Is not the office of the priest in this place, intended to show how much it belongs to ministers to labour in the word and doctrine? Luke 1:8-9
REFLECTIONS
MY soul! what do I behold in this view of the Jewish church? Is it not as the apostle said, these are a shadow of good things, but the body is Christ. Blessed be God! we have an altar, and a tabernacle, and a court, to enter into with praise. But what are all these if Jesus be not in them, and the sum and substance of all. Oh! may I, dearest Lord, accept thee as mine altar, that sanctifieth the gift, the sacrifice of atonement, and the high, priest to offer. And oh! may God the Holy Ghost in all his sweet influences, be the enlightening purifying oil, to illumine the darkness of my mind, and enable me to see Jesus in every one. Lead me, Holy Spirit, to flee for refuge to the horns of this altar, even to the crucified body and atoning blood of him that suffered thereon. And by him do thou enable me to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continuing, even the fruit of my lips, giving thanks to his name.