p94 [R Roberts] DEAR BROTHER, - I do not at all accept the exposition of the Bible Herald.* You might as well say the great day of atonement was for those already cleansed. Besides, the anointing the leper was not recalling the sealing of the Holy Ghost to mind, but doing the thing when he was cleansed: he had never been anointed before, and the blood put upon him was the ground of its being done. It is an old interpretation, I judge, and a false one. Besides it confounds everything, imputation and uncleanness with loss of communion. The red heifer is the rite that refers to restoration, nor is it a question of discipline - which is for restoration, not for cleansing by blood.
{*Vol. 4, 161. 'This portion [Lev. 13, 14] treats of discipline toward a Christian or one who has been reckoned as such, and not of the salvation of a sinner.' 'In thought we must go back to the Lord's death and resurrection as often as restoration is required … for by His blood atonement is effected and by His resurrection all who believe in Him are cleared from all charge of guilt.' (p. 165.) 'But for the atonement we cannot receive the Holy Ghost: without the Spirit we have no power to serve God: of these things the action of the priest [Lev. 14:17] here reminds us. … The restored one has need to be reminded,' etc. (p. 168).

Dublin, June.