Leviticus 8:36

REFLECTIONS

READER! do not close the sacred book after the perusal of this chapter, until that you have again and again besought the HOLY GHOST to be your teacher, concerning the many precious things signified in it. If the consecration of the LORD JESUS to the priesthood, be here all along represented, think how important was that office. Set apart as the blessed JESUS was from everlasting; called to be an high priest; not as the priests under the law made without an oath; but with an oath, by him that swore and will not repent, when he said unto him, thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedeck; anointed to the work by the HOLY GHOST, and to whom the SPIRIT was not given by measure; holy in himself; harmless to all others; undefiled with the least shadow of guile; separate from sinners; though bearing their sins, yet untouched with the pollution of them; and made higher than the heavens. Oh, for the work of GOD the HOLY GHOST to be powerful in the Reader's heart, to consider this apostle and high priest of our profession CHRIST JESUS.

And while we pray for grace to be always in lively exercise, by faith, on the person and priesthood of the SON of GOD, in all the circumstances in which that precious office relates to his people, may it be our happiness also, as the tabernacle of old, and the ordinances of worship were included in the consecration, to partake, as the members of his mystical body, of the same holy anointing. And while they who minister in holy things may learn from this chapter, how very solemn and sacred a service they are called to, and with what sanctity of life and conversation they are more particularly expected to go in and out before the people; may every renewed soul recollect also that JESUS by his great undertaking, and by virtue of his blood and righteousness, hath made them kings and priests to GOD and the FATHER. LORD! (I would pray for myself and reader), may our souls and bodies be sprinkled with the blood of sprinkling, and may we be enabled by the HOLY GHOST to present them a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to GOD which is our reasonable service; that by being dead unto sin, and living abstracted from all the carnal lusts and pursuits of this world, we may have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.