breastplate, and presented prayer and supplicatian for them to God. Such an institution afforded no small encouragement to the faithful Israelites. But the temple, the sanctuary, the sprinkled blood, and consecrated priest, were but figures of the more honourable and happy privileges enjoyed under the Gospel. Christ is truly entitled "The great high priest of our profession, made after the order of Melchisedec." When he had offered a sacrifice, which for ever perfects all them that are sanctified, he entered not into the holy place made with hands, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Are we deeply sensible of the many dreadful effects of sin? Do we feel and deplore our awful distance from God? Let us remember that there

is a throne of grace, that no impassable bar prevents access to it; and that we have an able advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. What can afford more animating motives to draw nigh to God? How could the mercy-seat be made to present a more mild and attractive aspect to the humble, trembling supplicant? What urgent calls! what kind invitations ! what warm remonstrances! what pleasing promises! to quicken our tardy, reluctant approach to Him, who heareth prayer. "Seeing, then, we have a great high priest, that is passed into the

our profession.

heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast For we have not a high priest, which cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in time of need." Here is ample encouragement to you, O doubting and disconsolate Christian. Do your fears unhinge and confuse your mind, in your attempts at devotion? Does the enemy spread his net to entangle and keep you back from the throne of grace, by telling you it is presumption to aspire so high as to address the Majesty of Heaven? Would he lull you to negligence, by suggesting, that you must make yourselves holy and fit, before you venture to pray? Or, on the other hand, would he fill you with apprehensions, lest you draw down judgments rather than blessings ? Hence you may be furnished to repel the tempter's assaults. In addition to the pleasing words just quoted, I would mention another passage from the same epistle, of similar import. "Having, therefore, boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the veil (that is to say his flesh), and having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near

with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

It is only through the mediation of our adorable Redeemer that we enjoy the gracious and abiding influence of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus had vanquished death and hell," He ascended on high, led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell among them." Astonishing condescension! Had he only sent one of the lowest of his angels to pay us a short visit, as the bearer of some kind message, we ought to have deemed it a great favour. But wonder, O heavens! the King of Glory himself deigns not only to visit but to dwell with us, who are but sinful dust and ashes, by his Spirit's influence. Surely we may adopt the words that Solomon used at the dedication of the temple. deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain him!" O what language can express a thousandth part of our gratitude for a privilege, which would have been thought scarcely possible, or even entirely beyond the hope of fallen, degenerate men, had it not been divinely revealed, and happily enjoyed. Nor must we forget through what medium we are put in possession of this inestimable blessing.

"Will God in

1

When Jesus was personally with his disciples he said unto them, "It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come. But if I go away I will send him unto you." Do you, my reader, esteem it an inconceivable privilege to hold communion with God? This you enjoy through that Divine advocate: who ever liveth to make intercession for us. Do you seek and obtain the enlightening, sanctifying, and consoling influence of the Holy Spirit ? This blessing is shed upon you through Jesus Christ our Lord. The experience of these favours endears the gracious Redeemer.

4. Christ is precious to believers, on account of his free, sovereign, all-sufficient grace. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is free, undeserved favour. Were salvation to depend on any native, inherent goodness, or any meritorious performances of the creature, we might despair of ever attaining it, "for in us there dwelleth no good thing."" But it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed." In nothing do the ignorance, pride, obstinacy, and ingratitude of men more plainly appear than in their backwardness frankly to acknowledge, that every spiritual blessing flows solely from the covenant mercy of God, through Jesus Christ. All the schemes of false doctrine,

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