Leviticus

There were some sacrifices, which did serve for the whole congregation, as we may see (Leviticus 4:13-14), and in diverse other chapters of that book. Besides these there were personal sacrifices (Leviticus 1), where the laws about sacrifices are set forth; if any soul had sinne…

For in every sacrifice for sin there was an imposition of sin on the Beast to be offered antecedent unto the Sacrificing of it, and therein its suffering by death. Therefore in every offering for sin, he that brought it was to put his hand on the head of it, Leviticus 1:4. And t…

It is an unseemly sight to see God humbling himself, and man exalting himself; to see a humble Savior, and a proud sinner. God hates the very resemblance of pride (Leviticus 2:11). He would have no honey in the sacrifice.

They might drink anywhere else: it was in every one's power to eat at home. But he alludes to the custom which they held in sacrificing their first fruits to God, at what time they consecrated the revenues of the whole year, as the Law enjoined them: (Leviticus 2:12; 23:10). And…

with what shall it be salted? "Ou, luy rendra-on sa saveur"? -- "or, shall its taste be restored to it?" (Leviticus 2:13.) It is good for nothing farther, than to be thrown out and trodden down by men.

Under the Law the first-fruits was God's, to show the first and best was his portion. All the sacrifices that were offered to him, they were in their strength, and young (Leviticus 2:14). And if you offer a meat-offering of your first-fruits to the Lord, you shall offer for the…

It is giving that glory to an image, which is due to God. All [illegible] or divine worship God appropriates to himself; it is a flower of his crown; the fat of the sacrifice God laid claim to (Leviticus 3:3). Divine worship is the fat of the sacrifice which God reserves for him…

The Jews might not offer to the Lord wine that was small, or mixed, but the strong wine, to imply that we must offer to God the best, the strongest of our affections; if the spouse had a cup more juicy and spiced, Christ should drink of that (Song of Solomon 8:2): I would cause…

We should be reconciled to God, and have his grace and favor. Under the law they were to bring their peace-offering, and lay it on the top of the burnt-offering (Leviticus 3). When we come to offer a thank-offering to God, we should be in a state of amity and friendship with him…

God delights much in tears, else he would not keep a bottle for them (Psalm 56:8). One calls tears a fat sacrifice, which under the law was most acceptable (Leviticus 3:3). Jerome calls mourning a plank after shipwreck.

Objection 1. (Leviticus 4) Moses according to God's commandment prescribed several sacrifices for several persons; and they were means of satisfaction for the temporal punishments of their daily sins. Answer: Those sacrifices were only signs and types of Christ's satisfaction to…

The reason of the diversity is, because the same word in the original, which signifies the second person masculine, you, meaning the Father; signifies the third person feminine: his soul shall make itself; but on the matter, whether we apply it to the Father, or to Christ, both…

In the old Law you may read of several degrees and kinds of sins, for which God appointed or measured out differing and proportionable sacrifices. So for sins of ignorance there was one kind of sacrifice (Leviticus 4:2 and 5) and another for sins against knowledge, or such as we…

Here note, that manifest and convicted atheists, if they be put to death, have but their deserts. Example 4. He that curses father or mother shall die the death (Leviticus 4:9). This law is a necessary fence to the fifth commandment, and upholds the honor that is due to parents.

For the beast sacrificed, was so offered, as that bearing the punishment and curse of the sin, it also blotted it out. And the Priests signified so much by the imposition of hands; even as if they had laid upon the beast the sins of the whole people (Leviticus 4:4). And if any p…

According to the number of them all] That is, he offered for each of his sons a sacrifice. There were some sacrifices, which did serve for the whole congregation, as we may see (Leviticus 4:13-14), and in diverse other chapters of that book. Besides these there were personal sac…

But he who is sincere has his inside as his best side. In the law God would have the inwards offered up (Leviticus 4:11). A good Christian gives God the inwards; when he prays his heart prays.

But absolutely does no where in any good author, nor in the scripture signifie a sacrifice for sin unless it may be allowed to do so in this one place alone. For whereas the LXX do render constantly by where it signifies sin; where it denotes an offering for sin, and they retain…

First, the thing that Christ bore is called griefs and sorrows, by which we understand the effects that sin brings on men in the world, for it is the same that in verse 5 is called his being wounded for our transgression, and bruised for our iniquity; it is a wounding that iniqu…

If it may be done more conveniently and profitably another time, it may be omitted for the time. Except in these five cases, he that does not reprove his brother, is guilty of his sin (Leviticus 5:1). 4th Point.

They that grieve not and mourn not, are guilty, as the Apostle tells us (1 Corinthians 5:1-2), and by mourning they were cleared of this matter (2 Corinthians 7:11). 2. By concealing that which we ought to discover and make known, as may be easily proved from (Leviticus 5:1): if…

The Hebrew word 'nasa' in verse 12 likewise argues a taking of the punishment of sin from us and transferring it to himself, signifying as much as we mean by the word satisfaction. So also does Peter's Greek term used in its place; for to bear iniquity in scriptural language is…

Nor has the expression 'bearing sins' any other meaning in Scripture. Leviticus 5:1: 'He that hears swearing and does not reveal it shall bear his iniquity' — meaning not that he shall declare himself or others to be free from sin, but that he shall undergo the punishment due to…

The priest prayed that the sins, that is, the punishment of the sins of the people might be laid on the goat (Numbers 18:1). Aaron and his sons are to bear the iniquity of the sanctuary, that is, the punishment of their iniquity, in that they were punished, if any of the sanctua…

We are to look up to the mercy seat, but to hope for mercy through Christ's intercession. We read (Leviticus 6) that Aaron made the atonement as well by the incense as the blood. We must look to the cloud of incense, namely, the intercession of Christ.

Blessed is he that does righteousness at all times. Child-like obedience is not like a high choler in a fit, which is soon over, but like a right sanguine complexion it abides; it is like the fire on the altar, which was kept always burning (Leviticus 6:13). Second Sign of Adopt…

Blessed is he who does righteousness at all times. True obedience is not like a high color in a fit, but it is a right sanguine: it is like the fire on the altar, which was always kept burning (Leviticus 6:13). Hypocrites' obedience is but [in non-Latin alphabet] for a season: i…

Constancy crowns obedience, non cepisse sed perfecisse virtutis est, Cyprian. Our obedience must be like the Fire of the Altar which was continually kept burning (Leviticus 6:13). Hypocrites soon give over doing God's Will; like the chrysolite which is of a golden color, in the…

Our whole hearts must go into them; and the strength and vigor of our spirits must diffuse themselves into every part of them, to animate and quicken them: And therefore the Apostle commands us (Romans 12:11), to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Sacrifices (which under th…

When Moses built the tabernacle and altar in the wilderness, and the first sacrifices were offered on it, fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering, as in Leviticus 9:24; and so again, when Solomon built the temple, and offered the first sacrifices, as you may…

Or richer, than to enjoy but little of it, and live above it? And on the other side, extreme poverty is no less exposed to sin and danger (Leviticus 6:2-4). As high and lofty trees are subject to storms and tempests, so the lowest shrubs to be browsed on by every beast: and ther…

In some Places it means inward Principles of Action, as the Law of Kindness, the Law of Sin; sometimes it signifies only Directions and Rules of Life, as Proverbs 13:14 the Law of the Wise, that is, Rule of Wisdom. In other Places it includes all the Orders and Injunctions that…

Mark, it is in the Greek, they that are hungering and thirsting: these participles, as all grammarians know, note a continued act. The fire on the altar was never to go out (Leviticus 6:12). There are certain unfixed desires and unconstant motions, which for a time are very pass…

He that lies, does constructively steal: and the Apostle (1 Timothy 1:10) joins liars and stealers, and perjured persons together, and tells us, that the Law is against them all, and that they are contrary to sound doctrine. And if man's law were as God's, there would be a recov…

David's desire after God was not a high color in a fit, but the constant complexion of his soul. In the temple the fire was not to go out by night (Leviticus 6:13): The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar. There was, says Cyril, a mystery in it, to show that we must ever b…

1. Circumcision, and the ceremonies; and the priesthood (Exodus 40:15), (Leviticus 16:29) the fast in the seventh month, shall be a statute, for ever. (Leviticus 6:18) All the [reconstructed: males] of the sons of Aaron shall eat the remainder of the meat-offering, it shall be a…

8th Commandment: You shall not steal. He breaks this commandment: who lives in no calling (1 Thessalonians 3:11); who neglects his calling (Jeremiah 48:10); who spends his wealth in riot and provides not for his family (1 Timothy 5:8); who is not content with his estate but seek…

Quest. But how shall we praise God in a right manner for deliverances? Resp. 1. Be holy persons: in the sacrifices of thanksgiving, whoever did eat thereof, with their uncleanness upon them, were to be cut off (Leviticus 7:20), to typify how unpleasing their praises and thank-of…

1. As for this word iniquity, by it is meant sometimes 1. sin formally taken as it has a disconformity to the Law of God, and supposes a spot and defect, and so it is commonly taken when we pray for pardon of sin; and when David says (Psalm 51), "My sin is ever before me"; and (…

So from Christ it is we die to sin, but that is by [illegible] death of Christ (Romans 6:6). So here, by the same Christ it is that the application of all spiritual good is made to us, but it is done by [illegible] of his [illegible]: I take that to be the sense of the Spirit [i…

1. Circumcision, and the ceremonies; and the priesthood (Exodus 40:15), (Leviticus 16:29) the fast in the seventh month, shall be a statute, for ever. (Leviticus 6:18) All the [reconstructed: males] of the sons of Aaron shall eat the remainder of the meat-offering, it shall be a…

First, it is called a sacrifice of expiation (Ephesians 5:2), as is apparent by that type of it with which it is compared in Hebrews 9:14-15. Of the same force is the Hebrew word 'asham' (Isaiah 53:10; Leviticus 7:2): 'He made his soul an offering for sin' — a piacular sacrifice…

The Prophet then expresses three things here distinctly. For first when he says, that the sacrifices went up, he alludes to the ceremony which in old time they used in the sacrifices, for they lifted up their offerings (Exodus 29:24; Leviticus 8:29), to signify, that they were t…

Youth would not miscarry so shamefully, if they did more often remember God; nor be led away by vain and sensual delights, if the thoughts of God did more dwell in their minds. So (Leviticus 8:11-12): Beware that you forget not the Lord your God, in not keeping his commandments.…

He that comes by water and blood, he is the Son of God: But Jesus Christ came by water and blood. His coming implies, 1 his Father's sending, 2 [illegible] own undertaking that great work of our recovery not only by Water, as the Levites who were washed (Numbers 8:6-7) but by Bl…

Fire, you know, was what they offered their sacrifices with, typifying, as in Mark 9, our inward habitual grace and righteousness, whereby we offer up ourselves and our service as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). When they offered incense or sacrifice acceptable to God,…

What testimony it was that God gave of Abell and his gift, it is not expressed in the word; and so it is not certain: but it is very likely that when he and Cain offered, God in special mercy sent fire from heaven, and burnt up Abels sacrifice, but not Cains: for so it pleased t…

Our whole hearts must go into them; and the strength and vigor of our spirits must diffuse themselves into every part of them, to animate and quicken them: And therefore the Apostle commands us (Romans 12:11), to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Sacrifices (which under th…

Another thing, that the Jews in their ancient writings mention as being now withdrawn, was the fire from heaven on the altar. When Moses built the tabernacle and altar in the wilderness, and the first sacrifices were offered on it, fire came down from heaven, and consumed the bu…

The heart must be pure. God would have Aaron wash the inwards of the sacrifice (Leviticus 9). Civility does but wash the outside; the inwards must be washed.

5. True zeal causes fervency in duty, Romans 12:11: fervent in spirit: Zeal makes us hear with reverence, pray with affection, love with ardency. God kindled Moses's sacrifice from heaven, Leviticus 9:24: There came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the Altar th…

2. A divine worship, which we give to God, is his prerogative-royal (Nehemiah 8:6): They bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground. This divine worship God is very jealous of; this is the apple of his eye, this is the pearl of his crown which…

Where idolatry is forbidden, there is forbidden superstition, or bringing any innovation into God's worship which he has not appointed. As the sons of Aaron were forbidden to worship an idol, so to sacrifice to God with strange fire (Leviticus 10:1). Mixture in sacred things is…

This is very provoking to God, because it reflects much upon his honor, as if he were not wise enough to appoint the manner of his own worship. God hates all strange fire to be offered in his temple (Leviticus 10:1). A ceremony may in time bring to a crucifix.

Though they have God in their mouths, they have the Devil in their hearts. It is a wonder that fire does not come out from the Lord and consume them, as it did Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:2). 4. We take God's name in vain, when we worship him with our lips, but not our hearts;…

6. We hallow and sanctify God's name when we give him a holy and spiritual worship. 1. We give him the same kind of worship that he has appointed (Leviticus 10:3): I will be sanctified of all that come near to me; that is, I will be sanctified with that very worship I have appoi…

If Moses had left out anything in the pattern, or added anything to it, it would have been very provoking; to mix anything of our own devising in God's worship, is to go beside, indeed, contrary to the pattern: God's worship is the apple of his eye, that which he is most tender…

The high priest was to take fire from the altar whenever he offered incense (Leviticus 16:12). And therefore when Nadab and Abihu offered common fire of their own kindling (Leviticus 10:1), they were consumed for thinking to please God with it. Now all these things fell out in t…

And all that believe in Christ are sanctified, that is, set apart from sin to serve God. In like manner God's name is hallowed, when it is put apart from oblivion, contempt, profanation, pollution, blasphemy, and all abuses to a holy, reverent, and honorable use, whether we thin…

Labor also to get up your heart due apprehensions of the greatness of God, such as Abraham had (Genesis 18:27): 'I, who am but dust and ashes, have taken upon me to speak to God.' And lastly, remember the jealousy of God, how tender he is over his worship (Leviticus 10:3): 'And…

Is any wrong done to them or to us by this? Aaron's two sons were cut off in an act of sin by the Lord's immediate hand, and yet he held his peace (Leviticus 10:3). God told Abraham plainly that the covenant would not be established with Ishmael, for whom he so earnestly prayed:…

(Psalm 37:7): be silent to Jehovah. Consider the example of Aaron (Leviticus 10:3), of David (Psalm 39:9), of the Jews (Acts 11:18). The sixth: in all things we do or suffer, we must depend on the goodness, providence, and mercy of God, for the success of our labors, and for eas…

What follows immediately afterwards, he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, must not be understood to mean that John's abstemiousness was a singular virtue, but that God was pleased to distinguish his servant by this visible token, by which the world would acknowledge him…

The law did not, indeed, forbid a priest to enter his house, but, as it did not permit those who ate the show-bread to come near their wives, (1 Samuel 21:4,) and as many persons were disposed to treat sacred things in an irreverent manner, this was probably discovered to be a r…

Why is it here called the fire of God? Some conceive it is called the fire of God, because sent from God: that is ascribed to God, which comes from God, as that (Genesis 19:24) where it is said, that the Lord did rain fire and brimstone upon Sodom out of Heaven from the Lord, or…

And unto this end is all worship designed, namely to give glory unto God. For as God has said, that he will be sanctified in all that draw nigh unto him, that is in his worship, and that therein he will be glorified, Leviticus 10:3. and that he that offers him praise, that is pe…

God has opened his mouth, and spoken terribly, but let London shut her mouth, because God has spoken righteously; God has spoken with a loud voice, let London be in deep silence; I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, says David, because you did it (Psalm 39:9). When Nadab and Abihu…

'Tis to kiss the rod, and even to accept of the punishment of our iniquity; taking all in good part that God does: Not daring to strive with our Maker, no, nor desiring to prescribe to him, but dumb and not opening the mouth because God does it. How meek was Aaron under the seve…

And indeed the purity of his nature, if it be everywhere contrary to all sinful impurity, it cannot but most appear in his peculiar dwelling house, that he will have neat and clean. If he hate sin all the world over, where its nearest him he hates it most, and testifies his hatr…

But much more is this tendency of grace to reveal itself in our solemn sequestration of ourselves, when we make our nearer approaches to him. (Leviticus 10:3) I will be sanctified in them that come near me, and before all the people will I be glorified. What is it to sanctify Go…

1. Duties of religion will not reverently and seriously be performed unless there be a deep awe of God upon our souls. God will be sanctified in all that draw near to him (Leviticus 10:3). Now what is it to sanctify God in our hearts, but to fear his majesty, and greatness, and…

It is a zeal that makes the glory of God its chief end, which swallows up all by-ends, The zeal of your house, has eaten me up (John 2:17). But now all zeal is not this kind of zeal, there is a false zeal, as well as a true, every grace has its counterfeit, as there is fire, whi…

(4.) There is a word that notes to be silent, not to speak, not to move (Joshua 10:12-13): the Sun was silent, it moved not. It notes a godly submission that the soul dare not speak against God (Psalm 37:7): rest in the Lord — [reconstructed: be subject to] JEHOVAH; LXX: sub dit…

God foretold the death of Eli's sons, 1 Samuel 2. 34. In one day they shall die both of them; but how patiently did he take this sad news, 1 Samuel 3. 18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good: See the difference between Eli and Pharaoh, Pharaoh says, who is the Lord?…

So, (Exodus 28:38) a miter shall be on Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, Hebrew: [in non-Latin alphabet], Venasa signifies to carry, or as the 70 translate it, [in non-Latin alphabet], Aaron shall take away, or, bear the punishment of the vio…

It's a sign of conformity with Christ, when we have a will so mortified, as it does lie level with God's providence. Aaron's sons are killed, and that by God immediately from heaven with fire, a judgment very hell-like (Leviticus 10:3). And Aaron held his peace, a will lying in…

(2.) God hates them. In the law the cormorant was unclean (Leviticus 11:17), because a thievish devouring creature, a bird of prey, by which God showed his hatred of this sin. (3.) The thief is a terror to himself, he is always in fear.

Settling on the lees, is an emblem of a dull, inactive soul. The snail by reason of its slow motion was reckoned among the unclean (Leviticus 11:30). A slothful man hides his hand in his bosom (Proverbs 19:24), he is loath to pull it out, though it be to lay hold on a crown: Non…

They were secondary laws invented by the curiosity of men, as if the plain command of God were not enough. God commanded that those who had contracted any defilement should wash themselves, (Leviticus 11:25, 28;) and this extended to cups, and pots, and raiment, and other articl…

They are like the lilies, which toil not, neither do they spin. The snail by reason of its slow motion, was reckoned among the unclean (Leviticus 11:30). Saint Austin calls idleness the burial of a man alive.

Whatever he does in religion, he does to purpose. Under the law, God rejected the snail and the ass (Leviticus 11:30; Exodus 13:13). And under the gospel, he allows no sluggish lazy professor (1 Timothy 5:11, 13).

Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, says our Savior. And here the Apostle, citing out of the Law: be holy for I am holy (Leviticus 11:44) — law and Gospel agree in this. And as children that resemble their fathers as they grow up in years, they grow more like them — t…

We read in the law that God would not have the donkey offered in sacrifice; he hates a dull temper of soul. The snail was accounted unclean (Leviticus 11:30); the slow-paced Christian will be caught in default at last and miss the prize. It reproves those who begin the race of C…

First, faith draws the heart of a Christian to live in some warrantable calling; as soon as ever a man begins to look towards God, and the ways of his grace, he will not rest, till he find out some warrantable calling and employment: an instance you have in the Prodigal son, tha…

For the first, the creature is then sanctified, when the curse and poison which sin brought upon it is removed, when we can use the creature with a clean conscience, and with assurance of a renewed and comfortable estate in them. It is an allusion to legal purifications and diff…

That they were poor appears, by their offering (Luke 2:24). A pair of turtledoves, which was the usual offering of the poor (Leviticus 12:8). Christ was so poor, that when he wanted money, he was fain to work a miracle for it (Matthew 17:27).

As Moses was, so Christ; Moses divided the sea as dry land, Christ walked upon it; Moses healed the bitter waters that were sick, Christ raised the dead: all the prejudice is, that he changed the Law of Moses into the rites and institutes of the Christian religion. Answer: That…

22. And after that the days of their "Les jours de la purification d'iceux, ou, d'icelle, assavoir de Marie," (Leviticus 12:6.) -- "The days of the purification of them, or, of her, namely of Mary," (Leviticus 12:6.) purification were fulfilled according to the law of Moses, the…

And it appears yet more remarkably, in the low circumstances of his incarnation. He was conceived in the womb of a poor young woman; whose poverty appeared in that when she came to offer sacrifices for her purification, she brought what was allowed of in the law only in case of…

God's commandment to this duty was first given to Abraham: and that for himself and all his posterity to observe (Genesis 17:10). After this it was in the law laid down as a positive statute (Leviticus 12:3). 2. The practice of the Jews in a faithful and constant observance of t…

Blessed is he who does righteousness at all times. Our obedience to the command must be as the fire of the altar which never went out (Leviticus 13:6). It must be as the motion of the pulse, always beating.

When the Word of God is in a drunkard's mouth, it is like a pearl hung upon a swine. Under the Law, the lips of the leper were to be covered (Leviticus 13:45). The lips of a profane drunken minister ought to be covered; he is unfit to speak of God's Word, because he takes God's…

It is a sign when the face breaks out in sores and pimples, that the blood is corrupt; so an unclean tongue may be compared to a sink, where all the filth of the house is carried forth. We read that the lips of the leper were to be covered (Leviticus 13:45). It were well if we h…

As if a company of archers were shooting, and one should go and stand in the place where the arrows fly, if the arrow did kill him, he is accessory to his own death. In the Law God would have the leper shut up to keep others from being infected (Leviticus 13:4). Now if any would…

Answ. We must not be our own judges in this case (Proverbs 28:26), He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: The heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and it is folly to trust a deceiver. The Lord only by his Word must be judge in this case, whether we are pardoned or no; as it w…

Lucian, who in the time of Emperor Trajan had professed religion, afterwards became so profane as to mock the Christians; and going about to rend religion with his jeers, at last he himself was rent asunder and devoured by dogs. When the scab of leprosy appeared, the person was…

A true penitent is troubled not only for the shameful consequence of sin, but the loathsome nature of sin — not only the sting of sin, but the deformed face. How did the leper loathe himself (Leviticus 13:45)? The Hebrew doctors say the leper pronounced unclean was to put a cove…

And if God establish David's seed forever (Psalm 89:4) and the seed of his people shall possess the gates of their enemies (Genesis 24:60) and if he pour his Spirit upon the seed of Jacob (Isaiah 44:3) and circumcise the heart of the seed of his people (Deuteronomy 30:6) and put…

As the ceremonies of the law had not yet been repealed, Christ did not wish that they should be despised or neglected. Now, God had commanded in the law that, if any man had been cleansed from leprosy, he should present himself to the priest with a sacrifice of thanksgiving, (Le…

14. Show yourselves to the priests This reply was equivalent to saying, ‘You are clean;’ for we know that the discernment of leprosy belonged to the priests, who were enjoined in the law to distinguish between the clean and the unclean, (Leviticus 14:2.) Thus Christ preserves th…

An ulcer in the flesh is more easily cured than one in the lungs; a disease that is inward cannot be so well reached; yes, it is not only in us, but it is riveted in us, it is gotten into the flesh and spirit, as if it were one with us, as the leopard's spots and the Ethiopian's…

Sin is a leprous spot. It makes everything we touch unclean: we read, when the leprosy did spread in the walls of the house, the priests commanded them to take away the stones in the wall, in which the plague was, and take other stones, and put in the place of those stones, and…

Answ. In such cases of necessity the body must be beaten down, and earnest prayer made for the gift of continence: for surely the Lord who has brought you to that necessity, will give you grace sufficient. 3. Against modesty, when husbands require this duty in that time, which u…

There is no part of him sound, —Totum pro vulnere corpus. The man who had his running issue in his flesh, Leviticus 15.2. was but a type of a sinner who has the plague-sores of sin running upon him, 1 Kings 8.38. Oh how ghastly and deformed is every Christless soul!

1. He presents the merit of his blood to his Father, and in the virtue of that price paid, pleads for mercy. The High Priest was in this a lively type of Christ; Aaron was to do four things: 1. Kill the beast; 2. to enter with the blood into the Holy of Holies; 3. to sprinkle th…

We read in the old law, First, None might come into the Holy of Holies where the mercy-seat stood, but the high priest; signifying, we have nothing to do with mercy, but through Christ our high priest. Secondly, the high priest might not come near the mercy-seat without blood (L…

This was kept continually burning, and when a new altar was made fire came from heaven (2 Kings 7:3). The high priest was to take fire from the altar whenever he offered incense (Leviticus 16:12). And therefore when Nadab and Abihu offered common fire of their own kindling (Levi…

I have known many (says Basil) pray and fast, but relieve not such as are in distress; they are for a zeal that puts them to no charges; what are they the better (says he) for all their seeming virtue? We read the incense was to be laid upon the fire. Leviticus 16. 13. The flame…

Eusebius says that Montanus was the first that made laws of fasting. It is objected that there is a set time of fasting prescribed in Leviticus 16:29. Answer: This set and prescribed fast was commanded of God as a part of the legal worship, which had its end in the death of Chri…

4. There is supposed the acceptation of that which intervenes by God, the party offended; and so it presupposes a covenant, whereby the Lord has condescended to accept of that offering. Take it in the sin-offering goat, the scapegoat (Leviticus 16), a living type of Christ, when…

And that which gives us this boldness, is that (as it is Hebrews 4:15-16), we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are: then follows, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, tha…

Not only has he once for all offered up his sacrifice, as the high priest under the law did once a year, but has entered within the veil to intercede, and thereby to make the benefits of his purchase effectual, and forthcoming to them, for whom his sacrifice was offered. Even as…

The one was done outside, the other within the holy of holies. This you may see in many places, especially Leviticus 16:11–16, where you have the law about the high priest entering into the holy of holies. He was not to come into the holy place until first he had offered a sacri…

When this curse then shall be removed, the Prophet has good cause to affirm that the fathers, with their offspring, shall be freed from fears and distractions, because being in God's favor, they shall be always so secured from fears and dangers, that they shall dwell in safety.…

For this reason the apostle, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, (13:12,) refers it to an ancient figure of the law. For as God commanded his people to burn without the camp the bodies of those animals, the blood of which was carried into the sanctuary to make atonement for sins, (Ex…

A being baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins, implied faith in Christ for the remission of sins. Repentance for the remission of sins, was typified of old by the priests confessing the sins of the people over the scapegoat, laying his hands on him (Leviticus…

These things being premised, we may consider what was the mind and aim of God in the Institution of this worship. One instance, and that of the most solemn, of the whole kind, will resolve us in this inquiry, Leviticus 16:5. Two Kids of the Goats are taken for an offering for si…

Jacob wrestled with the angel in prayer (Genesis 32:24). The incense was to be laid upon burning coals (Leviticus 16:22). Incense was a type of prayer, and the incense upon coals, was a type of fervency in prayer.

Another thing that the ancient Jews say was wanting in the second temple, was the Shechinah, or cloud of glory over the mercy-seat. This was promised to be in the tabernacle: Leviticus 16:2. "For I will appear in the tabernacle upon the mercy-seat."

There be two words in Isaiah, the one bearing, the other [reconstructed: taking] away, this is also that taking away the sins of the world in St. John (1:29). Which answers to both, and so he, to both the goats (Leviticus 16). He did bear our sins on his cross, and from there to…

What are they the better for all their seeming virtue? We read that the incense was to be laid upon the fire (Leviticus 16:13); the flame of devotion must be perfumed with the incense of charity. Aaron was to have a bell and a pomegranate; the pomegranate, as some of the learned…

'Father' implies faith; 'we cry' implies fervency. The incense was to be laid upon burning coals (Leviticus 16:12); the incense was a type of prayer, the burning coals of ardency in prayer. Elijah prayed earnestly (James 5:17); in the Greek it is 'in praying he prayed' — that is…

But yet this seems not to satisfy. 1. Circumcision, and the ceremonies; and the priesthood (Exodus 40:15), (Leviticus 16:29) the fast in the seventh month, shall be a statute, for ever. (Leviticus 6:18) All the [reconstructed: males] of the sons of Aaron shall eat the remainder…

Therefore in every offering for sin, he that brought it was to put his hand on the head of it, Leviticus 1:4. And that the transferring of the guilt of sin unto the offering, was thereby signified, is expressly declared, Leviticus 16:21. Wherefore if God made the Lord Christ a s…

The scripture plainly declares that faith as Justifying, respects the sacerdotal Office and Actings of Christ alone. In the great Representation of the justification of the church of Old in the Expiatory sacrifice, when all their sins and iniquities were pardoned, and their pers…

He had also a censer filled with fire, that was taken from the altar of burnt offerings, where atonement was made for sin with blood. Upon his actual entrance through the veil, he put the incense on the fire in the censer, until the cloud of its smoke covered the ark and the mer…

(Isaiah 53:10) He made his soul an offering for sin. This atonement of blood was typified in Aaron, who (Leviticus 16:20-21) was to lay both his hands on the head of the live-goat, and to confess the sins of the people, and did translate them off from the people; so as the goat…

Moses says to Aaron's sons, (Leviticus 10:17) God has given you the sin offering, to bear the iniquity of the congregation. [in non-Latin alphabet], Aaron and his sons did bear the sins of the people as types of Christ, not by an intrinsical guilt put on them, but by mere imputa…

They sacrificed to devils, not to God; to new gods. These new gods were old devils (Leviticus 17:7). And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to devils; the Hebrew word Lashegnirim, is the Hairy Ones, because the devils were hairy, and appeared in the forms of satyrs and go…

(3.) He is not a lawful Monarch, but usurps; and therefore is called the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), not that he has any Godhead, properly so called. 1. It's true, a black Monarch wears Christ's fair Crown, and intrudes on his Throne, in every false worship: as Leviti…

And by that means did God show himself favorable towards them, as he did towards the rest of the world. And for that cause also does Saint Paul add, that God being rich in mercy, has quickened them, as he did the Gentiles, even according to his great love with which he loved the…

1. Circumcision, and the ceremonies; and the priesthood (Exodus 40:15), (Leviticus 16:29) the fast in the seventh month, shall be a statute, for ever. (Leviticus 6:18) All the [reconstructed: males] of the sons of Aaron shall eat the remainder of the meat-offering, it shall be a…

He exalted himself by virtue of this darkness (as he is the prince of darkness) into the place and room of God, as the object of the religious worship of men. For the things which the gentiles sacrificed, they sacrificed unto devils, and not to God (1 Corinthians 10:21; Leviticu…

Not but that God did enjoin those religious rites of worship; but the meaning is, God looked chiefly at obedience, without which sacrifice was but devout folly. The end why God has given us his law is obedience (Leviticus 18:4). You shall do my judgments, and keep my ordinances.

For by the word name, he understands the lawful estate of the people, which had always flourished, if the course of God's blessing had not been stopped. And whereas he says the people were abolished, this must be understood in respect of the land of Canaan, out of which God's pe…

But what is that righteousness of the law? Do these things, and you shall live (Leviticus 18:5; Galatians 3:12). But none can do them.

As if we asserted that true righteousness is not laid down in the law, or complained that its instruction is in fault for not justifying us, and not rather that it is weak through our flesh, (Romans 8:3.) In the commandments of God, as we have a hundred times acknowledged, life…

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul?” (Deuteronomy 10:12.) Vain and deceitful, also, would have been…

For the same reason the Apostle says, that we do not swear in a right manner, unless we swear by the greater, and that it belongs to God alone to swear by himself, (Hebrews 6:13.) Thus anyone who, in ancient times, swore by "Moloch," (Leviticus 18:21,) or by any other idol, with…

And certainly we ought to believe that God comprehended in his law the way of living holily and righteously, in which righteousness is included; for not without reason did Moses make this statement, He that does these things shall live in them, (Leviticus 18:5;) And again,

With respect to the law, (Deuteronomy 25:5,) by which God commanded the relatives, who were nearest of kin, to succeed the dead in marriage, if the first had died without children, the reason was, that the woman who had married into a particular family should leave offspring in…

For you see that Paul also has so taken it, not of a temporal or transitory life only, which pleases many. And Paul reasons thus from that place, seeing no man can obtain righteousness prescribed in the law, but he that fulfills exactly every part thereof: and all men have alway…

Which we have once more confirmed to us, (Ezekiel 20:11) I gave them my statutes and my judgments; which if a man do, he shall even live in them. All which places are transcribed from that of Moses, (Leviticus 18:5) you shall keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man do,…

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, etc. Thirdly, here likewise are forbidden all incestuous mixtures, or uncleanness between those who are related to each other within the degrees of kindred specified (Levitic…

Contrary are those unnatural commixtures of parties of the same sex: which the Apostle reckons up as judgments inflicted on the heathen, because they changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped, and served the creature more than the Creator. 3. One beyond those degrees o…

For what can be expected from such polluted copulation, but a leprous and loathsome generation? This kind of intemperance is expressly forbidden (Leviticus 18:19) and a capital punishment inflicted on such as offended therein (Leviticus 20:18). Abstinence in this time is set in…

And did not the Saints, under the Old Testament, obtain Life this Way? Leviticus 18:5. He that does them (that is the Commands of God) shall live in them, Ezekiel 20:11; this Promise is repeated: And in Ezekiel 30:15.

It is notable, that God backs his laws with the consideration of his sovereignty, you shall do thus and thus, why? I am the Lord, that's all his reason (Leviticus 18:4-5), it is repeated in that and many places in the next chapter. The Papists speak much of blind obedience, obey…

But as we should not be conformed to this world at large, so not to any part of it. Is there any sin by which the land is defiled (for which the land mourns) and is ready to spit out the inhabitants thereof for it (Leviticus 18:27-28), take heed you be not found guilty; but be o…

Why must there be practice? The reason is, because it is only practice that answers God's end in giving us his Word both written and preached. Leviticus 18:4: you shall do my judgments and keep my ordinances to walk therein. Deuteronomy 26:16: this day the Lord your God has comm…

7th Commandment: You shall not commit, etc. He breaks this commandment: who looks on a woman to lust after her (Matthew 5:28); who commits incest (Leviticus 18:22); who commits sodomy (1 Corinthians 6:9); who commits fornication with married or single or contracted people (Deute…

The earth mourns and fades away, the world mourns, languishes and fades away. See also Psalm 98:8, Isaiah 16:8, Isaiah 35:1-2, Isaiah 49:13, Leviticus 18:28, etc. Now rejoicing, shouting for joy, singing, breaking forth into singing, clapping of hands, crying out, answering, mou…

In that covenant you may consider, what it did require on our parts, and what it did give on God's part; on our parts it required perfect obedience of the whole man, to the whole law all our days, according to that Galatians 3:10. Now that which God did give on his part was, tha…

It is a saying of Anselm, If hell were on one side, and sin on the other, I would rather leap into hell, than willingly sin against my God. 1. This glorious and fearful name: He who fears God will not sin, though it be never so secret (Leviticus 19:14): You shall not curse the d…

To commit sin is bad enough, but to swear we will commit sin, is a high profaning of God's name, and is as it were to call God to approve our sin. 3. Forswearing: This is a heaven-daring sin (Leviticus 19:12). You shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shall you profane my…

3. The prudence of the serpent, and innocency of the dove is seen in this; to reprove the sin, yet love the person. We are commanded to reprove; Leviticus 19:17: "You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall rebuke him, and not suffer sin upon him." Not to reprove si…

These are fathers for seniority, on whose wrinkled brows, and in the furrows of whose cheeks is pictured the map of old age. These fathers are to be honored (Leviticus 19:32): You shall rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man. Especially those are to be…

This veneration or reverence must be shown, 1. Inwardly, by fear mixed with love (Leviticus 19:3). You shall fear every man his mother and his father.

And under this head of stealing away others' money, there may be several arraigned for thieves. (1.) The highway thief, who takes a purse contrary to the letter of this commandment (Leviticus 19:13): You shall not rob your neighbor. (Mark 10:19) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Do n…

It is to the soul as lightning to the air, which cleanses it. 2. Get love to your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). Then there would not be [in non-Latin alphabet].

The Devil can lead them into any snare; you may lead a blind man any where. God made a law that the Jews should not put a stumbling block in the way of the blind (Leviticus 19:14). Satan knows it is easy to put a temptation in the way of the blind at which they shall stumble int…

And so wherever he came he did not only show them what they should do, what shall we publicans do, and what shall we soldiers do? (Luke 3:3 to 15) but he did burn up not only those who were professed enemies to the ways of grace, but all those that he found in hypocrisy he burnt…

Be not high minded but fear; to show you, that when we see other men through unbelief, and corruption fall into any sin, we ought to benefit ourselves thereby, not to be high minded upon this occasion, to bless ourselves, and we thank God it is not with us as it is with other me…

For this we must trust God, though for the present we displease our friends. So (Leviticus 19:17). You shall not hate your brother in your heart by suffering sin upon him.

Contrary to this, is the common practice in backbiting, whispering, and tale-bearing, whereby it comes to pass, that when a man is in fault, every man knows it, save he which is in fault. This vice the law of God expressly forbids (Leviticus 19:16). And it is the property of a g…

Now that men are to be reproved for known sins committed against God, of what nature, quality, and condition soever they be, besides the former reasons, it is manifest. Leviticus 19:17: You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall plainly rebuke him, and shall no…

But as the law had been corrupted by false expositions, and turned to a profane meaning, Christ vindicates it against such corruptions, and points out its true meaning, from which the Jews had departed. That the doctrine of the law not only commences, but brings to perfection, a…

There is an objection that may be made concerning this act of Job, (because afterward it is said, that in all this Job sinned not) whether or not Job might shave his head without sin? For you have an express rule to the contrary, (Leviticus 19:27; Leviticus 21:5): You shall not…

He ought to provide for them food and clothing; or else in lieu of any of these, faithfully to pay them their agreed wages. (Leviticus 19:13) The wages of him that is hired shall not abide all night with you, until the morning. And again, (Deuteronomy 24:14-15) You shall not opp…

And therefore we have so many express commands given us against this sin. (Leviticus 19:11) You shall not deal falsely, nor lie one to another. (Colossians 3:9) Lie not one to another.

Again, no friend, no parent, no other party will or can so willingly and cheerfully do any kindness for one, as a man for himself. This among other is one especial point which the law aims at, when it enjoins a man to love his neighbor as himself (Leviticus 19:18), namely, as wi…

As a general answer to these and all other such pretenses as can be alleged, let it be noted that the Lord does not only in express terms charge children to fear their mother, but also (the more to press this point) sometime sets the mother in the first place, thus; You shall fe…

Among many other means to make servants faithful to their master, and careful to perform other duties sincerely, willingly, cheerfully, and diligently, as has before been noted, this is one of the most general, namely, that servants, in all things they do for their master, make…

Or, 3. We talk of other men's matters or faults, as the Apostle speaks of those (1 Timothy 5:13) that wandered from house to house; that not being idle only, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. (Leviticus 19:16) You shall not go up and down a…

The thought of this should prevail with us the more, because the payment of a debt to a man should not be delayed, to put off a poor man till tomorrow when you have it by you (Proverbs 3:28). And the wages of a servant should not abide with us (Leviticus 19:13). We are not to de…

He that fears God needs no other theater than his own conscience; nor other spectators than God and his holy Angels. So to hinder us from contriving mischief in secret, when others are not aware of it (Leviticus 19:14), "You shall not curse the deaf man, nor lay a stumbling bloc…

Leviticus 19:17. You shall not hate your brother in your heart: you shall in any wise rebuke your neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Waiving all prefaces and introductions, we may observe in these words three parts.

Words are precious commodities, and should not be exposed at an adventure: What's beyond yes and no, and reaches to superfluity, comes of evil, and evil comes of it (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). And if you tell untruths and lies, it's as bad as stealing (Leviticus 19:11): you shal…

Were it not that sin is odious to them, good men would not be at the cost and charges, nor run the hazard of reproving others for it; reproving others is a thankless office, and unacceptable employment, for the most part. Men take reproofs for reproach, yet God having laid it on…

And there is a merciful cruelty, when we are sharp against men's sins, and will not let them go to hell quietly. Leviticus 19:17: You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall in any wise rebuke your neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Fond pity is no better than c…

There are some who will buzz things in our ears on purpose to provoke. Among these we may rank talebearers (Leviticus 19:16). The talebearer carries reports up and down; the devil sends his letters by this messenger.

Love is both a new commandment and an old. It is an old commandment, because it is a law written in the heart of man by the pen of nature, as with the point of a diamond; and it is old because it is written in the ancient statutes and records (Leviticus 19:18): you shall love yo…

Christian duties that relate to our neighbor must be observed in their season. Our reproving others must be seasonable; reproof is a duty — when we see others walk irregularly, like soldiers that march out of rank and file, we ought mildly yet gravely to tell them of their sin (…

We may, nay we must grant a two-fold praying in our Savior, one by virtue of his office as he was Mediator, the other in answer of his duty, as he was subject to the law and a private person. It is true, he who was Mediator was made a subject to the law, but yet those things whi…

For when the Lord does vouchsafe to deal thus mercifully with us, to call us into the company of his people, he chooses us (says Moses) that we should be a peculiar people to himself, a holy people, and should keep his commandments (Deuteronomy 7:6). From where also comes this e…

2nd Commandment: You shall make to yourself no graven image, etc. He breaks this commandment: who represents God in an image (Exodus 32:6-8); who worships God in or at images, as crucifixes and such like (2 Kings 18:4); who kneels down before an image; who is bodily present at M…

Nehemiah dared not do as former governors had done: though an opportunity presented itself to enrich himself; because of the fear of God (Nehemiah 5:15). The soul that lives under the awe of this eye will be as conscientious where no discovery can be made by creatures, as if all…

With pardoning love God gives subduing grace. 9. God shows his mercy in sanctifying us (Leviticus 20:8): I am the Lord that sanctify you. This is the partaking of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

We borrow all our holiness from God, as the lights of the sanctuary were lighted from the middle lamp; so all the holiness of others is a lamp lighted from heaven. (Leviticus 20:8) "I am the Lord which sanctify you." God is not only a pattern of holiness, but he is a principle o…

Eighthly, this sin of adultery ushers in temporal judgments. The Mosaic Law made adultery a death penalty (Leviticus 20:10): The adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. The usual death was stoning (Deuteronomy 22:24).

And therefore we must hold them for the limbs of the devil, and his wicked instruments to draw men from God; and so in no case go to them for any help: for in so doing, we forsake the living Lord and his help, and seek for help at the devil; than which what can be more odious? B…

The blessed seraphims cover their faces, and cry holy, holy, but what angels can take the just dimensions of his sanctity? they are too low of stature to measure these pyramids. 2. God is communicatively holy; I am the Lord which sanctifies you (Leviticus 20:8). He is not only a…

Consider another reason: the whole land (says the Lord) shall be defiled with blood, till his blood be shed that kills a man (Numbers 35:33). Example 6. The adulterer and the adulteress shall both be put to death (Leviticus 20). This judicial law serves to uphold and maintain ch…

22. They shall not build, and another inhabit: they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of the tree are the days of my people, and my elect shall in old age enjoy the work of their hands. In these two verses he puts them in mind of the blessings contained in the la…

Or as they who have familiar spirits, or wizards, are said to peep and to mutter (Isaiah 8:19). A witch or wizard, is called there and in other places of Scripture (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:11) Ob, which signifies a bottle or bladder, because such being possessed or acted…

It is called a great wickedness against God, even on the unmarried man's part. And (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22) the temporal punishment assigned to it, is no less than death: the same punishment that belonged to murder, and greater than was inflicted for theft. And if hu…

For what can be expected from such polluted copulation, but a leprous and loathsome generation? This kind of intemperance is expressly forbidden (Leviticus 18:19) and a capital punishment inflicted on such as offended therein (Leviticus 20:18). Abstinence in this time is set in…

And conversely, if we despise our fathers and mothers, and hold scorn to do our duties towards them: God is expressly offended in it, not only because we break the commandment of his law, but also because we despise his majesty, of which our fathers and mothers do bear a certain…

2nd Commandment: You shall make to yourself no graven image, etc. He breaks this commandment: who represents God in an image (Exodus 32:6-8); who worships God in or at images, as crucifixes and such like (2 Kings 18:4); who kneels down before an image; who is bodily present at M…

For the opening the nature of Sanctification, I shall lay down these seven positions. 1. Sanctification is a supernatural thing; it is divinely infused; we are naturally polluted, and to cleanse God takes to be his prerogative (Leviticus 21:8): I am the Lord that sanctifies you.…

There is an objection that may be made concerning this act of Job, (because afterward it is said, that in all this Job sinned not) whether or not Job might shave his head without sin? For you have an express rule to the contrary, (Leviticus 19:27; Leviticus 21:5): You shall not…

And further, this holy practice of Abel, came to be a law written, even one of the commandments of the Ceremonial law; namely, that the first born should be offered to God, Exodus 34:19. And the first fruits of the corn, Leviticus 23:10 etc. And that nothing that was lame, blind…

See the force of this argument founded upon this notion and consideration, that Christ was a common person representing all the rest; and this strongly presented in that expression of his being the first-fruits, in allusion to the rite in the Levitical law. All the sheaves in a…

For the prophet had shown at large the passion and sufferings of Christ (Isaiah 53), and hereupon he says, Rejoice you barren. The Israelites were commanded to feast and to be merry before the Lord (Leviticus 23:40; 1 Chronicles 29:32), that is, before the Lord's Ark, which was…

The Church then is compared to pavilions, because she has no settled habitation in this world: for she seems to be fleeting, and a pilgrim, in that she is subject to be often transported here and there, by reason of her diverse changes. And yet I doubt not but he aims at that fi…

Seeing then that there is nothing in all that which they do that may be approved of, we may simply condemn them. But Isaiah's dispute was in another kind: for the fast which the Jews observed was laudable in itself, because God had instituted it (Leviticus 23:27 and 16:29-30). B…

2. There is no such refreshing thing in all the work of creation of Christ, no such feast, as the warming of a sinner's heart with love to him is: This (Luke 7:47.) is thought more of by Christ in a poor woman, than all the great feast he was invited to by the rich Pharisee. Aga…

And lastly, there was ordained likewise the Feast of Tabernacles, on the fifteenth day of the same month, and this was to last not only one day, but a whole week together, and was instituted to be a memorial to them of their journey through the wilderness, wherein for forty year…

Or to shed tears, than when the Nation hath shed so much blood. These days are called in Scripture, Soul-afflicting days, Leviticus 23. 29. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

1. Circumcision, and the ceremonies; and the priesthood (Exodus 40:15), (Leviticus 16:29) the fast in the seventh month, shall be a statute, for ever. (Leviticus 6:18) All the [reconstructed: males] of the sons of Aaron shall eat the remainder of the meat-offering, it shall be a…

Reason 1. Taken from the place, and standing which the people of God have, in the countries in which they do inhabit; they stand there as the first fruits of a nation (James 1:18; Revelation 14:4). Now in the sanctification of the first fruits, stood the sanctification of the wh…

2. Blasphemy. He who did blaspheme God, the Lord caused him to be stoned to death (Leviticus 24:11, 23). The Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed.

Eli's two disobedient sons were slain (1 Samuel 4:11). God made a law that the rebellious son should be stoned; the same death the blasphemer had (Leviticus 24:14; Deuteronomy 21:18). If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father or the…

Therefore sin is put for punishment, (Genesis 4:13). My iniquity (says Cain) is more than I can bear; or, My punishment is more than I can bear. (Leviticus 24:15). He that curses his God, shall bear his sin. (Ezekiel 23:49). And you shall bear the sins of your idols.

For witches renounce God, and human society: and therefore are worthily cut off: though they do no hurt: even because they make a league with the devil. Example 3. He that blasphemes the name of God, shall be put to death (Leviticus 24:16). Understand this law of manifest and no…

The latter clause which he quotes, he who kills shall be liable to the judgment, confirms what I said a little before, that Christ charges them with turning into a political scheme the law of God, which had been given for the government of the heart. 22. But I say to you His rep…

Here another error is corrected. God had enjoined, by his law, (Leviticus 24:20,) that judges and magistrates should punish those who had done injuries, by making them endure as much as they had inflicted. The consequence was, that every one seized on this as a pretext for takin…

The Scripture is called the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:7; 2 Kings 23:4; 2 Chronicles 34:30, 21). The question is easily determined — it can be the Book of no Covenant, but of that made with Abraham, the oath to Jacob (1 Chronicles 16:16, 17; Psalm 105:9; Jeremiah 11:5; Dani…

3rd Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord, etc. He breaks this commandment: who does irreverently use God's titles in his talk (Philippians 2:10); who swears to do a thing lawful and good and yet does it not (Matthew 5:23); who swears rashly (Jeremiah 4:2); who us…

A believer may fall from some degrees of grace, but not from the state of grace. An Israelite could never wholly sell or alienate his land of inheritance (Leviticus 25:23). A type of our heavenly inheritance which cannot be wholly alienated from us.

If you had a friend who should say, Come when you will to me, I will supply you with money: would you think it a trouble to visit that friend often? God commands us to fear him (Leviticus 25:43). But fear your God.

Thus he goes to support his covetousness with Scripture. Response: It is true, God has told you to take pains in a calling, but not hurt your neighbor; he has told you to provide for your family, but not by oppression (Leviticus 25:14): "You shall not oppress one another." He ha…

Quest. How [illegible] show our honor to our Father in Heaven? Resp. 1. By having a reverential awe of God upon us (Leviticus 25:17). You shall fear your God: This reverential fear of God is when we dare do nothing that he has forbidden in his Word (Genesis 39:9).

Some masters are cruel to the souls of their servants; they look that they do the work about the house, but abridge them of time they should employ in working out salvation. (5.) Masters should use mild gentle behavior towards servants (Ephesians 6:9), forbearing threatening (Le…

This over-reaching others in selling, (which is a cunning way of stealing) is both against law and gospel. 1. It is against the law of God. (Leviticus 25:14) If you sell anything to your neighbor, you shall not oppress one another. And, 2. Against gospel. (1 Thessalonians 4:6) L…

Second Arg. If infants may be among the number of God's servants, then there is no reason why they should be shut out of God's family: but infants may be in the number of God's servants: that is evident, because God calls them his servants. Leviticus 25:4: "He shall depart from…

They would pick out the best grains of the wheat, and sell the worst at the same price as they did the best; to mix a coarser commodity with a fine, and yet sell it all for fine, is no better than deceit (Isaiah 1:22). Fourthly, beware of stretching your consciences too far, or…

But we must not do so: our conversation must be in heaven, from whence we look for our Savior Jesus Christ. Thirdly, we must have a serious care and endeavor to please God: for, all the earth is his, and we are but sojourners in his sight; therefore as the Pilgrim is careful to…

And in place of altars which were under the law, we have now the Lord's table on which we celebrate the sacrament of his body and blood, to show forth his death till he come. The fourth point is, concerning the time of Christ's oblation, which he himself calls the acceptable yea…

Now the Prophet affirms that he is the herald of the grace which is to be revealed, the time of which rests wholly in the disposition of the Almighty: for as himself was to be the redeemer of his Church by his mere favor, so was it in his own power (and that by good right) to ma…

And thus I have done with the first and greatest kind of theft, taking away what rightfully belongs to another, whether God or man. Secondly, another kind of theft is oppression, and unreasonable exaction; and this especially is the sin of superiors towards their inferiors, taki…

A reproof will work more effectually with some than stripes; and those who have ingenuous spirits, though in a servile condition, will either be discouraged, or exasperated by a too-rigorous usage. And God has expressly interposed his will in this particular (Leviticus 25:34): Y…

It is only of the first of these, the temporal Sabbath, that I am now speaking. And here, neither shall I speak of the Sabbath of years, when the land was every seventh year to rest from the labor of tillage and husbandry, as we find it (Leviticus 25:4): The seventh year shall b…

So that the gospel shall begin to be preached with abundantly greater clearness and power than had heretofore been: for this great work of God shall be brought to pass by the preaching of the gospel, as it is represented in Revelation 14:6-8 that before Babylon falls, the gospel…

How needful it is for the establishment of a commonwealth that families should thus be continued, is evident both by experience to all such as have but half an eye to see wherein the stability of a commonwealth consists, and also by the many laws which God ordained among the Jew…

The fourth point to be noted of a master's power over his servants respects their persons, which so properly belong to a master for the time of their service, as he may not only keep them himself for his own service, but also pass them over, and give, or sell them to another. By…

And therefore the publication of the gospel is compared to the year of Jubilee; (Luke 4:19) Christ came to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. It relates to the year of Jubilee, wherein all debts were canceled; it was a year of general releasement, proclaimed by sound of tru…

There could be no reconciliation, no amity, no alliance, until sin was expiated, and Justice satisfied: therefore Christ was not only made of a woman, but made under the law; first, our brother by [reconstructed: Incarnation], and then our Redeemer by his death and suffering. As…

First reason: God commands. There is an express statute-law (Leviticus 25:35): If your brother grows poor and falls into decay with you, you shall relieve him. The Hebrew word means 'you shall strengthen him' — put under him a silver crutch when he is falling.

I begin with the first — the act, looking. There is a threefold looking. A looking with desire, as the servant looked for the year of jubilee and release (Leviticus 25:40), or as the bride looks for the marriage day. Now it is a time of absence from our husband Christ; therefore…

2. Debasing a commodity, Amos 8:6. They sell the refuse of the wheat: they would pick out the best grains of the wheat, and sell the worst at the same price as they did the best, Isaiah 1:22. Thy wine is mixed with water: they did adulterate their wine, yet make their customers…

Is it not sad to grieve our Comforter? 3. Sin is an act of contumacy against God; a walking antipodes to heaven (Leviticus 26:27): If you will walk contrary to me. A sinner tramples upon God's law, crosses his will, does all he can to affront, yes to spite God.

So that image-worship is contrary to our own homilies, and does affront the authority of the Church of England. Secondly, image-worship is expressly against the letter of Scripture (Leviticus 26:1). You shall make no graven image, neither shall you set up any image of stone to b…

All God's judgments set themselves in battle array against the disobedient. First, temporal judgments (Leviticus 26:15-16). Second, eternal: Christ comes in flames of fire to take vengeance on them that obey not (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

2. He who has a child-like heart grieves for sin, as it is an act of enmity. Sin is diametrically opposite to God: It is called a walking contrary to God (Leviticus 26:40): If they shall confess their iniquity, and that they have walked contrary to me. Sin does all it can to spi…

It consists in two things. (1.) Humiliation (Leviticus 26:41): "If their uncircumcised hearts be humbled." There is (as the schoolmen say) a two-fold humiliation, or breaking of the heart.

Pharaoh's head was crowned, though his heart was hardened. Position 7. Mercy coming to us in a covenant is sweetest: it was mercy that God would give Israel rain, and bread to the full, and peace, and victory over their enemies (Leviticus 26:4-6). But it was a greater mercy, tha…

We justify God, and confess he punishes us less than we deserve (Ezra 9:13). (3.) Patient submission to God's will lies in the accepting of the punishment (Leviticus 26:41): And they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity. Accepting of the punishment; that is, taking al…

See this in Joseph's brethren, who went on a long time without any remorse for selling their brother: But when they were stayed in Egypt, then they are roused up, and can say, Genesis 42:21, This trouble is come upon us, for selling our brother. Secondly, afflictions serve to hu…

O let not that which God has threatened as a judgment upon the wicked ever seize upon the breasts of the righteous. 'I will send faintness into their hearts in the land of their enemies,' said God, 'and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them' (Leviticus 26:36). O what poor-…

Being then deprived of such a mercy, they justly felt the difference between the present evils, and the former benefits which they once enjoyed. This text will be the easier to understand out of Moses, whom the Prophets often follow: for in the promises, he says thus in express…

Again he shows by the effects, how desirable a thing it is to be converted to God; seeing this is the fruit of true repentance, that God will receive into his favor the repentant; and will so bless them, that nothing shall be wanting: indeed, rather they shall be satisfied to th…

For this cause he shows how the Jews being returned home from their captivity, to enjoy a true and full deliverance, shall not labor in vain; neither shall their works be fruitless. The law threatens the death of friends, wars, loss of goods, and anguish of mind (Leviticus 26:22…

But the Lord deals thus with the wicked, never ceasing to afflict them, till he has wholly overwhelmed and rooted them out, because they having been often summoned to repentance have refused, and still refuse to be reconciled to him. We are not therefore to marvel if plagues aft…

And justly does the Lord speak in this manner; for that deliverance was a sort of birth of the nation. Then were openly produced letters of adoption, when, by the promulgation of the law, they became “the Lord’s portion,” (Deuteronomy 32:9,) “a royal priesthood, and a holy natio…

there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few, (1 Samuel 14:6.) As the blessing of God can make one loaf suffice as well as twenty for satisfying a great multitude, so, if that be wanting, a hundred loaves will not be a sufficient meal for ten men; for when the sta…

Third, this repentance that has been described, is indeed the special condition of remission of sin. This seems very evident by the Scripture, as particularly, Mark 1:4: John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. So, Luke…

Secondly observe, Satan tries another way, and he tries a way more probable and efficacious for his ends than the former; when a weaker will not do it, he provides stronger means. As God in punishing or chastening sinners, when a lesser judgment will not humble them, he sends a…

3. Because they will not hearken to the voice of lesser afflictions; when God's word is not heard, he speaks by his rod; when his rod is not heard, he shoots with his arrows and strikes with his sword; and if lesser afflictions be not minded, then God speaks by more dreadful awa…

5. God does expect that London should be humble under these judgements. God inflicted judgements on the children of Israel in the wilderness, to humble them (Deuteronomy 8:16), and he promises after the sorest distresses which he brings his people into for their sins, to remembe…

But now, when this was brought to pass, God set up his tabernacle in the midst of his people, as he had before promised them. Leviticus 26:11. "I will set up my tabernacle among you" The tabernacle was set up at Shiloh, Joshua 18:1, and the priests and Levites had their offices…

O 'tis a spending day to him. When he has gathered in the crop of one duty, he is not to sit down satisfied with it, or say as that rich worldling did (Luke 12:19), Soul take your ease, you have goods laid up for many years, but must to plow again, and count it well if the vinta…

So does God; wherever he plants a church there does he fix his habitation, intending there to dwell (Psalm 46:5): God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Thus God came to dwell upon his own fee and inheritance, in Judea (Leviticus 26:11-12): And I will set my taberna…

(1.) You must humble yourselves under his mighty hand (when you are exercised with great and sore temptations) and accept the punishment of your iniquity, without murmuring; that's the only way to get it off, when you own it as the fruit of sin. (Leviticus 26:41) If then their u…

And therefore the apostle makes it to be an argument of God's bounty to the heathen, that as he gave them food, so he gave them gladness of heart: (Acts 14:17). He gave them rain from Heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness: that is, gave them a…

O what a heavy judgment was it, to be given up to the counsels of their own heart! 2. It reproves such as do not consult with God's word about their affairs, but merely live as they are acted by their own lusts, or walk at all adventures; so the expression in the marginal readin…

God's judgments are to break our carnal dependencies. 3. Still the hope increases, when we acknowledge his justice and wisdom in all our troubles (Leviticus 26:41). If then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity, kiss the…

How few are there that give him thanks for his seasonable discipline, and observe God's faithfulness and the benefit they have by afflictions, but rather murmur, repine and fret through impatience? If it be good to be afflicted, let us accept of it, for good is matter of choice…

When the soul keeps silence to God, and a due and suitable impression is left upon it, of his justice by a meek and humble submission (Micah 7:9): I will bear the indignation of the Lord, for I have sinned against him. When God is angry, and chastises for sin, we must stoop humb…

The Lord your God shall circumcise your heart, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, that you may live. It was figured in the cutting of the foreskin, or the circumcision of the flesh; which because it was an action done with pain, sometimes note…

1. Then the sinfulness of sin not only appears by, but consists in this, that it is contrary to God, yes, contrariety and enmity itself in the very abstract: Carnal men, or sinners, are called by the name of enemies to God (Romans 5:8, 10; Colossians 1:21), but the carnal mind o…

First, we must mourn for sin as it is an act of hostility and enmity. Sin does not only make us unlike God, but contrary to God (Leviticus 26:40): They have walked contrary to me. Sin affronts and resists the Holy Ghost (Acts 7:51).

For the Lord expressly tells them, when he took them by the hand as his married people, to bring them out of the land of Egypt, and out of the house of bondage (Exodus 20), he meant no other Covenant than he made with Abraham, of believing (Genesis 15), and of walking before him…

Quest. Whether are there fewer threats of temporal evils under the New Covenant than under the Old? Answ. It cannot be denied, except the threats of the Sword, Famine, Pestilence on Jerusalem, and the desolation upon the Jews (Matthew 23; Matthew 24) but in place of all the dise…

(5.) Infants are debarred from Covenant-calling and gathering in under the wings of Christ: contrary to Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 23:37, Psalm 147:19-20, and excluded from God's Covenant-choice: contrary to Deuteronomy 7:6-9, 13-14, Deuteronomy 10:15, and left being heirs of wra…

Only there is a warrant to say that the Covenant is everlasting: first, because it goes beyond time and stands with the dead in Christ (Matthew 22:32); second, because two great promises of the Covenant — the rising of the body and life everlasting — are fulfilled after time is…

The servant is smitten and sickened, for the master's sake, and God may take from them what he gave them, their lives without sense of pain and dolor, for all beings, yea defects and privations are debtors to the glory declarative of God (Proverbs 16:4; Romans 11:36), yea and no…

We look little to anything but to have and enjoy the dead lump and body of gold, dead lands without Christ. See (Hosea 2:18, 22; Ezekiel 34:25, 27; Ezekiel 36:29; Leviticus 26:6; Psalm 37:9, 11, 29; 1 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 13:5-6; Matthew 6:25-26; Psalm 34:10). O fair inheritance.

Our turning away our eye from the Covenant is the cause why we succumb; Christ, under his sorest assault with hell and hell's pursuivants and officers, devils, and the felt anger of a forsaking God, doubles his grips on the Covenant, my God, my God (Psalm 22:1) (Matthew 27), O m…

14. And upon this account there is required a deadening of our hearts to shipping and trading with diverse mighty nations, as we see in the case of Tyre (Ezekiel 27), of Babylon (Revelation 18:11-13; Jeremiah 51). So are we to be mortified to fair houses (Isaiah 5:8), stately ci…

Then if both agreed to dispense with that law-way to save man; here is covenant-condescension between Jehovah and the Son, of quieting law, and pitching on a mild Gospel-way. 7. Argument, from the promises made to Christ: He to whom the promises are made, as to the seed, so as i…

Sin is a walking Antipodes to God, and if men walk contrary to God, is it a wonder God walks contrary to them? Leviticus 26.17. If you will walk contrary to me, then I will also walk contrary to you, and I even I will chastise you seven times more for your sins.

Verse 5: I said I will confess my transgression to the Lord, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. And this is not an Old Testament spirit only, for the same promise is (1 John 1:8-9): If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive (Leviticus 26:40): If they shall…

It is not of weight that is brought to take off the force of these pregnant Scriptures: The church consisting of mixed persons, good and bad, elect, and reprobate (say they) is according to the wicked party punished in justice, but not the believing party: But I answer, all Juda…

1. Use: All without this covenant are miserable; Christ undertakes not for them. The Lord deals with them by law — read Deuteronomy 28, Leviticus 26, Job 20, chapters 18 and 27. They have bread, but it is not sure; not so the believer (Isaiah 33:16): 'His bread shall be given hi…

Fourthly, seek after knowledge as for hidden treasure (verse 4-5), make account you do not seek for trifles when you seek for knowledge, but look at the knowledge of God and his grace as precious things, and reverence the Ordinances. It is irreverence, especially for young men,…

I have sinned against heaven, and before you, and am not worthy to be called your son; it were, he thought, a shame to such a father, to have such a spendthrift to be his son, he had not the temperament of a son in him, and now he would be content to be as a hired servant. Now o…

Examples are especially two: first, the vow of the Nazirites, whereunto no kind of men were bound by God's commandment, but they bound themselves — God only prescribing the manner and order of keeping it, with rites pertaining thereto, as abstinence from wine, the not cutting of…

Nec Josephus reticuisset, qui contrarium Hebraeis adscribit, nullam scilicet unquam literam mutatam fuisse in lege ab Hebraeis popularibus suis, book 1. contra Appionem. Talmudistae in Leviticus 27. versu ultimo diversis locis notant, nec Prophetae ulli licitum fuisse vel minimu…