Introduction.

office, function, and nature expressed: Indeed, it seemed that it was imprinted upon all men that they were indebted before God, and must reconcile that same debt through sacrifices. This is evident among many Heathens Non-Christian or pagan peoples., who, understanding the need for a sacrifice, did not hesitate to surrender their own children for this purpose, so that their crimes might be blotted out. This was long a custom among the Greeks, Romans, Africans, and other peoples; the examples of Iphigenia In Greek mythology, the daughter of Agamemnon, sacrificed to appease the goddess Artemis., the sacrifices to Moloch A Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice., the King of the Moabites who sacrificed his only son, and more such instances testify enough to this. It is true that this was an abomination before God, and a perverse means to take away sins; yet, in the meantime, it was a conviction in their hearts that they were indebted to God, and could not pay except through a precious sacrifice. Toward this end also were directed the sacrifices in the Law The Mosaic Law or the Old Testament legal code., to meet the Israelites in the weakness of the time, and to plant a constant remembrance in their minds that through a worthy and, before God, acceptable sacrifice, their sins and the sins of the whole world must be reconciled. Alongside this, it should be considered that almost all nations who do not believe in Christ are even today concerned with satisfying the righteous Divinity through daily sacrifices—though in vain, and wandering away from the true mark.

For this same purpose, God had ordained the Priestly office among the Israelites, over which a High Priest was appointed—namely, Aaron and his descendants—provided with such ornaments The sacred vestments and ritual items of the High Priest. as were necessary for a true representation of the coming High Priest Referring to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the priestly role.. And to testify that this was only for a time, and that another would serve that worthy Office forever, He had foretold through David: You are a Continuing to the next page, referencing Psalm 110: "You are a priest forever..."