Saviour's coming. What we promised in the commencement of this Discourse we have perhaps accomplished. We shall proceed then in the next, without further delay, to consider the subject of the typical references of the Levitical to the Christian covenant, according to the plan and method of inquiry originally laid down.

DISCOURSE THE THIRD.

On the sacrificial Institutions of the Jewish Law-Of the expiatory Sacrifices, and their typical Reference.

THOUGH an attentive perusal of the ancient books of scripture will readily enable us to discover a difference in the sacrificial institutions of the Law, yet all which are there mentioned, and by whatever specific appellation they are designated, admit of being ranked under one or other of these general heads. First, such as were of an expiatory nature, i. e. intended to obtain the forgiveness of some peculiar offence; secondly, such as were designed merely to evidence the piety of the worshipper; which last again resolve themselves into two kinds; viz. such as were intended to procure to the individual offering them the continuance of the divine favour, as that favour consisted in blessing him in all the operations of his hands; and, secondly, such as were of an eucharistic nature, i. e. were meant to express the worshipper's gratitude for temporal mercies and blessings already received.

In this Discourse, I propose to confine myself to the consideration merely of sacrifices of the

first class; viz. such as were of an expiatory nature, and which, in the Levitical code of scripture, are distinguished by the names of sin and trespass offerings. Before however we proceed to point out wherein more especially the mystical or figurative import of these sacrifices consisted, let it be our employment first to consider the method, according to which they were required to be offered; in other words their ritual as such, at least its most important and characteristic circumstances: secondly, their immediate or primary efficacy. It is plain the due elucidation of this part of our inquiry will facilitate the solution of that other question, viz. wherein the mystical import of such ordinances consisted.

With regard, then, to the subject which is first propounded to our consideration, it is perhaps worthy of remark, that the animals made use of for the purpose of sacrifice might be taken either from the flock or herd, and as was sometimes the case even from the winged or feathered creation. Thus we read at one time of a bullock being offered a, at another of a lamb, at another of a goat, and at another of a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons d; nay, there is an instance recorded even where the sin offer

a Exod. xxix. 36; Lev. xvi. 6.

b Exod. xii. 3; Lev. iii. 7. xiv. 12.

o Lev. ix. 3.

d Lev. v. 7. xii. 6.

66

ing in question did not consist of an animal at all, but was simply a vegetable oblation. It is the case however of one, whose poverty precluded the possibility of a more costly offering, as it is written, "But if he," viz. the offending individual, "be not able to bring two turtle-doves, or "two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah "of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no "oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankin❝cense therein: for it is a sin offering e:" which two last provisions respecting the oil and the frankincense seem to have been made to distinguish this from the other meat offerings of the Law; which, as forming part of the burnt offerings so frequently alluded to, were intended, generally speaking, for a very different purpose.

е

Again, another circumstance worthy of remark relative to these institutions, is, that the animals offered to procure the expiation of sin, were for the most part such as were young. Thus with regard to the animal sacrificed for a purification from sin, i. e. whose burnt ashes were to serve for that purpose, the language of the ritual is, that it should be a heifer, " upon which never "came yoke." And again, with regard to the sin offering required at the paschal solemnity, every f Numb. xix. 2.

e Lev. v. 11.

D

one knows that this was to be "a male of the "first year," as it is characterized. And again, to mention no more instances, the appointed sin offering for the congregation upon the great day of atonement is specified as two kids of the goats. "And he," viz. Aaron, "shall take of the "congregation of the children of Israel two kids "of the goats for a sin offering h"

But whatever may have been the age of the animal offered, or whatever its species, or by whomsoever it was to be offered, whether it was intended to procure the forgiveness of the sins of an individual, or of those of the congregation, it was to be perfect of its kind. Indeed, so much stress seems to have been laid upon this particular provision of the Jewish ceremonial law, that the mention of it is repeated, I may venture to say, upon every occasion of piacular atonement which has been recorded. In these instances the language of the ritual is invariably one and the same, viz. that the animal offered should be perfect of its kindi.

Nor was this provision confined to such sacrifices as were of the expiatory kind. We find it likewise insisted upon in offerings of a different description. "Whosoever," says Moses, "offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord to "accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in i Lev. xxii. 21.

66

g Exod. xii. 5.

h Lev. xvi. 5.