Editorial note — LESSON IX.
Reading edition
[Footnote A: A strong moral argument in favor of the divine institution of sacrifice, somewhat feebly put by Hallet (Comment, on Heb. xi:4, cited by Magee, "On the Atonement"), has been reproduced with increased force by Faber ("Prim. Sacrifice," p. 183). It amounts to this:
"Sacrifice, when uncommanded by God, is a mere act of gratuitous superstition. Whence, on the principle of St. Paul's reprobation of what he denominates will-worship, it is neither acceptable nor pleasing to God.
"But sacrifice, during the patriarchal ages, was accepted by God, and was plainly honored with his approbation.
"Therefore sacrifice, during the patriarchal age, could not have been an act of superstition uncommanded by God.
"If, then, such was the character of primitive sacrifice; that is to say, if primitive sacrifice was uncommanded by God,—it must, in that case indubitably have been a divine, and not a human institution." (Kitto's "Cyclopedia Biblical Knowledge," Vol. II, Art. "Sacrifice.")]