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their testimony to this truth by typical persons, emblematical miracles, and figurative usages. Indeed, the whole ceremonial service was a grand series of types, representing Christ and his everlasting righteousness: in all which this was the unanimous, though silent lan. guage, Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.' These I shall not stay to discuss, because proofs of a more explicit and positive nature wait for our consideration: only I would just make a transient observation relating to one very remarkable constitution in the Jewish ritual.

The high-priest had, on the front of his mitre, a plate of pure gold, engraven with that venerable motto, 'Holiness to the Lord;' which was always to be on his forehead when he performed the solemn ministrations of the sanctuary; and for this important reason, that the people might be accepted before the Lord.' Did not this most clearly foreshew the immaculate holiness of our great High-priest? and with equal clearness imply, that his holiness should procure acceptance for all his followers?

In the Book of Job we have several hints of this truth, and one passage very express to our purpose. Elihu describes an unconverted person under the chas. tising hand of Providence, Whose life,' through the extremity of his disease, drew near to the grave; and his soul,' through the multitude of his iniquities, was ready to become a prey to the destroyers.' In this deplorable condition, if there be present with him the Messenger' of the covenant of peace, that great Interpreter of the divine counsels, who, for his superexcellent wisdom, is justly deemed 'One among a thou

Exod. xxviii. 36, 37.

+ Exod. xxviii. 38.

See Job. xxxiii. 22, &c. Christ is called T the Augel of the divine presence, Isa. Ixiii. 9.; the Messenger of the covenant, Mal. iii. 1. He is also, in the most unlimited sense of the phrase, the Interpreter of the divine counsels; he, to whom the Father hath given the tongue of the learned, and by whom makes known the otherwise unsearchable mysteries of the gospel. Should any doubt remain concerning the propriety of applying this passage to our Lord Jesus Christ, the reader, I hope, will give himself the pleasure of perusing the polite Witsíus, Econ. lib. iv. cap. iii. § xxxi., and Dr. Grey's valuable notes upou the place, in his Liber Jobi.

sand, or rather the chiefest among ten thousand. If he, by his enlightening Spirit, vouchsafe to shew unto" the afflicted man his' own perfect righteousness, that most meritorious 'uprightness,' on which alone a sinner may depend both for temporal and eternal salvation, 'then' the poor distressed creature, attentive to this instruction, and applying this righteousness, is made par. taker of pardon, God,' the sovereign Lord of life and death, is gracious unto him, and saith,' in the greatness of his strength, as well as in the multitude of his mercies, Deliver him from going down to the pit' of corruption, as a pledge of his deliverance from the pit of perdition, for I have found a ransom,' sufficient to satisfy my justice; I have received an atonement in behalf of this once obnoxious, now reconciled transgressor.

But why do I select one particular paragraph? It seems to be the main design of the whole book to overthrow all pretensions of any justifying righteousness in man, that the wretched sinner, nay, that the greatest saint, stript of every personal plea, may rely only on the merits of a Redeemer. This is the final issue of all those warm debates which pass between the af flicted hero and his censorious friends. This is the grand result of Elihu's calm reasoning, and of God Almighty's awful interrogatories; the apparent centre this, in which all the lines terminate, justly therefore to be considered as the principal scope of the whole work.

1 must not omit an excellent observation which I find in some critical and explanatory notest on the last words of David; the judicious author proving that this song relates to Christ; that it displays the dignity of our Redeemer, under the character of the King,' and 'the Just One;' adds, as an explication of the last amiable and glorious title, 'Our Lord Jesus Christ is so called, not so much for having fulfilled all righteousness in his own person, and performed an unsinning obedience to the will of God, as because by his righteousness imputed

See Job xlii. 6.

+ By Dr. Grey. See 2 Sam. xxiii. 1, &c.

to us, we also, upon the terms of the gospel, are jus tified, or accounted righteous before God.'

I think we may evidently discern the same vein of evangelical doctrine running through many of the psalms: He shall convert my soul,'-turn me, not only from sin and ignorance, but from every false confidence, and every deceitful refuge. He shall bring me forth in paths of righteousness,' in those paths of imputed righteousness which are always adorned with the trees of holiness, are always watered with the fountains of consolation, and always terminate in everlasting rest. Some, perhaps, may ask why I give this sense to the passage; why may it not signify the paths of duty, and the way of our own obedience? Because such effects are here mentioned as never have resulted, and never can result, from any duties of our own. These are not green pastures,' but a parched and blasted heath. These are not still waters,' but a troubled and disorderly‡ stream. Neither can these speak

That is, freely, or, as the prophet speaks, without money and without price; for nothing is requisite in order to a partfcipation of Christ and his benefits, but a conviction of our extreme need, and an unfeigned desire to receive them as gifts of pure grace vouchsafed to the most undeserving creatures. This point, which is so intimately connected with our comfort and hope, the reader may see more full stated in Dialogue XV. ↑ Psal. xxiii. 3. I am sensible the word " may signify to refresh or restore, may answer to the Greek phrase aveve, and denote the comforts of the Holy Ghost. This verb may also bear the same signification with the participle επιστρέψας, in our Lord's exhortation to Peter, When thou art converted, not describing the first grand revolution in the heart, by which. a new determination is given to the judgment, and a new bias to the affections; but expressing those subsequent operations of the Divine Spirit, by which we are recovered from our various relapses, and healed of our daily infirmities; and I question whether there is any instance in which we more frequently need these restoring aids, than in the case of adhering to our Redeemer's righteousness; so prone are we to forget our restingplace!' so liable to fail from our steadfastness in Christ!

Blasted, disorderly-Let not these words grate on the ear; or, if they grate on the ear, let them humble the heart. What were Job's duties? Zealous and exemplary; practised from his very youth; and neither excelled nor equalled by any person on earth. Yet these, in point of justification, were not a whit better han Aspasio represents. Let us hear the last words of this matchless saint, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.' From this confession we learn that, with all his furniture of personal obedience, he had just enough to be ashamed, confounded, undone.

peace, or administer comfort, when we pass through the valley and shadow of death. To yield these blessings is the exalted office of Christ, and the sole prerogative of his obedience.

Admitting that this obedience is of sovereign advantage during the years of life, and in the hour of death, it may still occur to the serious and inquisitive mind, what will be our safeguard, after the great change? When the soul departs, and our place on earth knows us no more; when the body revives, and we shall all stand before the judgment-seat, what will then avail us? The same righteousness of our divine Lord. This, if I mistake not, is displayed in the very next psalm, which begins with a solicitous inquiry, subjoins a satisfactory answer, and closes with a most pertinent but rapturous apostrophe. This is the inquiry: 'Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall rise up in his holy place? This is the answer: 'Even he that hath clean hands and a pure heart." He shall receive the blessing' of plenary remission 'from the Lord, and righteousness also from the God of his salvation; even that perfect righteousness which is not acquired by man, but bestowed by Jehovah; which is not performed by the saint, but received by the sinner; which is the only solid basis to support our hopes of happiness, the only valid plea for an admission into the marsions of joy. Then follows the apostrophe. The prophet foresees the ascension of Christ and his saints into the kingdom of heaven. He sees his Lord marching at the head of the redeemed world, and conducting them into regions of honour and joy. Suitably to such a view, and in a most beautiful strain of poetry, he addresses himself to the heavenly portals, 'Lift up you heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory,' with all the

Psal. xxiv. 4. Who hath clean hands and a pure heart?' He only, whose heart is sprinkled from an evil conscience' by the precious blood of Christ, and who lives by faith in the Son of God. Heb. x. 22. Gal. ii. 20.

† The words of the apostle, ο λαμβάνων την δωρεαν της dikaιooving, are almost a literal translation, and the very best explanation, of the psalmist's language, р NW Rom.

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heirs of his grace and righteousness, shall make their triumphant entry; shall enter in,' and go out no more.

Having shewn the powerful and extensive influence of our Redeemer's righteousness; its efficacy in this world to justify, in the other world to glorify; well may the sweet singer of Israel profess his supreme value for it, and entire dependence on it: I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God, and will make mention of thy righteousness only." As though he had said, I will have recourse to no other righteousness for the consolation of my soul; I will plead no other righ teousness for the recommendation of my person; I will fly to no other righteousness for my final acceptance and endless felicity. This is that 'raiment of needlework and clothing of wrought gold,'t in which the king's daughter is introduced to Him who sitteth in the heavens over all.' This is that garment' for glory and for beauty,' which clothed our great High-priest, and descending to his very feet, clothes and adorns the lowest members of his mystical body.

Recollecting all the foregoing particulars, justly and on the most rational ground, does our royal author declare, Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.' They are truly blessed, they alone are happy, who know the joyful sound' of the gospel; not only receive it with their ears, but admit it into their very hearts, so as to partake of the sacred peace and spiritual liberty which it proclaims. They shall walk in the light of thy countenance;' they shall enjoy such communications of thy grace, and such manifestations of thy love, as will constitute the serenity and sunshine. of their souls. In thy name,' O Lord Jesus Christ, in thy glorious person, and thy infinite merits, shall

Psal. lxxi. 16. There is, in the Hebrew original and in the new translation, a very emphatical repetition, which adds weight to the sentiment, and demands peculiar attention from the reader: Thy righteousness, even thine only.'

† Psal. lxv. 13.

Exod. xxvii. 31. Notabat,' says Witsius upon the place, illud pallium justitie, quo indutus est, et suos induit Christus." Psal. lxxxix. 15, 16.

Rev. i. 13.

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