SE1U . XLIV.] AND Tt 118E OF IT. 261 to the Hebrews, chapters vii. viii. ix. this seems to be the ultimate glory and perfection of the priest-hood of Christ, viz. his " entrance into heaven with his own blood, there to appear in the presence of God for us," Heb. ix. i1, 12, 24. There he presents himself, not only as the Lamb that has been slain, but he appears, in his Own pure and perfect mediatorial righteousness, be- fore God, in the name of sinful man ; as Aaron the high-priest, in the name of the people of Israel, appear- ed in the most holy place before God; not only with the blood of atonement in his hand, but with,holiness to the Lord, inscribed on the mitre, on his forehead, E.v. xxviii. 36. God the Father beholds his only begotten Son there, as the great Representative of all his children He beholds his own law satisfied and fulfilled, in his perfect obedience, even to death: and this is an ever- lasting foundation for reconciliation and peace between God and sinners. 4. Christ lives for ever to intercede for sinful man, to plead withGod, for mercy to his guilty creatures. Per- haps, in the nature of things, this is not much different from the former particular; for his presenting of his sa- crifice, as for ever fresh in the virtues of it, before the Father, is a sort of intercession. His blood has a voice in it, and his very appearance there, is a powerful plead- ing. But however, since the high-priest of old, not only presented 'the atoningblood, but also offered incense in the holy of holies, which is a type of intercession, we may, properly enough, make some distinction between them, and represent these two transactions of Christ, as our high- priest, in a distinct light. " He is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him, since he lives for ever to make intercession for them," Heb. vii. 25. 5. He is represented as dwelling in heaven, as our great High-priest, not only to present our services, our prayers, and our praises to God, and make them ac- ceptable to the Father, through his infinite merit, not- withstanding all their. imperfections, but also " to in- troduce our departing souls, into the presence of God, without spot or blemish," Eph. y. 27, and " to present bis whole church, at the great day, before his own and s3
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