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externally by his Word, and internally by his Spirit: John xx. 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son * of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name. Chap. xiv. 26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will fend in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.' And by his fo executing his prophetical Office, he redeems or refcues us from the Power of fpiritual Darkness, or Ignorance: Col. i. 13. [The Father] hath deliver

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us from the power of darkness, and hath tranf'lated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.' Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgivenefs of fins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. So Chrift hath redeemed none by Power, but those who are refcued from the Power of their natural Darkness: Matth. iv. 16. The people which fat in darkness,

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great light: and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up." Eph. v. 8. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children 'of light. His Word is the Scripture of the Old and New Testament: Col. iii. 16. Let the word of Chrift dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in pfalms, and hymns, and spiritual fongs, finging with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And the Scripture is his Word, in that it was written by the Infpiration of his Spirit : 2 Tim. iii. 16. All 'scripture is given by inspiration of God. 1 Pet.

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Of Christ as a Prophet. i.rr. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did fig'nify; when it testified beforehand the fufferings ' of Chrift, and the glory that should follow.' He reveals to us the Will of God for our Salvation, externally by the Word; giving us the Scripture, wherein we may fee it, and the Preaching of the Word, wherein we may hear it: John v. 39. • Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye ' have eternal life, and they are they which testi'fy of me.' Rom. x. 18. But I say, Have they ' not heard? Yes, verily, their found went in

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to all the earth, and their words unto the ends ' of the world. We ought then to look upon our having of the Bible among us, and the Preaching of the Word to us, by his Servants, as Chrift's executing his prophetical Office among us: Heb. xii. 25. See that ye refufe not him that fpeaketh: For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we ' escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh 'from heaven.' Col. iii. 16. forecited. Luke x. 16.

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He that heareth you, heareth me and he that ' despiseth you, despiseth me: and he that de. spiseth me, despiseth him that sent me. But the external Revelation of the Will of God for our Salvation, by the Word, is not fufficient to redeem or refcue us from the Power of our spiritual Darkness: Deut. xxix. 4. 'The Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to fee, and ears to hear unto this day. 2 Cor. ii. 16. To the one we are the favour of death unto death; and to the other, the favour of life unto life: and who is sufficient for these things?" Chap. iii. 6. The letter killeth, but the spirit gi

veth life. Because, when it is externally revealed, we cannot favingly know it, without an internal Illumination: 1 Cor. ii. 14. 'But the na'tural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit ' of God; for they are foolishness unto him: nei'ther can he know them, because they are fpiri'tually difcerned.' Acts xxvi. 18. forecited. Chrift then doth redeem or rescue us from the Power of our spiritual Darkness, by joining an internal Revelation by his Spirit, with the external Revelation by his Word: 1 Cor. ii. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep 'things of God. verf. 12. Now we have received, not the fpirit of the world, but the Spi'rit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.' 2 Cor. ii. 6. The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth 'life.' verf. 17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is 'liberty.' We are to receive Christ as our Prophet, renouncing our own Wifdom, and wholly giving up ourselves to him, to be taught in all Things, by his Word and Spirit: Matth. xvi. 24. Then faid Jefus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Acts iii. 22. For Mofes truly faid unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. We are to make use of him, as our Prophet, daily applying and trusting to him, for Light, Instruction, pen Direction, in in all Things: Pfal. cxix. 18.

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thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.' Prov. iii. 5. 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto ⚫ thine own understanding. In ali thy ways acknow <ledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Quest. 25. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prieft?

Anf. Chrift executeth the Office of a Prieft, in his once offering up of himfelf a Sacrifice, to fatisfy Divine Justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual Interceffion for us.

EXPLICATION.

The Office of Priests was to offer Sacrifice, and pray, for the People: Heb. v. 1. For every high prieft taken from among men, is ordained for ' men in things pertaining to God, that he may ' offer both gifts and sacrifices for fins.' Num. vi. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. And the Lord spake unto • Mofes, faying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his fons, faying, On this wife ye shall bless the children of Ifrael, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee the Lord make his face * shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Compared with Mal. i. 9. And now, I pray you, befeech God that he will

be gracious unto us this hath been by your ' means: will he regard your perfons? faith the * Lord of hosts.' And the Lord Jesus Chrift, as

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our Redeemer, is truly and properly a Prieft; Heb. vii. 3. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and facrifices: wherefore it is of neceflitry that this man have fomewhat also to 'offer.' The Difference betwixt him and the other Priefts lay chiefly here, that they and their Priesthood were the Types and Shadows, whereof Chrift and his Priesthood were the Substance, really accomplishing what they shadowed forth: Heb. x. 1. For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the 'things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect.' verf. 9. 10. faid he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the 'second. By the which will we are fanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Chrift once for all.' Eph. i. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chrift, who hath bleffed. us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places 'in Chrift.' Our Redeemer was qualified for such an efficacious Priesthood, by the infinite Dignity of his Person, and his real untainted Holiness: Heb. iv. 14. We have a great high priest that is paffed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God." Chap. vii. 26. For fuch an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, feparate from 'finners, and made higher than the heavenss Verf. 28. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath which was fince the law, maketh the Son, who is confecrated for evermore.' The Office of a Prieft belongs to our Redeemsa Redeemer by Price: 1 Pet. i. 18. 10

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