and Infidelity We are ready to think what a fearful thing it was to be bitten with the Fiery Serpents We have a worse Serpent bites us and the misery of all is we are stung and are asleep Eph. 4. 19. O that God would by his Spirit awaken us that we may not sleep the sleep of death 5. If sin be a Fiery Serpent with so many stings then let us labour that these deadly stings fastned in our Consciences may be healed And that brings me to the second Thing II. The manner of Israels Cure vers 8. Make thee a Fiery Serpent or Serpent of Brass and set it upon a Pole and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten when he looketh upon it shall live And Moses made a Serpent of Brass and put it upon a Pole c. In which words there is the Signum and the Signatum the Sign the Brazen Serpent and the thing signified Christ the healer of Souls So it is interpreted by the Evangelist Joh. 3. 14. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish c. Doct. 4. The Lord Jesus is the true Brazen Serpent that heals sinners stung with sin For the further illustrating of this I shall show you 1. The fit Analogies and resemblances between Christ and the Brazen Serpent 1. The Serpent in the Wilderness resembled Christ in its materiality the Serpent was of Brass not Marble or beaten Gold This being made of Brass did Typifie Christ three ways 1. Brass is an inferiour Metal and unlikely to produce such a noble effect What was a Serpent of Brass to heal one that was stung If some Soveraign Medicine or Antidote had been applyed if the balm of Gilead had been brought this had been likely to have wrought a Cure but what is there in a Serpent made of Brass to heal This was a Type of Christ it resembled the meanness of his Person he affected not outward pomp and state he came into the World in a mean Condition There was no beauty in him that he should be desired Isa. 53. 2. Who that had looked upon Christ with a carnal eye would ever have thought he should be the Messiah the glorious healer of the World 2. Brass is a solid firm Metal which resembled Christ's Power Job 9. 19. If I speak of strength lo he is strong Therefore called The Mighty God Isa. 9. 6. Of what invincible fortitude was he who could bear the wrath of God and the sins of the World He must needs be puissant who could break the Gates of Hell and triumph over Satan upon the Cross. 3. Brass doth shine but not dazzle the eyes So Christ though he doth shine in his God-head yet his Human Nature doth so allay the splendor of his Glory that we may look upon him now and not be over-whelmed with the immenseness and brightness of his Majesty 2. The Brazen Serpent resembled Christ in its figure and shape The Serpent though it was made like a Serpent yet it was no real Serpent Thus Christ as the Scripture saith was in the likeness of sinful flesh Rom. 8. 3. yet he was no sinner He was made sin but knew no sin 2 Cor. 5. 21. He knew sin in the weight but not in the act He was ab omni macula alienus he was purer then the Sun he had no more sin than the Brazen Serpent had sting or venome in it 3. The Serpent in the Wilderness resembled Christ in its Erection and Elevation It was lifted up that all Israel might see it It must not only be framed but lifted up So Christ must not only be made a Saviour but he must be lifted up Now Christ is said to be lifted up four ways 1. Christ was lifted up in the Acclamation of the Angels Luk. 2. 7. Unto you is born this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord and suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying glory to God in the highest c. The Angels adored Christ and were the Heraulds to proclaim the joyful news of a Saviour to the World Thus was Christ lifted up in the Triumphs of Angels 2. Christ is lifted up in the Preaching of the Gospel So he is an Ensign erected for all to look to Isa. 11. 10. It is the Ministers office to lift up Christ in the eyes of the World to hold him forth in his glory and proclaim him as the only Messiah and that there is no Salvation in any other Act. 4. 12 3. Christ was lifted up upon the Cross The Pole was undoubtedly a Type of the Cross and the lifting up of the Serpent on the Pole was a Type of Christ's being lift up upon the Cross. This was a blessed lifting up Christ's lifting up is our lifting up Joh 12. 32. And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me That is all that belong to the Election For mercy runs only in the channel of Election O how happy was it for us that this spiritual brazen serpent was erected Christ's being lifted up upon the Cross is the cause of our being lifted up to Heaven And in the Sacrament is a solemn Commemoration of Christ's Crucifixion 4. Christ is lifted up in our hearts by our contemplating admiring loving him It is not the lifting up of Christ on the Cross will save us unless he be lifted up in our hearts When we prize Christ and set him highest in our thoughts and esteem this is to lift him up in our souls There are two chief things a Christian hath to do to depress self and exalt Christ. 4. The brazen serpent resembled Christ in the design of its being lifted up and that was intuition when Israel were stung they must look upon the Brazen serpent which looking implyed a secret hope they had of cure So Christ was therefore lifted up on the Cross that he may be looked upon by an eye of Faith The people of Israel needed not to have taken down the Serpent from the Pole and touched their sores with it they were only to look on it and they were healed So we need not go to fetch Christ down from Heaven as the Papists do who make him to be corporally in the Bread no if we do but look upon him fiducially we shall be cured of our sting Observe four Things about the Brazen Serpent There were four cases in which the Brazen Serpent would have done the people of Israel no good though it were lifted up 1. In case the Brazen Serpent had been set up yet if they had not fixed their eye upon it it would not have cured them So though Jesus Christ be lifted up as a Saviour to the world yet if this Brazen Serpent be not looked upon believingly he will not save Joh. 3. 18. He that
Did not David find his heart dull and listless though he was not dead in sin yet he was dead in duty why else did he pray Quicken thou me Psal. 119. 25. But that deadness which is in a Believer he is sensible of which argues life he mourns for it and never leaves till he hath in the use of means recovered that agility and liveliness of soul as once he had Object 2. But if my Faith be alive it is so weak that I fear I shall receive no benefit from the Brazen serpent Answ. If it be a true Faith though weak it will fetch vertue from Christ. Suppose an Israelite had had but one eye and that eye had been sore yet looking on the Brazen serpent he had been presently cured Blear eyed Leah might have been cured though thy Faith be weak it will justifie Say as Cruciger on his death bed Lord I believe but with a weak Faith yet I believe Object 3. But my sins are of that magnitude that I am discouraged from looking up to Christ Answ. Captivate fear and advance Faith Suppose an Israelite had been more stung and bitten than others yet by looking on the Brazen serpent he might have been healed as well as they that had but the least sting Christ's blood believed in cures the greatest stings What cannot the blood of God do it cured Manasses three deadly stings bloodshed Idolatry Sorcery 2 Chron. 32. 2 3. The Brazen serpent can cure the Crimson sinner Isa. 1. 18. I speak not this that any should presume but that no broken-hearted sinner should despair 2. Bran. Let us acknowledg God's wonderful mercy in bestowing the Brazen serpent upon us O bless God cordially for Christ who was lift up upon the Cross and is held forth in the Sacrament for our consolation and salvation How joyful was an Israelite that lay burning with his sting when he saw the Brazen serpent erected We have infinitely more cause to be joyful for Christ whose blood delivers us from â—…rath to come 1 Thes. 1 10. What had become of us if Christ not pityed us and come into the world Had not Christ been lifted up we had been thrown down to hell for ever Let us then bow the knee in all reverence and with the leper that was healed return to give glory to God Luk. 17. 15. Use 3. Comf Let this chear up the hearts of all true Believers You that now look upon Christ lift up upon the Pole shall shortly see him lift up vpon the Throne You that have seen Christ in his Crucifixion shall shortly see him in his Coronation In short you that now behold Christ lifted up for you shall shortly be lifted up to him And there you shall behold the wonders of his love the riches of his glory and shall be for ever solacing your selves in the light of his blessed countenance The Spiritual Vine John 15. 1. I am the True Vine THe Name of Christ is most fragrant and because of the savour of his good Oyntments therefore the Virgins love him Jesus Christ is the beauty of Heaven and the joy of the heart In him all fulness dwells Colos. 1. 19. In this flower is all sweetness If the Gospel be the field Christ is the treasure hid in it The knowledg of Christ is so precious and delectable that though St. Paul knew him before yet he desires to know more of him he would have more light from this Sun Phil. 3. 10. That I may know him as he who hath found a gold Mine desires to dig out still more Gold Jesus Christ in Scripture is set out by several Metaphors 1. He is compared to the Rose of Sharon Cant. 2. 1. the Rose is the Queen of Flowers So sweet is this Rose of the Heavenly Paradise that it makes us a sweet savour to God 2. Christ is compared to a Pearl of Price Mat. 13. 46. other Pearls add no realworth to them that wear them but Christ this illustrious Pearl doth he makes us worthy through his worthiness Ezâ—…k 16. 14. But among all the Metaphors and Allegories in Scripture none doth more lively decipher and set out Christ than the Vine He calls himself here the True Vine The Vine saith Pliny is to be ranked the highest among all the Plants that grow Doct. 1. That Jesus Christ is a Spiritual Vine The Analogies are these 1 The Vine is of it self weak and must be supported and born up So the humane Nature of Christ was of it self weak and was fain to be supported and underpropped with the Divine Nature 2. The Vine grows in the Garden not in the Forest So Christ this blessed Vine grows in the Garden of the Church He is not known among the Heathen they being Forest ground are not the better for this Vine To Israel pertains the Glory for unto them were committed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 2. 3. The Vine communicates to the Branches Believers are called Branches of the Vine ver 5. Christ shoots up his sap of Grace into these Joh. 1. 16. Of his fulness have we all received Then let not the branches grow proud all comes from the root of the Vine The Saints gifts and graces are derived from Christ. Therefore he calls the Spouses Graces his Graces Cant. 5. 1. I have gathered my myrrh not thy myrrh The Branch hath nothing but what it receives from the Root 4. The Vine hath rare delicious fruit growing on it it bears sweet clusters the promises are the clusters of Grapes growing on Christ the True Vine The Promises are said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in him 1 Cor. 1. 20. the Promises are made in Christ and grow upon him as fruit on the Tree 5. There are many things about the Vine useful besides the fruit The Leaves that grow on it saith Pliny have a Physical vertue to allay heats and inflamations the Gumm that distills from it is good against Leprosie So it is with this Spiritual Vine the Lord Jesus he is exceeding useful and full of vertue There is vertue in his Passion Resurrection Intercession he pleads for us as the Advocate for the Client He perfumes our holy things with his Incense Christ's Prayer is the cause why our Prayers are accepted Such various excellency is in this Vine 1. See the different Vertues in Christ to the Godly and the Wicked To the Godly He is a Vine full of Comfort to the Wicked He is not a Vine but a Rock of offence The Godly feed on Him the Wicked stumble at him the Wicked are offended at the meanness of Christ's Person the Spirituality of his Doctrine the Strictness of his Laws but to the Godly he is a Vine yielding most fragrant delicious fruit 2. Bran. See the misery of men living and dying in sin they are not implanted into Christ therefore do not at all partake of his precious fulness The Vine
Use. Let us take heed of growing weary of Christ this blessed Manna At first Israel did highly esteem Manna they ran out to gather it Happy was he that could get Manna But this Food from Heaven which at first was so sweet to their Palat within a while was loathed and contemned Our nature is such that we are apt to disesteem the richest blessings when they are common If Pearls and Diamonds were plentiful none would value them If the Sun did shine but once a year how would it be prized but because it shines every day few admire this Lamp of Heaven Take heed of despising Jesus Christ Mat. 22. 5. If God was so angry with Israel for slighting of Christ when he was hid under a Type how angry will he be with those who slight Christ after he hath been visibly revealed Hebr. 10. 29. Of how much sorer punishment shall they be thought worthy who have trod under foot the Son of God Jesus Christ is a super-eminent blessing a magazine and storehouse of all good Things And the love of God was never so much seen as in giving of Christ therefore to slight Christ is to slight the love of God Quest. But who dares slight Christ Resp. It is a slighting of Christ to slight his Gospel and offer of Grace and hath not this been England's Sin have not we formerly nauseated Manna did not we grow curious and wanton and esteem'd the Manna of the Gospel light-bread and was not the Lord provoked with us Did not he send though not Fiery Serpents yet a Fiery Rod among us in this City that hath burnt down our Dwellings Christians I beseech you take heed of this for the future If God indulge you with Manna again beware of surfeiting on the bread of life The loathing of Manna is the next way to the losing of Manna God will take away his Mercies if they are undervalued If you play with the light God will put out the light 2. The Punishment it self which was Fiery Serpents These may be understood 1. Literally they were called Fiery Serpents 1. Because they were of a fiery colour 2. From the effect They were Seraphims Burners For when they did bite the people they did burn with extream heat and thirst The Septuagint translates them Killing Serpents Many of the people died ver 6. 2. These Fiery Serpents may be understood mystically So these Serpents were first a Type of Satan called the old Serpent Rev. 12. 9. He is indeed a Serpent for his subtilty The Hebrew word for Serpent comes of a Verb that signifies to use subtilty Gen. 3. 1. So Satan is a Serpent very subtil in his temptations he hath his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his depths Rev. 2. 24. and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his devices 2 Cor. 2. 11. The Devil doth with his artificial varnish put a fine gloss upon his Temptations that he may the better draw men to his lure he either hides his malicious designs or colours them 2 These Fiery Serpents were a Type of Sin Doct. 3. Sin is a Fiery Serpent This Serpent is bred in our nature it is within us We would think it sad to have Spiders and Serpents in our bodies as it is said of Maximinus the Emperor his body bred vermin But it is worse to have the Serpent of Sin in our Souls Sin is a Serpent 1. For its Poyson Sin hath invenomed us and that is the reason we swell Why doth one man swell with Pride another with Passion another with Lust he is poysoned If one had achild whom he dearly loved mortally poyson'd how would he grieve for it Our Souls are poysoned yet we grieve not How oft do sinners poyson the Sacramental Cup 2. Sin is a Serpent for the sting of it 'T is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sin at first shows its colour in the glass afterwards it bites as a Serpent Prov. 23. 32. Sin is a Serpent with four stings 1. It stings with guilt Rom. 3 19. 2. With horror of Conscience which is Limen inferni Judas and Spira felt this all the racks strappadoes and tortures in the world are but Ludibria risus a sport in comparison of this deadly sting no outward comforts can ease a Conscience stung with sin no more than a Crown of Gold can cure the Head-ach 3. Sin stings with death Rom. 5. 12. and death by Sin Sin is the wild Gourd that Adam gathered and eat and the next news was There is death in the pot 4. Sin without Repentance stings the Soul with damnation This Fiery Serpent brings to the Fiery Furnace I have rcad of the City Amycle in Italy destroy'd by Serpents Such a destroying Serpent is sin Use 1. See the sad condition of wicked men They make light of sin but sin is a Fiery Serpent crept into their bosom When the Serpent hath bitten one saith Pliny the venome and contagion of it spreads all over his body Sin hath invenomed men all over their hearts are full of poyson Rom. 1. 29. Being fill'd with all unrighteousness Their Tongues spit forth the poyson of the Serpent in Oaths and Curses Psal. 58. 2. The poison of Asps is under their Tongue This may serve to humble God's own people though they have the meekness of the Dove yet they have aliquid serpentis something of the evil evil of Serpent in them Though the curse due to sin is taken away yet the venome of this Serpent doth in part remain They have much love of the World much Unbelief much unmortified Passion Among Christ's Disciples there was Pride and Emulation Tho Christians have something of God's Spirit in them yet they have something which is Serpentine This Viper of sin will not be shaked off till death Oh how may this humble the best of God's Saints The Bishop of Alexandria when Egypt was converted to the Faith destroyed all their Idols but one that so looking upon that they might see their folly and abhor themselves for their Idolatry So God suffers not sin to be perfectly abolished in this life he leaves some corruption in the heart Something of the Serpent that his people may loath themselves in the dust What need have Believers to drink Christ's Blood in the Sacrament which is the best antidote against the poyson of the Soul 3. See that which may raise in us abhorring thoughts of sin It is a venemous Fiery Serpent will any man hug a Serpent Oh look not on the sine coat of the Serpent but the sting It stings with the wrath of God Pursue sin with an holy malice Mortifie the deeds of the flesh Rom. 8. 13. It is an happy thing when a Christian can say Though the Serpent be not dead yet iâ—… is dying Kill this Serpent or it will kill you 4. If sin be a Fiery Serpent then be sensible of the malignity and virulency of this Serpent feel your selves stung Feel your Hypocrisie