II. Our Mediator is called Christ, or, as it is generally expressed in the Old Testament, the Messiah, which signifies a person anointed: thus it is said, _We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ_, John i. 41. or, as it is in the margin, the _anointed_. And, as anointing was made use of under the ceremonial law, in the public inauguration and investiture of prophets, priests, and kings, in their respective offices, they are, for that reason, called _God’s anointed:_ thus it is said, concerning the prophets, _Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm_, Psal. cv. 15. Kings are likewise so styled, as Samuel says, _Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him_, 1 Sam. xvi. 6. These were often anointed, though not always;[139] but the priests were always anointed, when they first entered on their office; and the high priest is described by this character, as he upon _whose head the anointing oil was poured;_ so we read of _the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments_, Psal. cxxxiii. 2. This was not an insignificant ceremony, or merely political, in which respect it is used, in our day, in the inauguration of kings; but it was an ordinance to signify God’s designation of them, to the office which they were to execute, in which they were to expect, and depend upon him for those qualifications that were necessary thereunto; but it was more especially designed to typify the solemn inauguration and investiture of our Saviour, in the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King of his church; and, in allusion hereunto, he is called, _the Messiah_, or _the Christ_. His anointing was not external, or visible, with material oil; but, in a spiritual sense, it signified his receiving a commission from the Father to execute the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King: upon which account, he is styled, God’s _holy child Jesus, whom he had anointed_, Acts iv. 27. And this unction, as it was of a spiritual nature, so it was attended with greater circumstances of glory; and the offices he was appointed to execute, were more spiritual, extensive, and advantageous, than theirs, who were types thereof: thus the Psalmist says of him, _God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness, above thy fellows_, Psal. xlv. 7. accordingly he was anointed to execute his prophetical office, _to preach the gospel to the poor_, Luke iv. 18. and his priestly, so the prophet Daniel speaks of him, as _finishing transgression, making an end of sin, bringing in an everlasting righteousness_, Dan. ix. 24. which he did as a Priest; and then he speaks of anointing him, who was most holy, as infinitely excelling all those who were anointed with holy oil. He is also said to be anointed to execute his kingly office; and, with respect thereunto, is called the Lord’s anointed; and God says, concerning him, _I have set_, or as it is