Some Observations we may take from the Text.
1. Such is the absolute Perfection of the One offering of Christ, that it stands in need of, that it will admit of no Repetition in any kind. Hence the Apostle affirms that if it be despised or neglected, there remains no more sacrifice for Sin. There is none of any other kind, nor any Repetition to be made of it self; as there was of the most solemn legal Sacrifices. Neither of them are consistent with its perfection. And this absolute Perfection of the One offering of Christ ariseth, (1) From the Dignity of his Person, Acts 20. 28. There needs no new offering after that, where∣in he who offered and who was offered, was God and Man in one Person. The Repetition of this offering, is inconsistent with the Glory of the Wisdom, Righte∣ousness, Holiness and Grace of God; and would be utterly derogatory to the dig∣nity of his Person. (2) From the Nature of the Sacrifice it self; 1. In the internal gracious actings of his Soul; He offered himself unto God through the eternal Spi∣rit. Grace and Obedience could never be more glorified. 2. In the Punishment he underwent, answering and taking away the whole Curse of the Law; any far∣ther offering for Attonement is highly Blasphemous. 3. From the Love of the Father unto him and delight in him. As in his Person, so in his one offering the Soul of God resteth and is well-pleased. 4. From its Efficacy unto all Ends of a Sacrifice. Nothing was ever designed therein, but was at once accomplished by this One offering of Christ. Wherefore
2. This one offering of Christ is always effectual unto all the Ends of it, even no less then it was in the day and hour when it was actually offered. Therefore it needs no Repetition like those of old, which could affect the Conscience of a sinner only for a season, and until the Incursion of some new sin. This is always fresh in the Ver∣tue of it, and needs nothing but renewed Application by Faith, for the communi∣cation of its Effects and Fruits unto us. Wherefore
3. The great Call and Direction of the Gospel is to guide Faith, and keep it up unto this One offering of Christ, as the spring of all Grace and Mercy. This is the imme∣diate End of all its Ordinances of Worship. In the preaching of the Word, the Lord Christ is set forth as evidently Crucified before our Eyes; and in the Ordi∣nance of the Supper especially, is it represented unto the peculiar Exercise of Faith.
But we must proceed to a brief Exposition of the remainder of this Verse. The One offering of Christ is not here proposed absolutely, but in Opposition unto the High Priest of the Law, whose entrance into the Holy Place did not put an end unto his offering of Sacrifices, but his whole Service about them was to be annually repeated. This Sacrifice of the High Priest we have treated of before, and shall therefore now only open these words wherein it is expressed.
1. The Person spoken of is the High Priest; that is, any One, every One that is so, or that was so in any Age of the Church, from the Institution of that Priest∣hood unto the Expiration of it. As the High Priest; in like manner so he did.
2. It is affirmed of him, that he entreth, in the present Tense. Some think that respect is had unto the continuance of the Temple-service at that Time. He en∣treth, that is, he continueth so to do. And this the Apostle sometimes admits of, as Chap. 8. 4. But in this Place he intends no more but the Constitution of the Law. According unto the Law He entereth. This is that which the Law requires. And hereby, as in other Instances, the Apostle lays before their Consideration a Scheme of their ancient Worship, as it was at first established, that it might be the better compared with the Dispensation of the New Covenant, and the Ministry of Christ.
3. This Entrance is limited unto the Holy Place. The most Holy Place in the Tabernacle or Temple, the Holy Place made with hands.
4. There is the Season of their Entrance; yearly. Once in an annual Re∣volution, or the day fixed by the Law, the tenth day of the Month Tisri or our September.
5. The Manner of his entrance was, with the blood of others; Blood that was not his own, as the Syriack expresseth it. The Blood of the Sacrifice of Christ was his own. He redeemed the Church, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Acts 20. 28. Hereunto 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is opposed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, other blood, the Blood of others; that is, the blood