SERMON XIII.

HE B. ix. 24.

For Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with Hands, which are the Figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the Prefence of God for us.

T is the main Business of

I

this Epistle, to set forth the superlative Excellency

of the Christian, above

the Mofaical Dispensation;

and this is done by an Induction of many

Particulars. The Apostle runs through and compares the Ceremonial Services

and Typical Priviledges, delivered under the former Covenant, with the spiritual Devotions and substantial Blessings vouchfafed under the latter; and endeavours by great Force of Reason and Rhetorick, to raise our Views from the weak and beggarly Elements of the Law, which makes nothing perfect, unto the Power and Riches of the Gospel, which sanctifieth, which juftifieth through Faith.

THE Jewish Ritual was made up of Precepts entirely of a positive Sort, which had no necessary Connection with, no visible Tendency to promote, but were only figurative Expreffions of true Holiness, Shadows only of those good Precepts to come, which shine forth among us in the Beauty and Perfection of Divine Virtue. The legal Sacrifices were the infufficient Sacrifices of Bulls and of Goats; and impossible it is, that their Blood should be able to take away Sin: But the Blood of the New Covenant, is the Blood of the Holy Jesus; that immaculate Lamb of God, who by his Death and Sufferings, hath made a full and perfect Atonement for the Sins of the the whole World; and by his precious Blood-shedding, hath obtained unto us the Blessings of eternal Life. And as we are thus enriched with the Priviledge of a new and better Covenant, so likewise do we enjoy the Advantage of a new and better Priesthood. The High Prieft under the Law, who was appointed to mediate between God and the People, was indeed appointed, according to God's own Institution; but was a Man in all Respects (bating the Dignity of his Function) upon the Level with those, in whose Behalf he was to mediate. But under the Gofspel Dispensation, Jesus Christ is our High Priest, the Son of God, God as well as Man: God, and therefore capable to treat as fuch with Man; Man, and therefore capable to treat as fuch with God. As He was tempted in all Points like as we are; fo He cannot but be sensibly touched with a Feeling of our Infirmities, however He is now exalted above them: But as He was without Sin, so He made Himself a spotless and meritorious Sacrifice for us; and was such an High Priest as T4

became us, i. e. as was necessary for us under the Circumstances of Sinners; He being holy, harmless, undefiled, Separate from Sinners, and made higher than the Heavens; who needeth not daily, as those High Priests, to offer up Sacrifice, first for his own Sins, and then for the Peoples ; for this He did once, when He offered up Himself : For the Law maketh Men High Priests, which have Infirmity; but the Word of the Oath, which was fince the Law, maketh the Son, who is confecrated for evermore. Thus then the Jewish Law was an imperfect Rule, adapted to an imperfect State; Types and Figures only of this better Covenant, necessary to be swallowed in the bright Perfection of the Gospel; to be antiquated and vanish away, when the substantial Glory of the great Anti-types appeared. And as the whole Office, so every particular Branch of Duty, with Respect to the Legal Priesthood, bore a Typical Relation to the Prieftly Office, and Character of our Blessed Saviour : They only prefigured to us the Advantages of a divine and heavenly Mediator, and