after he was consecrated. He would not discharge the duties of the priestly office in a disorderly manner. For, although he was appointed to that office, in the eternal counsels of peace, yet he must be actually invested with it, before he could or would officiate therein. As Paul, when speaking of the priestly office says, "No man taketh this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest, but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." But, he was called the son of God at his baptism. Hence it is evident, that he was actually invested with that honor at that time: Wherefore,

Second. From the circumstances attending his baptism, it appears that he was there consecrated to his priestly office. He was there washed with water by John, and anointed with holy oil by the Father. The spirit of God descended like a dove, and lit upon him. His anointing by the Spirit was without measure: so that he was well qualified for his office. And according to the statute, he was thirty years old when he was consecrated.*

Third. From the declaration from heaven, it appears that his baptism was for the priestly office, viz." This is my beloved son in whom I am well

a Psalm cx, 4. b Heb. v, 4, 5. c Matth. iii, 17.

d Psalm xlv, 7—Heb. i, 9—Acts iv,

e Matth. iii, 16-Luke iii, 21-23.

27.

h Luke iv, 18-John iii, 34. i Luke iii, 23.

pleased." The same words were repeated at another time, with the addition of an injunction to hear or obey him. But we are to hear the instructions of a priest, as it is written. "For the Priest's lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts." But Jesus Christ is that priest whose law we are to seek and obey. Consequently, he was here consecrated to his priestly office. And this is also farther confirmed by Isaiah, as quoted by Matthew: "Behold my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show forth judgment to the Gentiles." Now the priests were the servants of God to make atonement for the people, and to teach them his law." To this office they were set apart at their consecration. Christ also, as a priest, was a servant to his Father, to make reconciliation for iniquity. And as a priest, the law was to be sought at his mouth. "The isles shall wait for his law," saith the prophet. He was anointed to preach the gospel; and to shew forth judgment to the Gentiles; for which the spirit was to be put upon him, and this was done at his baptism.

From the above considerations, it evidently appears that Christ, at his baptism, was consecrated to the priestly office.

a Matth. xvii, 5-Luke ix, 35. 6 Mal. ii, 7.

Isaiah xlii, 5-Matth. xii, 18.

e Isaiah lxi, 1—Luke iv, 18.

d Lev. ix, 7.

Fourth. The apostle Paul teaches us, that “No man taketh this honor," of the priesthood "to himself. He must not only be lawfully called, but regularly ordained to his office, before he has a right to officiate therein. "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest." This glory and honor he received of the Father, as Peter informs us, "For he received from God the Father, glory and honor." When did he receive this? He adds, "When there came such a voice from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." But these words which Peter heard in the holy mount, were spoken of Christ, when he was baptized. It was, therefore, at his baptism, that Christ was glorified to be made an high priest; that is, actually invested with the honor and office of the priesthood by the washing of water and the anointing of oil, that is, of the Holy Spirit from the Father: Hence again, it appears evident, even to a demonstration, that his baptism was for the priestly office.

It has been objected, that Christ was not "after the order of Aaron"; and therefore needed no consecration. To this we reply, that His order was not such as to free him from the obligation of the Levitical statute concerning the consecration of priests. This appears certain, as well from what has been shown above, as from the fact, that he

Heb. v, 4, 5. b 2 Peter i, 17.

refused, or would not officiate in his office, until he had complied with that statute. Christ was of the tribe of Judah, of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests. His priestood was unchangeable, and confirmed by an oath. But the priesthood of Aaron was changeable, and without an oath. It was in these particulars that Christ was not after the order of Aaron; and not in any thing which could supersede the necessity of being regularly inducted into his office.

Lastly. That our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was baptized for the priestly office, appears from his own acknowledgement of the fact. When the chief priests and elders of the people came to him, as he was teaching in the temple, and demanded to know by what authority he did such things; and who had given him such authority; He immediately referred them to the baptism of John, by whom he had been baptized, and asked them: "Whether it was of heaven or of men?" They knew that he had been baptized by John; and if his baptism was of man, then of course, he could have no authority to preach. But if it was from heaven, then his authority was established. For, he was there actually invested with the office of the priesthood, by the washing of water, and the anointing of the holy oil, according to the Levitical statute.

If Christ had any meaning in referring them to

a Heb. vii, 21, 24.

John's baptism, it must have been this. Because his reference was in compliance with their question concerning his authority to preach; and for the purpose of silencing them upon their own principles, which he also effected. They believed that John had received his commission to baptize, from heaven, but were afraid to acknowledge it to him, fearing that he would attack them for their unbelief. For, John had pointed him out as the Messiah in whom they should believe; having received a testimony of it at his baptism; yet they would not believe that he was the Christ. And they were so puzzled with the question, that they would have said “it was of men," had they not feared the people, who held John as a prophet."

Hence it manifestly appears that Christ was baptized for the PRIESTLY OFFICE. Nor does it less evidently appear, that the Holy Spirit caused such clear proofs of this truth to be recorded, with the express view to silence the opposition which he saw would be raised against it in after ages. Herein, as on all other subjects, we discover the wisdom and faithfulness of Christ as high priest "over the house of God," in giving his people such instruction as may guide them into those truths which are honorable to his name and comfortable to them under all opposition.

A question now occurs, which may be worthy

a Matth. xxi, 23–27.