very nature of them. If they could have made a full atonement, what end was anwered by their repetition? The worshipper, once purged, would have been free from remorse: but that was not the case. In every annual expiation, past sins were again remembered. In the nature of things, indeed, it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats can take away sin; and in this light we consider that prophetic passage in the Psalms, in which Christ, coming into the world, is thus represented addressing the Father: "Sacrifices and offerings for sin thou hast rejected: but Thou hast provided a body for an offering. I embrace, O God, thy gracious designs and, agreeably to the predictions of all thy holy prophets, shall fulfill it."

Thus Christ, by realizing in his own body the offerings and sacrifices of the law, plainly establishes the one, on the abolition of the other.

By this holy sacrifice then we are justified; giving up every idea of justification by the law; not trusting in an earthly high priest, and the atonement of temple sacrifices, but in a high priest who, having offered himself a sacrifice for sin once for all, sat down for ever on the right hand of God ;* triumphing over death, and making a full atonement for all his faithful servants. For this is the sense of the prophecy of Jeremiah which I quoted above; having spoken of the new covenant which God was about to make, and the new laws he was about to establish, the prophet adds, that in this new covenant a complete atonement should be made for the sins of mankind. In fine, then, if you allow the force of this prophecy thus far, you must conclude farther, that the offerings and sacrifices of the temple service are now rendered entirely useless.

* For the explanation of this passage, see Note on the Creed,

Since therefore, my brethren, we have thus a new and living way opened to us into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ, and since we have an eternal high priest officiating there, making constant intercession for us, let us draw near with faith and full assurance of his mercy. Let us reject all dependence on legal purification of the heart. Let us steadily persevere in the profession of our faith; raising our minds with the promises we have received. Let no prejudices against our brethren subsist among us: but let us shew our charity by an unreserved communication of kindness.

Of one thing let me particularly remind you : continue regularly your Christian assemblies, and return not to your former errors. Even in a worldly light it is prudent; for a dreadful calamity, you may assure yourselves, hangs over this unhappy country.

PREFACE TO THE GOSPEL FOR GOOD FRIDAY.*

Mark, xiv. 1.

While Jesus was discoursing with his disciples, the chief priests and scribes were consulting how to destroy him; but he was so much reverenced by the people, that they laid aside all thought of seizing him during the feast of the Passover, when multitudes of the people were then assembled together.

From the open part of Mount Olivet, where Jesus had been sitting with his disciples, he retired as usual to Bethany, where, at the house of one Simon, whom he had formerly cured of a leprosy, the following circumstance occurred: As he sat at meat,

* As the Gospels appointed for Passion Week are, in general, repetitions of the same events, drawn from the writings of the different Evangelists, all the circumstances preceding those selected for Good Friday are collected together, and prefixed by way of preface to the Gospel for that day, so that the narrative may appear entire.

a woman brought a box of very precious ointment, which with great respect she poured upon his head.* Judas, taking offence at this, as a waste of what might have been sold for a considerable sum of money, and given to the poor, found fault with the woman. But Jesus answered: censure her not, her zeal is highly praiseworthy: the poor you have always with you as the object of your charity; this is an extraordinary occasion; she has shewn her regard for me by anointing my body for its burial; and wheresoever the Gospel shall be preached, this act, unworthy as you may deem it, shall be recorded to her praise.

It was at this time that Judas first meditated to betray his master! With this design he went to the chief priests, and offered for a proper reward to conduct their officers where they might seize Jesus with the greatest privacy. The offer was received with joy; an agreement was made, and thirty pieces of silvert given to him, for which he engaged to bring them the earliest intelligence of Jesus's retirement.

In the mean time the Passover approached; and Jesus, having yet taken no notice of it, the disciples mentioned it to him; upon which he ordered two of them to go into the city, where they should find a man, in such circumstances as he described, entering a house. This person they were instructed to follow, and to ask for a chamber where they might eat the Passover. All this was done; and an upper room well furnished was shewn them, where proper preparation was made.

Jesus soon after came with the twelve; and as they sat at

*

Chaplets of flowers, and odoriferous unguents are mentioned by several classic authors as in use at the festive entertainments, both of the Greeks and Romans, and particularly among the Jews. The custom of.anointing the head seems to have been almost as common a practice as that of washing the face for they are mentioned together by our Lord, in his direction to his disciples on the subject of fasting: "But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face, that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, which seeth in secret.-Bishop Porteus's Lectures.

This is commonly supposed to have been the shekel of the temple.-See The Table of Coins.

meat, he told them plainly that one of them would betray him. This threw them all into great anxiety,* each being solicitous to know whom he meant. It is," said Jesus, one who now eateth with me. That the son of man should die, as the prophets have foretold, is necessary for the salvation of the world: but that is no excuse for him by whom the son of man is betrayed: wretched is the state of that guilty person !"

After supper Jesus took bread, and giving thanks, brake† it, and gave it among his disciples, saying, eat this in a solemn manner, in remembrance of my body, which is given for you. Then taking the cup he presented that also to them, saying, drink this likewise in remembrance of my blood, which is shed for you. Henceforward, let the Passover cease, and instead of it let this ceremony be established among all Christians.

* St. Luke observes, that so little did the disciples understand the nature and intention of our Saviour's passion, or the high offence about which they were inquiring, that they soon after entered into a dispute with some warmth upon their several pretensions to greatness, when the Messiah's kingdom should be established. Jesus, in order to dispel these undue prejudices, reminded them of the difference between his kingdom and the kingdoms of this world.

66

66

They who preside over the kingdoms of this world," said he, exercise unbounded power, under gracious titles. But among you, let every one, who wishes to be exalted seek his exaltation from humility. Imitate the example which I set you, and as you have followed me, through all my labours and temptations on earth, so shall you be members of my spiritual kingdom, and receive hereafter its blessed distinctions."

The Hebrews generally made their bread very thin, in the form of little flat cakes or wafers; they did not cut it with a knife, but broke it, which gave rise to that expression so usual in Scripture, of breaking bread, to signify eating. In the institution of the Eucharist, our Saviour broke the bread which he had consecrated: whence it is that the expression to break bread" and "the breaking of bread" are used in the New Testament for celebrating the Lord's Supper.-Calmet.

When, said Christ, my kingdom, that is my religion, is fully confirmed and established, by my rising from the dead, this supper shall be the memorial of a more noble sacrifice. The Pass

over

After the celebration of this rite they sung a hymn, and Jesus retired with them, as usual, towards the Mount of Olives. That severe time of trial, said he to them as they walked, of which I have often warned you, is now at hand; the time of which the prophet speaks, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." Be not, however, dismayed; after I am risen from the dead, I will meet you again in Galilee. Peter with great vehemence answered his master, by declaring that whoever should be offended, he certainly never should be. Jesus checked his presumption, by telling him that before the cock should crow twice, he would that very night deny him three times. Peter with still greater confidence replied, that though he should be put to death on his account, he would not deny him. In this language they all united.

By this time they were come to a part of the Mount of Olives called Gethsemane, from the oil-presses which stood there. Here Jesus, leaving his disciples, except Peter, James, and John, went with these three a little farther. My soul, said he, is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: wait here awhile and watch with me. He then went forward a few paces, and falling on the ground, he prayed that if it were possible this hour might pass from him ;* all things, said he, O my Father, are possible with

over, which was a type of the redemption to be wrought by me, shall be fulfilled and completed by my death and resurrection. The shadow passes away, the substance takes place; and when you eat this supper in remembrance of me, then will I be virtually present among you, and your souls shall be nourished and refreshed by my grace, as your bodies are by the bread and wine. -Bishop Porteus.

It is impossible to read this passage without the mind being deeply affected, and an anxious desire awakened to know why our Saviour's sufferings were so intense. The following remarks will perhaps assist the youthful reader to form some idea of this most solemn, affecting, and mysterious transaction; and may it lead them to meditate with gratitude and awe on the immensity of the divine love, thus manifested for the redemption of man.

Our first parents were created perfect; that is to say, they were created free from sin; free-will, or the power of aeting right or wrong without compulsion, was conferred upon them; because