is Altar, Victim, and Priest, by an eternal consecration of Himself. This is the priesthood for ever after the order of Melchisedech, who was "without beginning of days or end of life"[1]—a type of the eternal priesthood of the Son of God, the only King of Peace.
2. By participation, S. Thomas means that the priesthood of Jesus Christ being the one, only, perpetual, and universal priesthood, all priests consecrated under the New Law are made one with Him, and share in His own priesthood.[2] There are not two priesthoods, as there are not two sacrifices for sin. But one sacrifice has for ever redeemed the world, and is offered continually in heaven and on earth: in heaven by the only Priest, before the Eternal Altar; on earth by the multitude and succession of priests who are one with Him as partakers of His priesthood; not as representatives only, but in reality; as also the sacrifice they offer is not a representation only, but His true, real, and substantial Body and Blood offered by their hands.
This is the argument of the Epistle to the Hebrews. The priesthood of the Old Law was a shadow; the priesthood of the New Law is the substance. It is fulfilled in the one Priest and the one Sacrifice which are perpetuated by the priesthood, on earth united with Him.
- ↑ Heb. vii. 3.
- ↑ P. iii. q. lxiii. 6, and q. xxii. 5, 6.
