Leviticus 21:24

REFLECTIONS

READER! let you and I pause over this chapter, and with an eye of faith, behold that great high priest of our profession sweetly pointed out. Let us not forget that this JESUS of ours, is, and hath been, our Priest forever; for he hath an unchangeable priesthood. And while, therefore, we read of these priests, taken from among men, who were not suffered to continue priests, by reason of death, thus prohibited from all ceremonial uncleanness; let you and I look beyond the letter of the law to him who is the Spirit of it, and contemplate his immaculate unspotted holiness, whose human nature united to the GODHEAD, forever separated him from all uncleanness. He could and did bear our sins, in his own body on the tree, and while borne down on the cross with the burden of sin, partook of none of its defilements. His church he betrothed to himself, as a chaste virgin: and all the mystical members of it, are now as chaste virgins presented unto CHRIST: without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; being brought before him as holy in his holiness, and without blemish, before him in love. Dearest JESUS! be thou my holiness, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And since thou hast so loved all thy people, as not only to wash them from their sins in thine own blood, but hast made them kings and priests to GOD and the FATHER; Oh! give both to thy ministers and people, grace to separate themselves from the pollutions of the world, and to come out from among them, touch no unclean thing. We would pray to be holy, as thou art holy, and that through thy righteousness and salvation, the gracious acceptation of our persons and our prayers, may come up before GOD; that that sweet promise may be our portion, in which the LORD hath said; I will be a Father you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD Almighty.