Greetings sis Reis, et al;
Oh what a sweet smell is brought unto our nostrils by the comments
of mr. Hawker upon this most sublime SUBJECT. CHRIST is indeed a SWEET
SAVOR unto HIS FATHER and is made so unto us as HIS SPIRIT guides us
into all TRUTH which is found in HIM. How beautiful to behold CHRIST in
the types and shadows of the Tabernacle and subsequently in the Temple.
Truly HE does not dwell in temples made with hands, yet HE is pleased to
dwell in the midst of HIS people and it is HIS presence which lends a
blessed FRAGRANCE in the midst of the foul odors of this world. May
CHRIST be everywhere and in all things exalted for HE alone is worthy of
praise.
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away our fear
It makes the wounded spirit whole
And calms the troubled breast
'Tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary, rest
Dear Name! The Rock on which we build
Our shield and hiding-place
Our never-failing treasury, filled with boundless stores of grace
Jesus, my shepherd, guardian, friend
My Prophet, Priest, and King
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End
Accept the praise I bring
Weak is the effort of my heart
How cold, my warmest thought
But when I see you as you are
I'll praise you as I ought
'Til then I would your love proclaim
With every fleeting breath
And may the music of your name
Refresh my soul in death by John Newton
Blessings, mike
On 5/20/2022 3:11 PM, Soraya Reis wrote:
*"The golden censer." Hebrews 9:4*
*It is blessed, my soul! to behold the numberless types and shadows of "good things to come," which the church of old contained; and it is blessed to see them all fulfilled in Christ, the substance. Jesus, thy Jesus, in his glorious high priestly office, is at once the censer, the incense, the high priest, and offering, and is now unceasingly engaged in carrying on the glorious purposes of his redemption "by appearing in the presence of God for us." *
*He is the "mighty angel" spoken of, Revelation 8:3. For upon the "golden censer" of his own merit and righteousness, and by the efficacy of his own glorious person, are all presentations made. "No man cometh to the Father but by him." coming by him, and in him, and through him, all thy poor offerings come up "for a memorial before God." And what is the much incense here spoken of, but the merits of that finished salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ, which hath indeed a fulness, yea, a redundancy of fulness, infinitely more precious and costly than ever can be compensated in blessings bestowed thereby upon his people, in time, and to all eternity. *
*This was beautifully represented in the Jewish church. The incense was composed of sweet spices, which made a fragrant smell through the whole temple. And what was the offering of Christ, but "an offering and sacrifice to God, for a sweetsmelling savour?" And if the incense in the Jewish temple was always burning, what was this but a representation of the everlasting priesthood of Christ, "who ever liveth to make intercession for his people?" And as the incense was burning within in the temple, while all the people were at prayers without, what a lively representation was this of our High Priest in heaven, in this great office of a priest upon his throne, to offer upon the golden altar of his divine nature, the prayers of his redeemed upon earth, to give acceptance to their persons and their offerings, by the much incense of his own merits and blood? *
*My soul, look up this evening, look up both night and morning, and, with the eye of faith, behold this almighty Angel of the new covenant thus appearing in the presence of God for thee; into his almighty hands do thou commit and commend thine all; neither thy person nor thy poor offerings can find acceptance but in him, the beloved. He is thine altar, thy priest, thy sacrifice, thine incense, thine all; by virtue of whom, God the Father hath respect to his everlasting covenant, and dispenseth grace in this life, and glory in that which is to come. *
*Hail! thou glorious, gracious, great High Priest of a better covenant, founded upon better promises than that by Aaron! Oh! for faith to apprehend thee, to exercise faith upon thy person, work, and righteousness, and every day, and all the day, both night and morning, to come to God by thee, perfectly assured that all that do come, thou wilt in no wise cast out.*
*Robert Hawker (1753-1827) ***
