2. The Limitation of this Assertion is in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, almost. Some few Pu∣rifications there were under the Law that were not by Blood. Such, as some judge, was that by the Ashes of an Heifer mingled with water; whereof we have treated on ver. 13. But I am not certain that this may be esteemed a Purification without Blood. For the Heifer whose Ashes were used in it was first slain, and its blood poured out. Afterwards the blood as well as the flesh was burnt and reduced unto Ashes. Wherefore that way of Purification cannot be said to be without blood. And it was a Type of the Purifying efficacy of the blood of Christ, who offered himself an whole Burnt-offering unto God, through the fire of the Eternal Spirit. But there were two sorts of Purifications under the Law, wherein blood was neither formally nor virtually applyed or used. The one was by Fire in things that would endure it; Numb. 31. 23. And the Apostle speaks of things as well as Persons, as the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 declares. The other was by water, whereof there were many In∣stances. See Exod. 19. 10. Levit. 16. 26, 28. chap. 22. 6, 7.
All other Representations were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Blood; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the Offering and Sprinkling of Blood.
From the consideration of the Purifications mentioned, the Apostle adds the Li∣mitation of Almost. For the conceit of some of the Antients, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is as much as ferè, and is to be joyned with purged, were almost purged, that is, they were so only ineffectually, is most improper. For it is contrary to the natural construction of the words, and the direct intention of the Apostle.
Only we may observe, that the Purifications which were by fire and water, were of such things as had no immediate Influence into the Worship of God, or in such cases as wherein the Worship of God was not immediately concerned; nor of such things wherewith Conscience was defiled. They were only of external Pollutions, by things in their own nature Indifferent; and had nothing of Sin in them. And the Sacred Institutions which were not concerning the immediate Worship of God, nor things which in themselves did defile the Consciences of Men, were as hedges and fences about those which really did so. They served to warn Men not to come near those things which had a real defilement in themselves. See Matth. 15. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Thus almost all things, that is, absolutely all, which had any in∣ward real Moral defilement, were purged with Blood, and directed unto the purg∣ing efficacy of the Blood of Christ. And we may observe, that
1. There was a great variety of legal Purifications. For as all of them together could not absolutely purge Sin, but only direct unto what would do so; so none of them by themselves could fully represent that one Sacrifice by blood, whereby all sin was to be purged; therefore were they multiplyed.
2. This variety argues that in our selves we are ready to be Polluted on all oc∣casions. Sin cleaveth unto all that we do, and is ready to defile us even in our best Duties.
3. This variety of Institutions was a great part of the Bondage-state of the Church under the Old Testament; a Yoke that they were not able to bear. For it was al∣most an insuperable Difficulty to attain an Assurance that they had observed them all in a due manner; the Penalties of their Neglect being very severe. Besides, the outward Observation of them was both burdensome and chargeable. It is the Glory of the Gospel that we are directed to make our Address by Faith on all occasi∣ons unto that one Sacrifice by the Blood of Christ, which cleanseth us from all our sins. Howbeit many that are called Christians, being ignorant of the Mystery thereof, do again betake themselves unto other ways for the Purification of Sin, which are multiplied in the Church of Rome.
4. The great Mystery wherein God instructed the Church from the Foundation of the World, especially by and under legal Institutions, was that all purging of Sin was to be by blood. This was that which by all Sacrifices from the Beginning, and all Legal Institutions, he declared unto Mankind. Blood is the only means of Purging and Attonement. This is the Language of the whole Law. All was to manifest, that the washing and purging of the Church from Sin, was to be looked for from the blood of Christ alone.
The second Assertion of the Apostle is, that without shedding of blood there is no Remission. Some would have these words to contain an Application of what is spo∣ken before, unto the blood of Christ. But it is manifest that the Apostle yet con∣tinues