xix. THE BLOOD OF THE PASCHAL LAMB. 



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We are all exposed to the deadly plague of our own 

 sins which destroys soul and body for ever. Only the 

 blood of Jesus Christ sprinkled upon our hearts and 

 consciences can protect us. It was the fresh blood 

 upon the door-posts of the Israelites that possessed the 

 wonderful prophylactic virtue. When blood becomes 

 old and dry it loses its power of counteracting the 

 deadly influences of the atmosphere. Here, too, the 

 spiritual is based upon the natural. The sacrifices of 

 the Levitical law we find were continually renewed, 

 because only fresh blood could be efficacious. In the 

 nineteenth verse of the tenth chapter of Hebrews it is 

 said "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter 

 into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and 

 living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through 

 the veil, that is to say, his flesh." The word conse- 

 crated is translated "new-made" in the margin; and 

 the word new is a remarkable one, literally meaning 

 " fresh-slain," being obviously intended to denote the 

 difference between the blood of bulls and goats shed 

 on the great day of atonement, which soon became 

 old and stale, requiring therefore to be continually 

 renewed and the blood of Jesus Christ, God's aton- 

 ing sacrifice, as of a lamb just slain, which con- 

 tinually retained its first efficacy and needed not to 

 be repeated. Jesus died once for all ; by one offering 

 He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

 But His sacrifice is as fresh in all its life-giving value 

 and in all its cleansing power to-day as it was on the 

 very day it was offered. The blood of Him who is the 



