of that in Melchi-tsedek a Kingly priesthood And so our Lord and great priest came not of Leuies tribe as did all the legall priesthood but of Kingâ—y Iudah as is euident hebr 7.14 15. And as this legall priesthood was onely tied to Leuies type during their ceremoniall seruice so not euery Leuite offred this sacrifice but such sufficient-ones onely as were of Leuies sonne Kohath As for the two yonger houses Gershom and Merari they were shut from the Altar and employed in inferiour places and seruiceâ— Numb 3. and 4. Wherein though darkely might be represented Christ the elder brother in whom the sacrifice satisfactory rested together with his two yonger brethren for we are all so called to be priests Reuel 16. Pet. 2.9 Rom. 22.1 namely Minister and Lay-man who are employed in inferiour seruices subordinate to Christ Iesus our hie-priest Which priesthood of ours consisting in offring vppe our selues a reasonable sacrifice is as farre differing from that of Christs as Gershoms and Meraris from that of Kohath Gershom and Merari with Israel were called a Kingdome of Priests as now all Christians are termed to the same God Kings and Priests but as he was To die the death whatsoeuer hee was that touched the arke with Vzzah though a Leuite but not of Kohath and Aaron so whatsoeuer he amongst Christians that shall vsurpe vpon Christs sacrifice or with Apostate Papisme encroâ—h on his office they stand condemned of high treason conspired against the Lord and his Annointed for Mâ—ssiah is the Sacrificer absolute hauing trod the wine-presse alone They and wee are but Sâ—crificers Respectiue so termed in respect of conforming our selues vnto him who hath beene so sufficient for vs as members not vn-naturall must needes conforme themselues to their head This generally of the Office shadowing and shadowed now to the three particulars before specified his Enstalment his Garments his Action For his Enstalment first Moses bearing the person of God he causeth Aaron and his Sonnes for he was to haue them ioyned therein to come from amongst the people assembled in whose presence he declareth Iehouahs wil touching Aaron and his sonnes for sâ—crifice-hood Secondly Moses wâ—sheth them with water Thirdly he putteth on them the prescribed ceremoniall garments Fourthly he filleth their hands with oblâ—tions frumentall and animall shaking them before the Lord and then offering them according to the ceremonie prescribed putting of the blood on their right eare on the thumbe of their right hand and on the great toe of their right foote annoynting them with the sacred oyle Fiftly they feasted at the Tabernacles dore with the consecrated bread and flâ—sh Sixtly they were to watch seauen dâ—yes aâ—d seauen nights at the tabernacles dore for that was the time of their consecration as they would avoyde to haue sodaine death inflicted from heauen vpon them All his installment according to ceremoniall appearance it was passing glorious and notablie shadowed forth the super-excelling installment of Messiah to the worke of Redemption Did not Aaron take this office vnto him but was he caled of God thereto So neither did Christ take this honour to be made the hie-priest but he that said vnto him Thou art my Son this day I begot thee euen he gaue it him And being consecrated was made the Author of eternall saluation vnto all them that obay him and is called of God an high priest after the order of Melchi-tsedek Only where the Leuiticall priesthood had Co assistants in that sacâ—ifice Christ Iesus had no helpe for looking about as Isaiahâ—aith â—aith if there were any to helpe him loe there were none and so his owne at me sustained him Assistants he had in the Gospels publication namely his Apostles Euangelists and Prophets but in the worke of our absolute redemption he had no fellow which further was shadowed forth in the Hie-preist who only might enter into the Sanctum sanctorum for making attonement For Moses his washing them that shadowed the immaculate and vnspotted estate of Iesus For such an hie-priest it besemed vs to haue as is holy harmeles vndefiled seperate from sinners hebr 7.26 The annoynting them with such sauoury oile it shadâ—wed the Holy Spirit with his sauory operations by vertue whereof euery thing in him was to his fathers nosâ—thrills redolent The blood sprinkling oblations burning did fore-type the sufferings of our hie-priest for without his blood was no purgation That feasting at the Tabernacles dore it shadowed with what cheerfulnes our Messiah came to do his fathers wil. As for the seuen dayes and their nights they so continued it well resembleth our Sauiors consecration for this busines to the whole seuen ages of the world for he is the Lamb slaine from the beginning of the world Christ ' yesterday to day the same for euer This instalment was preached in Paradise belieued of Adam shadowed in his Abels sacrifice and so continued almost 4000 yeares what time he appeared in our nature for effecting of that amongst men which otherwise to his father was from the beginning in Act seeing with God there is no time past or to come but all things present This breifely of the installment into office Lect. XXII FOr the Garments of his office they are numbred Eight first A breast plate secondly An Ephod thirdly A Robe fourthly A broydered Coate fiftly A Miter sixtly A Girdle seauenthly A plate of pure Golde and lastly linnen Breeches With these eight was Aaron clothed what time he was to exercise his Arch-function Of the which erant quatuor vt annotaâ—it Beda minoris ordinis sacerdoâ—ibus concessa foure of these eight were grantâ—d to Priestes of the lower order namely the breches the broidered coate vnworthily turned a strait linnen in the old latine as Arias and Pagnine haue obserued then the Girdle and Miter And if the Mâ—tter and forme of this sacred attire be considered O howe truly Pontificall were they But thereof only a taste Their Coates their mitred ornaments and breeches were made of pure-fine linnen termed Bisse So were their girdles but perfected vp also with blew silke and purple scarlet and needle-worke But for the other garments wherin the Minor-priests had no interest there behold more The Robe called of the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a garment to the foot such a one as our Sauiour is represâ—nted in Reuel 1.13 it was to be altogither of blew silke and the hole for the head of wouen worke strong as the coller of an Habergeon Vpon the skirts whereof were tached Golden-bells and Pomegranates The number of whch Bels and the Pomegranâ—ts must be no lâ—sse are of Clemens Alexandrine sâ—d to be 166 but Beda affirmes them to be but 72. from the testimonie of Iosephus the Priest in his Antiquities For my part I rest where the scripture resteth It affirmeth nothing of the number nor will I. The Ephod a shorter garment drawne ouer the Robe it was made of Golde and blew silke and
purple and scarlet and fine twined linnen of broyderie vpon the twoo shoulders whereof were couched two Onix stones hauing sixe of Israels sonnes names grauen in the one and sixe in the other The Breast-plate of iudgement couched vpon the Ephod and very short it had the same stuffe as had the Ephod but coupled to with gold chaines fastned in gold rings In whose Square were couched twelue precious stones euery of these gemmes hauing engrauen one of the names of the Tribes of Israel But within this Breast-plate was put the Vrim and Thummim two things not expressed in scripture what they be nor can any Iew affirme indeed what they were Nay as onely they were of God giuen to Moses so to be inserted so is it not probable that euer any but Moses did see or know them And which is more after they were once lost and in Esraes time the Priest had them not Esr. 2.63 it neuer appeareth they were had againe The Angel bid Manoah not enquire after his name which was Secret and the scriptures concealing what Vrim and Thummim was I leaue it as a Secret The Plate for the Hie-priests miter was of pure gold tied to with a blew silke lace euen to the front of the Miter wherein according to art was grauen HOLINES TO IEHOVAH Thus was Aarons body adorned and so was his head decked all these tirings by reason of their mysterie precisely of the Lord called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bigedé Kâ—dèsh Garments of holinesse Exod. 28.2.4 garments for his consecration and yet all but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a shadow of good things to come namely in Christ Iesus the Hie-priest of our profession For the foure tyrings of Aaron which hee had in common with the minor-pâ—iesthood wee may behold in them the pure innocencie of Iesus more white than linnen more spiritually fine than Bâ—sse Which Righteousnesse of his imputed to his church is called Reuel 19.8 pure fine linnen and shining euen the Righteousnesse of the Saints If Salomon cast his eyes to this no maruell though he saide At all times let thy garments be white for no such occasion of triumph as to waâ—ke purely hauing the bright shining puritie of Iesus put vpon vs for that is to be cloathed with Christ as the Woman in Reuel 12. is cloathed with the Sunne More particularly the Broydered coate may represent that Iustice which he puts on as an habergeon The breeches well represent his Puritie couering the shame of our nature The Girdle of his â—oynes and reines is expounded of the Euangelicall Prophet to be Iustice and faithfulnesse The Miter cloased about below but open aboue point-wise to heauen-ward it wel might shadow that saluation which he brought from heauen for mankinde below We the Body that is saued he the Head that saueth vs. And hitherto the Apostle leadeth vs when hee wills vs to take to our selues the helmet of Saluation which is no other than our head Christ as Simeon well vrgeth when he saith Mine eyes haue seene my saluation The inferiour Priest did thus in his garments represent Christ with his graces whereby we stand and are saued But to take a little view of the other foure garnishings which were proper to the Hie-priest it shal be to survay a more plenarie shadow of all things The foure tyrings absolute to Aaron and the Greatâ—sacrificer in succession vnto him be these first the side Robe secondly the Ephod thirdly the Brestplate lastly the Golden plate For the Robe consider his heauen-blewe or hyacinth colour and what can one behold therein but glory or heauenly maiestie such as is represented to Iohn in Reuel 1.13 where our great Hie-priest standeth amidst the Churches clothed with Maiestie as with a state-garment As Iohn see him we should all see him in the spirit of our Minde namely to be clothed with Maiestie and renowne no more knowing Christ according to the flesh but according to his glorious immortalitie from the abolishment of corruption in all his mysticall members for to them it is finally appointed that dishonour corruption and immortalitie shal be put off that so they may be inuested with mortalitie vncorruption and glory For as we haue borne the image of the earthly Adam so shal we beare the image of the heauenly 1. Corinthians 15 49. In the Bels and Pomegranats circuiting the skirts of this garment much may thereof be spoken and all according to the analogie of faith Whereof now onely this In the golden bells making a golden sound as Aaron went in and out not onely is represented Prayer which powerfully was offered vp of Iesus but also and that more properly Sonitus verbi the sound of the word Messiah himselfe was the Word of the Father by which Word the worlds were made But the Bels here shadow not that vncreate word but that Creature-word which our great Messiah hath sounded in the eares of his people Which word should be deare vnto vs euen as the fringe of our garment placed about our seete for directing strâ—ight steps accordingly Yea it shadow-wise preacheth that we must sound well to others for their direction also in holy duety Specially the Ministers of God must vâ—ter this golden sound Iram bene inquit Beda contra se occultiiudicis exigit si sine praeaicationis sonitu incedâ—t hee pâ—ouoketh the anger of God against him who insisteth not in the sound of preaching Nor is it sâ—fficient to pray or preach except it may be vndeâ—stood of Gods people for if the trumpet giue an vncertaine sound who shall prepare himsâ—lâ—e vnto battelâ— except â—aith the Apostle ye vâ—ter words that haue signification how shall it be vnderstood what is spoken for yee shall speake in the ayre As Christ rung this bell before vs so wee are to ring it vnto others specially that peale whereby people may take knowledge of Messiah gone into the Holy of holies euen into the very heauens to appeare now in the sight of God for vs. For the Pomeâ—granets consider their composition they were made of blew silke and purple scarlet Not to meddle with Iâ—sephus no not with some christians their elementall conceits grounded here vpon colours it is certaine that by these pomegranats a most excellent fruite is shadowed forth good workes and by these dainty colours is intimatâ—d the Beautie and comelinâ—sse of good workes It is a frequent vse of scripture to compare Mankinde to a tree and his actions to tree-fruites and as such fruitâ—s are commaunded so aâ—e they of the Holy-ghost commended for beauteous Instance it but with one particular That loue which causeth brethren to dwell together in vnitie is it not commended for Tób and Nágnim comely and amiable pâ—al 133.1 Yea good workes are the beautie of mankind Which as they abounded in Messiah so neither can be lacking in his members Was it the Leuiticall posie A Bell and a Pomeâ—granat A Bel and a Pome-granat Let it also be
beheld of Paul in a rapt or spirituall traunce made him vnable thereof to speake any thing 2. Cor. 12.2 c. except with Peter vppon a little taste of his glorious Vnitie Math. 17.4 Luke 9.33 he should haue said he wist not what If wee consider this table heere in the Kingdome of grace and the circumstance of time doth properly teach that then it is that Chatholike Vnitie begunne here somewhat represented by our feasts of loue termed Agapai wherein the open wicked are of Saint Iude verse 12. compared to spots Which feasts of Loue the Corinths did keepe before the Lords supper but with horrible schisme contrary not onely to the end of that feast but also of the Lords supper ensuing for in that sacramentall supper the vnitie of Christ and his members is notably signified and sealed For as the circled vnitie beginnes and ends in Christ who is our Alpha and Omega first and last so besides he giueth vnto these faithfull ones himselfe for foode that so in a spirituall sorte He the King and they the people may become one as in a Naturall sorte the bread and wine becommeth one with our natures Vpon that ground Irenaeus thus writ The Eucharist consisteth on two things an earthly and an heauenly And so in truth doth euery exhibitiue sacrament because by that which is earthly we should ascend to the apprehension of that is heauenly The reprobate may eate the signe but not the thing signified For if hee could eate Christ his flesh signified by the bread then hee should liue for euer Iohn 6.50.51 Let old Barnard teach the Romanists he writes thus The thing of the Sacrament none partake but the worthy and fit As for the Sacrament without the thing of the Sacrament it is death whereas the thing of the Sacrament without the Sacrament that is Christ without the signes it is life eternall to the receiuer And no maruell for the Bread and Wine do but signifie vnion as for the Body and Blood they are our vnion and life signified and to the faithfull together with the Signes exhibited In this vnion the King sitteth with his people and the people with their King These that but stood in Salomons presence are of Shebahs Queene pronounced blessed howe much more happy they that stand yea that sit in the presence of this King yea which more is doe liue in him and by him feeding vppon him as Eagles tire on flesh and sucke vp the blood of the slaine Matth. chap. 24.38 Iob chap. 39 30. c. These that bring not true faith vnto this Table they swallow the Signes and Death withall as Iudas swallowed the Paschall soppe and the diuell withall and therfore if knowne of the Church they should be debarred of the Church specially if they may be debarred without pulling vp wheate without rending Churches communion Some here will obiect Christ knew Iudas to haue an euill hart yet he admitted him to this sacred communion I answere first admit he was admitted that yet is nothing to vs seeing he was secretly wicked that is a maskt hipocrite and vnseene of the church Seene he was of God but not of Man For Christ in respect of his manhoode no more knew that Iudas was to be the traitour then thereby he knew the latter day whether the terme latter day haue relation to the day of Ierushalems or the worlds downe-fall His manhood knew by Dauids Prophecie that one of his familiars should betray him but who was the person he knew not except by Communication of the other nature his God-head Whereas not the things of the God-head but the peculiars of the manhood are for our imitation Secondly though from the first three Euangelists it hardly appeareth otherwise but that hee was present because of the Histories mixture and mixture of Times yet from Saint Iohn in his 13. chap. and 30. verse it is plaine hee was absent For there it is said Assoone then as he had receiued the soppe he went immediatly out Now the soppe was of the Passeouer not of the Lords supper which was in the last place instituted Going forth so with the soppe of the first hee stayed not the celebration of the second Nor is this my iudgement alone Beza hereon writeth thus Hence their iudgement appeareth certaine who thinke that Iudas was not present at the institution of the Lords supper Nor is it a late iudgement for Theophilus hath this Diuerse say that Iudas was not partaker of the mysteries but that he went out vnto the mount of Oliues Before him Hilarius giueth in this testimony It may be perceiued he so departed by this that he is shâ—wne to be returned with the Company And for stopping of the Romanists mouths let them heare what Clemens saith in the person of the Apostles who as some of them say succeeded S. Peter in the Popedome When he that is Iesus had deliuered vnto vs the Anti-tipicall mysteries of his precious body and blood wherein togither with vs Iudas was not present he went out into the Mount of Oliues Into this circled-session the hypocrite without his wedding garment may come but the Lord of the feast will finally finde him out The Open-wiched tares Shimei Ioab Diotrephes may occupie a place amidst the wheate and children of the kingdome the ministers of the kingdome not knowing how to pull vp these burry cliuing foes but finally the Angel reapers shall collect them binde them and commit them to the fiery furnace According to secret grace and Election Mâ—ssiah hath a holy communion here for he knoweth who are his and they haue his spirit but so the visible and externall communion it is here imperfect scarse seauen without a Nicholas twelue without a Iudas a Congregation without a Diotrephes Hil-altars in midst of the Temple but in the haruest in the worlds end a separation shall be made and the externall communion be perfect He that expecteth a full purgation of the visible-church in this world he altogether erreth from scripture as elsewhere I haue largely inough prooued But yet no one in his place must be negligent to purge it of euil so farre as their calling reacheth when it may be done without harming the Lords wheat-field that is his Church It followeth My Spikenard gaue his smell Christ hath his communion and she hath her odour Like vnto that in the gospel where our Sauiour with others sit at supper together in Bethania what time as Mary Lazarus his sister did annoynt Iesus with Nard-pistike of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pistis Faith for it was not onely a faithfull vnguent vncorrupt oyntment but also by Faith applied to Christes death whose sweet sauour filled there the house Spike-nard or Nard of India a kind of sweete plant whereof is prepared a most precious sweete oyle hauing the nature of warming piercing digesting The Herb it selfe is hot in the first degree and dry in the second whereby it falleth out that
Daniel 7.8.20 c. â—ermed Rógni háaeâ—l my vaine shepheard a fugitiue from thâ— flocke vpon whose right hand and eie the sword of Gods iudgement is By reason whereof neither can his hand hold the sheep-crooke nor his eie discerne the true sheepefold This briefely of the Pectorall The fourth and last differencing tyre is a Plate made of pure golde put vppon a blew silke tape wherewithall it was tied to the fore front of the Miter in which was curiously engrauen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holines to Iehouah And this was Aaron to beare on his head for taking away such sins of the people as were mingled with the sacrifices that so God might be well pleased with sacrificer and sacrifice All which shadoweth a necessitie of Messiah â—uen in our best actions First Our Aaron and Aarons head is Christ Iesus Coloss. 1.18 and That Sauiour is the head of his church who hath for signe of his regall empery Pileus capiti impositus that Bonet on his head Secondly for the sâ—cred Superscription it plainely preacheth that all Sanctitie is to be ascribed to the Lord. And that Isaiahs Seraphim in chap. 6. do testifie when as out of fierie flames thâ—y cry holy holy holy Lord God of hostes All holy art thou O sacred trinitie and vnitie and with thee dwells nothing but holinesse Thiâ—dly and whereas Aaron must by intercession remooue the Israelites staines in sacrifice it teacheth first that in all our spirituall oblâ—tions prayers preâ—chings almes c. there be blots and imperfections Not that such blots or staines be the works of â—aith or effects of God his grace in vs for that were to blaspheme God and his grace whose â—ffects are all holy as be their Cause but they be cankered blossomes of the vnregenerate part who neuer can be but filthy like th' old Adam they flow from In which respect so long as the old Adam is our crooked neighbour which will be all our life-time here we all are euer to pray for the remission of our trespasses Secondly it teacheth vs to offer no word nor worke to God but by his sonne our Mediatour and Hie-priest Christ. And this is by vision signified to S. Iohn in Reuel 8 where the prayers of the Saints are offered vp in the golden censor of the great Angell of Couenant that is Christ Iesus And S. Peter in his 1. ep 2. chap. expresseth it plainely when hee termes the faithfull an holy priesthood for offering vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Christ â—esus a doctrine right frequent in scripture For this is the Maleác habbèrith the Angel of that couenant who shall sit downe to try and fine the siluer he shall euen fine the sonnes of Leui and purifie them as gold and siluer that they may bring to the Lord in Righteousnâ—sse Thus Christ our Aaron hath perfectly put vpon him all the Iudgement iustice truth and holinesse that was shadowed in Aaron and euerie of Israels hie-priests It remaineth that we by truth of faith doe put on the Lord Iesus Christ as a garment for our able standing before God in his glorious day of iudgement Lect. XXIIII THE Instalments and Garments thus spoken of it now resteth I say something of Arons Action in respect of his sacrificehood and yet thereof but a little It consisteth first in Oblation secondly in Benediction or blessing Oblation is the offering vp of some ceremoniall creature vnto God in the behoofe of the church And this is to be considered first in his offerings presented in the Holy-place or Sanctum secondly in the things which he presented in the most holy or Sanctum Sanctorum The thingâ— offred vp in the Sanctum for the Tabernacle was diuided into the Court Sanctum and Sanctum-sanctorum this Hie-priest had in common with the Minor priests but the Hie-priest still superior in such oblations And these kind of offâ—ings were Daily But an other kind of oblation peculiar to the hie-priest appertained to the sanctum-sanctorum or Most-holy into the which none might enter but the Arch-sacrificer and this only once in the yeare namely in the tenth day of their seauenth month Tishri answering to the most part of our September termed the feast of expiation Leuit. 16. In his daily sacrifice was shadowed forth that Lambe which with God was slain froÌ„ the beginning of the world euen Christ Iesus shadowed in the sacrifices of Adam Abel Sheth and so forward to the time of the lawe And from that time shadowed as in other things so specially in the Legall lambe offered euery morning and night first in the Tabernacle then afterwards in the Temple So that it may well be said of him that hee was killed all the day long yea all the worlds yeares along The Minor-priests that is the Heads of faithful families did ply the shadowing Altare with such types but Christ our Aaron he was the Head-priest and Gouernour of his holy Family who being better then the figure did not offer for his owne sinnes in that he was sinlesse but for the sinnes of his people And this in mysterie he did and doth euer for which he is termed as afore a priest according to the Order of Melâ—hi-tsedek that is an Eternall priest more perfect than that of Aaron But for offering vp himselfe Actually in that our Nature which Really is to satisfie for transgression it was to fall out in the end of the world hebrews 9.26 that is in the last Age or mysticall Day Which oblation as it was himselfe so but One and Once represented by that one day of Expiation wherein the hie-priest was to enter the Most-holy Then the which what can be saide more fully for abolishment of Romish Reall flesh-sacrifice which daily their blasphemous Priests would be thought to offer vp after that by muttering charming breathing they haue made to them the body of a false Christ begotten of Bakeâ—s bread In the generation of which false Christ the Bread is Patient in roome of the Virgin and their vnholy breath is Agent insteade of the Holy-Ghost ouer-shadowing The very repetition of which Stage-play is a sufficient confâ—tation So much briefely of Aarons oblation Aarons Benediction or Blessing it is eyther that which hee powred out vpon inferiour officers or else vpon all the people The inferiour officers were first Minorit-priests secondly Seruiceable Leuites for every Priest vnder the Law was a Leuite but not euery Leuite a priest For these officers ecclesiasâ—â—ke they were blessed of the Hie-priest in their entrance into such function together with other peculiar ceremonies For blessing the people that specially was done at the time of their publike worship as in Leuit. 9.22.23 Numb 6.22 c. the equitie of both lying in that Antient Canon Without all Contradiction the Lesser is to be blessed of the Greater By all which is liuely shadowed that Christ our high-priest is onely hee by whom Minister and people become blessed The heauenly father
blesseth but by his Sonne our Mysticall Aaron This dooth the Apostle remember when to the Ephesians chap. 1.3 hee thus prayeth Blessed be God euen the father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall Blessing in heauenly thingâ—s through Christ. And of him it can be onely essentially said that hee the Greater blesseth vs the Lesser Who as before he was shadowed in Isaac so he can only say Such I haue blessed and they shal be blessed Which action of blessing is in the Gospel very frequent whereas not onely he blesseth Ministers and people but also meate and drinke a more inferiour creature To him let minister and people repaire for a blessing Ministers for speaking effectually People for hearing effectually If he blesse their water is turned strait to wine but if he curse their thigh rottes and their figtree will neuer become fruitefull Let this here suffice for Aaron Lect. XXV Iosua THe next personall Shadow shal be that great successor of Moses the Leader and Planter of Israel in Canaan who primordially was termed Hoshea but secondarily IEHOSHVA Num. 13.9.17 The Rabbines doe prettily search out from whence this Iod commeth for so Hebrews do terme the letter I which here is preponed to Hoshea by which it commeth in hebrew forme to be Iehoshua Who therein obserue how it was that IOD which was taken from Abrahams wife when of Sarai she was called Sarah Genes 17.15 Which letter IOD of Greekes called Iota wandred as without a resting place till such time as it found a place in Hoshea Whereto that ancient prouerbe might wel allude in Math. 5.18 One Iote or one title shall not scape till all things be fulfilled If the Iewish Cabalists were not here blinde Sarah should not more easily leade them to Iosuah then the blessed Virgin might leade them to IESVS Nor were not a vaile ouer their eyes could thâ—y rest in this that Hoshea assumed Iod from Sarah but rather Cabalike-wise be led thereby to Iesus who assumed the Womans seede the seed of a Virgin that so what woman had lost it might be found in Iesus Did Moses the great Law-giuer afford that IOD to the Arch-duke of Israel But Iehouah greater than Moses he that gaue the law primordiaâ—ly to Moses euen he gaue a Iote of womans seed to our captaine Christ. Nor what the Father hath giuen him can any man or Diuell pull out of his hands This to the Cabalists But for our more particular information let vs consider this shadow first in his Name secondly in his Office The name Hoshea or Iehoshua or Iosua they are in hebrew forme the verie same that Iesus is in greeke forme Which causeth the Author to the Hebrewes chap. 4.8 writing in Greeke not to say If Ioshuah had giuen them rest c. but If Iesus had giuen them rest for euery of them are deriued of one and the same Roote Iáshâ— not sounding Gnaijn and in english is a Sauiour according to the interpretation of that verie Angâ—ll Gabriel in Math. 1.21 where the promised seede is termed Iesus why Because he shall saue his people from their sinnes euen as the Iudges after Ioshua were termed Sauiours for God stirred them vp temporarily to saue Israel from the yoke of the enemies So that Hoshea and Iesus haue one and the same name of Sauiour the first of them temporaâ—ly sauing Israel according to the proportion of a shadow the second sauing all his people eternally according to the proportion of a substance For his Office it hath generally beene noted in his Names signification which more particularly I will obserue first in his Conducting of Israel secondly in his Circumcising of Israel thirdly in his Dispossessing of Cananites and Possessing Israel of Canaan In conducting of Israel he shadowed our Sauiour Iesus who vnto Ioshua in chap. 5.14 doth terme himselfe Sar-tsebá-Iehouah The captaine of Iehouahs Armie that is the Leader of his people In which respect also euery Iudiciall and Regall Annointed-ones were figures And blessed are that people who haue Christ Iesus for their Iosua for their Gedeon for their Dauid for their Captaine All Baptized-ones do professe that By God his grace they will march vnder his Banner a red-crosse in the white-field of an vnspottâ—d Conscience fighting against the Diuell the World and Flesh. As they would not be arraigned of periurie yea of capitall hie treason in conspiring with the enemy let all such looke to that sacramentall oth and at least now at last become more faithfull Followers 2 Ioshua receiuing commandement of God to Circumcise Israel now the Second time chap 5.2 it will shadow forth that Circumcision which is made without hands Coloss 2.11 and the very same represâ—nted by Baptisme which is an inward circumcision made by the Spirit This the Apostle in Rom. 2.29 doth call Circumcision of the heart in the spirit because in such an heart was that mortification which was represented by the outward signe But for the first circumcision he saith it is in the letter that is onely according to outward obseruance and this he saith doth make a true Iewe that is a true Christian to God-ward As that second circumcision did well represent Regeneration so Ioshua herein did well râ—present our Iesus by whose spirit and word we are inwardly circumcised and Baptized for though Iohn powre on the water yet Christ must minister the Spirit It is Christ that hath giuen vs the second circumcision by Baptisme of New-birth it is he that hath purged our soules Nor without the second Circumcision is the shame of our mysticall Aegypt remooued 3 Ioshua Dispossessing Canaan of the vncircumcised he therein may well shadow forth Christ Iesus two wayes first in dispossessing the earth of the reprobate that so the meeke-ones may possesse it Math. 5.5.2 Pet. 3.13 For as it was created for the sonnes of God so onely they shall finally possesse it and haue a glorious vse of it Secondly it may well shadow also the dispossessing our bodiâ—y earthly Canaan of spirituall Cananites of vncircumcised sense and affection and this was Origens meditation when he thus writ Within vs are these Nations of vices For within vs are Cananites within vs are Perezites within vs are Iebusites Yea I say more that the seauen accursed Nations of Cananites Hittites Hiuites Perizzites Girgashites Amorites and Iebusites are naturally within vs who onely can bee cast forth by that stronger-man Iesus as sometimes the former nations were cast forth by Ioshua and as after that seauen diuells were cast out of Mary Magdalene by Christ Iesus But the dispossessing of euill is here but in part for still there is some Canaanite in our land and so we be taken vp for better vse but in part But when our Iesus shall come from Paran mysticall Habak 3.3 as Ioshua did from Paran literall Numb 13.1 he shall not onely beginne but also liue to perfect such purgation So much for Ioshua Lect. XXVI
more methodicall vnderstanding whereof I will note first his Name secondly his Country thirdly his Office His name is Cyrus which diuerse doe diuersly english some cleauing to one language some to an other But to me it seemeth reasonable to cleaue to two languages the Hebrew and Persian for so in Isaiahs Hebrew hee is of the Holy-Ghost termed an hundred yeares at least before he was borne and by that name of sheepheard in Persiâ— after his biâ—th hee is said to be named And so as I noted before in Samsons Nazarisme the holy-ghost theâ—eby intending one thing but men meaning anoâ—her In the Hebâ—ew I see nothing more probable then that is compounded of the letter Caph and the word Rosh in English As-an head And was not hee as an head to his people Israel a ciuil Politicall head for the weale of Gods people An Head he is not termâ—d it may befor that he was vncircumcised for Princes of the Circumcision are oft termed Heads of the People but As an head because hee was of God mysticâ—lly annointed to the welfare of his people The Persians calling him Cyrus what should they therâ— by signifie I rest in that which ancient Hisychius concluded namely that in it they had respect to the Sunne which in their language they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyro as being a Sun ouer-shining all the shepherds chiâ—dren with whome as humane antiquity recordeth he was trained vp Vnto which his first shepheard like estate I doubt not the Spirit of prophecy alluded when he faith Cirus my shepherd Isa. 44.28 And this their King-Like shepheard they might the rather call Suane for that they worshipped the Sunne Whereto the spirit of proâ—hecie may well allude when as by Isaiah cap. 44.5.6 he saieâ—h Though thou hast not knowne me I haue girded thee that they may know from the rising of the Sun to the fall that there is none besides me For the application of all this to Christ there shall here need no discourse For as in Samson wee learned that Christ Iesus is the Churches Sunne imparting shine vnto all so in him and others hath beene obserued that he is to his Church not only As an head but an head yea that supreame mysticall Head to which all Politicall heads are subordinate 2 Cyrus by country is a Persian It was termed Persia of Paras which signifieth to part or diuide And so Daniel expoundeth the verb peres in his chap. 5.28 with due allusion to the King of Paras then encompassing the Cittie who togither with his vnckle Darius did soone after parte and diuide the Kingdome of Babel diuiding Gods people from the Gentiles by pasporting the Iewes backe againe to their owne country When Babel was first a building Genes 11.1 c. the sacred Trinitie in vnity said come let vs go downe and there confound their tongue which confusion did presently diuide and part the people Nor till our Sunne-like Cyrus come downe with glory will the present Babel of the world be ouerthrowne Some thing was doone in his first comming whereof in the next place but an absolute parting of the wheate from tares an absolute diuision of Heauens sheep from Hellish goats of the circumcised from the vncircumcised that awaiteth his comming as King for the first was as a seruant shepheard such as Cyrus his state at first was but in the second place a Kingly Diuider 3. For the calling whereto the Lord annoynted this Persian Isaiah in the former places depaints it in many golden phâ—ases but in the first place in a generall terme called of the Lord My shepheard and afterwards the Accomplisher of all my desire which desire he accomplished 1. in subduing Nations wherby he became Monarch of the Easterne world 2. in gaining the riches and treasures that before were couched in Darknes 3. in deliuering Iudah out of captiuity and 4. in putting downe a lawe for Ierushalem and the temple saying to Ierushalem Thou shalt be built and to the Temple Thy foundation shal be surely laide That he so subdued nations and therewith got their treasure humane writers witnesse that and the sacred scriptures conceale it nâ—t That he sent Gods people back againe the blessed word neither conceales that 2. Chron. 36.22.23 Ezra 1.1 c. enriching them in their returne with some of his gained Hidden-treasure But whether the Citty and Temples building is to be counted from this Cyrus many doe make it a right great question For the better conceipt whereof it shall be necessary to lay downe the Angels speach in Dan. the ninth from whence ariseth this question and more then this The Angel Gabriel he that afterwardes brought word to the Virgine Mary touching Messiahs conception his wordes to Daniel be these Seauenty seauens are cut out vpon thy people and vpon the citie of thy holinesse for consuming wickedâ—esse and to seale sinnes and to make reconciliation for iniquitie and to bring Righteousnesse euerlasting and to seale vision and Prophet And to annoynt the Holy of Holies These seauentie seauens being seauens of yeeres according to that Propheticall proportion in Numb 14.34 and Ezech. 4.5.6 they doe amount to 490. yeeres and so of the Church it hath still beene numbred Now for the partes of this grosse summe this Angel Gabriel in English Man-god for bringing newes of Messiah which should be Man-god he afterwards diuideth into parcells with speciall charge that it be heeded and learned for thus hee proceedeth And know thou and vnderstand From the out-gate of the Word To cause the Returne and to build Ierushalem and vnto Messiah the PRINCE shal be seauen-seauens then Sixty-two-seauens it shal be builded againe streete and wall in the straitnesse of Times And after these sixtie-two-seauens shall Messiah be pierced through and not for himselfe And the People of a future Captaine shall destroy the Citie and Sanctuarie and the end thereof shal be with an inundation and to the end of the warre are desolations cut out And he shall strengthen a Couenant to Many in one-seauen And in halfe of that seauen he shal cause sacrifice and oblation to cease And vpon the wing of Abbominations he shall make desolate and that to the end powring it also vpon the cut-forth destroyed So farre Gabriels golden Oration Now to the present purpose Herein besides other things he hath taught Daniel that from the Out-gate of thâ—t Word or Edict whereby the people were to returne from Babel to Iâ—dea for building Ierushalem there should be seauentie Seauens to that following time wherein Messiah should come for consuming sinne that is sacrifice for sinne besides the killing of sinne in our nature bringing in withall eternall righteousnes c. Which glorious effects seeing they accompany none but Iesus Messiah of him Alone and of no other Annoynted one or moe can this be spoken A golden prophecie for his matter the matter is no lesse
in respect of God called the rod of his mouth wherewithall Christ Iesus is pierced and cannot but open to the meaning of his owne Sprite euen as in the Gospel our Sauiour could not but awake and satisfie his disciples thirst when as they cryed Saue vs or we perish Moses representing the law doth leade the Israel of God to Christ for water of refreshment All sâ—biects to the Law must come to him and there with the spirit of prayer smite If our infidelitie cause that no refreshment come from his presence vpon the first call smite we must againe and the windes stormes and bâ—llowes of tentation shall giue place We oft aske and receiue not because we aske amisse namely to satisfie our owne lusts But asked wâ—e in faith without wauering we could not but receiue for in so knocking he himself hath promised to open But because wee beginne with Moses to halt in the beginning of prayer shall we not therefore persist and renew our petition God forbid for as an Ancient could well say melius est in via claudicare quam prater viam fortiter ambulare it is better to halt in the way than to walke vprightly out of the way so I conclude it farre better to persist in prayer with imperfection than desperately to leaue off prayer which is flat defection If Moses his weakenesse hindred that effect which should haue followed the first stroke a signe of a strong rising faith it was in Moses to repeate the stroke And thus this Rocke the waters rod and strokes do leade vs vnto Christ the things of Christ. So much for this shadow Lect. XXXVI Brazen Serpent THe last Sacramentall shadow which I obserue to be giuen vnto Israel for signe exhibiting Messiah to the true Beleuer it is that Brazen Serpâ—nt lift vp in the wildernes of Moses at the Lords commaundement for the sauing of Israel from thâ— stinging of Serpents Numb 21. Which Serpent so lift vp our Sauiour himselfe in Ioh. 3.14.15 12.32 doth expounde of himselfe For the better vnderstanding whereof let vs consider first Israels disease secondly the Curation of that disease Israels Disease was a mortall sting or poison smit into their bodies by fâ—ry Serpents stirred vp of God for punishing their murmuring against the Lorde This murmuring was their rebellious speach vttered against the Lords magistrate and Minister Moses and Aaron for that they lacked ordinary bread and were fed only with Manna Of which sacramentall bread they speake despitefully first when they say Our Souls lothes it secondly when they lightly terme it light bread Which dealing of theirs the Apostle calleth a tempting of Christ when by way of vse he saith to euery Christian Neither let vs tempt Christ as some of them also tempted him and werâ— destroyed of Serpentes Their Soules thus tempting Christ yea murmuring against Christ first in respect of their lewd language against the Personall figures of Christ Moses and Aaron secondly against the Sacramentall shadowe of Christ that is against Manna the Lord punisheth this disease of the Soule with that of the Body effected by the firy dartes of Serpents like as in 1. Cor. 11.30 he punished many Christians with bodily greiuances for abusing the Lords sacramentall supper All which teacheth vs as we would preserue the Body from temporall plagues and thâ— Soule from being stung with the fiery Serpents of hell to fly all murmuring against the good guifts of God be they Personall or Sacramentall It is said of the serpent termed Aspis that he giueth a wound to the body puncto acus simile not bigger then the pricke of a nedle But marke the effect A little blood therewith distiâ—leth and that right blacke A sodaine darknes ouer-spreadeth the eyes The whole body falles to labour thereon non sine quodam voluptatis sensu but not without a certaine tickling pleasure In a word the whole man is quickly ouerthrowne The Aspe and these fiery serpents is satan and the damned spirits who of God are stirred vp in iustice to punish our abuse of holy thinges The serpents sting is Sin 1. Cor. 15.56 and these sinnes are the fiery darts of the hellish wicked Ephese 6.56 The stroke of sin semeth so small as a pinnes point which causeth fooles to tush thereat as being a thing of nothing but heed it wel and thou shalt see blacke blood stand in it a signe of death the least sinne of his owne nature being mortall And watch the effects of this Sinne further and behold the eie of the soule darkneth more and more and when the eye is darkenesse howe great is that darkenesse The whole soule therewith falls of trauelling with sinne but with a certaine itching pleasure the fruit of which labour is a lâ—e in the right hand when so the soule awaketh This is the Aspe this is the fiery serpent that stingeth that old serpent and dragon that stung man and murthered mankinde from the beginning And this is his sting Sinne euen the peruersion of our nature that tickling foolerie wherewith we delight our selues to death and destruction This for the disease The Curation of Israels disease litterally was thus A brasen Serpent called also Sháraph and plurally Sheráphim Num. 21.9 compared with verse 6. from their fierie appearance such a serpent vpon Gods commandement was artificially made of pure sparkeling brasse and lift vp on some pole Whereto if the stung Israelite cast vp his eye loe hee was immediately cured Now vnto what mysterie did this lead Israel Namely to lift vp the eye of the soule vnto Iesus Christ who vppon the crosse was lifted vp for sauing the true belieuer This our Sauiour teacheth when he saith And as Moses lift vp the serpent in the wildernesse so must the Sonne of man be lift vp that whosoeuer beleeueth in HIM should not perish but haue eternall life Iohn 3.14 15. The lifting vp of the bodies eye vnto that led them to the lifting vp of their bodies eye a belieuing minde vnto this The falâ—ing of the body there led them to the soules saluation here Temporâ—ll life in the former did preach to them eternall life in the latter Thus that sinne which was committed by eating of the forbidd tree is here salued by the Lord of life hanged vpon the tâ—ee The Sâ—rpent with sting is here ouercome by a Serpent without sting O thâ—t in our Douish innocencie we could for auoyding â—uill be so wise as Serpents Hath Satan by the fiâ—ry darts of sin sâ—it vs Hold out the shield of faith Ephe. 6.16 and they are quenched For the faithfull are deliuâ—red from these empoysonments of sinne cùm Chrâ—â—tum in cruce eleuatum interioribus abtutibus semper aspiciunt whenas they shall continually with the inward sight behold Christ lifted vp on the crosse Et illi qui per fidem appropinquauerâ—nt saluifiunt for all such as approach to him by faith are saued Sursum corda here I may call