THE Gofpel of the LEPR OS Y. 4pril 12. 1665. Levit. Cap. i Brethren and Beloved in the Lord, ( F this Chapter feem to us at the firft reading to be a dark and s( abftrufe Place, and to have little `edifying Matter in it, we muff: impute it to our own Ignorance and Unskilfulnefs in Scripture- Truths and Myfteries. It is true, there is a dark Shadow upon the Word's. But there is much Light, and many ufeful Truths intended and held forth under thefe dark legal Shadows. The SubjeEt both of this and of fundry foregoing and following Chapters is concerning Ceremonial Uncleannefs, of which there be feveral kinds, whereof this of Leprofy is one. Thegeneral Scope of this Chapter is to give Rules of Tryal where- by todifcern it. The next, viz. the i 4th. Chapter, gives the Rules for cleanfing the Leper. Concerning both which God gives them afterwards a aria and folemn Charge that they fhould take heed and obferve diligent- ly and do according to thefe Commands of his concerning the Le- profy,- Deut. 24. 8. The Leprofy, and the legal Uncleannefs . thereof, was typical. It fignified and held forth three Things. r. Sin ; which is fitly compared to a Leprofy for the Loathfomnefs; and Painfulnefs, and Infecaion of it. Yet this is not all. For Sin may be compared to any other Difeafe as well as to the Leprofy. Any Sore or Sicknefs, or Difeafe whatfoever may fignify and hold forth Sin. As Ifa. x.5, 6. full of Sores --the meaning is Spiritual Sick- nefs : They were a finial! PeopleMat. 9. 12. The whole need not a Phyician, but they that are /ick, that is, lick of Sin. Therefore, Pp 2 z.It
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=