diately about the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The eighth chapter of Leviticus records their consecration, which was performed as prescribed in the chapter out of which I have read my text. The persons, garments, oils, and oblations are got ready; Aaron and his four sons are washed, and dressed in their sacred robes; the tabernacle, with its sacred furniture, are anointed with oil, and so is Aaron and his sons, who were to serve in it; a sin-offering, the flesh of which was burnt without the camp, and a burnt-offering are offered for them: a consecration ram, or peace-offering, being offered, the blood thereof, with sacred oil, is sprinkled on the tip of their right ears, thumbs, and toes, and on their garments. Part of the sacrificial flesh is given to the offerers to feast upon : Moses was the priest on this occasion, and therefore hath at this time the priest's portion. These ceremonies and oblations were repeated seven days successively. The whole congregation of Israel were gathered together, to be spectators and witnesses thereof.

These particulars I shall aim to interweave in the whole of my present sermon; and will set before you what I have to say on this subject, under the following particular heads or sections.

First, I will begin with the command given concerning the consecration of Aaron and his

sons.

Secondly, I will relate what was particularly enjoined, and more especially what respected the high priest.

Thirdly, the time in which these services were performed and renewed, and these persons consummated for the discharge of their offices. And in going through these particulars, I will shew how Christ was represented by these services and persons.

I will first begin with the command given, concerning the consecration of Aaron and his

sons.

The Lord's command, concerning these persons, and their consecration, is expressed in the beginning of this chapter. Moses was at this time in the mount with God, and Jehovah said unto him, "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them, to hallow them to minister unto me in the priest's office. Take one young bullock, and two rams, without blemish. And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened, tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil; of wheaten flour shalt thou make them, and thou shalt bring them in the basket with the bullock and the two rams." It would reflect divine light and glory to consider all that is commanded concerning the call and separation of Aaron and his sons to the office and work of priesthood, with the command concern ing the rites, ceremonies, sacrifices, anointings,

clothing them, and sprinkling their garments with blood and oil, tipping their right ears, thumbs, and toes with the blood of the ram of consecration, and filling their hands with some parts of the sacrifices which they waved and heaved before the Lord, which were given by him, whilst Moses was in the presence-chamber of the Most High. This would fully confirm our minds that the offices into which Aaron and his sons were called and invested, and their consecration, with the rites, sacrifices, ceremonies, and services attending it, were shadows of heavenly things, and served to be examples of them.

With respect to the things commanded for sacrifices on this inauguration of Aaron and his sons, the bull, or bullock, was for a sin-offering. The rams, one was for a burnt-offering, the other for a consecration-offering. These animals were slain, and offered in sacrifice unto the Lord, as memorials of Christ; they shewed how Christ was to be made sin; how he was to bear the fire of divine wrath, which was to parch him through and through; by which means he was to make peace for us through the blood of his cross. His whole church and people were to be sanctified by the offering up of his body and soul, in union with his person, as a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour unto God. The bread offerings, under their various forms, shewed how

Christ, the bread of life, would be broken and bruised for the iniquities of his people. Their being anointed with oil, was expressive of our Lord's being anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows.

Thus, as Jehovah himself appointed the priesthood in the jewish church, and the persons who should be exercised therein; so he also commanded what sacrifices and services should be offered and performed at their anointing and introduction into the priest's office. This served to shew his authority and lordship over his house, the church, and was also a symbolical representation of the unction and consecration of our great high priest, Christ Jesus, whose call was from his divine Father: he called, appointed, and set him apart to his office and work of Mediatorship.

When Aaron and his sons were invested and sanctified to their office, all the congregation were assembled, to point out their interest and concern therein. These persons being appointed to minister and draw nigh to God on their behalf, and offer gifts and sacrifices for them, represented our Lord Jesus Christ, who is one with his church; he is united unto, and interested in all his people; he acts in his mediatorial and priestly office on their behalf; and they are all and each individual of them, equally united unto, and interested in him; he offered himself, his body and soul in union with his person, for them.

priest; and their garments served to be an example and shadow of heavenly things. Their fine linen coats, figured the immaculate purity of Christ and his church made white in his blood. Hence when our Lord was seen in a vision by John, he had on his priestly garment, which reached down to the foot, and he was girded about the paps with a golden girdle; and his head was as white as wool, as white as snow. Rev. 1. The fine linen girdle served to bind the coat tight to the body, to help the priest to be expeditious in his work: and Christ was all alacrity in the discharge of his priestly office. The bonnets, or turbans round the head of the priests, were much like the high priest's mitre, and may serve to remind us, that all believers, who are made kings and priests unto God, have on their heads, for an helmet, the hope of salvation. The linen breeches, shew how the Lord requires the utmost decency in his service. Holiness becometh the house and worship, people and ministers for ever. The common Levites also had a linen ephod, or garment, in which they performed their services; but at present I have only to do with the priests and high priest.

Aaron was the principal person, and in the highest office, and for him, in a particular manner, holy garments were appointed. Aaron, the saint of the Lord, his name signifies a teacher, in an especial manner, called of God, and

was,