3.14 The Gofpel,of Cleanfing from the Leprofy. which was done by feveral Sacrifices and Ceremonies appointed and directed in that i4th. Chapter of Leviticus, wherein the method. the Holy Ghoft is pleated to ufe is this. He gives DireEion firft concern- ing the cleanfingof a Leprous Perfon, to Verf 33. and then of a Le- prous Houfe, from serf. 33. to the end of the Chapter. The Rules and Directions about the cleanfing ofa Leprous Perfun are of two forts : Preparative and Executive. ThePreparatory Direilions are thefe three. 1. He muff be brought unto the Prieft, Lev. 14. Vert. a. This was an Ordinance of God, and therefore Chrift himfelf requires the Obfer- ration of it, of that Leper whom he himfelf had cured miraculoufly, Matth. 8. 4. GoPhew thy felf unto the Prieft, and offer the Gift that Mofes commanded. The Leper Was to (Iva z11 alone without the Camp, and without the City ; but he was to be brought to the outmoft Part of the Camp, or to the Gates of the City, to the Prieft. Now the truePrieft is fetus Chrift : Therefore the meaning of this Ordinance was plainly and clearly this. That Leprous Souls muff come to fefus Chrift by Faith for Spiritual Healing. He is Paid to arife with healing in his Wings. Mal. 4. a. You know howmany Lepers he did heal in the Days of his Flefh. And all the Miracles of Chrift had a fymbolical Ufe to inftrua us hi what he does for Souls in a Spiritual Way, by what he did for Mens Bodies in a miraculous Way. 2. The Prieft muff goforth out ofthe Camp to the Leper, Verf. 3. This plainly fpeaks thus much : That Jefus Chrift goes forth unto poor Sinners when in their Diftance, in their Back-flidings and Separations from the Lord : He feeks them and finds them out, whofe bleffed Of- fice it is, tofeek and to fave loft Sinners, Luke r9. r o. We are by Na- ture far from God, Phut out and call forth Aliens from the Common- wealth of Ifrael, Ephef. I. r z. When thou waft in thy Blood, I paf'ed by and pitied thee, Ezek. 16. 6. He goes to meet the returning Prodigal, Luke 15. 20. As the Prieft here to meet the Leper, when fhut out of the Camp of Ifrael. 3,. The Prieft (hall fee and behold if the Plague ofLeprofy be healed in the Leper, Verf. 3. The Judgment of it is committed to the Prieft, and he muff judge as the Thing is. It is Chrift himfelf that is the Judge of Souls, and he will judge true and righteous Judgment, Ifa. x r. 3. be fhall not judge according to the feeing of his Eyes. Though Men judge thou art a Leper, a Schifmatick, a Fanatick, be not troubled, if the Prieft pronounce thee Clean, if the Lord hash faid it to thee by the Witnefs of his Spirit in his Word. It is the Prieft
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