THE

BAPTIST PREACHER.

VOL. IV.

August, 1845.

NO. 8.

THE VALUE OF CHRIST'S SACRIFICE:

A sermon, preached in the ordinary course of his ministry, to his people, April 27, 1845, by REV. ROBERT BOYTE C. HOWELL, D. D., Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee.

"Every priest standeth daily ministering, and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down at the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us.-HEB. X: 11-15.

The value of Christ's sacrifice for sins, is infinite. This is the proposition affirmed in the text, and which, in the present discourse, I shall attempt to sustain, and illustrate.

The sacrifices and offerings, which under the former economy, were of so frequent occurrence, could never take away sins. Their design was not of themselves to purify, but simply, and alone, to direct the faith of the worshipers to Messiah, their true and great antitype. In his sacrifice. only, true and inherent virtue was found; and from it all others derived whatever of efficacy they possessed. "It is [evidently] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins;" and yet, "without the shedding of blood there is no remission." A sacrifice was required more efficacious than any of those prescribed in the formularies of the Levitical priesthood. But where can such a sacrifice be found? by whom can it be offered? whence is to be obtained the victim? whither, for an answer to these inquiries, shall we look, but to Christ? He, "by one offering, has perfected forever, them that are sanctified." He "has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

The provision is ample. Those who, by repentance and faith, become partakers of its rich blessings, are thenceforward, "meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

Such is the excellency, the magnitude, and the power of Christ's sacrifice for sins. Nothing more is needed. It is perfect; it is effectual; it is sufficient.

The unspeakable value of Christ's sacrifice for sins, may be seen in the fact that God has appointed it especially to be the medium of our cleansing and salvation.

"It pleased the Lord to bruise him." He it was, who made his soul an offering for sin." Although "with wicked hands he was crucified and slain," yet it was done "according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." For this reason the Redeemer said to his followers, who were astonished that he did not overwhelm and crush his persecutors: "I lay down my life of myself; no man taketh it from me." Having been, therefore, previously ordained as the means of pardon by Jehovah, can he fail to accept it for that end, when its merits are pleaded by the guilty, but penitent offender.

But what is a sacrifice, properly so called? It is, I answer, the solemn infliction of death, by the shedding of blood, upon a living being, with the forms of religious worship, and the presentation of the victim, life, body and blood, to God as a supplication for pardon. All this occurred in the offering of Christ. Death was inflicted upon him; "his life was cut off from the earth;" the last drop of blood in his heart was poured forth; his body was exposed upon the cross. If, in this appalling deed, the scourge, the nail and the spear, were in the hands of sinners, who were moved to the infliction of his sufferings by malignant envy, this serves but the more plainly to set forth the grace which could impel him to bear the curse for his enemies, as well as for his friends. His life, his body, his blood, his soul and his divinity, by himself, our great High Priest, were offered to God, a supplication of boundless efficacy, for the remission of our sins.

Upon this sacrifice, so appointed by the Father, and so consummated by the Son, we lay hold, in every acceptable prayer we utter, and thus wield all its power. It is not,

therefore, surprising, that "Prayer moves the hand that moves the world."

But let us also consider the dignity of the offerer, and we shall be able to perceive, still more fully, the value of the sacrifice. Whom do we now behold at the altar? Not the High Priest of an earthly lineage, with his glittering breastplate, and his flowing robes. Not the most exalted of the sons of men. It is God himself, incarnate. He it is (amazing condescension and grace!) who becomes our priest; and he, because no other victim of sufficient virtue could be found, on earth, or in heaven, offers himself, as the precious sacrifice! The sword of justice raised for our destruction, he receives into his own bosom, and bids us but love our deliverer, and live, and be happy!

Of this overwhelming scene, the sons of Aaron, in the tabernacle, and in the temple, exhibited but types and symbols. They "stood daily ministering, and offering, oftentimes, the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins." We now behold the illustrious antitype! His character and work are shadowed forth to the eye of faith, not only in all the victims which bled in sacrifice upon Jewish altars, but also in the blood of Abel; in the offering up of Isaac; in the contumely received by Joseph from his brethren; and in the guidance which Moses gave to the children of Israel; and he it was who inspired the songs of the patriarchs, and the predictions of prophets, who through "the dim vista of coming years, saw the day of the Son of man and were glad."

The ministry of angels, fearful exhibitions of the power of God, and appalling expressions of the sympathy of nature, attested the dignity of Messiah in his humiliation. There hung the sacred victim upon the cross, quivering in every nerve with anguish, and bleeding from every gaping wound! Angels, aghast, hovered around in anxious suspense and astonishment. Fiendish men, in whose bosom fear and envy mingled with the spirit of revenge, scowled upon the scene. Hark! the agonized sufferer "cries with a loud voice-It is finished!" Look! "he bows his head, he gives up the ghost!" Pale, mangled, all gory, he dies! The earth, as if seized with astonishment and fear, shook and trembled; the veil of the temple was torn asunder throughout, exposing the most holy place; as a flickering

candle, the sun in mid-heaven went out, and the universe, from the sixth to the ninth hour, was shrouded in thick darkness. The multitude, although intoxicated with rage, as they groped their way from Calvary, exclaimed, this, this is, he is the Son of God. Kind friends, with aching hearts, took him down from the cross, and laid him in the grave. But he was not destined long to remain a prisoner there. The third morning came, and with it his glorious resurrection! Behold him, as he comes forth from the sepulchre, “leading captivity captive" at his chariot wheels, a triumphant conqueror! Again, the earth and the heavens trembled with agitation! Angels passed swiftly about the tomb; and many bodies of the saints arose, and were seen in the holy city! And now joy and gladness mingled everywhere, with the amazement of his people. Forty days he conversed with his disciples, and having, at Olivet, given them his final commands, as he blessed them, he arose in their presence and ascended up into heaven. They gazed upon him until a cloud received him out of their sight. He is gone to take possession of the mansions of glory in our behalf, and "sits at the right hand of God, until his enemies are made his footstool." Thus, so great is his dignity and glory, that when he offers one sacrifice for sins, it is enough. He thereby perfects forever them that are sanctified." All other sacrifices and priesthoods are instantly abolished. His one offering is ample for all ages; and his priesthood is thenceforward perpetual..

When the infinitely glorious God descends to be the offerer, and at the same time, the victim, accompanying the sacrifice with events so illustrious, the value of the offering must correspond in magnitude to the grandeur of the transaction.

We will, however, if you please, look for a moment at the great object which it secures, and we shall be able to perceive, in a still more striking point of light, the value of Christ's sacrifice. We always estimate causes by their effects. They are considered of little consequence, except for the results they produce. Apply this rule of judgment in the case before us. What objects are secured by the sacrifice of Christ? Jehovah, I reply, was moved to pity by the woes of men, whose whole moral nature was poisoned and embittered by transgression. He loved us, and deter

mined to institute means for the removal of human guilt. It was in pursuance of this gracious design, that he sent his Son into our world, the abode of wretchedness and woe. He "brought life and immortality to light, by the gospel." In consideration of his sacrifice, God the Father is reconciled, justice is appeased, and the way of salvation opened to men. We may now approach him with confidence, and obtain all our desires.

Another object secured is the mission of the Holy Spirit. Pardoned indeed, we might be, without his regenerating work. This, however, would avail us little, since, as our depraved nature would remain unchanged, we should still be unqualified for happiness, and incapable of the glory of heaven. Through the satisfaction offered by the Redeemer, the Spirit comes into our world, whose prerogative it is, in the individual application of his merits, to purify the soul. That "he by one offering, has perfected forever them that ale sanctified," the Holy Ghost, the sanctifier, "is to us," the ever present and best "witness." Yes, blessed be his

name

"The Spirit answers to the blood,

And tells me I am born of God."

Yet another object secured, is the all powerful, ever successful, and perpetual mediation, and advocacy on high of Jesus Christ. He, our adorable High Priest, sympathizing with all our infirmities, has entered into heaven, with his own priceless blood, for us; thus establishing a glorious medium of communion in all our worship with the Father of our spirits, and through which we may receive continually, unceasing supplies of grace. Now, therefore, we may come boldly unto the throne of grace, and there obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in time of need. Since, therefore, the objects secured by the sacrifice of Christ are, to speak of no others, the pardon of our sins, the sanctifica tion of our natures, and the salvation of our souls, who, judging only by these, can fully comprehend the extent of its value?

Again, the value of this offering is shown in the fact, that from it all the forms and ordinances of religion, whether under the patriarchal, Mosaic, or christian dispensations, receive their life and energy. The sacrifices of the