192 The Gofpel bf the Leproff. 2. It fignified Original Sin. For the Leprofy overfpreads all. Aé u= al Sins are the Boils and Sores that break forth, but Original Sin is as the Leprofy overfpreading the whole Nature. Yet this is not all. For this is in the belt ; and therefore if this were all, the Peopleof God might be accounted Lepers. For all have Original Sin; but yet there be force that be not Lepers. Therefore, 3. The Leprofy fignified a State of Sin and Vnregeneraey. For the Leper mutt be lhut out of the Camp, from among the People of God, as being none of them, as having fuch a Spot, as is not the Spot of his People. Therefore it feems alfo to hold forth a State of Sin, a finful or unregenerate Condition. Now for the Expofition of this Chapter ; to let you fee a little further into fotne of the Truths and Myfteries contained in it I (hall only give you force general Obfervations, under which we fhall ex- plain force part of the Chapter. Obfer., I. That it is a Work bothdifficult and weighty for People to dif tern and judge aright of their own Spiritual Condition. This appears by all thefe Rules and Direaions. Were it not neeefrary, what need of any Rule ? Were it not difficult, what need of fo many Rules of try- al about the Leprofy ? This condemns theflightnefs of many that are flight and carelefs about this great Work ; bellow few Thoughts and Cares about it, about fearching into their Spiritual Condition, as if it were an eafy or a. flight Matter. It is the Exhortation of the Apoftle, 2 Pct.'. ro. that we fhould give Diligence, to make our Calling andElelionfore. Obf: 2. That it as the Prieft's Office to judge of the Leprofy. It is- the Office of the Minifters of God to help his People, in difcerning their own Spiritual Eftates and Conditions towards God : Therefore it runs fo much upon the Prieft throughout the Chapter. Bring him to the Priers, and the Prieftfhall make him unclean. Defile biro, pollute him that is, Minifterially declare him fo to be. As Ezek. q.3.314 deftroy the Citythat is, Prophefy its Deftruûion. God bath given his Minifters Power to retain and remit Sins, 'oh.20.23-. which is the-thing intended in this typical Work of the Príefts. How fhould 1 underftandwithout an Interpreter ? A&.8. i. How could Men know the meaning of the Scripture, or apply it aright, without this Means which God hash appointed for their help ? Ordinarily they cannot: Z>fe. It reproves that Refcrvednefs of many, who know not their own Condition, whether they be Lepers or no, and yet will not dif- ciofe their Cafe ; whereas it may be the Prieft might declare and evidence it to them, that they are Clean. To complain to every one, and to make Table-talk of their Corruptions, and fo to fifb out Prai- fesa
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