wholly out of thy self and all other 300 Look onely unto Christ and that two wayes 302 How this looking cures us by faith and how by faith 303 Markes of one cured by looking to Christ. 304 Four qualities of the eye that lookes to him ibid. Motives to look up to our Serpent 306 Use of comfort in five particulars 307 In this Treatise are two things 1 The Introduction chap. 1. where 1 Propositions concerning the Church of God 2 Reasons of the ancient Ceremonies 2 The Treatise it self c 2. where 1 Christ is figured in holy persons 1 Singular eleven cap. 2 -12 2 Rankes and orders of men separated and sanctified 1 By birth the First-born c. 13. 2 By office the Priests c. 14 Deputation Execution 3 By vow the Nazarites c. 15 4 By ceremony Clean persons c. 16. 2 He is figured in holy things c. 17. 1 Ordinary Sacraments 1 Circumcision c. 18 2 Passeover c. 19. 2 Extraordinary answerable to 1 Circumcision Baptism 2 1 Pillar of Cloud Fire c. 2 2 Red Sea c. 21. 2 Passover and Lords Supper 2. 1 Manna froÌ„ heaveÌ„ c. 22 2 Water out of the Rock c. 23 Adde hereunto the Brazen Serpent c. 24. CHRIST REVEALED JOHN 14. 6. J am the Truth CHAP. I. HAving formerly delivered that Christ is Truth as opposed to falsehood we are now to shew that he is Truth as opposed to the shadows and figures of the old Law In the entrance into which Treatise we must premise some Propositions I. That the Lord decreed to have always a Church upon the face of the earth for the upholding of which he upholds the world For 1. He will have his name confessed and praised as well in earth as in heaven 2. He will maintaine his publike worship by it to distinguish heathenish Idolaters from true Worshippers 3. To prepare true beleevers in this Church militant to that Church triumphant and to set and polish them as living stones in this mount of the Church for that heavenly mountaine and temple II. For the effecting of his purpose he hath decreed that the doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ would be sounded out in the Church together with the doctrine of the Law that partly the right way of his shorship and partly the way of salvation might be made known and opened to beleevers III. By the Gospel the Lord hath revealed the Covenan of grace which is in substance but one as God is but one and Christ is but one who is the substance of it As there is but one hope of one eternall life the end of the Covenant and one faith which is the mean to lead to that end Ephes. 4. vers 5. IV. Christ and his doctrine the Covenant being the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. for substance altereth and differeth onely in the form and manner of dispensation according to which it is diversly propounded in the old Testament and New In the former propounded as of the Messiah to come from Adam unto his Incarnation In the latter as of the Saviour allready come and so embraced in the Church from his first comming to his second comming againe V. So long as Christ was to come it pleased God to train his Church by an heap of Ceremonies rites figures and shadows to strengthen their Faith in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of him Of which multitude of Ceremonies if more â—pâ—â—â—ll reasons be demanded These may be given 1. The nonage and infancy of that Church which was not capable of such high mysteries but was to be taught by their eyes as well as their eaâ—s And therefore it pleased God to put the ancient Church even newly out of the Cradle under Tutors Gal. 4. 2. and appointed divers Types and Ceremonies as Rudâ—ments and Introductions vers 3. fitted to the grosse and weak fences of that Church which was to be brought on by little and little through such shadows and figures to the true Image and thing signified who in our Text calleth himselfe truth in opposition to all those shadowes Object But the weaker and duller they were the more need had they of clear instruction and God could have revealed Christ as clearly to them as to us Sol. But as the Lord had observed this method in creating the world he would have darknesse go before light and in upholding the world he would have dawning go before clear day So in the framing and upholding the Church he would have Christ exhibited to the Fathers as to the Wise men in swadling coluts which hid his glory He respected them as Children he erected for them in Jewry a little free-schoole set up in a corner of the World he appointed the Law of Moses as a Primer or A. B. C. in which Christ was to be shaddowed in dark and obscure manner he would that Christ should come to his brethren as Joseph to his who first obscured himself to them and afterwards made himself better known One compares it to Noahs 1. opening the window of the Arke 2. Removing the covering 3. Stepping forth himselfe II. Therein the wisedome of God provided for the further advancement of Christ and his Gospel which compared with the Law must be manifested in great brightnesse and glory Christ the Sonne must come in more glory than Moses the servant Hence John 1. 17. The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. The Gospel is called grace not because under the Law the same grace was not preached but comparatively that was scarce grace to this which is more full more manifest as the light in the dawning is scarce light in comparison of light at noon-day There was grace but here is more grace 1. In manifestation The light of the Sunne is sevenfold and like the light of seven days as was prophesied Isai 30. 26. 2. In impleti on and accomplishment of that which was but a promise of grace in comparison Act. 13. 32. 3. In application and apprehension by beleevers in all Countries not onely in Judea 4. In the groth and perfection of faith and grace in the hearts of ordinary beleevers above them Hence Heb. 10. 1. the Law had but a shadow of good things to come and not the Image and truth it self that is It had a rude and dark delineation of good things to come as a draught made by a painter with a coale but the Gospel exhibites the picture it self in the flourish and beauty that is the truth and being of it Hence also Paul to the Col. 2 17. speaking of observances of the Ceremoniall Law saith they were but shadows of things to come but the body is Christ. Whence he would have us conceive 1. That as the body is the cause of the shadow and the cause more excellent than the thing caused So Christ was the cause of those Ceremonies and more excellent than they 2. As the shadow representeth the shape of the
all the members of his mysticall body the Catholike Church First the Spirit descends and sits on Christs head then on the Apostles in likenesse of fiery tongues running down as it were by Aarons beard and from them upon other inferior persons beleeving their word as unto the skirts of his garment Psal. 133. 2. Now a threefold Application hereof I. In the anointing of the high Priest the eminency of Jesus Christ above all creatures whose very name carrieth in it a note of principality being called the high Priest of our profession And in that this whole consecration of the high Priest in most solemne and stately manner was but a dark shadow of his selemne inauguration into his Office And by this anointing Christ is differenced from the most excellent Priests and Prophets that ever were Aaron Moses Elias Some of them had a most glorious vocation as Moses and in the entry of their callings graced with most divine and powerfull miracles but never any had the spirit sitting on his head but he None of them by their anointing had all graces nor any grace in perfection but onely begun and in small degree Moses a beleever wanted faith sometime as when he smote the Rock which he should have spoken to and the meekest man in the world was sometime to seek of his meknesse Aaron though the oyle was powred on his head was weak as in murmuring against Moses in making the calf But in our high Priest all graces virtues were not inchoate onely but perfect In him knowledge of God was most perfect holiness most perfect and all kind of graces in highest degrees Grace sits in his lips not onely to move the mind but to change it None of them by anointing could receive graces for others but for themselves onely but he receives such a measure as runns over to the sanctifying of the lowest and meanest of his members Hence 1 Joh. 2. 27. the anointing which we have of him dwels in you and teacheth you all things And 2 Cor. 1. 21 22. It is God that anointeth us in Christ and sealeth and giveth us the earnest of the Spirit Thus our Lord Jesus is advanced above all his oyle shines brightest and swimmes aloft above all others II. In Aaron's and Christs anointing and furnishing to their Office Ministers must labour for a greater measure of this ointment than others to run down from them to their skirts They must pray by the Spirit watch by the Spirit walk by the Spirit An unconverted Minister may do another good but he hath no prmise of blessing nor doth any good to himselfe As the holy ointment was kept in the Sanctuary So Christ is the Sanctuary whence this oyle comes The pipes are the Word preached Sacraments Prayer societies of the Saints and Gods people And such Ministers as contemptuously contemne the conduit-pipes through which this oyle drops and flowes scorne to come to Sermons and joyne in holy exercises how doth their oyle dry away Instead of this oyle that should fall from them a deale of pitch and slime froth and filthinesse falls on their skirts III. In the communication of this ointment unto us the skirts we learn that Christ is not for himselfe but for us And therefore 1. Examine if thou beest anointed This is to be a Christian to be anointed as Christ was Scornest thou this holy oyle in thy selfe or others Know thou shalt one day wish the mountaines to fall on thee on whom this oyle falls not 2. Hence draw strength in temptation Remember If sollicited to sinne Oh I have the anointing I am taken up and set apart to Gods use I am for God and his glory Neh. 6. 11. 3. Use meanes to attaine a farther measure and be liker Christ. Thou missest a Sermon or the Sacrament thou knowest not what drops of oyle thou hast missed 4. Have a care to walk as such as are anointed smelling sweet every where in holy lives speeches prayers in all things edifying thy self and others Leave a sweet smell every where behind thee Let it drop down from us to others round about us The third thing in the high Priests consecration was sacrificing Exod. 29 1 2. In which 1. Observe in general that the Priests must be consecrated by offering all sorts of sacrifices for them and therefore they must take a calfe two rammes unleavened bread cakes and oyle verse 1 2. 1. Because of the speciall holinesse and honour of their calling who are to come so near unto God who will be specially sanctified in all that come near him 2. Because sinne in them is more hatefull than in any other and in expiating their sinnes as much is required as for the sins of all the congregation 3. Because they were to offer unto God all the gifts and sacrifices of all the people of all sorts and therefore for them must be offered all sorts to sanctifie them not onely in generall but to their speciall services between God and his people 2. In particular The first of these sacrifices must be a sinne offering verse 10. For which they must 1. Take a calfe and offer him for the expiation of sinne verse 14. This young calfe was a type of Christ who onely by his own oblation expiated our sinne which otherwise made our selves and duties most hatefull 2. This calfe must be presented before the Lord and his Congregation signifying the willingnesse of Christ to offer up himselfe for the sinnes of men Joh. 19. 11. 3. Aaron and his sonnes must put their hands on the head-of the calfe verse 10. not onely to confesse they were worthy to die for their own sins but to professe also that the death which they deserved was by the death of the Messiah the high Priest of the new Testament removed off them and transferred upon the beast And not onely the imputation of our sinnes upon Christ but also is signified that we must lay our hand by a true faith upon Christ our head if we expect any comfort from his death and passion 4. The calfe must be killed before the Lord at the doore of the Tabernacle verse 11. signifying both the death and crucifying of Christ as also the fruit of it by the place That by his death as by a doore an entry is made for us into the Church both militant and triumphant Heb. 10 20. 5. The bloud of that sinne-offering for the Priest must be put on the hornes of the Altar and the rest powred at the foot of the Altar verse 12. signifying 1. The sufficiency of Christs death to purge and reconcile us to God 2. The plenty of grace and merit in it for many more than are saved by it For being sufficient for all it is not helpfull to all nor to any that tread under foot this pretious bloud the extent of the benefit is to all the elect 3. The large spreading and preaching of the Gospel of salvation by Christs bloud through
communicated his whole will and counsell to his Sonne concerning the salvation of the Church Joh. 8. 26. 2. As Noah takes many trees at Gods commandement and strongly eloseth them together and pitcheth them within and without against the waters So doth Christ make choice of trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord and compacts them together by the bond of the Spirit glewes and fastens them together by the glew of Christian love and pitcheth them within and without fortifies and strengthens them against the waters of affliction temptation persecution that none shall drown or overwhelme them 3. As Noah prepared divers roomes in the Ark for divers creatures So Christ in his Ark appoints divers places and functions for beleevers here and prepares in his Fathers house many mansions for them hereafter Joh. 14. 2. And as Noah receives into the Ark clean and unclean creatures and persons a Sem and a Cham So the Lord Christ into his militant Church all sorts of Nations sexes persons conditions Jewes Gentiles men women noble ignoble beleevers and unbeleevers hypocrites and sound Christians On this floor is wheat and chaffe 4. As Noah made a window into his Ark to give light to the creatures within So Christ by the Gospel preached in the Church enlighteneth the mindes of those that are within without which light let in they should sit in everlasting darknesse 5. As Noah by the same direction makes a door to enter into the Ark and but one door for so very great a building So there is but one door to the great building of the Church dispersed farre and wide and this is Christ himself Joh. 10. 7 9. 6. As Noah the Master of the Ark enters into it and receives and saves all that enter in with him for which purpose he is contented to be tossed up and down by those most raging waters and had no more freedome from fear and danger than others in the Ark So Christ the Master of his Church to save his Church himself enters into it and is admitted into it by the waters of Baptism and was contented for the saving of others to be tossed with waves and billowes of affliction ignominy shame sinne curse yea the torments of hell That his Church might be in safety with him he will be in danger with her and every way to help her will be everyway like her in all things sinne excepted V. Both of them were repairers of the world From Noah descended all the inhabitants of the earth from Christ all the inhabitants of heaven The world again was re-peopled and replenished by Noahs posterity the Church and every member is Christs posterity Both of them were preservers and providers for all sorts of Creatures But Noah as a steward Christ as Lord and owner of them Noah for a few Christ for all Noah for a year and a little more Christ perpetually To both of them the creatures came in and were obedient to them Though never so fierce and savage out of the Ark yet in the Ark they were mild and tame So to Christ the windes seas devils obey and if Lyons and Cockatrices come into the Ark and Church they become as Lambs and little children putting off all fiercenesse Isa. 11. 6. VI. Both of them offered a sacrifice of rest and sweet savour to the Lord Noah Gen. 8. 21. As men are delighted with sweet savours so was Noahs sacrifice pleasing to God But his was a sacrifice but of testification witnessing his faith and thankfulnesse The sacrifice of Christ was a perfect satisfaction in which he offered not the bodies of clean beasts as Noah but his own body as a Lamb without spot not upon an Altar built by Noahs hand but upon the Altar of his Deity not ascending to heaven by ordinary fire but offered through his eternall spirit compar'd to fire Heb. 9. 14. And therefore must fully satisfie his Fathers justice appease his wrath and be most acceptable in it self and must bring Noahs and all other sacrifices into acceptance And from hence it was that with both of them God did make a covenant of grace for their posterities that he would never break out in such wrath against them confirming the same unto the posterity of Adam by the sign of the Rainbow and to the posterity of Christ by the Sacrament of Baptisme and the Lords Supper VII Both of them sent a Dove out of the Ark. Noah when the waters asswaged and much of his fear and danger was past sends out the Dove who brought an Olive branch a sign of joy comfort and abating of the waters So Christ Jesus his sufferings and labours being ended sent his Spirit forth which had lighted as a Dove on him and brings joy and peace and comfort into the hearts of all beleevers bringing in a testimony that Gods wrath is appeased the waters are diminished his love and favour returned which is better than life I. In the type and truth learn If all the world about us be given to wickednesse and we be cast into never so wicked an age then to labour to shine in the middest of a naughty generation Phil 2. 25. It is a singular praise to be a Lot in Sodom and in a corrupt age to be unlike sinners For light to shine and shew it self in darknesse is beautyfull and glorious Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your father which is in heaven To shew our selves sonnes of God and children of light among enemies of God and light is a singular honour Noah fashioned not himself to those corrupt times nor Christ to the evill behaviour of that age Never had Christians more need among so many wicked fashions to be exhorted not to fashion themselves to the world If a Preacher hold on a preacher of righteousnesse in singlenesse and sincerity of heart not fashioning himself to the present temporizers and men-pleasers Let all the world scorn oppose traduce him If a private man hold forth the word of life and in blamelesse and pure conversation walk in a way which leadeth against the stream and common current of the corrupt age Both the one and the other have heer the type and the truth Noah and Christ presidents for the like actions precedents in the same way II. In them both learn That these are the days in which we must expect our Lord to judgement As it was in the days of Noah c. So shall the comming of the Sonne of man be As those sinnes in Noahs time brought the deluge of water the same sinnes now reigning shall bring and hasten the destruction by fire prophecyed 2 Pet. 3. The sinnes are these 1. The sonnes of God marry with the daughters of men that is the godly with the ungodly religious with the superstitious beleevers with infidels 2. Horrible contempt of the word As Noah preached by the power of the Spirit and
Christ himself by the Spirit so as never man spake yet both were despised and the Spirit resisted whereby they spake So now godly Ministers must not think much to be despised in their Ministery for as it was in the days of Noah and of Christ So Christ hath told us it must be 3. Prophanenesse of the Ministery and generall malice against sincerity As in the dayes of Noah many Wrights and workmen were busie to prepare an Ark for others but themselves neither entred into the same nor saved by the same And as in the dayes of Christ the Scribes and Pharisees professed themselves chiefe builders but refused the corner stone and neither entred themselves nor suffered others but envy Christ they could So shall it be in the dayes of the Sonne of man 4. In the common-state and men apostacy security sensuality men eat drinke marry but know nothing of judgement that is will not know So shall the comming of the Sonne of man be Mat. 24. 39. III. In that Christ is the true Noah all the true members of Christ who are carefull to prepare them an Arke and to get within the Arke of the Church have solid and strong comfort For 1. He is ready to receive all that come unto him who calls all the weary as Noah readily received all that offered themselves unto him Let not thy sinne discourage thee be thou never so uncleane get once into the Arke and thou art safe 2. As Noah himself entered into the Arke and abode there all the time of danger and tossing by the waters so our Lord abides still in the same ship of the Church with us he is so much the more compassionate to us as he is acquainted with our sorrowes and though the danger and fear be never so much we shall fare no worse than himself will who in all our troubles is troubled with us and for us 3. As Noah pitched the Ark within and without and so fenced it against the waves and raging billowes and surges of a world of seas So doth our true Noah strengthen his Arke and Church partly with his promise partly with his prayers that their faith faile not as with pitch within and without so firme and sure as let this little Arke of the Church be tossed upon the waters of affliction and tried by never so many temptations and persecutions in this sea of the world it is so fenced pitched that it shall never miscarry Noahs Arke indeed by tossing beating of the waters may be weakned and made worsei but Christs Arke the Church is made better and stronger by trials and afflictions It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I may learn thy statutes Noahs Arke at last shall putrifie and perish but Christs Arke shall never perish but at last be more perfect and glorious 4. As Gods Covenant with Noah was his safety in the Arke for looke upon the Arke floating above water laden with heavie burthen fenced against the waters with a little pitch perhaps not very skilfully that being the first vessell that ever was made for the water without Anchor mast sterne Pilot or Master to govern it for Noah was shut in by God how should it be but carried by windes and waves upon rocks or hils or sands or trees or buildings and so in an instant split all to pieces but that the Lord was Stearsman of all that voyage So the safety of the Church is that it hath so faithfull a Pilot whose Covenant made in his Church is the wall and defence of his People more stable than the foundation of the earth Which made David to glory Though the earth be moved and the mountains tumbled into the sea yet the Church may glory in the salvation of her God In our lesser trials stormes oppositions look to God our safety be within the Arke God will provide for thy safety 5. The Arke had a time to be freed from the deluge of waters So the Church hath a time for her deliverance Rev. 7. 14. Psal. 55. 22. 6. When the flood of waters bated the Arke rested on the mountaine of Ararat Gen. 8. 4. So when the waters of affliction are dried up the Church hath her rest in the holy mountaine of God Psal. 15. CHAP. IV. 3. Melchizedek a type of Christ. HEbrews 7. 3. He was likened to the Sonne of God We must search wherein and how Christ was the truth of that figure I. In the notation of his name Melchizedek signifieth King of righteousnesse Our Saviour was indeed properly King of righteousnesse Heb. 7. 2. Isai. 11. 4. Psal. 45. 6 7. thy kingdome is a scepter of righteousnesse thou lovest righteousnesse Mal. 4 2. Christ the Sonne of righteousnesse shall arise From him all have righteousnesse as from a fountaine II In his Office 1 He was King of Salem of peace So Christ is called the Prince of peace Isa. 9. 6. not of a corner but of all the world and of Salem that is of Jerusalem Psal. 2. 6. I have set my King on Sion On his shoulders was the government laid Of whom Zach. 9. 9. O Jerusalem behold thy King commeth unto thee he is just and saved himself poor and riding upon an asse but with this difference Melchizedek brings peace earthly temporall but Christ is our peace Ephes. 2. 14. by whom we have peace with God he guides our feet into the way of peace and leades us to peace eternall So he was true king of true peace so was not Melchizedek 2. Melchizedek was not onely a King but Priest of the most high God Gen. 14. 18. So Christ was both King and Priest King Revel 1. 5. Prince of all the kings of the earth Priest Heb. 4. 14. Our great high Priest This was not usuall in the Jewes Policy or progeny of David to whom onely the kingdome was promised neither would God admit the mingling of these Offices among them as in Uzziah 2 Chron. 26. But as this dignity was reserved unto Christ so was it dispenced with in his speciall figure to be both a great King and Priest III. In his originall Without Father or Mother genealogy beginning or end of dayes without kindred that is none of these mentioned in Scripture or in the story of his life Although he had both father mother kindred birth death yet the Lord of set purpose would have all these concealed in scripture that he might be a more expresse type of Jesus Christ who was truely without father as man That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God without mother as God without kindred according to his Deity in respect of his Divine nature without generation for who can declare his generation Isa. 53. 8. seeing he was before all worlds eternally begotten of his Father And whereas Melchizedek onely had no beginning or end of life expressed Christ is onely truly without beginning neither shall
figuring Christ who was declared the well-beloved in whom his Father delighted Matth. 3. 17. 3. He was very beautifull Gen. 39. 6. and his internall beauty was more than his externall Christ was more beautifull than the sons of men and making us beautifull in his beauty 4. Joseph was endued with such a measure of wisedome and understanding as none was like him in whom Gods Spirit was For which cause he was called Zaphnathpaaneah verse 45. that is an expounder of secrets figuring Christ in whom were treasures of wisedome and the Spirit beyond all measure who is therefore called the great Counseller and the Lambe onely worthy to open the book who onely hath the key of David to open the secret mysteries of salvation 5. In Jacobs last Testament Joseph is called a fruitful bough whose branches runne upon the wall because out of him branched two tribes Ephraim and Manasseh therein he was a type of Christ who is not a fruitfull bough onely but a root from whom all the tribes of God branch out and flourish And whereas those tribes are come to nothing Christ shall see his seed and prolong his dayes II. In his actions 1. Joseph was sent by his father to visite his brethren in the wildernesse So was Christ sent to seek his brethren wandering in the wildernesse he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel 2. As at thirty years Joseph was preferred to his Office by Phanaoh so at thirty years Christ entered his Office 3. As by Pharaoh a virgin was given Joseph to wife verse 45. So is the Church as a pure Virgin given by the Father to Jesus Christ as his spouse to sanctifie and save All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that commeth to me I will in no wise cast out 4. As Joseph out of Pharaohs garners feeds all Egypt all his fathers house and the nations whence in Gen. 49. 24. he is called the feeder of Israel and a stone that is a rocke or refuge to his brethren So Jesus Christ is the feeder of Israel and of all the family of God in all Nations of the earth not with temporall food onely but with the Manna from heaven the word and Sacraments and his owne flesh and bloud the incorruptible and indeficient bread and water of life 5. As Joseph in his lowest estate was both a Lord in the prison and a comforter of the prisoners assuring the Butler of his life and recovery of his place So Jesus Christ at his lowest abasement was Lord over death and the grave having command of them and his last breath on the Crosse almost comforted the poor thiefe promising him both life and glory 6. As Joseph doth all the good he can for his brethren that had ill deserved it For 1. He teacheth them how to live together and commends brotherly love and concord fall not out by the way 2. Teacheth them how to speake to Pharaoh and what to demand 3. Goes to Pharaoh and speaks and obtaines for them whatsoever he would and placeth them in Goshen the fat of the land till they come to Canaan So Jesus Christ above all lessons commended to us the new Commandement of love a badge of his disciples teacheth us how to pray and what in the Lords prayer himselfe intercedes for us and obtaineth all that good is and provides for us in earth till we come to Canaan III. In his sufferings and passions 1. The archers grieved him Gen. 49. 23. that is not his Mistris onely and Master but his brethren also conspire against him although sent from his father in love and comes in love to see how they do and to know their wants yet they scorne him behold yonder dreamer comes they consult to kill him let us kill him and see what will become of his dreams So Jesus Christ came among his own sent from his Father in love pitying the wanderings and wants of men but the Jewes scorn him for a deceiver plot to kill him conspire against his life 2. As his brethren sold him for twenty pieces stript him naked and cast him into a pit sent hin as a slave into Egypt where he being indeed free became a servant So Jesus Christ in his infancy was sent into Egypt sold by the Jewes for thirty pieces stript naked of his apparrel and in the form of a servant cast into the pit of death and the grave whence they thought never to have heard more of him as Josephs brethren did 3. As in this service Joseph was tempted to whoredome by his wanton Mistris when they were alone and that often and daily but by strength of grace stoutly resisted yea conquered her and himself So was Jesus Christ in the enterance of his Ministery strongly assailed by Satan to spiritual whoredome when he was alone in the wildernesse and that often set upon yet by the power of the Spirit overcame and conquered so as the evill one found nothing in him 4. As in this service notwithstanding his faithfulnesse and innocency Joseph was falsely accused condemned cast into prison with the Butler and Baker So was Jesus Christ notwithstanding all his innocency falsely accused they lay things to his charge he never knew as falsly condemned bound yea fastned to the crosse between the theeves and cast into the grave as into a prison till the time of his deliverance came that he was taken out from prison and judgement as Isai. 53. 8. IV. In his advancement and preferment For 1. As Joseph was separate from his brethren Gen. 49. 26. that is advanced by God to honour above them all So Christ was separate and advanced in glory above men and Angels Heb. 1. 4. hath obtained a farre more excellent name than the Angels 2. Though Joseph was shot at by the archers yet his arme was strengthened the bonds and fetters were loosed and he not onely brought out of prison but advanced to be Lord over the whole Land and next unto Pharaoh having all administration delivered unto him So Jesus Christ although he was a But or signe of contradiction yet his arme was strengthened to raise himselfe out of the grave to loose all chaines of sinne to loose all sorrowes of death and being risen againe was advanced and exalted above all creatures all power given him in heaven and earth his throne set next unto his Fathers the Lord of his Church and ruler of the whole earth to him is committed the government and his bounds are the utmost hills Psal. 2. yea the whole Church in heaven and earth is his to whom all power belongs 3. As Pharaoh every way honoured Joseph As 1. He richly decks and attires him puts a golden chaine on his neck Gen. 41. 42. 2. They must cry before him Abrech that is every man must bow to him 3. Every man must depend on his word Gen. 41. 55. Goe to Joseph saith Pharaoh and what he saith to you do yee
Office of Christ. Sweet is the proclamation of the Gospel of peace 4. The use That by these Bells the Priests must be heard when he goeth into the Sanctuary signifying the power of Christ our high Priests perpetuall intercession being entred into the sanctuary of heaven for his elect and chosen The fourth peculiar garment was the Miter or bonnet upon his head vers 36. 1. Made of blew silke and fine linnen vers 39. like as it seemes to an halfe coronet 2. Beautified with a golden plate on which was written Holinesse to the Lord. 3. The use Aaron must ever have it on his forehead while he beares the iniquity of their offerings to make the people acceptable before the Lord verse 38. First The Miter and crowne on the Priests head signified 1. The Deity of Christ our head which as a crown or circle wants beginning and end 2. The Kingly Office of Christ with all that honour and crown of glory set on the head of our Redeemer to whom all power is given in heaven and in earth And according to his power is his name for God hath exalted him and given him a Name above all names Phil. 2. 9. His stile is not onely King of Saints Revel 15. 3. But King of Kings and Lord of Lords Chap. 19. 16. Secondly The golden plate in which was written Holiness to the Lord did not onely distinguish it from the miters of the ordinary Priests which wanted such a plate but specially typified Jesus Christ our head in whom was most conspicuous as in a mans forehead a most divine and perfect holinesse purer than the gold of that plate Who was not holy onely as other sanctified persons but holinesse it selfe Holinesse in his person holinesse in his nature holinesse in all his actions and passions holinesse in the fountaine and originall whence all streames of holinesse issue forth to his elect members So Joh. 17. 19. I sanctifie my selfe that they may be sanctified Never was there so pure a plate such shining holinesse so deeply ingraved as nothing can raze it out for ever Thirdly The use was significant that as the high Priest having on this plate with this inscription got the iniquities of the people pardoned which he bare before the Lord So our high Priest Jesus Christ presenting before his Father his most absolute holinesse gets a pardon for all our sinnes which he beares upon him selfe And as their sinnes were pardoned in respect of the high Priest who represented Christ So both theirs and ours are indeed and truth pardoned for the true and eternall high Priest who is Christ himselfe The 5. peculiar garment was the embroydered Coat of fine linnen vers 39. which was a beautiful costly and large garment reaching down to his feet covering most of his boby curiously wrought with most precious matter and cunning workmanship which noted the dignity of the person and office of the high Priest For in old time long white garments appertained to men of high place and excellent in wisedome As in Iosephs advancement Gen. 41. 42. he was clothed with white fine linnen when he was to be Viceroy and next in authority to the King See Ester 6. 8. how Mordecai was apparelled by the Kings command This garment was most proper to our high Priest of the new Testament Jesus Christ who is by it described Rev. 1. 13. clothed with a robe down to his feet Noting 1. The excellency of his person who is Prince of peace Isa. 9 6. For so long white garments ever betokened peace both within the Church and without 2. That he excelled in wisedome and counsell being the great Counseller and the spirit of counsell and understanding resting in his breast Isai. 11. 2. For to such also these garments belonged Dan. 5. 7 16. 3. The lovely and beautifull connexion and conjunction of his Propheticall Priestly and Princely Officers sincerely and perfectly fulfilling them and appearing before God in them as in a most costly embroydered garment consisting of many pieces and many colours fitly couched and layd together And this grament he ware not onely in earth as the Priests did but now after his ascension he continues to performe the Offices of the high Priest for his Church in the same embroydered garment presenting before God the merit of his onely sacrifice and making intercession to the Father for it The sixth garment is the girdle of needleworke ver 39. Of diverse matter linnen blue silke purple and scarlet and of divers colours Chap. 39. 29. The use of it was to fasten the Priests garments unto him that they might not hang loose upon him in his ministration and specially points out unto us our high Priest Jesus Christ described after his ascension Revel 1. 13. to be girded about the paps with a golden girdle Noting in Christ four things 1. The truth and constancy in accomplishing all the gracious promises of the Gospell seeing our high Priest is girt about with the girdle of verity 2. His justice integrity pure and uncorrupt judgement as gold Isai. 11. 5. Iustice shall be the girdle of his loynes and faithfulnesse the girdle of his reines 3. His readinesse to do the office of a Mediatour Girding of the attire hath ever been a signe of readinesse and diligence in businesse undertaken So Luke 12. 35. Let your loines be girded about 4. His mindfulnesse and care in performing his office For as not girding is a sign of carelessenesse and negligence So girding of care and industry So our Lord and high Priest never carelessely cast off any poor and penitent sinner but in the dayes of his flesh minded their misery and now in heaven keeps on his girdle casts not off the care of his Church but perpetually accomplisheth whatsoever is needfull for her salvation Sect. IV. I. In the garments some things necessary for Ministers some things for the People 1. All about the Priest must be gold silver pretious stones curious colours signifying that no vile or base thing must be in the Ministers cariage or behaviour But as the Priests costly garments covered the frailty of their bodies and graced them in their office so the graces of their minds must not onely hide their weakness but adorne and beautifie them for the honour and prosperity of their function And the rather because this corrupt age is bent to disgrace this holy profession care shall be had both of keeping out and thrusting out vile persons And those who are in this calling should labour to shine in godlinesse and vertue which is the onely apparell that will draw the eyes of good men to reverence them II. As the Priests had variety of holy garments so every minister must be clothed and adorned with many graces If every sheep of Christs fold must adde to his graces much more the Pastor of the flock If every child of God much more the Father in the faith begetting others to God He is not
and externall sensible sacrifices which all had end by Christs onely sacrifice upon the Crosse but spirituall sacrifices such as Calves of the lips Heb. 13. 15. The sacrifice of a broken heart Psal. 51. 17. Of almes with which God is well pleased Heb. 13. 16. Of mortification Rom. 12. 1. and of good works and duties of all sorts Of prayer Psal. 141. 2. Now before any of these sacrifices can finde acceptance we must all put on holy and spirituall garments Never was any priest or performance pleasing without his garments the use of which was to cover and adorne Quest. What garments must we put on Answ. Jacob before he could get his fathers blessing must put on his elder brothers garment Gen. 27. 15. so must we put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 13. 14. Quest. How Answ. Put on whole Christ as the Priest all his garments 1. By making him our own we must weare our own garments Speciall faith unites to Christ and marrieth us to him that he is ours and we his 2. Cover thy selfe with the sacrifice of his death Adam having sinned covered his nakednesse with skins of dead beasts signifying that all his sinfull posterity must cover themselves with the sacrifice of Christ dead the righteousnesse and perfection of which is the linnen Ephod in which thou being wrapped must offer up thy sacrifice 3. Array thy selfe with his virtues to adorne and deck thee This is the broydered coat which thou must weare of manifold virtues and graces which as jewels and ornaments must shine in thy life as the many glistering stones did in the brestplate So the Apostle Ephes. 4. 24. Put on the new man created after God in righteousness and holinesse 4. Put on Christ by Christian profession Our apparrell is seen and makes us known to others Servants make themselves known by the cloth they weare whose they are The Priest must put on the Plate on his forehead and we are commanded to carry the name of God and the Lamb on our foreheads Rev. 14. 1. that men may never see our faces but therein read the holinesse and innocency of our conversation 5. Put on the girdle Have thy loines girded Luke 12. 25. Stand in a readinesse 1. To all duties of Christianity 2. To all acceptable sacrifices of faith repentance prayer praises obedience 3. to offer up our selves by life or death to the glory and praise of God We had need be thus begirt that we may stand to the confession and profession of the truth not knowing when or what trialls will come besides that the world nor pleasure nor lusts seldome find us unprepared And can he be a good subject who is alwaies unprepared for his Princes service but ever ready to serve his enemys III. From the being arrayed with these garments the poore members of the Church have a ground of much comfort in respect 1. Of their head so arrayed 2. Of themselves and in respect of themselves considering those garments 1. In the generall 2. In the particulars First in respect of our high Priest Jesus Christ thus gloriously arrayed 1. In the Ephod we see his mighty power who carries his Church upon his shoulders of power and protection Alas where should we lie if our Lord did not lift us up and beare us up But now we never need to discourage our selves by casting what shall become of the Church or religion if such and such projects prevaile for so long as we are on Christs shoulders we are safe 2. In the Pectoral behold the ardent surpassing love of Jesus Christ to his Church For as he carries us on his shoulders by his power so he carries our names on his heart by his love This our true high Priest cannot forget his saints when he seems to turne his back on them but still hath their names before his eye And this is the happinesse of the Church in which she may well rest her selfe that according to her prayer Cant. 8. 6. Christ setteth her as a seale on his heart and as a signet on his arme How is it possible to forget that which is sealed on the heart How can the eye look off the signet on the arme For a signet because it is most precious is most carefully kept and being upon the arme of Christ what arme can pull us off from him Object Oh that I might know my happinesse to be set on Christs heart Sol. If thou wouldest be set as a signet on the Lords arme become the Lords servant and be faithfull in this service See Hag. 2. 23. O Zerubbabel my servant I will set thee as a signet 3. In his Miter we see our high Priest crowned with honour and glory above all men and Angels And all the Church must say as Psal. 132. 18. On him let his Crown flourish And if the dignity of the head be the honour of the members and the power of the head the safety of the members then from hence we have no small consolation 4. In his Plate we see holinesse engraven on his forehead that all our senses and thoughts must be fixed in the forehead of our onely high Priest from whom all holinesse floweth to his Church Oh what matter of joy is it to see that we in our selves so foule every way in our nature in our course and shut out of heaven where no uncleane thing commeth have in him a fountaine of holinesse set open for us For he is made to us of God wisedome sanctification c Secondly in respect of themselves by meanes of Jesus Christ the members of the Church thus arrayed enjoy sure and stable consolation For 1. In generall they all afford us this comfort that through Christ our high Priest we are beautifull and glorious yea our beauty is made perfect through his beauty Psal. 45. 9. The Queen stands in most royall and costly garments Never had Salomons Queen in all her royalty such sweet perfumed and precious garments as hath the spouse of our true Salomon For 1. Those were provided by Salomon Kings daughters in thy precious garments but these provided by Christ out of his wardrobe and will not endure any other garment or ornament brought or procured elsewhere 2. Those were materiall gold silver and precious stuffe out of earth but ours are spirituall and heavenly What the glorious robes of the Church are see Isa. 61. 10. I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord for he hath clothed me with garments of salvation and covered me with a robe of righteousnesse and decked me as a bride with Jewels What is gold silver silk pearles to righteousnesse holynesse life immortality and glory 3. Those were corruptible and soon cast off but these never weare nor teare For all the sonnes and daughters of God are clad with incorruption and immortality and are heires of eternity Now it were no small comfort that we being so naked and foule wallowing in our bloud and filthinesse or covered
and office submitting himselfe to sorrow curse c. Besides what courage and fortitude did he express through his whole function and office in overcomming Sinne Death Satan the Crosse Hell and all adversaries Sampson the strongest of all Nazarites was but a weakling to him his adversaries flesh not spirit his power faint and failing yea changed into weaknesse IV. Nazrrites must not come near the dead to touch them nor defile themselves by them nor meddle with the funerall of father mother brother sister or any of their kindred though they might pretend never so much piety affection or good nature By which Law the Lord would teach them two things 1. That no changes of this life nor losses of their dearest friends should turne them aside from their duty or from the observation of the Law of their profession 2. To teach them constancy patience and magnanimity of spirit in the greatest outward afflictions and not to shew a weaknesse or passion in open and excessive lamentation Our Lord although he did touch the dead and was at funeralls and wept at the raising of Lazarus and so observed not the ceremony of Nazarites because he was no Legall Nazarite but was called a Nazarite as being the truth and substance of all the Legall Nazarites as in all other things so in this For he onely was the Master and had the true command of all his affections never exceeded measure in any thing never was defiled by any person dead in sinne never by any dead work never touched or came neare any such defilement which Legall Nazarites could not avoide V. The Nazarites must be absolved and released from their Vow by comming to the doore of the tabernacle of the Congregation with their offering Numb 6. 13. plainely by that figure leading us unto Christ the onely doore by which we enter and have liberty to come into the presence of God and obtaine freedome from the sinne and weakness of any duty we performe before him Now for Applycation I. Acknowledge Christ the true Nazarite Upon his head let his Crowne flourish As it was said of Joseph Gen. 49. 26 he was separate from his brethren so was Jesus Christ separated from all other men and Angels 1. In holinesse and purity being advanced in holinesse above all creatures He alone in propriety and perfection is a Nazarite purer than snow and whiter than milk yea his measure runs over to his Church Ephes. 5. 26. 2. In excellency and perfection of all virtues and graces he is that Netser Isai. 11. 1. the branch or flower which alwaies flourished in all kinds and perfections of virtue and graces and casts from him farre and near a most sweet smell sweet and acceptable to God and men 3. In power and authority The kingdome is his and power and glory all power is given him in heaven and in earth He hath power 1. To do us good 2. To withstand our evill 3. To tread down Satan sinne death 4. To rescue his Church to confound Antichrist and all enemies 5. To finish the grace and glory of his Saints Object Why must Christ be so pure a Nazarite Answ. 1. Because his passion could not have been acceptable if his person had not been as pure as the sunne 2. He was to be not onely righteousnesse in himselfe as other Nazarites or righteousnesse in part but he must be a perfect righteousnesse unto many Ob. But how could he be so pure comming of Adam as they did Sol. He came of Adam not by Adam as they did that is he came not by naturall propagation from Adam but was conceived by the holy Ghost and so all originall impurity was stopped in the very first moment of his holy conception Ob. But did not he take the same infirmities comming of Adam as they did Answ. No he tooke such infirmities as he pleased to fit him for a mercifull high Priest not to hinder him and therefore he took such infirmities from Adam as were miserable but not damnable and so remained a pure Nazarite without all sinfull frailty II. Christ the true Nazarite being come all shadowes must fly away and therefore this order of Nazarites gives no colour or approbation to any order of Popish votaries or monasticall persons now in the new Testament Besides that white is not more contrary to black than monasticall vowes to this For 1. The Nazarites were appointed by God himselfe their 's devised by themselves 2. Their vowes were of things possible in their power and temporary these are of things impossible without their power and during life be the party never so unable to endure it 3. Their vowes though appointed by God were not able to merit remission of sinne and eternall life but these say that they merit for themselves and others that their vowes are parts of Gods worship which never came in his mind or book and a state of great perfection Whereas a Nazarite was not more righteous than others but better fitted for his duty 4. Nazarites might not cut their haire their order stands in cutting and shaving that they may still look neate and effeminate 5. Nazarites drink no wine nor strong drink and they are very temperate in their diet these Belly gods eat up the fat and poure in the sweet till they be monsters that the very fasts of â—riers for the delicacy and abundance is become a proverbe 6. Nazarites might not come at funeralls these follow them as flyes do fat meat and suck out thence their greatest profit and sweetest morsels 7. Nazarites notwithstanding their vow lived in holy wedlock but Popish Votaries abhorre marriage not lust or whoredome Yet from this order they would establish their disordered orders as contrary as darknesse to light III. The shadow of the Law is vanished away and the truth of the Gospell is broken forth as the light saith the Canon Law Every Christian must be a Nazarite not by vow of separation but by imitation and resemblance of Christ the true Nazarite For I. He must be separate from others 1. He must see that â—e be separate from ungodly ones as one advanced to a happy estate in Christ. 2. That now his mind affections speeches and whole course be contrary to the course of the world and so as Joseph separate himselfe from the evill behaviour and manners of his brethren yea complaine of them to his father 3. He must be content if his brethren separate from him as did Josephs brethren when they sold him into Egypt This is to be a Christian Nazarite II. This Christian Nazarite must strictly keep the rules of his profession i. e. he must labour 1. To preserve the vow of holinesse made in Baptisme study and follow after sanctification This is the will of God even your sanctification 1 Thes. 4. 3. he must resigne himselfe wholy to God 2. Carefully to avoid the least defilement of sinne The Lord made a Law Numb 6. 9.
understanding will conscience memory in all affections in all sences in all parts no man no part of man exempted or excepted 3. No disease is more stinking and hatefull to men than leprosie So nothing is so hatefull and abhominable to God as sinne his eyes cannot abide to behold it he will not endure it in his dearest servants no nor Angels themselves unrevenged he esteems the sinner as dung 4. No disease more contagious and infectious A leper must meddle with nothing unlesse he would defile it All he can doe is to make others unclean by breathing touching conversing The plague of pestilence is not so infectious as the plague of leprosie so called Levit. 13. 20. infecting houses walls vessells garments Nothing is so infectious as sinne which not onely foules the person or house but heaven and earth and all creatures are subject to the vanity of it Neither can an impenitent sinner doe any thing but make himselfe and others unclean by the filthy breath of his corrupt communication by his wicked example and conversation No leaven is so spreading no pitch so cleaving 5. Leaprosie of all diseases separated the infected persons from the fellowship of all men both in civill and divine ordinances for many dayes and if they proved incurable suppose them Kings they were utterly and for ever excluded the host as Uzziah 2 King 15. 5. Neither might they come to the Temple to joyne in holy things for the Temple was legally the most holy place and no polluted thing might enter into it So in our sinne unrepented we are out of the campe aliens from God Sinne shuts out of the communion of faith and Saints shuts out of the state of grace and Salvation it shuts out of the Congregation of God in earth and heaven No fellowship place or reward with them 6. Of all diseases none is more painfull sorrowfull mortall or incurable and therefore they were enjoyned to put on mournfull garments seeing God had inflicted so lamentable a disease on them so hardly and seldome cured as most did cary it unto death as Gehezi and Azariah In which the Lord as in a glasse would shew us the extream sorrowes and paines that wait on sinne unpardoned sorrowes of this life and of the life to come And that we should put on mourning garments of timely sorrow and afflict our selves for our sinnes seeing we are all poisoned with so incurable a disease as there is no hope to expect any cure in this life for every man carries the running issues of sinne to his death naturall the most to the death eternall 7. The signes and symptomes of leprosie are most correspondent to the symptomes and effects of sinne in the soul. 1. As there is a debility and weaknesse of all parts becuase the spirits are exhausted so sinne weakens all faculties because the spirit of grace is resisted and driven out 2. There is a tumour and swelling in the flesh here a tumour and proud swelling of mind none more proud than he who hath least cause 3. There is burning and thirst through the adust and burnt bloud by melancholy whereof it ariseth here is inflammation and burning of anger of lust and thirst after the world after revenge after prefermentst and this insatiable as every sinne is 4. There is filthy putred matter still breaking forth most loathsomely so here from within breaks out corrupt matter of envie of hatred of goodnesse of uncleanenesse in speeches and behaviour 5. There is an hoarse and weake voice here the voice so weake as it cannot pray or cannot be heard God heares not sinners for either they pray not at all or they are in their sinnes 6. There is a filthy stinking breath and therefore they must cover their lips that by their breath they might not infect others So here is a filhy breath of corrupt communication of uncleane and adulterous speeches swearing and cursing speeches lying and false speeches slanderous and uncharitable speeches and seldome doe such cover their lips being like the uncleane vessells of the Law which were ever open to the corrupting and poisoning of numbers Sect. IV. 1. From the former description of legall uncleannesses note the state of Gods Church and people here upon earth subject unto many sorts of defilements and pollutions within them without them and on every hand of them by foule and uncleane creatures and persons by foule courses and actions which a godly man may not touch or taste but he is presently defiled as he that toucheth pitch cannot but be defiled with it Where be they that will see no Church if they see any uncleannesse Or who say that God is in no such society where any pollution is seeing God vouchsafeeth to walk among his owne people who were daily subject to so many legall and morall pollutions God might if it pleased him wholly purge his floore here upon earth but it makes more for his glory to suffer sinne and evill and to set the Saints in the middest of defilements here below 1. There must be a difference between this heaven and earth and the new heaven and new earth in which dwells nothing but righteousnesse for had the Saints no warre there needed no watch there could be no victory if no seed time no harvest 2. Gods mighty power is more manifest in gathering and preserving a Church to himselfe out of sinners and among sinners and he magnifieth his mercy both in covering and curing so great and many corruptions 3. The godly in sence of their uncleanenesse are kept low in their owne eyes and watchfull of their own waies and so are driven out of themselves unto Christ for righteousnesse and unto God for strength continually as privy unto their own continuall weaknesse So to subdue presumption Paul must have a buffeter and to way-lay security comming on Israel all the Canaanites must not be subdued 4. In that they cannot expect freedome from foulenesse and uncleannesse here below they may the rather desire and aspire to that heavenly Tabernacle into which no uncleane thing can enter Rev. 21 27. and wish to be translated thither where righteousnesse shall dwell yea the righteous and holy God shall dwell immediately in the middest of his Saintes and all things together with themselves shall be most absolutely clean and holy II. The Lord by so large a description of legall uncleannesse would have them and us look more nearly and seriously upon our own misery by sinne both in the cause and in the effects of it The former by bringing us to the contemplation of the foulnesse of our natures and uncleannesse even in our birth and originall For howsoever men little esteem or bewaile this uncleanenesse of nature and original sin yet the Apostle better acquainted with the nature of it calls it The sinne and the sinning sinne and the sinne which dwelleth in us and compasseth us about Rom. 7. 17. Neither can a man ever be
This way of remedy and cure could be no devise of man nor Angel For 1. The Angels stand still admiring and amazed at it 1 Pet. 1. 12. 2. Men without a superior teacher cannot conceive it 1 Cor. 2. 14. much lesse invent it Secondly The thing appointed a Serpent of brasse resembling Christ in the matter and the form 1. The matter was of Brasse not Gold for five reasons 1. God ties not himself to the excellency of meanes but by weak and unlikely meanes effects his great works And therefore that which had no power of cure in it self must cure and heal that the work may be known to be his and not the meanes 2. The lower and baser the meanes are the better may the Israelites be led through them and so beyond them It was not the will of God that they should rest in the brazen Serpent which had no power of cure but through it be led by faith unto the Messiah who onely could cure them 3. Though it was of brasse yet it was strong and signified Jesus Christ how weak soever in mens eyes yet was he First the mighty and strong God Secondly powerful and able to deliver his people Thirdly most invincible and potent also against all his enemies he is a wall of brasse and his strength is as the strength of brasse Rev. 1. 15. 4. Being of brasse as it was strong so was it shining and bright signifying Christ in respect of his divine and eternal generation truly shining and glorious He was the brightnesse of his Father Heb. 1. 3. the very brightnesse of the glory of God excelling all the Angels in heaven in their clearest glory and brightnesse Rev. 1. 16. 5. As that Serpent so shined that the Israelites might look upon it and their eyes not dazled so this great glory was so veiled by his flesh and humility as we the Israel of God might behold it yea approach it and fetch our salvation and happinesse from it 2. It resembled Christ in the form for the form was of a Serpent 1. A Serpent is of an hateful and contemptible shape and appearance so was Christ in his own habit Isai. 53. a despised man a worm rather than a man men saw no beauty in him but hid their eyes 2. The Serpent was accursed of God so Christ lay under the curse of sin for us Gal. 3. 13. 3. That was but like a Serpent in the form of a Serpent not a Serpent it had onely the shape not the life sting nor poyson of a Serpent So Jesus Christ was the similitude of sinful flesh but no sinner No venome or poyson of sin was found in him neither in his nature nor actions Rom. 8. 3. he was in the similitude of sinfull flesh as that of a Serpent but without all sting or spot of sin The third thing in the appointment is the end or use of the Serpent It must be lift up upon a pearch that all Israel might see it Which plainly noteth both the kind of death which Christ must suffer as also the proper end and vertue of it as in these particulars 1. Both must be lifted up So Christs crucifying is called an exaltation from the earth Joh. 12. 32. 2. Both must be exalted upon wood the Pole a type of the Crosse of Christ. 3. Both among the Jewes out of the Church is no salvation 4. Both to be looked upon one with the eye of the body the other with the eye of faith 5. Both to recover health and life one of body the other of soul one frees from corporal death the other from spiritual and eternal II. The applying of this remedy was nothing but the looking upon the brazen Serpent which signified the sinners beholding of Jesus Christ for his cure The meanes of application of the remedy was the eye of the Israelite So the instrument of applying the remedy by Jesus Christ is the eye of faith which is the eye of the soul. So our Saviour Christ himself expoundeth it Joh. 3. As the brazen Serpent was lift up so shall the Son of man that whosoever believeth in him c. That which Moses calls looking on the type Christ calls believing in himself the truth Which if the Lord had not purposed to expresse he could as easily have removed the Serpents as appointed the making of another and as easily have healed them by his word as by this sign but hereby affords them a double mercy and cure one of the body by the sign another of their soules by the thing and truth thereby signified III. From this application follows a saving effect The Israelite by looking lived and received present ease with freedome from pain and poyson So the believer looking on Christ by the eye of faith hath an heavenly life restored present ease from the pain of a guilty and accusing conscience freedome from the poyson of sin both the guilt and stain of it But herein the truth is advanced above the type 1. That brazen Serpent had not power in it self to cure this hath power in it self 2. Whereas they were cured to dye again believers attain a sound cure never to dye more Joh. 11. 26. 3 Whereas that did not alwayes retain the vertue of curing our brazen Serpent doth ever retain power and vertue for the salvation of believers looking towards him to the end of the world 4. Whereas this brazen Serpent now a remedy against poyson was after turned to poyson the Israelites in Hezekiahs time which made him stamp it to powder our brazen Serpent ever remaineth the soveraign and healing God as unchangeable in his goodnesse as he is in his most holy and divine nature 5. That remained a great while about seven hundred and threescore yeares but after was defaced and destroyed Our brazen Serpent can never be defaced or destroyed but abides the Saviour of sinners to all eternity Oh now what a sweet Sermon doth this one type contain of the whole sum and marrow of the Gospel what a pregnant testimony and vaticinie is it alone of the death and passion of Jesus Christ as also of the vertue and merit of the same and consequently what a prop and stay of our faith what a goade and spurre to drive us to Jesus Christ in whose name alone we can be saved Sect. III. I. Note What weak unlikely and contrary meanes the Lord useth to effect great things for his Church and in his Church Was there any sence or reason to be conceived in all this counsel and ordinance of God in healing thus his people 1. Could a Serpent of brasse a shape onely more heal than hurt them 2. Could a dead Serpent prevail against so many living and fiery Serpents 3. Shall not this shape and image of a Serpent be so much as touched or applied to the wound but the sight of it onely afar off cure a mortal wound really inflicted How inconceivable is this to humane
be a prayer of faith that is available Jam. 5. 15. If to good works and good life it must be a life of faith led by faith for the just must live by his faith If to the Church of God he must be of the houshold of faith else he shall be but as Judas among the Disciples Faith must be every where diffused to walk by faith live by faith and die in faith as the Saints in former ages have done for our imitation 3. We must hold on this expectation on our Serpent as the Israelites did till they were perfectly cured And because we can never be perfectly cured in this life but onely in part we must still look up to Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12. 2. till we be fully and perfectly healed Hence it is that the Lord will never have this Brazen Serpent taken down as the other was after a short time but hath appointed the Ministery to lift him up and hold him perpetually before our eyes so long as we are here below and enjoyned us the constant use of it all the while we are in this wildernesse which were needlesse if we had once attained our perfect cure This is a strong motive to hold our eyes fast fixed upon Jesus Christ till we come to enjoy him as he is when all Ministery shall cease and the Lamb shall be all in all Sect. VIII From this so excellent a figure ariseth a bright Sun of light and comfort for all the faithful 1. The Israelite that could look to the Serpent if his eye were never so tender weak or dim yet was cured Thou that art the weakest believer be comforted thy weak faith shall save thee thy smoaking flax shall not be quenched but cleared to farther brightnesse Thy weak hand shall be able to receive and hold the gift of righteousnesse and eternal life It is not the greatnesse of thy faith that saves thee but the truth of it Yet with this caution If it be true it will strive to encrease And if there be so much comfort in weak faith how much is there in strong 2. The Israelite stung never so often if so often he did look on the Serpent so often he was cured Oh singular comfort Thou that renewest thy sins every day and every day goest over the same frailties renew also thy faith daily and thy repentance and thou art safe That brazen Serpent lost his vertue of healing but our Brazen Serpent never loseth his If thou sinnest seventy times seven and so many times returnest by faith in Christ and say It repents me by this looking upon the brazen Serpents all those wounds shall be cured Yet with this caution That as he had been a mad Israelite who because there was a Serpent set up to cure him would therefore run of purpose among Serpents to be stung by them So is he no lesse witlesse a Christian who therefore willingly makes his sin abound because grace hath abounded A mad man he is that will therefore break his head or wound his members because he hath a soveraign plaister by him 3. The Israelites stung never so deadly never so desperately never so long wounded yet looking on the Serpent were cured If thy sins be as red as scarlet and never so great if in thy sense some one of them deserve a thousand hells and the guilt of it or them rings continually in the eares of thy conscience frighted with feares of hell and death if thy sins be festered and of long continuance Now come to the Brazen Serpent Never was any Israelite that could look on the Serpent sent away uncured But there is ten thousand times more vertue in Jesus Christ than in ten millions of brazen Serpents onely look on this Serpent by the eye of faith turn from all thy sins and be saved 4. The Israelites looking on the Serpent brought present cure and ease and they went away rejoycing If thou believest in Jesus Christ thou art perfectly cured As Christ was wont to say to his Patients so I say to thee Goe in peace Thy faith hath made thee whole Onely this grace can quiet the heart distressed and can keep it from sinking as once it did Peter Mat. 14. 29. In this is the beginning and accomplishment of thy happinesse The converted Gaolor went away rejoycing that he and his house believed Act. 16. 34. Now if one sight of faith in this our absence from Christ be so joyful a thing what shall the sight of fruition doe in his presence 5. The Israelites having once the brazen Serpent cared not for the fiery Serpents They might sting them now but not much hurt them they might now poyson them but not kill them So the believer looking to the true Brazen Serpent may triumph over the old Serpent and all the serpentine seed and say as the Apostle teacheth 1 Cor. 15. 55. Oh sin where is thy sting Oh hell where is thy victory Nay Thanks be to God who hath given us victory by our Lord Jesus Christ. Great was the power of the Israelites looking upon that Serpent for when the fiery Serpents were present it made them powerlesse and not hurtful Greater is the power of faith in the Lord Jesus which though our sinnes in themselves are most venomous and poysonful stings and such as we cannot be rid of them yet it so blunts them and makes them so powerlesse that they kill us not nay that they hurt us not nay more that they help us and make us better more humble more wise more watchful Thus our good God who out of the most infinite curse of Christ his Son on the Crosse brought forth to us the most infinite blessing which fills heaven and earth doth out of our cursed sins bring forth his own glory joyned with our greatest good For which as for all other his unspeakable mercies unto us be praise given in all Churches and from henceforth to all eternities Amen FINIS J. Lambert Martyr Epist. ad Romanos 1. 2. Rom. 10. 4. Cont. Jul. 9. De cibis Jud. c. 5. Cont. Faust. Advers Jud. Heb. 13. 8 John 14. 6. Heb. 11. 2. Eph. 4. 5. M. Min. Fel. Octav. Rom. 11. 26. Ludov. Coeretus 1553. Christ the truth of legall shadows Introduction to this Treatise 1. 2. 3. 4. Sacramenta sunt mutata non sides August 5. God appointed a multitude of ceremonies to the Iewes for 5. reasons 1. Velata sunt ista doneâ— aspiraret dies removerentur umbrae Aug. 2. Grace in the new Testament specially how Ceremonies called shadows for 4. reaseus 3. Non ex opereoperato 4. Use of them to the Iews 5. Gods wisdome in appointing them The generall division of this Treatise Adam a type of Christ in four things 1. Uterque ad imaginem Dei conditus uterque Deo charissimus 2 Primus ecclesiae doctor audiens immediate a Deo quae ecclesiae erant proponenda ita et Christus 3. 4. Use