Numbers 6

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VI.—In these Nazarites let me behold the blessed Jesus solemnly separated by himself and his Father to the service of God in our redemption:—Jesus, never debled with carnal comforts or pleasures, nor intoxicated with sinful lusts or worldly cares, nor polluted by his connection with sinners naturally dead in trespasses and sins:—Jesus, who, for Nazarine hair, hath the most noted graces and good works; yea, hath his people growing up into him as their hand:—Jesus, never failing, but persevering in his work, and finishing it in all his all-comprehensive offering of himself for us; and, in his resurrection, laying aside every token of continued subjection to an angry God or broken law. In these Nazarites let ministers also, let saints, separated to the service of God, learn to deny themselves, mortify the deeds of the body, renounce this world, and the pleasures of sin or sense, and behave as solemnly consecrated to God alone. Let every breach of their vows, through fellowship with dead and untruthful works of darkness, occasion repeated application to Jesus’s purifying blood, and to more diligence in duty. And, after finishing their course, let them thank God for his gracious assistance, account themselves unprofitable servants, and trust only to Jesus’s all-sufficient sacrifice of himself as the ground of their hope and joy.—In this priestly benediction of the Hebrews, let me behold Jesus, appointed of God to bless sinful men; yea, becoming blessings to them;—and God discovering his grace, by rendering his ordinances, apparently simple in themselves, effectual for blessing us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Let me therefore look only to God for what blessings I need; and by faith hold communion with Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in order to the enjoyment of them