Christ the universal peace-makerChrist the universall peace-maker

We may consider that though all Sacrifices were offered up afore and unto God, yet not all only by way of expiation, or atonement made unto God, or as expressions of thankfulness unto him: but some were Sacrifices of pacification, and federal in their intention, between Man and Man, being offered up before God as a witness and avenger. This to have been one use of Sacrifices is evident both among Jews, and likewise Gentiles (who were in their Sacrifices and the rites thereof imitators of the Jews.)

We may consider that though all Sacrifices were offred up afore and unto God, yet not all onely by way of expiation, or atonement made unto God, or as expressions of thankfulnesse unto him: but some were Sacrifices of pacification, and faederall in their intention, betweene Man and Man, being offred up before God as a witnesse and avenger. This to have been one use of Sacrifices is evident both among Jewes, and likewise Gentiles (who were in their Sacrifices and the rites thereof imitators of the Jews.)

1. The Jews. Jer. 34. from v. 8. &c. we read, That Zedekiah the King made a solemn Covenant with the people, and they with their servants to let them go free according to Gods Law in that behalf made Exod. 21. 1. and ⟨p. 32⟩Deut. 15. 12. and this Sacrificial Covenant was solemnly performed in Gods House, and before God, as v. 15. and 18. The rites of it were, They cut a Calf in twain, and passed between the parts of the Calf, even the Princes and all the people, v. 19. in token that it was one common Sacrifice between All those parties, Masters and Servants, and the joint act of each, which being thus solemn, afore God, carried with it an implicit or tacit execration, That if either brake this Covenant in this manner confirmed, then let God so deal with them, as this Calf sacrificed was dealt withal: and therefore these having broken this Covenant, v. 11. (which breach of Faith was the occasion of this part of Jeremies message to them) God threatens to bring the curse invocated and signified by that rite, upon them, and to retaliate the like unto them v. 18. I will GIVE the men that have transgressed MY COVENANT so he calls it, because the matter of it was his command, and it had been ratified before him, as it follows:) which have not performed the words of the COVENANT which they had made BEFORE ME, when they cut the Calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof. That, therefore [I will give,] it is verbum similitudinis (as 'tis often used:) whose meaning is, I will make them as that Calf, I will answerably deal with them: and so it is explained; I will give them into the hands of them that seek their life, and expose them to the Sword of the slayer, to slay at his pleasure, as you have done this beast, which you Sacrificed: and their dead bodies shall be for meat to the fowls of Heaven, &c.