Leviticus 22

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXII.—Beholding, in these figures, the perfect and permanent purity of my Redeemer’s person and nature; the persevering exactness of his obedience; the absolute perfection of his sacrifice of himself, and its unfailing virtue for preventing the destruction of his spiritual seed; we may observe that it is altogether necessary to exclude wicked persons, and even scandalous saints, from the more sacred provision of the church, the seats of God’s covenant; that every person or work, dedicated to the service of God, should be devoted to him in holiness; and the greatest care be used in meddling with holy things; for cursed is the deceiver that offereth unto the Lord things corrupt or unripe. But especially must we remember that all delay of the cordial reception and improvement of Jesus Christ, and his fulness, offered for our comfort in the gospel, is infinitely sinful and dangerous; for thus only can we secure access to God; and nothing can powerfully influence us to obedience but a firm faith and deep sense of his redeeming love