Verse 13

VER. 13.

They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifice of mine offering.

The Jews might object: Why, how do we account the Law of God a strange thing? Do not we continue in sacrificing, do not we offer our sacrifices to God? Why do you say, we account the Law a strange thing? From the connexion therefore this note may be observed.

That men may continue in outward profession and performances of duties of religion, and yet the great things of God's Law may be a strange thing to them. They do offer sacrifices still, and yet they accounted God's Law as a strange thing to them. Do not think that sufficient, that you continue in outward profession of religion; no, shall I say more? I make no question but a man may continue in outward duties, and yet apostatize from God so far as to commit the sin against the Holy Ghost, and that's evident from the example of the Scribes and Pharisees, that Christ charges for commission of the sin against the Holy Ghost, and yet they did not forsake the Jews' religion, they continued in a great deal of outward strictness in religion, and yet had committed that unpardonable sin; therefore you may apostatize far from God, though you do not forsake the public ordinances of God.