A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

3. In the cause of their offering; they offered for their own sins, but he had none of his own to offer for.

Now all the things here ascribed unto the Levitical priests, are weaknesses and imperfections in their Office. And hereby the main position of the Apostle, and which was destructive of the whole Fabric of Mosaical worship, namely, that the Law whereby they were constituted made nothing perfect, was abundantly confirmed. For the greatest effect of that Law was the constitution of this Priesthood. And what perfection can be expected by such a Priesthood where the Priests were obliged continually to offer for their own sins? No sooner was one offering past, but they were providing matter, making another necessary. And so it was with respect unto the sins of the People. And what perfection could be comprised in an everlasting Rotation of sins and sacrifices? Is it not manifest that this Priesthood and these sacrifices, could never of themselves expiate sin, nor make perfect them that came to God by them? Their instructive use was excellent: They both directed Faith to look unto the great future Priest and Sacrifice, and established it, in that they were Pledges given of God in Assurance thereof. The eye of them all was a continual guidance unto the Church, to look unto him who alone was to make Atonement ⟨p. 262⟩for sin, and bring in Everlasting Righteousness. Howbeit they were of that nature, and were so ordained of God, that they should never give perfect ease and Peace unto them that were exercised in them. Some relief they found in them, but complete Peace they did not afford. Nor can any thing do so, that is often to be repeated. The frequent Repetitions of the sacrifices of the mass in the Church of Rome, doth sufficiently manifest that there is no solid abiding Peace with God in that Church. For this is not to be attained by any thing that must be frequently repeated. So our Apostle affirms expressly, that if the Sacrifices of the Law could have made perfect them that came to God by them, or given them perfect Peace with God, they would have ceased to have been offered. And so it would be with the sacrifice of the Mass. Only by the one offering of Christ, they are perfected as to Peace with God, for whom he offered. And it gave great evidence unto their instructive efficacy, that in themselves they were so weak, so imperfect, and ineffectual.