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
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
Sharôn push their hornes against heauen as the redde Dragon their parent watched in his birth to deuoure him they can preuaile no more then Dogs that yelp against the Moone for this white and ruddy Rose is taken vp vnto God his throne Where he sittes at right hand of Maiestie till his father haue fought the second battel causing the enimies to become a footstoole So far the flower of Sharon the Rose of the worlds-field The Lilly is a flower of hot quality of excellent cleere colour whatsoeuer his colour be furnished with beauteous accomplements namely with the forme of a Bel leaued with the number of sixe furnished within with 7. graines and all within of the colour of golde hanging downe the head the lower by how much the stalke is higher of sauour so sweetely strong as mans sences will easily be ouerturned with the strength thereof This is the lilliy whereto our Saâ—ior assimilates himselfe That Messiah before was compared with the cold qualitie a reason was giuen thereof Herewith the Lilly hot in operation but this in another respect Cold he was in respect of his quenching the fiery darts of Satan hot he is in respect of chearing vp appalled spirits that haue bin nipped with the cold frosts of despâ—râ—tion And as for the first hee was compared to water and the Northerne winde so for the second hee is compared to fire and the Southerne winde By the first estate hee humbles by the second he lifts vp the first effected by the law and his curse the second brought to passe by the Gospel and his blâ—ssing For his royal accoutrements they superexcel Of the Lillies furniture it is saide Math. 6.28 29. that Salomon in all his glory was not araied like one of them But touching Iesus his clothing it surpasseth the Lilly The coate of Iesus is saide to bee without seame and the spirituall deckings of him are without all schismes nothing of his spirit that is not at vnitie in it selfe Wherewith was his humanitie inuested himselfe shall answer The spirit of the Lord is vpon mee Isa 61.1 If the spirit be his garment then no creature nor all creatures can compare with him in glory No maruell then though himselfe say Behold a greater than Salomon is here Math. 12.42 for he was the Lilly of the vallies which farre surmounted Salomon The Lillies bell-like forme it may put vs in minde of Aarons bels depending his Ephods robe which by their sound enformed the people of his going in comming out of the Sanctum or Holy-place signifying thereby the powerfull watch-word he would minister to all people sounding forth his voyce in the audience of all whereby notice might be taken of his sacrifice staine here and presented in the holy heauens or heauenly places The Lilly is called of the Hebrues Soshan the flowre of sixe because of his six leaues God creating all in measure and Number he by the number six would call vs to remember the ancient worke of creation dispatched in sixe dayes as also in the creation of our new Heauens and new Earth together with Messiahs appearance that is a new state ecclesiasticall and ciuill for the new Testaments Church to walke in For neither naturall nor spirituall Creation but all is in him for him and by him Which further appeareth by Psa. 45. dedicated to him that excelleth on Soshannim For the 7. graines growing therein they leade vs to further consideration of Christ who also is the Saboath of our soule The seauenth day the seauenth yeare the 7. times seauenth yeare begetting the great Iubile they al were shadowing rests of Messiahs rest the Substance of the former After hee established this rest by sacrificing himselfe once for all hee distinguisheth his newe Churches state into seauen Sections of Seales of Vialls of Thunders of Trumpets teaching by Saint Iohn that the Seauenth trumpets sound should finish the mysterie of God Reu. 10.7 The Lillies golden colour within dooth intimate the golden graces wherewith his soule is filled From which golden fountaine we drawe grace for grace the glorious die of our conscience The head dependant by how much the more the stalke is of height it teacheth the humilitie of Iesus who rather then Dauid might sing the 131. Psalme Lord mine heart is not hauty neither are mine eyes loftie For he thinking it no robberie to be equall with God his Father did notwithstanding make himselfe of no reputation humbling himselfe to the very death Yea vppon the very crosse hee bowed downe the head as if hee would kisse his Church on the earth for drawing it after him into heauen As for the transicke sauour of the Lillie it well represents the ouerswaying rauishments of the soule by a full contemplation of celestiall glory Daniel fell downe at the sight of Gabriel vnable to sustaine his sight but when the soule shall haue a full sauour of glory sealed vp in Messiah hee shall become appalled stand as speechles and be ready to sink vnder through the strong verdure of such an object Now for the Lillies growth-plot the Vallies it teacheth not orlie the glorious humble estate of Iesus during his whole pilgrimage here whereto the Gospel doth plentifully witnes wherof before but also it enformeth vs of the benefit of Humilitie For as the vallies-lilly is first freâ—r from harme by tempests as also capable of more moisture then is the Lilly of the Mountaines euen so our Sauiour Iesus by his humble and lowe carriage was freer from his fathers indignation yea heereby didde vndermine the building of damned Principalities and powers as also by such estate became fully fitted to receiue all the sacred dewe of Heauen for the proud and hautie shall be sent emptie away but the humble and meeke shal be filled with euery good thing As pride goeth before destruction so Humilitie goeth before glory and true receipt of graces So much of Messiahs speach touching himself hauing so compared himself to the Rose of Sharôn the Lilly of the Vallies In the Churches garden I haue gathered this Nosegay and by the guift God hath giuen haue knitte it together it remayneth that heereafter we â—auour it and smell to it for keeping vs from the worlds pestilence Now to Messiahs speech of his church Lect. II AS the Lilly amongst the Thornes so my Loue amongst the Daughters Two senses and both analogicall may herein be obserued First an assimilation of the churches state with Christs secondly a siâ—ile of hir state with som natural Lilly The first may well follow the former proposition where Messiah affirmed himselfe to be the Lilly and may be resolued thus Looke what my lot is in this wicked world the same is my churches but my lot is to be galled and pricked of the wicked world therfore such is my churches portion And in this sense not the Church but Christ himselfe is the Lilly also in this verse That the Church is alotted to
to God and man to God as it be commeth a Sacrament that is as it is taken spritually of the faithfull in the Lords supper or meere naturally as it is in common vsuages The shadow of Christ comming vppon her soule as the naturall shadow in the Gospel vpon the diseased it was vnto her a great comfort but vnder that shade to be fed with delectable fruite that caused a greater comfort but now to bee brought into her Salomons banquetting house standing in Baal-hamon as a Lord ouer the multitude this must bring a comfort farre more great to the faithfull Whence we may learne the nature of Messiahs loue namely that it is a continuall grower rising like Nylus and Iordans waters ouer their banks a well of water springing vp to eternall life Iohn 4.14 Hee that belieueth in me saith Iesus out of his belly shall flow riuers of water of life vnto his Israel it is appropriate that they go from strength to strength till they appeare in Zion Ps. 84.7 Contrarie to the nature of carnall Loue which euer decayeth and lessneth with the time euen as beautie health wealth strength abateth But as Christ loues vs not first by reason of any goodnesse in vs at first so his loue begun without any cause in vs doth still enlarge it selfe in and vpon vs. Why Because whom once he loues he cannot but loue for euer That crannell must grow to a tall tree that drop become an Ocean that spark be conuerted into such a flame as shall consume all as stuble before it Besides th' encreasement of his loue hee would by this banquetting house teach vs the varietie of his Loue. Loue may bee enlarged by enlarging one and the same guift but when this loue enlargeth it selfe by distribution of sundry comfortable guifts somuch the more it is louesome He brings not the faithful into his storehouse for adding only faith to faith but also to faith patience Iames 1.3 to patience Experience to experience Hope to hope Boldnesse Rom. 5.3 4 5. The fruits of that good spirit by whome he adopteth vs are not onely these abouesaide but also Loue Ioy Peace long-suffering Gentlenes Goodnes Meekenesse Temperancie Galat. 5.22 23. In a word Messiah communicateth of all his sweet fauors to his church by faith betrothed vnto him As the Churle in the Gospel woulde neuer crie Heart be at rest till all his barnes were filled so the faithfull in their holy couetings should much more neuer be at rest till their soules with diuine graces be filled But as this fulnesse is not till we haue attained our perfection in Christ which is after this life so these that hunger and thirst after righteous giuings they are in meane time blessed because they are of the growing hand in this life But what is this wine-house whereinto the Church of the Gentiles is brought The verie same house of spirituall eating drinkinge minstrelsie wherinto the Prodigall was brought and that is the aucient Mother Zion the church of Israel mother church to the Gentiles who somtimes fed hogs in the forest with the Prodigall But there in the solitarines of spirit lighting vnder the tree of life she entred into consideration of hir present state after fell vnto holy resolution and lastly came home to the lambs supper entertained of the heauenly Father in all melodious and comfortable manner Our elder brother the Iew stands without murmuring at our good lot our heauenly Father at last will entreat him so to enter as he shall enter into Christian vnity with vs and then all Israel shal be saued In meane time while he is without and we banqueting within let vs not forget him as the Butler forgot Ioseph but somtimes amidst our spirituall banquet in holy word and sacraments let vs remember to pray for them For as they the first are now becom the last so they the last shall once againe become the First The Lord hasten this vnitie for making our corporation the greater that so the Lords banqueting house may be filled She so introduced into her Beloueds house of spirituall delites hee secondlie displaieth his Banner of Loue ouer her The spreading of this Banner or the lifting vp of this standert is mentioned of Isaiah in chap. 49.22 where the end therof is noted to be for drawing the remnant of the Gentiles vnto her yong and olde people and princes to the same vnity of faith Which Banner hath allusion to the maner of Captaines who hauing conquered some city do vpon the walls thereof display their colours of conquest first for calling togither all friends to that standert together with a memoriall of their subjection secondly for terrifying all aduersaries by these colours Friends are to repaire vnto their colors by reason of their sacramentall othe for Stringi Sacramento to be bound by a sacrament is of the church borowed from that Sacred mind which soldiers declared to their captaine by oth and now is applied to that sacred signe whereby the faithfull doe tie them selues to their Captaine Christ. The Israelites did tie themselues to God by many sacred signes or sacraments but specially by Circumcision and the Paschall supper and in the roume of these two the Church of Gentiles binds her selfe to Christ by Baptisme and the Lordes supper By the first we vow to march vnder his banner and do fight against the Diuel the world and deceiptfull flesh by the second we sweare to solemnize his bodies breaking and blodsheding till his appearance in glorie The standart of his word he liftes vp amidst his people calling them by the display thereof to returne by repentance vnto their coulours if so they be out of the way If they be not out of the way yet to remember they stand fast as Moses charged Israel lest otherwise they be drawen out of the way Of ioyning to this divine corporation S. Luke speaketh thus And the Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saued Nor maruell for whersoever the body of Iesus is thither the eagles wil resort Thamar shakes off her incest Rahab her vncleannes Ruth her Idolatrie so haue their names entred into the Catalogue of the ancient Church Math. 1. The Eunuch of Aethiopia the Roman Centurion Publicans and sinners confesse their sinnes beleeue in Iesus are baptized and so march vnder the New Testaments colours In a word Saint Iohn seeth thousâ—ndes of Israel sealed to the Synagogue but of the Gentiles hee seeth an innumerable company of people of all tongues and kinreds standing before Messiahs throne obseruing this captaines pleasure The standart of his word displayed amongst these Cittizens it puts them still in minde of the homage due to their Lorde like as the Iewes by placing a flag with the Romanes armes vpon Ierusalems walls on their three seuerall great Feast-dayes did thereby declare themselues subiects to Romes Caesar. Besides the displaying of this banner is a terrour to all the aduersaries of
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
would be so farre from taking their long Medusaes shagges for a glorie as they would therein shame and know themselues worthy to be counted for that amongst the number of beasts To whom that ancient adage of ours is adopted Bush-naturall more haire than wit If they would herein be Nazarites then let them as before abstaine from wine from all strong drinks from other dainties and from hauing communion with any vncleanenes And yet if they were minded so to do they should but Iudaize and after a sort preach that Christ is not come in the flesh seeing his so comming is the abolishment of legall shadowes Our Messiah fulfilled this abstinence from Glorie in the roome thereof clothing himselfe with shame not so much in wearing long haire for I know not whether the painter deale rightly therin as in bearing our beastly shamefull Sinnes vpon him aâ— a burden Which sinnes of ours grew and multiplied in length vppon him who is the Churches head and he vnder them mourned till the time of his voluntarie vow was expired And that vow was then fulfilled when vpon the crosse he cryed Tetelestai It is finished 4. Whereas not onelie Samâ—on was tied to these legall obseruances what time he should be borne bâ—t also his Mother is of the Angel enâ—oyned such abstinence before after conception she herein might well resemble the blessed Virgine Marie to whom the Angell Gabriel related the extraordinarie forme of Messiahs conception by the Holy Ghost his ouershadowing Which blessed Virgin no doubt vpon such intelligence would right willingly abstaine from whâ—tsoeuer might vnbâ—seeme such a Glorious generation as also endeuour aftâ—r euery obedience by the which she might be the fitter Temple of the holy-ghost the fitter Mansion for the mightie God of Iaakob With the angell she conferred at Nazaret Luke 1.26 c. and therewithall might secretly obserue that the Holy thing which was to be borne of her he should be some new Samson and extrâ—ordinarie Nazarite Euen hee by whose abstinence Adams Gluttony was to be cured Euen he that should touch no vncleane thing for clensing his mystâ—call bodie and yet should vndergoe our Sin and Shame for a season that so at last he might shaue and sheare it quite off for our Redemption So much as Samson was a Nazarite Lect. XXVII TOuching his Morall or Iudiciall calling I wil obserue first his Preparation thereto secondly his Practise For the Preparation Rúach Iehóuah Iepagnâ—móh the Spirit of Iehouah by turnes acted him or smit him like as a Musitians fingers smit an instrument for effecting melodious harmony which without such stroke would sound nothing Wherein is secretly intimated that not Samson alone but euerie man also is as an instrument strong with the cords of â—eâ—â—e and affection but giuâ—ng forth no true sound otherwise then they be smit and instincted by the sauing Spirit of Iehouah And for such respect it is that the Apostle willeâ—h the Ephesians to make melodie to the Lord iâ— their hearts chap. 5.19 Could Samson not set vpon his Iudiciâ—ll calling tiâ—l this diuine Musicall Spirâ—t camâ— vpon him and acted Nor did our Messiah-Samson attempt such publique calling for deliuering his Israel till the same spirit came vpon hiâ— in the forme of a Doue which spirit else was alwâ—yes with him but quasi latenter as it were in a more hidde manner Samson till he was growen to mans sâ—â—te iâ— scarslie heard of but then the Spirit coms vpon him and driues him forth to skirmish So our great Nazarite conceales himselfe much till he was growen to be about 30. yeares â—ged then he steps forth to Baptisme within the diuine tents of his father where the Holy Ghost commeth vpon him and acts him thence into the wildernes wher he was to begin his skirmish Thus fitted he goes forward and this for the preparation His Practise I will consider first as he hath to doe with a Beast secondy with men mannered like beasts The Beast is a yong cruel Lion which comes roaring vpon Samson whome the Nazarite seizeth on and teareth in fitters By the carcasse of which Lion Samson afterwards comming behold Bees had couched hony therin whereupon he framed that Riddle Out of the Eater came meate and out of the sharpe came sweete Samson hauing a calling to skirmish with vnreasonable men the Lord dealeth with him as sometimes with Dauid he casts a Lion in his way that so conquering that beast he might with more strength of faith lift vp his hand against the vncircumcised And such rude copings as this eueâ—y Nazarite of God meeteth with But in ouercomming such temptations lâ—t them not say that flesh and blood hath deliuered them but that their conquest is by the Spirite of God whose grace is sufficient for them But for the further mysterie I will relate vnto you first the application of a certaine Antient secondly what I conceaue with some other further Augustine by this Lion doth vnderstand such brutish Kings and princes as at the Gospells first out-gate did rore against our Samson Christ Iesus whome finally he did spiritually conquer and bring vnder Who being once subdued to Iesus did afterwards as Isaiah foretolde become nource-fathers and mother-fosterers and feeders of the Lords people And true it is that the earths Gouernours were first such Lions and secondly such profitable Bees in feeding the faithfull with the hony-combes and sweete of their Kingdome Nor neede it be a wonder when as Saul a great Maister of Israel did at first rage and roare against Iesus who afterwarwards being knockt downe and his heart contrited or rent did become of a Saul a Paul of a Persecutor a Professor of a Lion a Lambe of an eater a feeder of many with that foode of the word which Dauid affirmeth to be sweeter then the hony and the hony-combe Psal. 19.10 This age affordeth many such Sauls but few Pauls many Hornets but few Bees much gall and aloës fewe hony-combs Nay which is more the hony-combs which others left to the Church a number doe spoile the Church of them Fight the Lords battailes they may that shall but hony few of them shall catch nor yet a poore hiue to put their heâ—ds in But inough of that lest the wasps sting me In a neerer sence for the head is neerer then the members I doe with some other vnderstâ—nd Satan by this Lion As Saint Peter doth resemble the Diâ—el to a roaring Lion walking about seeking who he may deuoure 1. Pet. 5.8 nor know I but the Apostle may allude to the foâ—mer â—o it welâ— fitteth the time of our Samsons outgate into the wildernesse What time not only he was acted of the holy spirit but also did there meete with hells hungry Lion coâ—e forâ—h against him roaring and bellowing his horrible tâ—ntations But our Samson in the power of his owne word and spiâ—it did cope with that Lion and as Dauid somâ—times did tooâ—e hold of his beard
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
at the sea-foxe while he teares our sheepe fleeces them of their wooll causeth the marchant sheepe to keepe at home in their fold when for the good of our land they should be pasturing abroade Take vs these Foxes saith God to our Queene Alas she knoweth not sometimes of these traiterous huntsmen and sometimes when she knoweth them she cannot apprehend them For seldome time are such foxes destitute of a Fauourite in or about the Court Well walke on sweetest Elizabeth in caring for this vineyards safetie and if men faile to take them God himselfe will looke downe from heauen and take them in their owne snare The Minister that is the Preacher of Gods word he is called also to hunt the fox out of Christes vineyard And if the cause be such as he cannot be driuen out yet at least the Minister is to take him to apprehend him to endite him and condemne him if he cease not in time to be a Fox an enemy to the vineyard As the Mgaistrate is to draw forth the corporall sword so the Minister is to pull out the spirituall sword And this is done two ways first by the word including secondly by the word expulsing The word including is such an application of the word as it includeth the fox or subtile aduersarie within the outward league of the Church Such an aduersarie is in Math. 13. compared to a tare in the midst of the wheat Though a tare be visible and the word of the Churches Ministers doth condemne it yet that word of God in the Ministers mouth doth consider that subtile â—are within the Church and in such respect not to be expulsed the Church Nor is he not expulsed in respect of himselfe but in respect of the wheat which otherwise were like to be torne vp with the Tare And for this respect it was that Saint Iohn did take and condemne Diotrephes for a prowd vsurper neither doing good nor suffring others to doe good but yet wold not command the Fox to be excluded the vineyard And for this tarish respect a tare cannot be pulled vp but with the tearing vp of wheat wherewith it is closed Saint Paul wisheth certaine cut of from the Galatians whome otherwise he durst not commaund to be expelled the Church And in such tarish respect for these foxes haue such hold of simple soules as for these soules sake they be permitted to stay within the Church it was that the same Apostle condemned some in the Church of Corinth for vncleannes fornication and wantonnes already acted whome notwithstanding he wold not command to be excommunicate as Austen wel observeth As Tares represent not all ill but only such weeds as cannot be extirpate without wheats detriment so these tares that haue such cleauing and nere communion with the faithfull are commonly subtile Foxes hauing such perilous hold of the vines as drawen they cannot be therefrom but with the vines destruction Such clinging tares fast cliuing foxes such as Ioab and Shimei were whome Dauid for his time permitted but not approued the Ministers are to take them by their preaching to apprehend them but cannot adiudge them otherwise then as tares in the wheat field diseases in the body which can more easily be discouered and condemned then with the churches peace and good be seuered And this was the practise of the Sinagogues Prophets who continually cried out against the intestine aduersaries by legall menaces hunting them as foxes which aduersaries they cold not expulse the Church by anie ordinance of Moses The Magistrate could onely correct or take life away from the transgressors of the morall lawe for the Priests could only deale in the Tabernacles ceremonies and in the magistrates neglect of censuring the breach of the ten commaundements the Prophets were to shoote out the Lawes dartes as also in case of abusing the Tabernacles ceremonies The Magistrate ought to seaze on the Churches aduersaries by the sword the ministers by the word As the man and beast that touched the mount what time Iehouah did promulgate his law were to be smitten through with darts so these subtile vine-foes approaching the publike place of Gods presence are to besmit thorough with the lawes mysticall-iaueling And as the word including doth so take and sease vpon them in the publike diuiding of the word so the same word doâ—th take them in a grinne and snaâ—le them in ordinary discourse This appeareth againe and againe in the Ghospel when our Sauiour answered the high priests and Scribes after the Herodians and lastly the Sadduces by demanding them another question These seuerall foxes framed Dilemmaes or two-forked arguments wherewithall to endanger Iesus Hee teaching so his ministers yea all his members doth not answere directly with either yea or no for if he had so answered he had falne into the one danger but thereupon he propounds another question no lesse dangerous for them to answere Which perceiued of the subtill foxes they depart vnurging him to answere them because they could not without danger make answer to him If Christ could not vtterly auoide the temptings of such foxes neither can we his members Labour wee therefore to take them in a grinne as the Apostle sometimes did take the Corinths with guile and as God himselfe taketh the wise in their owne craftinesse The word expulsing it is that vse of Gods word whereby such foxes are hunted fooâ—th and expelled the Church like as the Incestuous was expelled of the Corinths 1. Cor. 3. and 1. Cor. 2. as Hymenâ—us and Alexander 1. Tim. 1.20 were expelled of Paul and as Timothie is charged of the Apostle to bridle such cancred Teachers as Hymeneus and Philetus 2. Tim. 2.16.17 And this is done by putting them forth of the Churches communion lest otherwise they should leauen the whole fellowshippe or canker-fret the faithfull Tunc antem hoc sine labe pacis vnitatis sinâ— laesione frumentorum fieri potest cum congregationis ecclesiae Multitudo ab eo crimine quod Anathematizatur aliena est And then this Expulsion may best be done without blot of peace and vnitie as also without harming the wheate whenas the whole multitude of the Church shall be free from â—ll partaking with the sinne that is to be anathematized Yea as Austin in the same place haâ—h when the crime shall be so cleare to all and of all held execrable so that the sinner hath either no defenders at all at least no such proctors as whereby a Schisme may fall out in the church then let not the sword of discipline any longer sleepe in the scaberd Then it is fit time to cut such workers of iniquitie from the cittie of our God for no beast that can be seuered with the Churches peace ought longer to abide in the mountaine of God his holinesse This cutting off is done partly or absolutely It is done in part when either the sinner is but debarred the Lords supper the Lords steward
knowing it to be a tiâ—e fitter for him to fast then with the residue to feast and this was represented by the pollutions legall which made the body vncleane to the euening as also but done in part though in a greater part when the sinner is not onely put away from the sacrament of Communion but also from the prayer of Communion And this was represented vnder the Law when for certaine contagion they were expelled the hoste and were no more to conuerse with Israel till death except the Lord cleansed them And howsoeuer this excommunication be a putting forth from all communion yet it doth admit the partie some brotherly loue seeing in such estate hee is not to be counted as an enemy but admonished as a brother Though familiaritie be gaine said him yet not brotherly admonition seeing not the Spirit but the flesh was deliuered to Satan for beeing humbled and that for preseruation of the spirit in the Lords day of visitation for this power is not giuen vs for destruction but for edification Of this debarring from the Lords Table as also driuing forth and deliuerie to Satan Chrysostome is plâ—ntifull In one place how earnestly doeth he wish to know them of the assembly who the day before had bin absent from sermon and present ad iniquitatis spectacula at wicked playes To what end would he know Vt eos à sacris vestibulis arceam that I might saith he driue them forth of the Church non vt perpetuò foris maneant sed vt correcti denuò redeant not to the end they should stay without for euer but that after coâ—rection they might returne againe shewing afterwards how such dealing is oftentimes beseeming a father in his familie and a Pastor in his church In another place he exhorteth his fellow Presbyters to debarre all knowne vnworthy ones from the Lords Table and then turning as it were to one of them he thus cryeth out Quod siipsum pellere non audes mihi dicas non permittam ista fieri Animam prius tradam meam c. If thou darest not debarre the wicked tell mee for I will not suffer it I will rather lay downe my life and suffer my blood to be powred out then I wil agree to giue the Lords bodie to the vnworthie rather then I will graunt that most holy blood to any but the worthy And how zealous Ambrose was in this that his expelling of Theodosius his Emperour will stand euer for witnesse Ambrose seeing no apparance of schisme or churches harme like to ensue such expulsing a great signe that his ministerie was gracious withall he so putteth the King forth till he was willing to cleare his hands of blood by publike repentance Thinke not saith Nissenus that such segregation proceedeth of an Episcopall arrogancie Vetus est regula ecclesiae quae cepit à lege fuit confirmata in gratia This is an ancient Rule in the Church hauing his beginning from the Law and his confirmation in the Gospel The second kinde of cutting off is absolute as from all diuine communion so from humane familiaritie and all this for euer This excommunication is of the Apostle termed Maranatha 1. Cor. 16.22 of Mare Lord and Atha hee commeth for N. is interposed for sound sake because such a person is excommunicate to the death and left to the Lords coâ—ming who can and will take vengeaunce of them that Loue him not Such wicked-ones haue once knowen and loued Christ as Iesus their Sauiour but afterwards doe voluntarily fall away from that Loue as some Hebrews that turned backe to Indaisme and many now to meere Atheisme who doing it against the Sight and Sence they had are now held to be damned of their owne Conscience and to crucifie againe the Lord of life wherof more largely I haue written in a peculiar treatise and this kind of cutting off was represâ—nted vnder the Law by that Cherem or deuoting of things to destruction so termed in Ioshuah 7.1 and elsewhere Thus the Magistrate with his sword is to sease on the foxes the Minister also with the Word of God is to seaze on them If they cleaue like Burres to the vines we are to stay them from further euill as much as in vs is but not for dragging them away to pull the Vine downe the Church on our heads If we can loose the hold they haue we are hauing taken them to thrust them out of the vineyard that Satan who raigneth without hee may vexethem till by repentance they cease to be foxes as Nabuchad-nezzar comming to the acknowledging of the true God ceased to be a Beast Nimrod hunted and Esau hunted but the Holy-ghost hath marked both with a blacke cole as an hunting whereof they may be ashamed The Prophets hunted the Apostles hunted our ancient fathers hunted and all of them hunted the Church-foxe The same is our duetie and in dooing it it is our glorie The Magistrate and minister is now assembled in Royall honourable parliament the GOD of Heauen blesse them guide and assist them for strengthening our Vine and for hunting out all sorts of foxes the Churches and our Soueraignes aduersaries Amen Lect. X. 16 My Welbeloued is mine and I am his hee feedeth among the Lillies 17 Vntill the day breake and the shadowes flee away returnâ— c. THE Church hauing finished Messiahs speach first for calling her to obedience secondly for remoouing impediments shee now concludeth this diuine Act first with Praise secondly with Prayer The matter of Praise lyeth in this first verse Wherein is vttered the praise of Messiahs loue and feeding His loue is laid downe in the gift of himselfe to her wherby shee in the next place was made His. Hee being hers shee therewith became His. God so Loued the world that he hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish but haue eternall life First the Father giues the Sonne and he is willing to be giuen for vs secondly the Father giueth vs faith as an hand to receiue his Sonne and with him eternall life So that the giuing of Christ to vs first doth constraine vs to giue our selues to him in the next place His loue causeth vs to loue We loue him because he loued vs first Yea saith our Sauiour Iohn 15.16 Ye haue not chosen me but I haue chosen you And so the Apostle noteth our comprehending of Christ to grow from our being comprehended of him Philip. 3.12 Whereby it commeth to passe that wee are not onely Members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Ephes. 5.30 but also as Saint Peter witnesseth 2. Ephes. 1.4 partakers of the diuine nature namely by qualification and vnitie with the essence it selfe God and man in Christ becomming one And thus whilst the Church praiseth Christ she preacheth her owne blessednesse giuen her by grace with Christ. After shee hath extolled his Loue shee praiseth his Feeding affirming that