Page images
PDF
EPUB

I.

other, the power of the Gofpel fhines out, SERM, and is difplayed with a confpicuous luftre: And though ftill it be not without mystery, yet it is as far unfolded, as is proper for our prefent condition.

That looked at Chrift as future and to come : But This regards him, as having already done his part on earth, and appearing now our Advocate in heaven. In both however, the Pricft is alike the Meffenger of the Lord of hofts; he acts by virtue of a divine commiffion delegated to him; he is appointed by God as the minifter of his word to the people, and the proper spokesman by whom he will hear and will accept them. It was plainly fo under the Mofaic difpenfation: The tribe of Levi *, God had chofen to himself as the lot of his inheritance, inftead of the firft-born of every family; and out of that tribe in like manner, appointing the reft to the inferior offices about the fanctuary; only Aaron and his pofterity had been firft pitched upon, and authorised to do the fervice of the altar. They were to burn incenfe upon the altar of incenfe, and therewith to offer up the prayers of the congregation. They were to lay the Victims, either whole or else fome proper portions or fegments of them, on the wood; to sprinkle their blood in fuch fort as the

* Numb. iii. 6—13. † Exod. xxviii. 1.—xl. 12.

law

SERM. law prescribes, and thereby either to atone I. for the fins, or offer up the praises of the people. They therefore, as God's menial fervants and domefticks, had fuch provifion made out of the things confecrated to him, as is at large defcribed among the legal inftitutions. Nay, they (as we see here) were properly the men whofe lips were to keep knowledge, and at whose mouth the people were to feek the law. These were the offices and privileges of that family which God had chofen to himself. So that there is a particular emphasis in that charge of Hezekiah, when having fummoned the Priefts and Levites together, he put them in mind, that the Lord had chofen them to Stand before him to ferve him, and that they Should minifter unto him, and burn incenfe *.

Nor is the nature of the Priesthood changed in this refpect fince the appearance of Chrift. For as the Law pointed out Christ to come; fo the Gofpel-Inftitutions look back to him, and confider him as come already. There is equal occafion for fome to discharge thefe offices under each œconomy. And therefore, although the Priesthood be not now confined to a diftinct family; yet ftill the Minifters of the New Teftament are as much appropriated to the fervice of God, as much the appointed

[blocks in formation]

*

I.

Meffengers of the Lord of bofts. The word SER M. in the original is the fame which fignifies an Angel: And indeed, it is from the nature of their office, because they are sent forth as Messengers to execute the commands of the great Author of their being, that those miniftring Spirits themselves are diftinguished by that appellation. Hence also we find that the feven Afian Bishops in the Revelation are called the Angels of their reSpective Churches †, and elsewhere to the fame purpose, that the minifters of the Gospel are intitled Ambassadors for Chrift, and Stewards of the mysteries of God.

Thus far of the Dignity of the Priefthood: And a subject so fruitful of very ufeful inferences, ought not to be difmiffed, 'till we have made at leaft the following reflections.

First, we may learn from hence, that fome regard is due from the people towards them, who are invefted with this facred office. From the dignity of the office, it is natural to conceive a value for the officer; and the one muft rife or fall of courfe in proportion to the other. They who can believe the Clergy to be no other than the fervants of the congregation, deputed and hired by them to do

[blocks in formation]

SERM. their bufinefs; 'tis no wonder fuch perfons I. fhould flight and difefteem them, and at length be drawn to a contempt of those Doctrines, which come fo meanly recommended. But they who confider the Priest, as the Meflenger of the Lord of hofts, cannot but have a greater value for his character, which will not fail to add weight and authority to what he fhall deliver. The regard and honour paid the Reprefentative is done in reality to the perfon whom he reprefents; otherwise he can have no title to it intrinfically or in himfelf, being by nature but upon the level with the reft of mankind, and diftinguished only by that relation he bears to his fuperior. Therefore Princes, we find, reckon themselves to be dif-esteemed or honoured by the treatment which is given their Ambaffadors. And accordingly our bleffed Saviour affures us, he refents the treatment that is fhewn his minifters. He that heareth you (fays he to his Difciples) beareth me, and be that defpifeth you, defpifeth me; and he that defpifeth me, defpifeth him that fent me *. And in like manner St. Paul; He that defpifeth, defpifeth not Man but God, who bath alfo given unto us his holy Spirit. And let a man therefore (fays he in another place) fo account of us, as of the ministers of

* Luke x. 16.

+ Theff. iv. 8.

Christ,

1

Chrift, and Stewards of the mysteries of SERM. God*.

[ocr errors]

Nor did he herein arrogantly affume undue honours to himself, or esteem them owing to his own merit and fufficiency : He confeffed that he was not fufficient to answer the great ends of his function, as of himself; but had all his fufficiency derived to him from another hand: And therefore, whatever honours he might expect or demand, he thereby preached not himself, but Chrift Jefus the Lord ‡, to whom those honours fhould ultimately be defigned and done.

What are the proper expreffions of this efteem and refpect it would be too great a digreffion in this place to explain. I fhall rather proceed to infer

Secondly, that no man is qualified for this office, who is not ordained to it according to Chrift's inftitution. For who should appoint God's Messengers, but God himself? Who fhould fend forth labourers into the barvest, but the Lord of it ? We have feen, there are fuch privileges and powers annexed to the Priesthood, as are neither common to all men, nor natural to any; but depend entirely on the

*

I Cor. iv. I. + 2.Cor. iii. 5. ‡ 2 Cor. iv. 5. Mat. ix. 38.

good

I.

« PreviousContinue »