V. 2.— For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Here the reason is given why the legal sacrifices could not make the worshippers perfect. Had they done so, they would have ceased to be offered. Some copies omit the word not, thus rendering it a positive affirmation. The meaning is precisely the same. For the worshippers...— Had the legal sacrifices really cancelled guilt, there would have been no need of their repetition; for the worshippers being once purified, would have had no longer a consciousness of guilt; their hearts would have been sprinkled from an evil conscience, ver. 22; and they would have had boldness in approaching their heavenly Father. It may he alleged, that since men do not cease from sin, that, although their guilt had been removed, fresh guilt would have been contracted, which, notwithstanding the efficacy of the sacrifice by which their guilt had been removed, would have required a fresh sacrifice; but this is fallacious, and that it is so is proved by matter of fact. The blood of Jesus cleanses the believer from all sin. It gives him the answer of a good conscience. Christ was delivered for our sins, and raised again for our justification. The believer can therefore say, “It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemned?” He can plead a full remission of his sins through the blood of Jesus. They are all buried in his grave, and shall never appear against him. There is a fountain opened in Zion for sin and uncleanness, to which we have daily recourse. By one offering Christ hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. This is illustrated in what follows.