Page:The rock of wisdom.djvu/73

 Lu. 24 c. 32 v. "And they said one to the other, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way and while he opened to us the scriptures." "And whatsoever ye shall ask in ray name that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name I will do it." These passages are sufficient to prove to the world that God will ever defend his children; "but be ye not deceived," for here is but one way to ask and one way to receive. 1st the prayer from a pure heart, God bound himself to answer, and that is well known for Daniel proved that fact; the way to receive is always to be found in obedience at the footstool of sovereign mercy, then whatever he doeth it shall prosper.

But a word to those that had a name to live the shadow without the substance. That man cannot expect to receive any thing good from the hand of the Lord, for it is contrary to God's own word. "This is that Moses which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me, him shall ye hear."

Sec. 3. On the Book of Leviticus. By historical accounts this book is called Leviticus because it treats of the officers and ministers, rites and ceremonies of the Priests and Levites. The word with which it begins, that is, the whole burnt offering, so called, because the whole victim was consumed with fire and given in such manner to God as wholly to evaporate, as it were, for his honor and glory, without having any part of it reserved for the use of man. The other sacrifices of the Old Testament were either offerings for sin or peace offerings, and these latter again, were either offered in thanksgiving for blessings, reward, or by way of prayer for new favors or graces; so that sacrifices were then offered to God for four different ends or intentions, answerable to the different obligations which man has to God. 1st. By way of adoration, homage, praise and glory, due to his divine majesty. 2d. By way of thanksgiving for all benefits received from him. 3d. By way of confessing and craving pardon for sin. 4th. By way of prayer and petition for grace and relief in all necessity. In. the new law we have but one sacrifice, that of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. But this one sacrifice of the New Testament