Now our Apostle takes it as granted, that if these choice Sacrifices, of Atton∣ment,
and of the Red Cow, were altogether unsufficient to purifie the Hearts
and Consciences, or the Soules and Spirits of sinful men; the Ordinary
or meaner sacrifices of the Law were much more unsufficient to all such pur∣poses
as the Sacrifices of our high Priest was Alsufficient to all such pur∣poses
as the Sacrifice of our high Priest was Alsufficient and most Efficacious
for. The Eminency of Christs bloudie Sacrifice upon the Cross (in respect of all
Legal sacrifices of what rank soever) consisteth, First, in the Efficacy which
it had and hath for Remission of all sins committed against the Moral Law
of God; that is, of all such sins as immediately pollute the reasonable Soul
and Conscience. The least degree of such Purification no Legal Sacrifices
could immediatly effect, reach, or touch. To what Use then did they di∣rectly
serve? or what was the proper Effect unto which they were immedi∣ately
terminated? That was the Purification of mens Bodyes from meere
Legal uncleannesse; that is, from all such negligences, Ignorances, or Casu∣al
Occurrences as not being expiated by the Priest, did exclude the parties
so offending from the Tabernacle of the Congregation; Or (as our Apostle
speakes) to Purifie them from such uncleannesses of the flesh, as did but fore∣shadow
or picture the uncleanness of the soul, or the dead works of sinne, All
which, being not expiated by a more excellent Priest then any was after the
order of Aaron▪ will exclude all from entring into the heavenly Tabernacle.
2. Such Legal uncleannesse, as did exclude the Parties polluted with it
from the Tabernacle of the Congregation, was many waies contracted; as
by touching of the dead; by eating of Meats forbidden by the Law; or by
not eating meates allowed of by the Law according to the Rule or Prescript
for such Ceremonial Services; or by the like Omissions or Practises which
were not in their own nature or to all men sinful, but sinful in the Seed of Jacob
only, to whom they were Evill only because forbidden, not forbidden because they
were evill in their own nature. Even in regard of such shadows or Typical Of∣fices
for Purifying men Legally unclean, the best and most solemn Sacri∣fices
of the Law (though offered once at least every year, and otherwise as
often as dayly Occasions or Occurrences did require) were no way so efficaci∣ous
or Effectual, as the One Sacrifice of the Son of God offered by himself
but Once for all, is for the perpetual Purifying of our Soules from the Dead
works of sin, and for our Consecration to the everlasting service of the everli∣ving
God, which is that Freedom indeed wherewith his only Son hath promi∣sed
to set all such Free, as Believe in his Name and Abide in his word,
John 8.
3. The Eminencie of Christs Priesthood and Sacrifice, above the Priest∣hood
and Services of the Law is deeply wronged by the Doctrine and Pra∣ctise
of Secular and Regular Roman-Catholick Priests, as they do term
themselves; and so is our Apostles Doctrine in the ninth and tenth Chapters
to the Hebrews, more peremptorily contradicted by them, then it was by
the Incredulous or unbelieving Jews, in his life time. The Western Anti-Christ
(so the Lutherans distinguish them) hath in this particular so farr out∣bid
the Antichrist of the East, that if 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that Law-opposer or man
of sin, were to be followed close with Howant-Cry, or his Footsteps to be tra∣ced
for these nine hundred years, by the Christian Kingdoms or States, the
Chase and Cry would sooner fall into Rome or Trent then into Constantinople;
though That, no question, be now the seat of Gog and Magog or of the Eastern
Antichrist. That Contradiction of Sinners, which our Saviour Christ did indure
here on Earth, Heb. 12. 3. improved by the Roman Church in later dayes, a∣gainst
all such as rightly believe in him, specially against such as duly admi∣nister