The Works of Thomas Jackson (Volume 7)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1844 Excerpt: ... true theology always include arguments of proportion, and are as firm as any geometrical or mathematical demonstration. The terms of proportion in this argument are especially four. First, sins merely ceremonial, that is, such errors and escapes as are evil, because forbidden, not evil in themselves. The second, the remedy appointed for such sins, and that was the blood of bulls and goats, &c. The third, sins properly so called, that is, all offences or trespasses against the law of nature, or against the law of God: things not evil only because forbidden, but rather forbidden because evil in their own nature. The fourth term is, the antidote or preservative against such sins as in their nature poison our souls, and this sovereign preservative is only the blood of Christ. The apostle takes it for granted, that the sacrifice of bulls and goats were sufficient to make satisfaction for sins merely ceremonial; and the blood available so far to sanctify the parties offending against the law of ceremonies, as that 827 they might be admitted into the congregation, or stand recti in curia, after the sacrifice was once offered. Of this purification concerning the flesh by the blood of such sacrifices, that which the Romanists say of the sacraments of the New Testament might be more probably said, Conferebant gratiam ex opere operatoThe ceremonial sin was taken away by a ceremonial offering. From this known maxim concerning the law of ceremonies, or legal sacrifices, St. Paul takes his rise unto the high mystery of the gospel, to wit, that the offering which the Son of God did make upon the cross was more sufficient, as well for making full satisfaction unto God for all sins committed against his law, as for purifying the conscience of offenders from dead works; more...