in its efficacy, bis sacrifice needs no repetition (see remarks on this in our homilies on eh. vii. 26-28; ix. 27, 28; x. 5-10). Learn the folly of looking for other and more effective means of salvation. The grandest and most convincing proof of the love that God hath to us has been given in the sacrifice of Christ. No greater sacrifice, no more constraining intluence, is possible, Let us accept the perfect Sacrifice, and the all-sufficient Saviour.-W. J.
Vers. 19-22.-The Christian's access to the holy place. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into," etc. Here tho sacred writer enters upon the last great division of the Epistle, Having closed the argumentative portion, he opens the hortatory and admonitory part of his work, Our text is an exhortation to avail ourselves of the great privilege of access to the presence of God through the blood of Jesus. We have- I. A DECLARATION OF CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGE. 1. What the piivilege is in itself. It is twofold. (1) The right of approach unto the presence of God. We may "enter into the holy place." There is a reference here to the entrance o~ the high priest into the holy of holies under the Mosaic economy. '!.'he holy place m the text is the Divine sanctuary, "the place of God's essential prese_nce." "\Ve have the privilege of access into his presence. "\Ve have this at present Ill prayer. Even_n~w in prayer, and s1)iritually, we may "reach the inmost recesses of the Divlllo 280 'i'HE EP!STL~ TO 'l'IlE tlEntrnws. tott. x. 1-39.