written, "now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off, are
which it proclaims, and the blessedness of which that forgiveness is the source. And if at any time a doubt disquiet him, he looks anew to the blood and is reassured.2
2. Through it he is brought nigh and kept nigh to God.—For thus it is written, "now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ." In coming nigh at first, he came with that blood as his only introduction: and, in continuing nigh, he feels the necessity of always realizing the efficacy of the blood. It was this that enabled him to draw near "with a true heart and in the full assurance of faith," and it is this that keeps him in the same posture still. It is this that makes him feel safe in the presence of the Holy One, safe in dealing with him about his sins, safe in dwelling always in the secret place of the most High.
3. Through it he is put in possession of eternal life.—The blood is his security, as well as the ground of his claim. "The blood is the life," and the life of another having been taken instead of his, death is no longer his portion, but life—"whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life." In recognising the efficacy of the blood, and in consenting to take his stand before God upon it alone, he drinks it, and in drinking it he receives the earnest of the everlasting life of which in believing he has become the heir.
4. Through it his conscience is purged.—"If the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." Though a sinner, he is entitled to plead not guilty by reason of his connection with this blood. To do any thing else would be to deny the full efficacy of the blood. Though in himself guilty, his conscience is as completely set at rest from the accusing terrors of remorse, as if he had never transgressed the law. He finds that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth him from all sin;" not "hath cleansed" but "cleanseth,"—is always doing it, hour after hour. The stream is ever