ciently prove. The different Colours and Materials, in the Garment, denote the many nations, languages, kindreds, and tongues, gathered into the body of the Lamb where Jew and Gentile are reconciled, and both made one. Aaron's Garment was so contrived, that He should bear the names of the people upon his shoulders, engraven upon the stones of Memorial: his bearing them on his shoulders, signifies his carrying their names, persons, and burdens, through the whole of what he officiated in. This answers well to Jesus, who says of his Church, He bare them, and carried them all the Days of old. The Names of the people were also engraven upon the breast-plate of judgment, which (Aaron bearing them on his Heart) implied his tender concern, and care for their welfare. And, how carefully concerned Jesus is, for the welfare of the people, let his humbled and sorrowful Life, His sharp dolorous Sufferings, His shameful and bloody Death, upon the accursed Tree, bear witness. And, that their Names were engraven on precious stones, * *Isa. Ixiii. 9. denotes first, the value of them, since the most valuable of Gems were appointed to receive the engraving. The everlasting durableness of their names was hinted here also, where such stones were ordained to bear them, whose nature admits not of their being erased. This also leads to Jesus, who says, behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.* Aaron could not be consecrated until he had the Garment on him. Neither could Jesus officiate as the High-Priest and Saviour of the people, without taking upon him the seed of Abraham.† It being necessary that he as an high-priest, should have somewhat to offer. When Aaron had his Garment on Him, he was anointed, and not before It was then, the precious ointment was poured on his Head, and running down his Beard, reached the Hem of his Garment. Concerning which oil, the Lord saith, Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it, it is holy and it shall be holy unto you: whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.* May it not be determined, that this oil, answers to the unction which is from the holy one; the anointing which guides us into all truth: that washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.t Jesus when anointed with the Holy Ghost, and with Power, was clothed with the people; they being anointed in him. Behold how pleasant a thing it is, for Brethren to dwell together in unity; it is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the Beard, even Aaron's Beard, that went down to the skirt of his garment. The Composition like unto this, forbidden by the Lord, is a compound of such virtues, amiable qualities, gracious dispositions, &c. as are thought to abound in man: and when distinct from the consideration of Union with Christ, and of being anointed in Him, Men profess themselves anointed with the Holy Ghost and with Power, imputing every change of sentiment, and behaviour, to * Exod. xxx. 32, 33. † Tit. iii. 5, 6. the immediate influence of the Divine Spirit; and thus judging of spiritual things, by their own passions, and fleshly reformations, they may be said to pour the oil upon the Flesh of Man; yea, upon the stranger, contrary to the divine institution. Aaron was to have his garment on when he ministered in holy things, nor was he to enter into the holy place without it, lest he died: And it was to be unto him for Glory and for Beauty. A true representation of Jesus, clothed with the people; when by himself he purged our sin, offering himself up unto God, through the eternal Spirit; having put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And, as by Union to him, they were crucified with him, so also being risen with him, he entered not into the holy place without them but like Aaron he entered, wearing the people into the immediate presence of God: and there presenting himself, said, Behold I, and the Children whom God hath given me. For, when Aaron entered into the holy place, with Blood in his Hand, (the names of the people sparkling upon his Breast-plate, before : the face of God,) the Blood which He then offered, was respected in Justice, as the very Blood of the offending people; whose names being engraven on the gar-. ment, were there present; and sparkling, were seen in the Blood, by divine Justice: there rendering a reason of their expectations from the mercy seat. On this account, was the Breast-plate called the Breast-plate of Judgment; because, by what was there represented, it is evident that mercy was expected in a way of Judgment; that the song might be of Mercy and Judgment. The very same Union (with as much more reality, as the substance hath above the shadow) is there between the sufferings and Blood of Jesus, and the people: That Blood, and wounded Form, with which he entered into the holiest of all, and in which, he still appears as a Lamb who hath been slain, relates so truly to the seed of Abraham, whom he took upon him as a Garment, who were contained in his Body, as members thereof, of his Flesh, and of his Bones, as to be in Justice, respected as their own Blood, shed for their sins: and a sufficient reason rendered, of their faith in, |