makes atonement for the soul, is asserted by the God of Israel himself, who expressly assigns this reason of the strict prohibition given to his ancient people, ‘No soul of you shall eat blood; neither shall any stranger that sojourns among you.’ Lev. xvii. 12. It is easy to see how this prefigured the violent death of the Son of God, who poured out his soul unto death, and whose blood cleanses from all sin. The pulling off the skin from the butchered animals, dividing their bodies, and burning them with fire, are certainly intended to denote the exquisite torments he was to endure, when the assembly of the wicked inclosed him, and his heart was melted in the midst of his bowels like wax before the fire.—The towering of the smoke to heaven, which was sometimes perfumed with burning incense, signified how acceptable the sacrifice of Christ should be to God, and of what sweet smelling savour.—In the time of offering, prayers were offered up. And we know, that in the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers, tears, and strong cries, to him that was able to save him from death.—The blowing of trumpets, and praising God, in the time of the holy rites, with music vocal and instrumental, which was often practised, may no doubt, put us in mind of that praise, which waiteth for God in Zion, on account of purging away our transgression by himself, which would have prevailed for ever against us.—The carrying the blood of the victims into the holy place, the figure of the heavenly sanctuary, corresponds to the intercession of our High-Priest within the vail, where he appears as a lamb that has been slain.” “When the rites were finished, atonement was made. The guilt of the offerer was abolished, when his victim was destroyed: the anger of God was in some manner appeased, and he gave signs of reconciliation. But, as we shewed before, it was not in these ceremonial actions to atone for any moral guilt, except in a typical way. But he whom God hath set forth for a propitiation, hath, in the most proper sense, fully expiated the sins of all his people who hath lived, or shall live. In his atonement the believers of ancient and latter times have rejoiced, as the sole foundation of their hope. And nations yet unborn shall be justified by him, from all things from which they could not be justified by Moses’ law. The fire that came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices, which doubtless was kept alive by the priests upon the altar, was it not an emblem of that fierce-burning wrath which preyed upon the soul of the Son of God? Or was it an emblem of the Holy Spirit, through whom he offered up himself, and who is styled _the Spirit of burning_? It was love that wrought his death; by this holy and pure flame was our atoning sacrifice reduced into ashes.”