It may reasonably be admitted, quities of his people upon his Son-In the slaying of the lamb, cutting it in pieces, laying it on the wood, and sprinkling the

not only that burnt offerings were of great antiquity, but of divine authority: yet we are not informed of any particular man-blood on the altar, we see God ner in which they were present-wounding his Son for our transed, until they were incorporated gressions, and bruising him for as an important part of the He- our iniquities, his Lamb slain, brew ritual. Explicit regula- and blood sprinkled to make tions were then prescribed, res- atonement for sin, and purge the pecting the victims, and the conscience from dead works. manner in which they should be In the burning of the sacrifice, offered on God's altar. The what a glowing representation victims should be the firstlings, have we of Christ, as the victim males of the herd and flock- of vindictive justice, of the Lamb without blemish-of the most which takes away the sins of innocent and amiable kind, the the world, smoking on God's calf and the lamb, the pigeon altar-In the perfume, the and the dove-the victim should sweet savor of this sacrifice, we be placed before the Lord-the see the acceptableness of Christ's offerer should lay his hands upon offering, a sacrifice, O how much its head, kill it, and cut it in more acceptable to God, than pieces the priest should re- the blood of bulls and goats, or ceive the blood, sprinkle it round the fat of calves and lambs! about upon the altar-lay the pieces upon the wood, and consumed, it became an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to God.

When the sacrifice was finished, atonement was made, guilt was purged, and the offender restored to favor; and when Christ offered himself to God, a lamb without spot, he made reconciliation for iniquity, and through faith in his blood, pardon of sin is obtained, transgressors restored to divine favor, and to them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

In the sacrifices prescribed for the Israelites by Moses, have we not an instructive symbol of the great Christian sacrifice? In the firstling, or first born, the lamb of the first year, have we not, typically, presented, God's Lamb, his first born, his only begotten, his beloved Son-In We read only of burnt offerthe innocence, patience and per-ings before the dispensation of fection of the lamb, the simpli- Moses. These, therefore, uncity and purity of the dove, we der the preceding dispensations, see, figuratively, the innocence, comprised the various typical patience, purity and perfection oblations instituted by the Heof Christ, who did no sin; and brew lawgiver. They are acwas led as a lamb to the slaugh-cordingly explained generally ter-In the laying of the hands and comprehensively-But if upon the lamb, and transferring, we affix a distinct and separate ceremonially, the guilt of the signification to each, burnt offer offerer to the victim, we see, im-ings represented Christ as wholputatively, God laying the ini-ly resigning himself to God, a

complete sacrifice, to make [

Fourthly, The persons ap

rites.

In the preceding ages, individu als performed sacrifical rites as occasion presented; but this service, by the Hebrew lawgiver, was appropriately restricted to a particular order-the priesthood; and the regulations relating to it were explicit and ex

atonement for sin-Sin and tres- pointed to perform the sacred pass offerings peculiarly respected Christ as made sin for us, that we might be the righteousness of God in him-Peace offerings typified Christ as our peace, as reconciling us to God, and giving peace to his people, not as the world giveth-Meat and drink offerings, typified Christ pouring out spiritual re-tensive. They defined the perfreshments for his people, giving them his bread and the wine he hath mingled,

sons who only might sustain the sacred office-the qualifications they should possess the vestments they should wear-and the manner of their induction into the holy employment.→→ These being highly typical, require particular explanation.

1. The qualifications they should possess.

It was essentially necessary, that the person who served in the tabernacle, should be of the house of Aaron and the tribe of Levi-perfect in person-temperate in life, and marry a virgin. It required, that the chief of the order, the high priest, should be the first born, or eldest son; and as the most eminent, he is peculiarly respected in this analo.

The apostle has also taught us, that the sacrifices of the Hebrew ritual, typified the pious exercises of saints. In the Israelites, offering whole burnt offerings, we see saints acknowledging God as their supreme Lord and benefactor, expressing their homage and obedience, and presenting themselves living sacrifices, holy and acceptable thro' Jesus Christ.In the sin and tresspass offerings, we see Christians offering to God the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, and looking by faith to Christ, the great propitiation, for pardon and acceptance.-In the peace, meat and drink offer-gy. True, indeed, Christ was ings, we see them acknowledging God as the giver of every good gift, thanking him for his mercies, and supplicating the continued bestowment of his favors, through Christ Jesus-In the sacrifices of the morning and evening, we see their prayers coming before him as incense, and the lifting up of their hands as the evening sacrifice-Every sacrifice should be salted with salt, and all Christian duties should be seasoned by grace in the heart. We may next consider,

not of the house of Aaron, nor of the tribe of Levi; but of the house of David, and the tribe of Judah; for he did not officiate after the law of a carnal commandment, but the power of an endless life, yet the right of succession to the office, of no son of Aaron, was better authenticated, than the qualification of Christ attested, by that voice which came from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, hear him.-In the perfection of their bodies, without blemish, we see the moral perfection of Christ,

who was without sin.-In their | twelve tribes, the representaabstinence from wine, or tem- tives of the universal church, perate lives, we see the self-gov-on the shoulder pieces and ernment of Christ, which pre-breastplate of the ephod, typify vented him from every excess, Christ sustaining the church by and promptly prepared him for his almighty arm, and bearing it, his father's business. In mar- in the most ardent affection, on rying virgins, how plainly is his heart?-Did not the rows in Christ prefigured, uniting to which the stones were placed, himself, the church, as a virgin represent the symmetry and pure and chaste, having escaped beautiful order of the church? the pollution of the world thro' Did not the rich and beautiful lust. vestments of the high priest, 2. Their vestments, typify the perfect and glorious While the common dress of righteousness which adorns our the priests exhibits them, as mo- great high priest, Christ Jesus? destly prepared for the common-Did not the curious golden duties of their holy office, and girdle denote the holy promptinaturally suggests, the holy mo-tude and zeal with which he desty with which Christ per-performs the sacred duties of formed the important duties of the priestly office? And the his holy ministry, and by which golden bells and pomegranates he appeared so truly dignified on the robe of the ephod, repreand amiable-what an august sent the joyful sound of the gosand impressive type of Christ, pel, or perhaps rather, the holy was the high priest in his ponti- professions of saints, and the fical robes, of gold, and blue,excellent fruits of righteousness and purple, and scarlet, and fine they bear?-Next to the habilitwined linen, for glory and for ments of the high priest we may beauty! The mitre on his head, consider, with its golden plate in the front, with its rich engraving, HoLINESS ΤΟ THE LORD. The As the holy anointing oil was ephod, with its shoulder pieces, an essential article in the consein which were inserted the two cration of the priests to their onyx, and the breastplate with office, and eminently typical, it its twelve precious stones, in may be proper to explain its which were inscribed the names typical signification. The holy of the twelve tribes of Israel. anointing oil, was a composition The curious golden girdle-and of principal spices, pure myrrh, the blue robe of the ephod, with sweet cinnamon and calamus, its golden bells and pomegra- and cassia. These ingredients nates. Were not these highly compounded and mixed with typical and significant? Did not olive oil, became a precious unthe fair mitre with its golden guent, which consecrated the plate and noble engraving, typi- subject to which it was applied fy Jesus Christ as the royal to an holy use, and was denomi high priest, and eminently de-nated, The holy anointing oilvoted to God? Did not the high This precious ointment in the priest bearing the names of the Hebrew ritual, was the great

3. Their consecration to the sacred office.

tering into the holy place, and performing the sacred rites, we see, typically,Christ anointed with the Holy Syirit, adorned with his own perfect righteousness, and by his most precious blood appearing in the presence of God, as the great high priest of his peculiar people.-And

type of the Holy Spirit. The | of the savor of his good ointvarious ingredients, the principalment, his name is as ointment spices, represented his various poured forth, therefore do the gifts and graces.-Oil is molli-virgins love him-and all his fying, and what so softening, garments smell of myrrh and what produces such an holy sen-cassia with which he was made sibility in the soul as the Spirit of glad.-In the high priest, dresGod?-Oil is sanative, and what sed in the pontifical robes, anointso salubrious to the soul, as the ed with the holy oil, and sprinkinfluences of the Holy Spirit ?-led with the blood of rams, enOil is invigorating andrefreshing, and how exhilirating are the consolations of the Holy Ghost? -Oil is beautifying, and how ornamental to the immortal mind are the sanctifying operations of God's Spirit?-Oil perfumes, and how odoriferous are the holy influences of the Spirit of God? -This holy ointment prepared, the priests were to be washed with water, dressed with the sacerdotal robes, the holy oil pour ed on them, and sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifices, were hallowed and consecrated to the holy office, and performed the solemn duties of it.-In this solemn rite, what an impressive the head of Aaron, ran down his The precious ointment upon representation of the consecra-beard and went to the hem of his tion of Jesus Christ to his priestly office and work?-In the unc-garment, and the spirit of Christ descends from him to all belietion of the high priest with the holy oil, we see, typically, God anointing and giving the Spirit, with its holy gifts and graces, not by measure, to his Son Jesus Christ, anointing him with the oil of gladness above his fellows. From the oil poured on the head of the high priest, issued a grate-Not Lebanon with all its trees, ful odor, Yields such a comely sight as these.'

The oil through all the room,
Diffus'd a choice perfume,
Ran through his robes and blest his
feet.

And a divine perfume succeed-
ed the anointing of Jesus Christ
with the Holy Ghost-Because

་

God has pronounc'd a firm decrec,
'Nor changes what he swore,
Eternal shall his priesthood be,
When Aaron is no more.

Jesus their priest for ever lives,
To plead for them above,
"Jesus their king for ever gives,
'The blessings of his love."

vers, who have an unction from the name of the Lord Jesus, the holy one, being sanctified in and by the Spirit of our Godand, having their fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting

life,

Aaron and his sons were anointed and consecrated to officiate in a worldly sanctuary-but Christ is an high priest of good things to come, and ministers in the true tabernacle, which the

The serious countenances of the people was extraordinary indeed! No whispering, no laugh

Lord pitched and not man, not | I who have trusted in my fortiafter the Levitical rites, but ac- tude am now afraid of every cording to a better covenant, thing! When I entered the conwhich was established by better ference* room I felt guilty, and promises, and God hath consti- if all my courage had not forsatuted saints a holy priesthood to ken me I should have immedioffer spiritual sacrifices accept- ately retired. able to himself through Jesus Christ-Aaron offered in the worldly sanctuary, the blood of bulls and goats,and the fat of ramsing, no compliments, and all, exand lambs-Christ offered him- cept a few, who were caught, I self as the Lamb of God, and en- believe, as I was myself, appeartered into the holy place by his ed devout as though God was in own blood-And the Christian the place. How strange and how priesthood offer to God, through new were my feelings when the their great high priest, the sac-ministers entered! With what rifice of righteousness, of reverence and adoration, of love and obedience, the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, and the sacrifices of praise and good works and with such sacrifices God is well pleased.-In these spiritual sacrifices may we ever abound, and shew forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. Amen.

solemn benignity they cast their eyes around on their congregation of young religionists! It could be exceeded only by the general aspect with which they were received. Truly it was the aspect of gratitude, humility, seriousness and reverence! No! surely no! I never had any true respect for a minister of religion before. I said, what can these men do or say to make this company so pleased with their arrival. I pray to God that the bitter feelings I had for a few minutes may be forgiven. No one injured me, but it is my nature to feel sudden passion, and I still hope that the passions God has implanted in men will not be marked against. them as crimes.

Those hymns! Those surprising hymns! I at first thought they were written for the occasion, until I saw them using books. I certainly will inquire of what book they make use.

The first verse will never forsake my mind.

* Conference is a name given in New England to private religious meetings. ED.