on priest has not indeed been violently abrogated;
but it has been thrust aside in consequence of its own inner feebleness
and uselessness.[127] That it has been weak and unprofitable to men is
evident from the inability of the Law, as a system erected upon that
priesthood, to satisfy conscience.[128] Yet this carnal, decayed
priesthood was permitted to linger on and work itself out. The better
hope, through which we do actually come near unto God, did not forcibly
put an end to it, but was super-added.[129] Christ never formally
abolished the old covenant. We cannot date its extinction. We must not
say that it ceased to exist when the Supper was instituted, or when the
true Passover was slain, or when the Spirit descended. The Epistle to
the Hebrews is intended to awaken men to the fact that it is gone. They
can hardly realise that it is dead. It has been lost, like the light of
a star, in the spreading "dawn" of day. The sun of that eternal day is
the infinitely great personality of Jesus Christ, born a crownless King;
crowned at His death, but with thorns. Yet what mighty power He has
wielded! The Galilaean has conquered. Since He has passed through the
heavens from the eyes of men, thousands in every age have been ready to
die for Him. Even to-day the Christianity of the greatest part of His
followers consists more in profound loyalty to a personal King than in
any intellectual comprehension of the Teacher's dogmatic system. Such
kingly power cannot perish. Untouched by the downfall of kingdoms and
the revolutions of thought, such a King will sit upon His moral throne
from age to age, yesterday and to-day the same, and for ever.

_Third_, the entire system or covenant based on the Aaronic priesthood
has passed away and given place to a better covenant,--better in
proportion to the firmer foundation on which the priesthood of Jesus
rests.[130] Beyond question, the promises of God were steadfast. But men
could not realise the glorious hope of their fulfilment, and that for
two reasons. First, difficult conditions were imposed on fallible men.
The worshipper might transgress in many points of ritual. His mediator,
the priest, might err where error would be fatal to the result.
Worshipper and priest, if they were thoughtful and pious men, would be
haunted with the dread of having done wrong they knew not how or where,
and be filled with dark forebodings. Confidence, especially full
assurance, was not to be thought of. Se