Attraction of the cross - Spring - IV - Chapter 4 (The cross the only propitiation)

Required reading
The attraction of the cross by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 4 (The cross the only propitiation). 

My summary
Today Spring continues teaching us about the propitiation of the cross.

This week Spring demonstrates that the cross is greater than:
(i) pagan sacrifices;
(ii) Jewish sacrifices;
(iii) self-righteous religion;
(iv) sacrifices offered by a human priesthood.

What grabbed me
A great chapter.

I particularly appreciated his condemnation of the ongoing sacrifices of Christ offered by so-called 'Christians': 'The death of Christ is the only sacrifice at once annihilating the uncommanded sacrifices still offered to God by a human priesthood. Of the many forms in which the disposition of men to magnify the importance of external ordinances over a spiritual, heart-religion, expresses itself, none is more pernicious than that monstrous system which is held in the Church of Rome, and which teaches that the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper are changed into the substance of Christ's body and blood, and when presented by the priest to God, is offered as a true and living sacrifice, and when thus offered, is effectual to procure the pardon of sin. Some portions of the Protestant Episcopal Church, while they may not fully believe the doctrine of transubstantiation, have fallen into the same error of regarding the Lord's Supper as a proper and real sacrifice. These misguided persons believe that as often as this festival is celebrated, the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is virtually repeated and solemnly offered to God in order to accomplish their salvation. If the instructions of the New Testament may be relied on, every other priesthood is done away and absorbed in his, who, prompted by love to the souls of men, left the bosom of his Father; and offered up himself a sacrifice to God in the room and place of guilty men. He alone is qualified for this high office ; he alone is called to it of God ; he alone is accepted in his great priestly character. He is ordained a Priest forever, " ot after the law of a carnal commandment," but after " the power of an endless life." There is no warrant for representing the Christian ministry a priesthood ; nor may they arrogate to themselves this office without encroaching on the prerogative of the great High Priest of the Christian profession, and exposing themselves to the angry rebuke which confounded and consumed the sons of Aaron, because they approached the altar unbidden, and "offered strange fire which the Lord had not commanded."'

There is only one sacrifice to be offered before God to atone for sin, everything else is strange fire.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 5 (The actual purpose of the cross).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.