Whereas the sinner might object, That
though the door be opened, and the new and living way consecrated; yet he is
either so ignorant, that he knows not this way; or so impotent, that he
cannot walk in it; or so guilty, that he dares not venture to go into the
holiest: therefore, to obviate all these, Christ is presented to us as "a
great high priest over the house of God," ver. 21. O what noble
encouragement is here for believing! Christ, as a High Priest, "is ordained
for men in things pertaining to God." Heb. v. 1. And seeing he is ordained
for men, may not men make use of his mediation with confidence and boldness?
Heb. iv. 14, 16. And then, by his office, he is obliged to execute the
duties of his office toward every soul that employs him therein: he is
obliged, as a High Priest, to instruct the ignorant, to strengthen the weak,
to confirm the feeble, and to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people. And therefore let us
take courage to employ and improve him, especially considering that he is
both "a merciful and faithful High Priest," Heb. ii. 17; and also a High
Priest who is over the house of God,
i. e., he has full power and
authority from his eternal Father to negotiate our affairs, and to render
both our persons and performances acceptable unto him. In a word, the whole
management of the offspring and issue, and of all the vessels of cups and
flagons, is committed to him; yea, "all the glory of his Father's house
hangs upon him, as upon a nail fastened in a sure place," Isa. xxii. 24. And
therefore, "seeing we have a High Priest (of such authority and interest),
let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need," Heb, iv. 14-16. Whenever we have any
business with God, whenever we would enter into the
secret of his presence, or enjoy fellowship with him, let us go in at the
back of our great High Priest, who has led the way before us, and is
appearing in the presence of God for us.
Now, I say, the
apostle having thus presented Christ under
the most encouraging views, as the object of our faith, trust, and
confidence in our dealings with the majesty of God, he proceeds to recommend
and inculcate a correspondent duty in the words of my text, ver. 22, "Let us
draw near with a true heart,
in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled," &c.
Ebenezer Erskine (1680-1754) and his brother Ralph were famous Presbyterian ministers in
Scotland,
and close friends of Thomas Boston. Their father was Henry Erskine, under
whose preaching the youthful Thomas Boston came to Christ.
