The Leper and the Lepers House Cleansed, Part 2
PART. II.
Thus having ſpoken to the Diſeaſe, we next come to ſpeak of the Remedy against it.
ABout which we may note theſe three things: Firſt, There was ſomething to be done by the Leper himſelf, in order to his Cleanſing. Secondly, You have the Perſon noted by whom the Cure was to be wrought. Thirdly, You have the Means noted alſo, which was to be uſed in order to the Cure of the Leper. Firſt of all, we are to conſider what was to be done by the Leper himſelf in order to his Cure, which hath two things in it: Firſt, He was to go or be brought to the Prieſt, that his Diſeaſe might be diſcovered, and lookt into. Secondly, And if it proved to be the Leproſie, then was he to go out of the Camp, and be ſeparated from the People.
Firſt of all, He was to go or be brought to the Prieſt, that his Diſeaſe might be diſcovered and lookt into, in order to his Recovery: Levit. 13. 2. When a Man which ſhall have in the Skin of his Fleſh, a Swelling, or a Scab, or a white Spot in the Skin of his Fleſh, if it be like the Plague of Leproſie, then ſhall he be brought to the Priest. Now the Levitical Prieſt, who was to be the Inſtrument of this corporal Cure, was a Type of Jeſus Chriſt, our Goſpel High-Prieſt, who alone can heal the ſpiritual Leproſie of our polluted and defiled Natures; and indeed, one great part of the Apoſtle's Work, in his Epiſtle to the Hebrews, is to ſhew the Levitical Prieſthood, typical of the Prieſt-hood of Chriſt, not only in the Work of offering Gifts and Sacrifices for the People; but alſo, in that compaſſionating Care that Chriſt ſhould exerciſe over his Members, in healing and helping them under their Infirmities, Heb. 5. 1, 2. From whence we ſhall raiſe this Obſervation:
Doct. That if any have a deſire to be healed of their … Leproſies and Soul-pollutions, they must come, on be brought to Jeſus Christ.
Where could the Iſ…lites go, or unto whom could they repair for healing Help againſt their corporall Leproſies, but unto their Levitical Prieſts? Had they …ayelled, through the whole Would for a Cure, they could not imagin to obtain it from the Hands of any whom God had not appointed to adminiſter it; but God never appointed any, but their Prieſts to be the Inſtruments in this Work, and none but them; therefore, to neglect the Uſe, of them, was to abide ſtill under the power of their Leproſies: So in the caſe of our ſpiritual Leproſies, it is only Jeſus Chriſt which God hath appointed to adminiſter Health and Healing againſt it; it is he alone that is the anointed. High-Prieſt, to deal with our Soul-pollution, in order to the removing of it: Heb. 2. 17, 18. Wherefore in all things it behoved, him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the Sins of the People. For in that himſelf hath ſuffered being tempted, he is able to Succo… them that are tempted. Acts 4. 12. Neither is there Salvation in any other; for there is no other Name under Heaven given amongst Men, whereby we must be ſāved. So that if we ſeek to this High-Prieſt for a Cure of our Soulpollution, we need not doubt of healing Grace, to our effectual Recovery; becauſe he is able to ſave them to the uttermost, which come unto God by him, Heb. 7. 25. Thus as Jeſus Chriſt is our only High-Prieſt, appointed and ano… ed of God for Soul-cure, ſo it is our coming to him which gives us the Benefit in order to our Recovery; the reaſon is, becauſe our coming to him is made the Condition of it, Matt. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that Labour, and are heavy Laden, and I will give you Rest. Iſai. 55. 1. Ho, every one that thirſteth, let him come to the Waters. He that is a Thrist, let him come, and he that will, let him come, and take of the Waters of Life freely, Rev. 22. 17. Thus you ſee, though Chriſt our High-Prieſt be every way qualified and appointed by his Father for our Healing, who hath ſaid of Chriſt, I have laid help upon one that is Mighty; yet ſtill it is our coming to Chriſt for help, which effects the Cure in us (Mark) the leprous Perſon was to be brought to the Prieſt, Leo. 13. 45. and thou muſt be brought to Christ; or thou must endure thy Leproſie for ever; and ſo I come to make ſome Application upon this particular Point.
Ʋſe, This informs then, whence it is, and why it is, that we have ſo many ſpiritual Lepers amongſt us, ſo many Men and Women, who live in their Sins, walk after the Fleſh, taking pleaſure in Iniquity, fulfilling the Deſire of their fleſhly Minds, and are ſtill wandring after the Courſe of this World, yielding up of themſelves to the Government of the Prince of the power of the Air, the Spirit that works in the Hearts of the Children of Diſobedience. The reaſon lieth here, they come not to the Prieſt for a Cure, they make no uſe of Jeſus Chriſt for healing Grace; there is a deep Fountain opened to the Houſe of David, and to the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, for Sin, and Ʋncleanneſs, Zech. 13. 1. but they will make no uſe of it; which Fountain being the free Grace of God, running forth through the Merit of Chriſt's Blood, publiſhing itſelf to our Souls by the preaching of the Word and Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, this Grace and freely profered Mercy, they neglect, ſlight, and contemn, which is the only ordinary Means of their Cleanſing and Healing; now of theſe Chriſt-ſlighting and Graceundervaluing Souls, there are two ſorts: Firſt, Thoſe who wilfully reſufe and ſlight the Means of their Cleanſing, which is the Miniſtry of the Word; of ſuch we read in John 5. 40. They would not come to Christ that they might have Life; that is as you read in John 6. 66. They went back from Christ, that is, they turned their Backs upon the Miniſtry of Chriſt, for 'tis ſaid, they walked no more with him; and Solomon tells you, That ſuch as refuſe Inſtruction deſpiſe their own Souls, Prov. 15. 32. Thus, through the pride and haughtineſs of their Hearts, they ſſight the Means that ſhould cleanſe them; many of them are ſo Self-conceited, that they think they know already as much as the ableſt Miniſter of Chriſt can tell them, and are as ready to ſay, What can the beſt of them all ſay any more to them, than they have heard long ago? Neither for the future do they expect, that their longer waiting upon their Preaching, can be any addition to that meaſure of Knowledge, which by their Miniſtry they have attained unto already: Thus by their deſpiſing of Inſtruction, they deſpiſe their own Souls, and diſcern it not. Might not the poor Cripple, who lay at the Pool of Betheſda thirty eight Years, have ſlighted his waiting upon that Means long within that time, upon the ſame account? For had he come off from the Pool, and in his coming off ſhould have met with any one, which might have exhorted him to a return again, and to have waited a while longer upon that healing Pool, might not he have replied, Do not I know what the Pool of Betheſda is? Have I not ſeen the Waters of it, with the frequent Signs of the Angels troubling of them? Can any Man acquaint me with any Paſſage or Circumſtance about that Pool, which I know not as well as themſelves? And whatever others are pleaſed to ſay or affirm about the healing Vertue of it, yet for my part, I lay a Waiter upon it for thirty eight Years, and am come off a Cripple at laſt. But yet you may read, that his long waiting upon it, and keeping cloſe to it, in obedience to God's Ordinance, relating to it, had a full Recompence, with a perfect Cure; the Story you have at large in John 5. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Verſes. This Pool of Betheſda was a lively Figure of the Preaching of the Word, with the reſt of the Ordinances of the Goſpel, which are called the Healing Waters, Ezek. 47. 9. and the Fountain which is opened for Sin and Ʋncleanneſs, Zech. 13. 1. And as the Waters of Betheſda healed not until the Angel came down into them, giving a preſent Vertue to them for that purpoſe; ſo the Word and Ordinances of the Goſpel, muſt receive their Power and Vertue from the Preſence of Chriſt in them, who is the Angel of the Covenant; this and only this makes them healing to our leprous Souls, John 15. 3. Now are you Clean through the Word which I have ſpoken unto you. Beware then, as you value your Souls, that you give not way to a haughty Spirit, in ſlighting and neglecting the healing Waters of the Sanctuary, for fear leſt you Periſh and Die in your Leproſies: Oh! read and tremble at that word in Heb. 2. 3. How ſhall we Eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation.
2dly, There are a ſecond ſort of Lepers which are not healed by the cleanſing Means of the Word and Ordinances of the Goſpel, and they are your careleſs Hearers; which tho they attend upon the Means and Miniſtry of the Word, yet they do not ſeriouſly intend any ſaving Benefit to their Souls thereby. There are many whoſe Conſciences will not allow them to neglect an Ordinance, yet never propoſe to themſelves any ſpiritual End in their waiting upon them: There are ſeveral that will travel ſome Miles to be at a religious Meeting, where the Word is preached, but never deſign the Converſion and Regeneration of their Souls thereby. Such as theſe who have no higher End in waiting upon the Goſpel, but only to keep Peace with their Conſciences, are in the Eyes of Chriſt no better than Refuſers of that healing Means, which he holds forth to them in the Goſpel, there being (in his account) little difference betwixt not regarding the end of the Means and an open refuſal of it; of ſuch we read in Ezck. 33. 31, 32. They come unto thee, as the People cometh, and ſit before thee as my People, and they hear thy Words; but they will not do them, for with their Mouths they ſhew much Love, but their Hearts goeth after their Covetouſneſs; for lo thou art unto them as a very lovely Song of one that hath a pleaſant Voice, and can play well on an Inſtrument, for they hear thy Words, but they do them not.
2dly, A ſecond thing obſervable about the Leper, is this: After he had been with the Prieſt, and if his Diſeaſe was found to be a Leproſie, he was then to be ſeparated from the reſt of his Brethren, Lev. 13. 46. All the Days wherein the Plague ſhall be in him; he ſhall be Defiled, he is Ʋnclean, he ſhall dwell alone, without the Camp ſhall his Habitation be. Now if we apply this to the Anti-type, we may note this Truth from it:
Doct. That thoſe Perſons, which are under the Power of their ſpiritual Leproſies and Pollutions, are not only unfit for Fellowſhip and Communion with God, but with his People alſo.
This is a Truth ſo clear, as if it were written with the Beams of the ſhining Sun: As, firſt of all, That God and ſpiritual Lepers (whoſe Leproſie is reigning in them) can have no Fellowſhip nor Communion together: Iſa. 59. 2. Your Iniquities have ſeparated between you and your God, and your Sins have hid his Face from you. Hab. 1. 13. Thou art of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity, nor canst thou behold Evil. 2 Cor. 14. 15. What Fellowſhip hath Righteouſneſs with Ʋnrighteouſneſs, and what Communion hath Light with Darkneſs, and what Concord hath Christ with Belial. Yea, though he be a King in his Royal Robes, and hath this Leproſie on him in the Dominion of it, God will have no Fellowſhip with him though he ſits upon the Throne, Pſal. 94. 20. Shall the Throne of Iniquity have Fellowſhip with thee, which frameth Miſchief by a Law? Thus, as God will have no Fellowſhip with Lepers himſelf, ſo hath he prohibited his People from the ſame; this you ſee in Lev. 13. 46. That as ſoon as the Leproſie did appear upon any Iſraelite, he was to be ſeparated from the Camp, he was to have no more Communion with his Brethren, nor they with him until his Leproſie were healed: And doth not the Apoſtle ſeem to apply this in a ſpiritual Senſe to the People of God, as a Rule to be obſerved by the Churches of Chriſt in the times of the Goſpel? Doth he not ſay in 2 Cor. 6. 15. What part hath he that believeth with an Infidel? So 2 Theſſ. 3. 14. If any Man obey not our Word by this Epiſtle, note that Man, and have no Company with him, that he may be aſhamed. So 1 Cor. 5. 11. But now I have written unto you, not to keep Company; if any Man that is called a Brother, be a Fornicator, or Covetous, or an Idolater, or a Railer, or a Drunkard, or an Extortioner, with ſuch a one, no not to Eat. Thus you ſee how plain and clear it is, Firſt, That God will not; and, Secondly, His Will is, that his People ſhould not have any Fellowſhip with ſpiritual Lepers. And ſo we come to the Reaſon upon which this Truth is bottomed.
The Reaſon is this, That as one ſcabbed Sheep may ſpoil a whole Flock, ſo may one ſpiritual Leper ſpoil a whole Church: The Apoſtle told the Corinthians, that one inceſtuous Perſon amongſt them, might leaven all the reſt of the Society; if not with the ſame ſpiritual Pollution, yet with ſo much Guilt for their allowing of him amongſt them, which might procure ſome heavy Judgment upon them, 1 Cor. 5. 6. It's true, while we are in the World, we cannot avoid a common Commerce with them, upon a civil account, but we ought to avoid a ſpiritual Communion with them, in the higheſt Chriſtian Ordinance, upon any account, becauſe they are Lepers.
Ʋſe, This then may ſerve for Inſtruction to the Churches of Chriſt: Firſt, Who they ſhould keep out. Secondly, Who they ſhould keep out. Secondly, Who they ſhould thruſt out of their Fellowſhips and Communion.
Firſt of all, this Truth may reach them who ſhould keep out of their Fellowſhips and Communion: namely, The leprous Perſon. None can deny but that the Houſe of Iſael were the viſible Church of God; and few but will grant, That a ſpiritual Leproſie, is far more dangerous, therefore more to be avoided, than that which is corporal; ſo then, if the Church of God under the Law, were to drive out from their Communion, thoſe which had the leſs dangerous Leproſie, then ſurely the Churches of Chriſt in Goſpel-times, ought to keep out thoſe from their Communion which have the more dangerous Leproſie upon them; therefore the ſame which the Apoſtle ſaith of him that is a Brother, may very well be applied to one (that with reſpect to particular Church-communion) would be a Brother, If he be a Fornicator, or Covetous, or a Drunkard, or a Railer, or an Idolater, or an Extortioner, with ſuch a one, no not to Eat, 1 Cor. 5. 11.
2dly, This ſerves to inſtruct the People of God, who they are which they ſhould thruſt out of their Fellowſhips and Communion, (viz) Every ſpiritual unclean Leper, that will not be cleanſed; you have ſeen, that as ſoon as the Leproſie was broken out upon the Body of the Jewiſh Leper, he was immediately put out of the Camp of Iſrael, which Camp was the Church of God: Lev. 13. 46. As long as his Diſeaſe ſhall be upon him, he ſhall be defiled, he is unclean, he ſhall dwell alone, without the Camp ſhall be his Habitation. So alſo you may read, how agreeable to this Levitical Rule, is the Order which Chriſt hath eſtabliſhed in his Goſpel-churches, Matt. 18. 15, 16, 17. with 1 Cor. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Verſes. This ſpecial Care which ought to be taken by the Churches, in keeping cloſe to this Rule, is not only enjoyned upon the Miniſters of the Goſpel, but it was the great Duty of the Prieſts and Prophets under the Levitical Adminiſtration, Jer. 15. 19. If thou take forth the Precious from the Vile, thou ſhalt be as my Mouth; let them return to thee, but return not thou unto them, Ezek. 44. 6, 7. with Ver. 9. And thou ſhalt ſay to the Rebellious, even to the Houſe of Iſrael, thus ſaith the Lord, O ye Houſe of Iſrael, let it ſuffice you for all your Abominations, in that you have brought into my Sanctuary Strangers uncircumciſed in Heart, and uncircumciſed in Fleſh, to be in my Sanctuary to pollute it, even my Houſe, when ye offer my Bread, the Fat and the Blood, and they have broken my Covenant, becauſe of all your Abominations. Only this Rule is to be obſerved, before the Leper is to be ſeparated, Matt. 18. 15, 16. Go and tell him his Fault between thee and him alone; if he ſhall hear thee, thou hast gained thy Brother, but if he hear thee not, then tell it to the Church. It is not ſimply the Offence committed, which proves a Ground of caſting out the ſpiritual Leper; but it's his perſifting in his Offence, his refuſing to return, and his unwillingneſs to be cleanſed.
Thus far touching the Action of the Leper, in order to his Cleanſing: Firſt, He was to be brought to the Prieſt. Secondly, If his Diſeaſe were found to be a Leproſie, then was he to be ſeparated from all Communion and Fellowſhip with his Brethren.
2dly, We next come to the Action of the Prieſt, by whom the Cure was to be wrought, and here we ſhall handle the Action of the Prieſt, together with the Means he was to uſe in order to the Cleanſing of the Leper, Lev. 14. 4, 5, 6, 7. Then ſhall the Priest command to take for him that is to be cleanſed, two Birds alive, and clean, and Cedar-wood, and Scarlet, and Hyſſop. And the Priest ſhall command that one of the Birds be killed in an earthen Veſſel, over running Water. As for the living Bird he ſhall take, and the Cedar-wood, and the Scarlet, and the Hyſſop, and ſhall dip them and the living Bird, in the Blood of the Bird that was killed over the running Water. And he ſhall ſprinkle upon him that is to be cleanſed from the Leproſie, ſeven times, and ſhall pronounce him Clean, and ſhall let the living. Bird looſe into the open Field. Now for the opening of this Myſtery, we ſhall begin with the two Birds, which ſome think were two Sparrows, and they are called Clean, with reſpect to that Statute, Lev. 11. which made the difference betwixt Things allowed and diſallowed to be Eaten; thoſe Creatures which were allowed to be Eaten, were called Clean, of which kind were theſe Birds that are here uſed in the cleanſing of the Leper. Now theſe two Birds are very ſignificant of the twofold Work of Chriſt in our ſpiritual Cleanſing from our leprous and polluted Natures.
For firſt of all, you read that the firſt Bird was killed, which ſhadowed out the Death of Chriſt; for as the Leper could not be healed of his corporal Leproſie without the ſhedding of the Blood of the innocent Sparrow, no more could we be healed of our ſpiritual Leproſie of Sin, without the ſhedding of the Blood of an innocent Saviour, 1 John 1. 7. And the Bloud of Jeſus Christ cleanſeth us from all Sin. Rev. 5. 9. For thou wast Slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood. Heb. 9. 22. And without ſhedding of Blood is no Remiſſion.
2dly, The living Bird was to be let looſe, or to be let to fly away into the open Field, which ſignified the Action of Chriſt in order to his Work of Interceſſion, who was likewiſe to be let go from the Grave, tha… from thence he might take his flight for Heaven, there to fit at the righthand of God, to make Interceſſion for us, according to Heb. 7. 25. For as by his Death upon the Croſs, he made a full and compleat Satisfaction for all our Sins; ſo by his Aſcention to Heaven, he there is making continual Interceſſion for Sinners; and as by his Death upon the Croſs, he made Peace with God for us, ſo by his Interceſſion, he maintains that Peace with God for us. And, again, as he by his bleſſed Sacrifice (in offering up of himſelf) did thereby purchaſe our Right to all the Promiſes, relating to Life and God lineſs, ſo by his Interceſſion he powerfully prevails with his Father, that the Good of them might come down upon us.
3dly, And whereas you read, That the living Bird, with the Scarlet, the Cedar-wood, and the Hyſſop, all which was to be dipt into the Blood of the ſlain Bird; this being done, it made the Scarlet, the Cedar-wood, and the Hyſſop, ſo effectual in the Cleanſing of the Leper. This great Myſtery, ſignifies thus much to us, when applied to its Anti-type, That what Benefit upon a ſaving account there is in Chriſt, or of Chriſt, which any do receive in order to their effectual Redemption, and Soul-cleanſing, it doth all originate in, or originally proceed from the Vertue, Worth, and Merit of the Sufferings and Blood of Chriſt, as the procuring cauſe of all. Have we any Benefit by any Office of Chriſt, or Righteouſneſs in Chriſt, Grace from Chriſt, or relation to Chriſt? All this flows from the Spring and Fountain of a Chriſt crucified and flain for Sin; for you plainly ſee, that all the Means which was uſed in the Cleanſing of the corporal Leper, took its Efficacy from the Bloud of the ſlain Bird, the Scarlet, the Cedar-wood, and the Hyſſop, were all dipt in the Bloud of the ſlain Bird. From whence we may note this Obſervation:
Doct. That the Bloud of Christ ſhed for Sin, is the only Procuring-cauſe, of all the Grace, Mercy, and Favour, which the Elect of God are capable to receive, both in the Life that now is, and that which is to come.
This is a Truth which doth abundantly evidence itſelf from the Scriptures; Have we Grace and Sanctification in this Life? This the Scripture attributes to the Bloud of Chriſt, as the Procuring-cauſe of it, Heb. 9. 14. The Bloud of Christ purgeth our Conſciences from dead Works, to ſerve the Living God. Have we Peace with God? This he hath procured by the Bloud of his Croſs, Col. 1. 20. Have we Power and Strength to overcome our ſpiritual Enemies. Satan and the Luſts of the Fleſh? This is done by the Bloud of the Lamb, Rev. 12. 11. In a word, There is not a good Action done or performed by us, but the Grace which enables us thereunto, is the Fruit of Chriſt's Bloud, Heb. 13. 20, 21. The God that brought again from the dead our Lord Jeſus Christ, the great Biſhop of our Souls, through the Bloud of the everlaſting Covenant, make you perfect in every good Work to do his Will, working in you that which is wellpleaſing in his ſight, through Jeſus Christ. Is it Aſſurance, Joy, Peace in believing the Bloud of Jeſus Chriſt have procured this alſo, Col. 1. 11, 12, 13, 14 Verſes: And ſo for Heaven and Glory to come, this is the Fruit of Chriſt's Purchaſing-bloud which hath accompliſhed all this, Epheſ. 1. 14.
And ſo we come the Reaſon of the Point:
Reaſon.] This muſt be ſo, becauſe, what Good the Elect of God partake from him, either in this World, or in the World to come, let it be to their Sanctification here, or their Glorification hereafter; all this muſt flow forth to them from the Love of God, as the grand Cauſe of it, Epheſ. 2. 4, 5, 6 Verſes, But God who is rich in Mercy, for his great Love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in Sins, hath quickned us together with Christ, by Grace are ye ſaved, and hath raiſed us up together, and made us ſit together with Christ Jeſus in heavenly Places. So that you plainly ſee, to be quickned from a Death in Sin, and to be graciouſly Saved, (that is, from the Curſe and Condemnation of the Law, Gal. 3. 13. with Rom. 8. 1. and from the Dominion of Sin, Rom. 6. 14. and from the Captivating-power of the Devil, 1 John 3. 8. and from the Wrath of God, Theſſ. 1. 10. And after all this, to be dignified and exalted to that hight of Honour,) ſo as to be made to ſit with Chriſt, yea together with him in heavenly Places. The Apoſtle tells you in the fourth Verſe, That the great Love of God is the Foundation of all this to the Elect: Now it cannot be, that God ſhould deal with his Elect in ſuch a way of Love, until he be-firſt reconciled to them, and becomes their Friend; now he cannot become their Friend until a Reconciliation be made, for them, which was done, wrought out, and brought about by the Blood of Chriſt, Rom. 5. 8. In that while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us. So Verſe 10. When we were Enemies, we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son. So Col. 1. 20. And, having made Peace by the Bloud of his Croſs, by him to reconcile all things to himſelf. Thus you ſee, how, through the Bloud of Chriſt, the innocent Bird and Lamb of God, the way is abundantly opened, to God the Father's letting forth of his Grace and Love to the Elect, whom he had ordained thereunto, before the World began, Epheſ. 1. 4.
And ſo we come to make ſome Application of the whole:
1ſt Ʋſe, Is to teach us Thankfulneſs to the ever-bleſſed God, for this ſpecial Benefit, which he hath ſo graciouſly afforded us in order to our ſpiritual Cleanſing. Oh! Brethren, this was the higheſt Act of God's Love and Goodwill to the loſt Children of Adam, that could be manifeſted from Heaven itſelf, Rom. 5. 8. but God commended his Love towards us, in that while we were Sinners, Chriſt died for us: The meaning is, That there was nothing beyond this that could afford a higher Evidence of the Grace and Good-will of God to the loſt World: For God to create us Creatures, was a wonderful Expreſſion of his Power and Wiſdom, it being a bringing of ſomething out of nothing, a moſt adorable Act; but to ſave them when loſt, the Fruit of which is their being made new Creatures, 2 Cor. 5. 17. Created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good Works, which God before ordained that we ſhould walk in them, Epheſ: 2. 10. This was the higheſt Expreſſion of God's Wiſdom, Power, Love, and Grace, that poſſibly could be manifeſted in the Face of Men and Angels. What could Abraham give to God, of all he did poſſeſs, beyond the Life of his Son Iſaac? And, What could God give more to Sinners, than the Life of his Son? John 3. 16. God ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not Periſh, bu… have everlaſting Life. This was the moſt coſtlieſt Means for a Cure, that Heaven and Earth could procure, Oh, Chriſtians! and ſhall we not be Thankful for this, and rejoyce in the Lord for this? How unſuitable to a David-like Spirit would this be in us? Pſal. 103. 2, 3. O bleſs the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his Benefits; who forgiveth all thine Iniquities, and healeth all thy Diſeaſes. Oh Brethren, this ſpecial Bloud, calls for ſpecial Thankfulneſs, and the precious Effects of it, calls for the moſt preciouſeſt of our Obedience to God again; for as God the Father gave us his Son, ſo did God the Son give himſelf for us, that he might Redeem us from all Iniquity, and Purifie us to himſelf a peculiar People, zealous of good Works, Titus 2. 14.
2d Ʋſe, This ſhould ſerv… to teach us all, only to look upon the Bloud of Chriſt for the Curing of our leprous Souls: Oh have a care of mingling Chriſt's Bloud with the polluting Droſs and Dregs of Creature-worth and Worthineſs: the Bloud of Chriſt will cleanſe the pollutedeſt Leper in the World, if it be applied in its own Purity by Faith; but if mixed with the leaſt of Self-merit, it ſpoils the Vertue, Power, and Efficacy of it, and renders it of no uſe to the Soul.
3d Ʋſe, Learn hence alſo to put an ineſtimable Value upon the Bloud of Chriſt; O remember it is the Bloud of Cleanſing, and no Bloud but this can cleanſe Lepers: Thou haſt heard, that nothing but the Bloud of the ſlain Sparrow could heal the corporal Leper, to ſhew you that nothing but the pure Bloud of Jeſus Chriſt, can cleanſe the Soul from his ſpiritual Leproſie. Oh what a high Price ſhould you put upon this Bloud! Peter calls it precious Bloud, 1 Pet. 1. 19. Hence then, How ſhould we ſay of every thing (with the greateſt Indignation) that would offer itſelf as a Co-worker with Chriſt's Bloud, in the Cleanſing of our Souls, as Paul did? Phil. 3. 8. Yea doubtleſs, and I count all things but Loſs, for the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jeſus my Lord; for whom I have ſuffered the Loſs of all things, and do count them but Dung that I may win Christ.