of Nature consisting of those notions of good and evil which were left or new written by the Lord in the minds of men and women after that the nature of mankind was corrupted by sin which Law though it be now imperfect yet in many things it sheweth the difference between good and evil and hath power over the Conscience to inform convince excuse and accuse The other two delivered peculiarly to the people of Israel are the Law of Ordinances of Ceremonies and the Law moral And the Apostle proveth that none of these Laws can justifie the strictest observers of them all men and women being naturally corrupt and possest with principles of opposition against the purity and perfection of the moral Law and those that are renewed by grace being but imperfectly conformed to the Law As for the Law of Ceremonies it is in its own nature no perfect rule of righteousness but consisting of figures and shadows and such earthly and carnal observances as had a mystical signification of spiritual and heavenly things The Law of nature is comprehended in the moral Law delivered in the Scriptures first published to Israel and then communicated together with the Gospel to the Nations of the world So that that which is imperfectly written in the minds of men naturally is perfectly declared by the Law written by the finger of God in Tables of stone scil the ten Commandments and more fully opened in other parts of Scripture And therefore though it was expedient for the Apostle to speak distinctly of them in the former part of his discourse to convince both Israelites and Heathens of their unrighteousness and gâ—ilt yet in this place I conceive the Law of nature and the written Law may well be comprehended under one and so I take the Apostles meaning to be that by the doctrine of free justification through the righteousness of Christ both the Ceremonial and moral Law are established To begin with the former observe this point That the Law of Ceremonies is established by the doctrine of the Gospel Or thus The doctrine of free justification through the righteousnes of Christ apprehended by faith establisheth the Ceremonial Law For the right understanding of this we may consider First In general What these Ceremonial institutions were Secondly How they were misunderstood or abused by ignorant and carnal Israelites Thirdly How they are established by the Gospel or doctrine of justification by faith First These Ceremonial Ordinances were instituted by the Authority of God himself as parts of his outward worship and figures of heavenly and spiritual things to be observed untill the death of Christ. 1. They were instituted by the authority of God himself So Circumcision was commanded immediately by God himself to Abraham and his posterity So the Lord gave express directions to Moses and Aaron concerning the Ordinance of the Passeover and Moses being fourty days and fourty nights in the Mount received Ceremonial Laws from the Lord to be observed by the people Secondly They were parts of Gods outward worship Some of them more directly and properly as the Sacrifices which were to be offered to the Lord only so also the sweet Incense and divers others Other of them more improperly as things subservient to the worship of God as the Altar of burnt-burnt-offerings the Ark the Golden Table c. Thirdly They were figures of Heavenly and spiritual things Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle For see saith he that thou make all things according to the patern shewed thee in the Mount Fourthly They were to be observed until the death of Christ. Above when he said Sacrifice and offerings and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou wouldst not neither hadst pleasure therein which are offered by the Law Thâ—â— said he that is Christ Lo I come to do thy will O God He taketh away the first that he may establish the second By the which Will we are sanctified by the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once for all The Ceremonies of the Law were to continue until Christ offered himself in sacrifice and then they were to be taken away and to give place to his all-sufficient Sacrifice and accordingly the Lord Christ himself manifested in the flesh and made under the Law did in his own person observe the Ceremonies of the Law But at his death the veile of the Temple waâ— rent in twain from the top to the bottom which I conceive signified both the abolishing of legal Ceremonies and the opening of the way into the heavenly sanctuary by the death of Christ. Now there being great abundance and varieties of these Ceremonial institutions I conceive they may be reduced to four heads 1. Sacraments 2. Sacrifices 3. Sacred persons and things subservient to holy uses 4. Sacred observances 1. Sacraments and those ordinarily were two 1. Circumcision whereby they were solemnly admitted into the Church and visibly sealed as parties to the Covenant 2. The passeover wherein they were admitted by faith to feed upon Christ the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world slain in the eternal counsel of God before the foundation of the world and to be actually Sacrificed in the fulness of time 2. Sacrifices 1. Whole burntofferings 2. Meat-offerings 3. Sin-offerings 4. Thank-offerings or Peace-offerings and among these especially the daily burnt-offering presented to the Lord morning and evening every day in the year 3. Sacred persons and things Such were the Priests and Levites especially the High-priest The holy places 1. A Tabernacle 2. A Temple with the several parts Consecrated days and times the feasts of the passover of Pentecost of Tabernacles the new Moons the weekly Sabbaths as limited to the last day of the week c. The utensils of the Sanctuary the Altar of burntoffering the golden Altar of Incense the Loaves the Table of shew-bread the Ark Mercy-seat c. 4. Sacred observances Their divers washings and purifyings absteining from divers creatures as unclean with very many usages injoyned In the second place consider how these things were understood or abused by ignorant or carnal Israelites I conceive 1. That many of them had little or no knowledge of the mystical signification or spiritual meaning of these types and shadows they did not see Christ in them 2. That they rested in the outward work If they were outwardly Circumcised they looked not after the Circumcision of the heart mortification of sin self-denyal regeneration having fed upon the Lamb with unlevened bread in the feast of the Passeover they minded not the Lamb of God nor sought after the unleavened bread of sincerity and Truth When they offered Sacrifice they looked no farther than the beast that was slaine not minding the perfect all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ. It seemeth they were
for the Success of the Gospel in all places particularly in the place where they live that those that are unclean may become an acceptable offering unto the Lord being sanctified by the holy Ghost Is it not much to be lamented that where there are many people living under the Gospel the Lord should have so few offerings that so few shloud give clear evidence that they are as fine flower sifted from the bran of their natural corruption and so fit to be presented as meat-offerings to the Lord and how restless should each particular soul be until 't is thus sifted and sanctified by the holy spirit that it may be a holy offering unto the Lord. 2. Oyl was to be poured upon the fine flower This may signifie the annointing of Christ concerning whom it is said God even thy God hath annointed thee with the Oyle of gladness above thy fellows Those pretious graces of the spirit poured forth abundantly upon Christ were resembled by oyle and therefore it is said of him He is full of grace and Truth and of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace He hath an overflowing fulness of this heavenly oyl of these spiritual graces enough for all that are united to him for God giveth not the fpirit by measure unto him Let all be stirred up to come to Christ and turn unto him that they may receive of his fulness grace for grace They that are wholly empty of saving grace may receive from him they that have some beginnings may receive increase from him Is it not want of exercising faith upon Christ and keeping close to him that maketh Christians so defective in grace It is said the pretious ointment upon the head of Aaron the High-priest went down to the skirts of his garment The unconceivable fullness of grace poured upon Christ the eternal High-priest is ready to distill upon his members if they be not wanting to themselves 3. There was also frankincense put upon this meat-offering so the Lord Christ gave himself for his people an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling favour and God the Father proclaimed from heaven concerning him This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased The sweet odour and savour of Christs sacrifice is so pleasing unto the Father that he is appealed toward all that are truly united to Christ and reconciled to him by Christ and this also maketh the services of such well-pleasing to the Lord the sweet savour of Christ his Sacrifice perfumeth their offerings 4. An handful of this meat-offering was to be burnt upon the Altar as a memorial and the rest belonged to the Priests the Sons of Aaron 1. The memorial may signifie that the Lord is moved to remember his Covenant of grace by the merit of Christ his sacrifice Not that the Lord is subject to forgetfulness or needeth to be put in remembrance but it is spoken after the manner of men and to help the weak faith of his people and therefore they may assure themselves that the Lord will ever be mindful of his Covenant and shew himself faithful in his promises Again in a Secondary way it may be a ground of much comfort to the people of God in respect of their duties and services which they offer up to God by Christ in sincerity The Lord will have them in remembrance the Lord hear thee in the day of trouble remember all thine offerings So the Angel told Cornelius Thy Prayers and thine Alms are come up for a memorial before the Lord. 5. The remnant of the meat offering was to be Aarons and his Sons who were Priests of the Lord. The Apostle inspired and directed by the holy Spirit argueth thus from hence Do ye not know that those which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait on the Altar are partakers with the Altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel They that did service at the Altar under the old Testament did partake with the Altar as here in the meat offerings the Altar had part and they that waited on the Altar had part So the Apostle shews that it is the Lords own ordinance that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel They therefore that oppose the maâ—ntenance of the preachers of the Gospel do resist the ordinance of God and presumptuously oppose his supream authority 6 The meat offering was to be seasoned with salt Yea it seemeth this was to be used not only in this case but also generally in all Sacrifices for so it is said Every oblation of this meat offering shalt thou season with salt neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the Covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat-offering With all thy offerings thou shalt offer salt 1. Salt consumeth crude and raw humours and preserveth from putrefaction and rottenness so Christ by his spirit seasoneth the souls of true believers and worketh out the natural corrupt distempers of their hearts and where the spirit of Christ is wanting men are left to the bent of their own spirits How wofully are they filled with corruption and rottenness and therefore it is said Have salt in your selves get the graces of the spirit to season your hearts 2. Salt maketh things savory and of good relish How unsavory and loathsome is a carnal unregenerate soul in Gods account that savoureth not the things of Christ his spirit for they that are after the flesh do mind or savour the things of the flesh They are loathsome and unsavory unto the Lord they have not salt in themselves But they that are after the spirit do mind or savour the things of the spirit they have salt in themselves though not of themselves they have it of Christ yet they have it in themselves 3. Salt when it meeteth with sores causeth smart The grace of the spirit and the word of grace in which the spirit worketh seemeth smarting to corrupt hearts yea to gracious hearts so far as they have corruptions remaining in them but they that will present themselves living holy acceptable sacrifices to God through Christ must be willing to be salted with the grace of Christ his spirit and with the word of grace though the flesh smart For every one shall be salted with fire and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt Every one that will be acceptable to God must be salted with fire the power of Christs spirit as a fire from heaven to consume the dross of their lusts and to refine their souls And every sacrifice c. Every one that will be a pleasing sacrifice to God must be salted with this salt of the sanctuary He must have the graces of Christ to mortifie his corruptions and to cause him to savour the things that be
of God and the spiritual sacrifices which he offereth the duties which he performeth must have a tincture and favour of Christs spirit in them 4. Salt preserveth things from perishing and so may note unto us perpetuity therefore it is called the salt of the Covenant of God and a sure and everlasting Covenant is called a Covenant of salt so Abijah pleading the right of Davids posterity to the Kingdom of Israel said Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the Kingdom over Israel to David for ever even to him and to his Sons by a Covenant of salt This was imperfectly fulfilled in David and the Kings that sprang from his loyns before Christ his coming but it was compleatly verified in Christ the Son of David after the flesh to whom God gave the throne of his Father David that he should raign over the house of Iacob or Israel for ever The Covenant of grace established by Christ his sacrifice is a covenant of salt that shall never fail How earnestly should we labour to break off all leagues with sin and Satan and turn to the Lord by unseigned repentance and lay hold of Christ by faith that in him we may be reconciled to God and made parties to this unchangeable Covenant enjoying the everlasting blessings and priviledges of it 2â— To the meat-offering was added a drink-offering a quantity of wine The meat-offering consisting of fine flower and the drink-offering of Wine how fitly do they resemble the pretious body and blood of Christ which is meat and drink indeed upon which Christians are to feed by faith And how exactly doth the bread and wine in the Sacramental supper of the new Testament answer to this meat and drink offering consisting of the same materials Fourthly Now followeth the peace-offeringâ— conceive this was offered especially in a way of thankfulness for mercies and deliverances â—ometimes upon a conditional vow made beâ—ore sometimes without a vow and therefore may also be called thank-offering and â—hese may signifie the duties of Christians in general their spiritual sacrifices and services which they are to offer unto God continually in thankfulness for his saving mercies towards them in Christ. And therefore the Apostle having largely shewed that the sacrifices of the old Testament were not to be observed in the times of the Gospel since they are fully accomplished in Christ toward the end of that Epistle he calleth upon believers to offer spiritual sacrifices by him scil by Christ therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name but to do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased All these and the like spiritual sacrifices believers are to offer up by Christ their high-priest in his name presenting them to the Father by his hand that they may find acceptance through him and whatsoever we do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Iesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him all these sacrifices are to be offered in his name and to be presented to God by and through him 2. For a peace offering and thank-thank-offering liberty was given to sacrifice either male or female so saith the Apostle There is neither Iew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for yâ— are all one in Christ Iesus The Lord maketh no difference of persons now either in respect of Nation condition or sex if they be in Christ whatsoever they are in other regards the Lord accepteth them in his beloved Son and they may present themselves as living holy sacrifices unto him assuring themselves that he will graciously receive them and by the same reason they may offer up their services and duties to him by Christ as spiritual sacrifices 3. The fat and the kidneys of the peacâ—-offerings were to be burnt upon the Altar but what was to be done with the rest of the flesh that you may find in Lev. 7. the breast and the right shoulder were to be given to the Priests the Sons of Aaron whereof the former was to be waved before the Lord the latter to be heaved or lifted upwards and then they were to be given to the Priests It seemeth the rest of 〈◊〉 flesh of the peace-peace-offerings was to be eaten by him that brought the sacrifice of the peace-offering before the Lord who together with his family was to celebrate a holy feast with spiritual rejoycings before the Lord. 1. The breast was to be given to God for what was given to the Priests was given to God because it was given to the Priest for the attending on the service of God This may teach us to give up our breasts hearts affections to God in holiness and obâ—dience My Son give me thine heart Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind 2. The breast was to be waved before the Lord or shaken to and fro The original word is taken for sifting with a five so this waving of the breast may teach us what stirâ—ings of heart what lively workings of spirit and affections there should be in Christians in performing services to the Lord. It is not a dead soul without spiritual life and motion which the Lord regardeth but it is a wave-breast that he calleth for an active heart and soul a stirring spirit like that of David Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name 3. The right shoulder was to be heaved up before the Lord or to be lifted up This may â—each Christians to lift up their souls to the Lord as David Vnto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul to seek the things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God â—o set their affections on things above not on things on the earth to have their conversation in Heaven These parts being to 〈◊〉 given to the Priests by the Lord his command here we have another ground estaâ—lishing the maintenance of Gospel Ministers â—ecording to that of the Apostle mentioned beâ— The rest of the flesh of the peace-peace-offerings â—â—ting to be eaten by him that brought the â—â—â—rtices with his houshold rejoycing in the Lord may teach Christians that as Christ offered up himself in sacrifice to God to satisfie his justice for the sins of his people so he inviteth them to feed and feast upon him by faith with rejoycing with joy of the holy Ghost this they should do in reading and hearing the Gospel in meditating upon the word upon Christ and the things of Christ. And in the use of the Lords supper I conceive this feasting upon the remainder of the facrifice was a special act of Communion which the
divisions occasioned by Preaching old forgotten truths but the fault in those that will not endure such doctrines Satans malice and some mens weakness So the inundation of Popish Superstitions broke in How much we should resent these things their danger Toleration of them discussed in the Objections for Errours answered Chap. III. Objections against truth many times are double falshoods this riseth from Ignorance Credulity malice and want of Arguments to confirm errours No strange or new thing that men erre and are slanderous Protestant Ministers are no promoters of Antichrist but his great Adversaries lessening them greatens Antichrists interest Seducing Sectaries expedite Antichrists affairs Satan hath still hindered reformation by such ways Chap. IV. A Threefold Law first given to the Gentiles with the Iews the other given only to the Iew. Law of nature and its use The Ceremonial cannot justifie nor the Moral yet neither made void by Faith Faith confirms the Ceremonial Law what this is 't is of God how long to last abus'd or not understood by many of the Iews who precisely observed Ceremonial cleanness palpably neglecting moral purity In what sense doctrine of Faith doth not abolish the Ceremonial Law The dispute between Iews and Samaritans and whence it arose when and how long continued Divine worship in spirit and truth not limited to any place Law Ceremonial a School-master to bring us to Christ full of deep mysteries and spiritual realities cleared by the Gospel These unfolded in explication of Circumcision seal of that promise I will be their God which contains all grace and comfort is made good to us in Christ the Covenant sealed by Circumcision the same that is sealed by Baptisme Passeover what its occasion the circumstances of it its meaning in each particular applied to Christ. Actual faith in Christ delivers from Curse of the Law should excite to thanfulness holiness exercise faith preparedness for our duties godly sorrow Feast of first Fruits when enjoyned excite to endeavour a rising to newness of life Chap. V. Few Creatures appointed for Sacrifices three sorts of Beasts two of Fowls all meek resembling Christ as we should Korban whence derived how apply'd to Christ through whom we are made nigh to God Burnt offering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It s import to us the rites in offering it blindness of the Iews and to be pittied deep slaine of sin it is deadly to the sinner or his surety Christs Bloud precious shed that we should not live in sin The continual burnt-offering Christians should offer morning and evening as most likely the Iews did pray and praise God in their Houses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 its signification Imputation of sin to Christ speaks Gods love of Compassion to sinners sin base and shameful The blood of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sprinkled before the Lord on the Golden Altar the meaning hereof It s inward fat burned what meant some other rites in the offering it and their import 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what it was noted Christ and how a sufficient sacrifice therefore fit to be trusted in How the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noteth the Christians sacrifice and apply'd Oyle used in the meat offering its purport with other rites of it explained Salt with all Sacrifices and its meaning The Covenant of Salt The drink offering wherein it consisted The Peace offering what and on what occasion meaneth whole Christian duty in general to be offered to God through Christ. Peace-offering might be male or female part of it to be burnt part for the Priest part for the offerer hence our Communion with God inferr'd How Sacrificers are partakers of the Altar Priests under the Law were sacred persons especially the High-Priest type of Christ whose is an eternal Priesthood The Garments of the High-Priest and their meaning viz. the holiness beauty and glory of Christ in general A more particular view of each part of the Garments their import and our instruction Ordinary Priests were in a sort types of Christians who are to be spiritual Priests and Sacrifices Ministers of the Gospel no where called Priests in the New Testament Tabernacle and Temple agreed in some differed in other particulars how each signified Christ to dwell with us in much humility and love we ought therefore to unite our selves to him estrange our selves from sin scandalous sins should not be cause of gladness in any who observe them in others Temple and Tabernacle signify'd each be liever Sin defiles the whole man the heart first the outward man next sin begins in the heart Altar made of Shittim wood the meaning covered with brass its purport the Godheadpreserving the humane nature under its sufferings Where the Altar was placed its meaning The Altar of incense its meaning The Ark what in it and their Import The mercy seat the Cherubims looking down towards the Ark. The fire used in Sacrifices its meaning Christs love to us undergoing such sufferings for us requireth love from us to him This fire came from Heaven never was to go out such should Christian zeal be Chap. VI. Sacred observances as restraint from unclean beasts so not in their own nature the meaning equalleth all mankind in their Original Gods Soveraignty in chusing Israel incomprehensible His infinite goodness calling the Gentiles who should be thankful and take heed of unbelief and all sin Our liberty to use all wholesome food Blood whether now forbidden Probably a Natural though secret reason why so many Creatures were forbidden to Israel Prohibition of eating blood Acts 15. explained Festivals Religious among the Iews noted our Christian joy What feasts these were At the time of the feast of Harvest Christ sent down the Spirit on his Apostles who were to gather in the Harvest of the Gentiles Feast of ingathering about our September the meaning of it well applyed in three or four particulars The feast of Trumpets the type of Preaching the Gospel and calling to faith and repentance who are deaf to this shall be astonied at the last Trumpets sound The various washings in use among the Iews well unfolded shew Christ the accomplishment of them and our Christian duty of dayly purging our selves in the fountain of his blood Chap. VII St. Pauls design to deliver to us the doctrine of justification by grace This clear'd by reducing all men under an examen The Gentile examined and cast by Law of nature transgressed The Iew examined and cast by the written Law moral transgressed There is a Law of nature this not nulled by Faith What this Law is in the particular description of it T is engraven on the heart given by Christ yet different from that he gives Believers who follow him It was a perfect rule before the fall it is yet of great use though much impaired The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he was to be served and worshipped that he created all being himself eternal and omnipotent wise and good This Law declared what is good and what evil in some
so far from this that when Christ according to the antient Prophesies and types had offered up himself in Sacrifice for the sins of the world they made his death an occasion of stumbling and took that to be an argument that he was not the Christ which was one of the main evidences that he was the Christ. In their legal washings how did they rest in the purifying of the flesh without any care to wash their hearts from wickedness Did not they rest in the High-priest of the order of Aaron without minding an eternal High-priest after the order of Melchisedeck A multitude of such instances might be given Thirdly They seemed to have minded the outward observation of these ceremonial ordinances more than the keeping of the moral Law So the Lord complaineth by the Prophet Isaiah that they rebelled against him knew him not forsook him provoked him to anger revolted from him had hands full of blood and yet it seemeth they were very forward in the ceremonial observances bringing a multitude of Sacrifices burnt offerings of Rams fat of fed beasts Bullocks Lambs He-Goats Though these were more costly yet they were more forward in these services than in moral duties cleansing their hearts and hands from sin c. Is there not a notable evidence of this in the actings of those Iews who killed the Lord of life They seemed to be so scrupulous in point of Ceremony that they would not enter into the Court or Judgement-Hall least they should be defiled but that they might eat the Passeover and therefore Pilate the Judge was fain to come out of the Court and wait upon them to hear what they could say against him and it seemeth being wearied with going in and out at last he removed and sate upon a Judgement-Seat without doors in the mean time these wicked murtherers were so violently bent to shed innocent blood that they defiled themselves with the guilt of a most heinous sin straining at a Gnat and swallowing of a Camel Fourthly It seemeth they relied upon these Ceremonies or the observation of them as a part of that righteousness whereby they hoped to be justified in the sight of God The Lord having planted a Church at Antioch Certain men which came down from Iudea taught the Brethren Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved Saith the Apostle I testifie again to every man that is Circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole Law Christ is become of none effect to you Whosoever of you are justified by the Law ye are fallen from Grace Doth not this intimate that they relied on the Ceremony of Circumcision in part for justification and under Circumcision I understand other Ceremonies of the Law Fifthly I conceive it is very clear that they thought these legal Ceremonies were to be obserfor ever unto the end of the world So in the place mentioned before they said Except ye be Circumcised c. And so it seemeth they counted it blasphemy to say that the Lord Jesus should change the customes delivered by Moses Thirdly The Question is How the Doctrine of the Gospel concerning free justification through the righteousness of Christ apprehended by faith doth establish this Law of Ceremonies To this I Answer 1. Negatively 2. Affirmatively 1. Negatively This doctrine of the Gospel doth not establish the Law of Ceremonies by confirming and continuing the observation of it but on the contrary take it away So Stephen bâ—ing accused for saying that Jesus Christ should change the customes delivered by Moses told the Iews that Moses said unto the children of Israel A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear The Lord Christ was the great Propher by whose spirit Moses and the rest of the Prophets were inspired And as he had directed Moses to deliver these Ceremonial ordinances to Israel to be observed untill his manifestation in the flesh and departure out of the world again so now he was to be heard as one of unquestionable authority declaring unto the Church his will and pleasure concerning the ceasing of these observances That passage between the Lord Christ and the woman of Samaria is notable to this purpose He by telling her of her sinful course had convinced her thus far that she made this acknowledgement Sir I perceive thou art a Prophet and therefore it seemeth thought that he might be able to resolve a Question of great moment wherein she desired satisfaction and that was this Our Fathers worshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Hierusalem is the place wherein men out to worship the Father I conceive the occasion of this controversie between the Iews and Samaritans was this The Samaritans were the posterity of those Heathens whom Salmanasser King of Assyria had placed there instead of the Israelites whom he carried away Captive and embraced a corrupt Religion mixed of Heathenisme and Judaisme Toward the end of the Persian Monarchy Manasses the Brother of Iaddus the High-Priest married the Daughter of Sanballat a prime man of Samaria whereupon he was required of his Brother to lay down his office his Marriage being condemned by the Law Manasses acquainted Sanballat with his loss and let him know that though he loved his Daughter yet he would not for her sake lose so great a dignity as that of the Priesthood Sanballat answered him that if he would keep his Daughter for his wife he would make him an High-priest and with the license and consent of Darius King of Persia build a Temple upon Mount Gerizim for that purpose But Darius being overthrown in battel soon after by Alexander of Macedon he made this suit to him bringing him eight thousand Souldiers to serve him in the Wars and readily obtained his desire So that this became a receptacle to divers fugitive or apostate Iews who were guilty of breaking the Law by proâ—aning the Sabbath eating meats forbidden or the like crimes This Temple having stood about 200 years was ruined by Hircanus about a hundred years before Christ his coming in the flesh or more Now as they that embrace errours and corrupt inventions of men in things pertaining to Religion and religious worship are obstinate in cleaving to their fancies so the Samaritans would make comparisons between their Temple which was founded without warrant from God yea against his word and the Temple of Hierusalem which the Lord owned for the peculiar place of his worship Yea and after their Temple was laid desolate they seemed to please themselves with the imagination of the holiness of the ground on which it once stood and therefore saith the woman our Fathers worshipped in this Mountain c. as if Mount Gerizim were still an holy Mount though the Temple was down and so there was great enmity between the Iews and Samaritans But observe the Answer which the
Father in the forehead and face of his beloved Son readeth such an inscription of perfect holiness and righteousness that beholding his people in him he accepteth them as perfectly righteous through him that as this golden plate with this inscription was placed so eminently on Aarons forehead that it was visible and obvious to the bodily eyes and sight of the people of Israel so the perfect righteousness and holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ is eminently visible to the spiritual eye of his peoples faith that they may receive sweet comfort in the assurance that their iniquities are taken away through him and may behold the Fatherly love and kindness of the Father towards them and his gracious acceptance of their sevices in the face of Jesus Christ. One thing more was to be added before as belonging to the breast-plate of Judgement scil Vrim and Thummim concerning which there is a great question What it was Wherein it seemeth that neither Iewish nor Christian writers are yet agreed Whether it were these words engraven upon a golden plate and put upon a breast-plate or whether the twelve precious stones upon the breast-plate were so called or what other thing it might be Howsoever the meaning of the words is plain which being both of the plural number signifie Lights and Perfections These may point out unto us the fulness of heavenly Light wisdom and knowledge and perfection of grace that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Saith he I am the light of the World again I am the Truth And the Apostle saith In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bedily This may shew that all by nature are darkness and imperfection and therefore needing such a Saviour who is fullness of Lights and Perfections Ye were sometimes darkness but now are Light in the Lord. God who is rich in mercy for his great Love wherewith â—e loved us even when we were dead in trespasses and sins hath quickned us together with Christ. And ye are compleat in him who is the head of all principality and power They that are naturâ—lly full of spiritual death darkness imperfection receive spiritual life light and grace from Christ when once they are truly united to him and so are compleat not in themselves but in him upon whose breast are Vrim and Thummim in whom is fullness of Lights and Perfections And Malachy who seemeth to be one of the last Prophets before Christs coming to raise up the hearts of the godly in expectation of Christs appearing in the flesh told them or rather God speaking by him assured them thus But unto you that fear my Name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing under his wings with light to deliver you from darkness and with healing graces the influences of his heavenly perfections to cure the diseases defects distempers of your souls Sixthly The High priest was appointed for men in things pertaining to God to offer gifts and Sacrifices for sins so the Lord Christ was ordained for men in things pertaining to God to offer Sacrifice for sins Christ hath loved us and given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Where it is manifest that he is both the High-Priest and the Sacrifice both the offerer and the offering as he is the offering or sacrifice so he was figured by such sacrifices as those formerly spoken of As he is the offerer or High-priest so he is figured by the High-Priest of the old Testament None was worthy to offer this sacrifice of infinite value but Christ himself and the infinite worth of Christ God and man who as the High-Priest or Sacrificer presented this offering to God the Father and the infinite worth of the same Christ presented as an offering may assure the greatest sinners which truly turn to the Lord and come to him that there is enough done to make atonement and reconciliation between God and them only take heed least by neglecting so great salvation the infinite worth of the High Priest and sacrifice prove in the Issue an aggravation of your guilt and condemnation Seventhly The High-Priest having killed the Bullock of the sin-offering was to take a Censer full of burning coals of fire from off the Altar before the Lord and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small and bring it within the Vail scil into the holy of holies and then fire the Incense that the cloud of the Incense might cover the mercy-seat and then to sprinkle of the blood of the bullock upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat seven timesâ— so first the Lord Christ having sacrificed himself entred with his own blood scil with the merit and virtue of his blood into the most holy place within the vail that is into Heaven it self into the second sci the most holy place went the High priest once every year not without blood which he offered for himself and for the errours of the people but Christ being being become an High-Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this building neither by the blood of Goats and Calves but by his own blood he entred once into the holy place having obtained eternal Redemption so that the merit and virtue of Christ his most precious blood is always presented before God in Heaven in behalf of those that truly lay hold on Christ. Also the sweet incense put upon the fire in the Golden Censer and resting as a cloud upon the mercy-seat may teach us that the sweet incense of Christ his sacrifice and offering make way for the Persons Prayers and services of Gods people that so they may approach to the mercy-seat or gracious presence of God in Heaven The blood also sprinkled upon and before the Mercy-seat may note unto us that the blood of Christ procures mercy with God for repenting and believing sinners and maketh way for them to draw nigh unto God And so much for this eminent Type of Christ. The High-Priest of the old Testament figuring Christ the eternal High-Priest In the next place somewhat might be spoken of the inferiour Priests which were of the posterity of Aaron These I take to have been Types of the Members of Christ of whom it is said that Christ hath loved them and washed them from their sins in his own blood and made them Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to whom also Peter saith Ye are are a chosen generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar people And these are first to offer themselves as sacrifices to God I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of
actual either of commission or omission in thought word or deed and Peter saith He was a Lamb without blemish and without spot who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth and that he suffered for sins the just for the unjust these and the like passages compared with that place prove that he performed perfect obedience to the Law for being as was said made under the Law it was absolutely necessary that he should fulfill it that he might approve himself to be the just one knowing no sin a Lamb without blemish and without spot c. because every 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whatsoever is against the Law is sin whatsoever is contrary to the Râ—le of the Law whatsoever is defective and falleth short of the perfect purity of the Law is sin and therefore in as much as the Lord was made under the Law and yet was found to be without all spot of sin when he offered up himself in sacrifice and poured forth his blood for the sins of the world It is most clear that he performed full and perfect obedience to the Law and this was necessary 1. That he might be a perfect High Priest The Priest in the old Testament being a Type of Christ was to be without outward blemish in his person or body No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the Priest shall come nigh to offer the offering of the Lord made by fire and in the next Chapter there is a severe threatning against any of Aarons posterity if having any legal uncleanness upon them they should presume to meddle with the holy things of the Tabernacle suppose they were polluted with Leprosie or a running Issue or by touching an other that was unclean c. This figured the perfect purity and holiness of Christ the true and eternal High-Priest who was to offer up himself in sacrifice to God for such an High-Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled seperate from sinners made higher than the Heavens who needeth not dayly as those High Priests to offer up Sacrifice first for his own sin and then for the sins of the people for this he did once when he offered up himself He is an High-Priest holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and whereas the High-Priests of the old Testament were subject to sin and therefore needed to offer sacrifice for their own sins as well as for the peoples He being free from sin offered not needed not to offer for any sins of his own They offered dayly often renewing their offerings because they were imperfect and had respect to the perfect offering of Christ but he offered himself once for all for the sins of his people His sacrifice being most perfect and compleat never to be renewed 2. It was necessary that the Lord Christ should perform full and perfect obedience to the Law that he might be a pure offering a spotless sacrifice to take away the sins of his people How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Conscience from dead works to serve the living God That the vertue and efficacy of Christ's blood might reach to the inward man and purge the soul and Conscience from sin it was necessary that he should offer up himself a sacrifice without spot as one whom the Law could not charge with the least aberration or swerving from the perfect purity of it The second particular noted was that the Lord Christ by fulfilling the Law did establish it Here we may consider First That God gave man his Law in the Creation writing a perfect Law of Righteousness and true holiness in the mind and heart of the first man and woman God created man in his own Image in the Image of God created he him male and female created he them Now what was this framing of man in the image of God but the fashioning of his heart and soul according to the wisdom purity holiness and righteousness of God which was the writing and imprinting his Law upon the sould of man as he gave to other creatures natural properties and natural instincts according to their several kinds each of which was a Law unto them scil the Law of their Creation So he imprinted the likeness of his own wisdom Righteousness and holiness upon the first man and woman as the Law of their Creation Now this likeness of God his holiness and Righteousness imprinted upon the souls of our first parents was the same for substance with that moral Law written in the Scriptures for as the moral Law written in the Scriptures is a declaration of the wisdom Righteousness and holiness of God and a rule of Righteousness and holiness to men So was that Image and likeness of God imprinted upon the souls of the first man and woman It was the moral Law written in their hearts and minds Secondly Consider that the great mischeivous design of the Devil 1. Was to destroy this Law of God written in the heart of man to deface the likeness of God his wisdom holiness and Righteousness in their souls to make void and abolish the Law of mans Creation for ever that none of mankind should ever have either knowledge or ability or will to do any thing pleasing unto God and therefore the Apostle declaring the woful ruines of mankind brought upon them by sin and Satan and shewing what all are by nature saith There is none Righteous no not one there is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God none Righteous none able to please God none that understandeth none that know how to do it none that seek after God none that have a will truly bent and resolved upon it 2. To subject and enslave the souls of men and women to a contrary Law to the Law of sin and death called a Law of sin in regard of the nature of it and a Law of death and destruction in respect of the end toward which it leadeth His design was to fill the souls of men with darkness errour false conceits about things that concern salvation with rebellion against God and his Law with lusts and corruptions inclining him to all manner of sins against the Law and therefore it is said they are all gone out of the way they have a Law of sin in their hearts and souls that hath turned them quite out of the way to which the Law of God directed them and set them in a course derectly contrary to it 3. I conceive the Devil herein aimed at two things 1. The dishonour of God 2. The destruction of mankind excercising his malice both against God and man 1. The Devils being cast down by the justice of God from their glorious estate and habitation for their Apostacy from God and reserved under chains in darkness acted an high degree of rebellion against God opposing him in his Soveraignty in hâ—s legislative
to his command should learn of him who is meek and lowly of heart and be content to be conformed to him in sufferings taking up his Cross and following him They should be useful and serviceable as Christ was who was figured by such creatures offered in Sacrifice 2. Ye may note in general that an offering presented to the Lord was called in the Hebrew Korban of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to draw near This may teach us that none was fit to offer an offering to the Lord but only the Lord Jesus Christ and those that come to God by him for all mankind since the fall were a far off at a great distance from God but the Lord Iesus Christ being God and Man is nigh unto the Father In regard of his Godhead he is the only begotten Son of God in the bosom of the Father as he is man personally united to the Son of God he is one person with the Son of God and being without spot of sin he came near to God to present himself an offering and a Sacrifice unto him Secondly none can come nigh unto the Lord to offer any spiritual Sacrifice to him or to have any inward communion with him but in and by the Lord Jesus Christ But now in Christ Iesus Ye who sometime were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Christ being nigh to God drew nigh unto him actually with the sacrifice and offering of himself and so made way for sinners who were afar off from God by their sin and guilt to draw nigh to God by virtue of his blood that applying his blood satisfaction and righteousness to themselves they might be made nigh unto God in regard of their estate being taken into Covenant with him as his confederates and so into Communion and that they might draw nigh unto him from time to time in offering spiritual services and sacrifices to him by Jesus Christ. Let us all see our great need of Christ there is no coming nigh unto God but by him neither in respect of our estate nor of our services but in Christ there is access to be had in both respects But more especially First The burntoffering This was called in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth ascending or ascension because all the flesh of the beast being burned upon the Altar was to ascend or go up towards heaven in fire so the Lord Jesus Christ when he was here on earth in the flesh offered up himself to his father in heaven the infinite virtue of his Sacrifice ascending to the Throne of God for the appeasing of his wrath and satisfying of his justice for sin This may teach us also that we should present our whole selves souls and bodies sacrifices living holy acceptable to God and that they which will thus present themselves to the Lord must be heavenly minded their souls and hearts must be raised and ascend upward How many carnal outward dead hearted services are dropped down before the Lord that never ascend upward having nothing of heaven nor of Christ his spirit in them Secondly He that offered the burntoffering was to lay his hand upon the head of the creature that was to be slain so he that will have benefit by the sacrifice of Christ must lay hold of him by the hand of faith Thirdly The Bullock for the burntoffering was to be killed the blood of it to be poured out this 1. was fulfilled in Christ according as it was Prophesied of him He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter He was cut off out of the land of the living ver 9. His grave and death are expresly mentioned thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin ver 12. He hath poured out his soul unto death And Daniel Prophesied that Messiah or Christ should be cut off or slain and without shedding of blood there is no remission 1. This may move Christians to pitty and earnestly pray for the poor blinded Israelites that the Lord would be pleased to take the vail from their hearts Is it not lamentable to consider that they should make the Cross and death of Christ a stumbling block whereas his death and sufferings are so clearly foretold in the Law and the Prophets which themselves acknowledge to be the word of God Yea all those millions of sacrificâ—s slain and offered according to the Lord his appointment did clearly foreshew the death of Christ and the shedding of his most pretious blood for the sins of the world But how is man left to the darkness of his own mind and blinded by Satan Secondly See here how odious sin is in the sight of God which nothing could wash away but the blood of Christ figured by the death and blood of these legal Sacrifices for it is not possible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sins these did signifie the blood of the Son of God infinitely more pretious of sufficient virtue to wash away the greatest and foulest sins How should we tremble at sin Should we not look upon every sin as bloody as murtherous either as slaying the sinner himself or as killing his Saviour either thy sin must be washed away with the blood of Christ or it will cost thee more then thy best blood is worth Thirdly This is for comfort to souls burdened and oppressed with the guilt of sin that that one sacrifice even Christ himself figured by so many millions oâ— sacrifices is offered to satisfie for sin that that blood figured by the blood of so many offerings is shed to take away sin and that God hath purchased his Church with his own blood it is the blood of God because of him who is God and man in one person though not the blood of the God-head The blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God cleanseth from all sin it is of infinite value it is of more virtue then all the bloody sacrifices of the Law 4. Woe unto those wretches that dare to swear prophanely by this pretious blood or by those bleeding wounds of the Son of God Is not this to trample under foor the blood of the Covenant 4. The death of these sacrifices may teach us 〈◊〉 kill our dearest sins to slay our lusts to mortifie our corruptions Christ did not dye for sin that thou mightest live in sin but that thou mightest dye to sin and live to him ye righteousness and holiness I beseech you therefore Brethren by the mercies of God that 〈◊〉 present your bodyes a Sacrifice living holy and acceptable to God a Sacrifice and therefore slain and yet a living Sacrifice Present your selves a sacrifice dying to sin and a sacrifice living quickned with grace living in the spirit Again among all the burnt offerings ye may take particular note of the continual burnt offerings sacrificed to the Lord every day one Lamb in the morning and another in the evening
so the people of God had need every day morning and evening to flee to Christ and to apply his sacrifice and satisfaction to themselves and through him to seek pardon of God for their dayly sins and infirmities every day sprinkling the blood of Christ the Lamb of God upon their souls 2. This may stir up Christians dayly to offer up a morning evening sacrifice to the Lord in confession of sins prayers praises thanksgivings We read of special blessings which the Lord vouchsafed at those times The King of Iudah Israel and Edom with their Army were in danger to perish for want of water and in this great distress they had recourse to the Prophet Elisha now it is said ver 20 and it came to pass in the morning when the meat-offering was offered that behold there came water by the way of Edom and the country was filled with water So Danâ—ul having prayed with much importunity for the Church which was then in captivity saith the man Gabriel to wit the Angel Gabriel in the likeness of a man being caused to fly swiftly touched him about the time of the evening oblation and so as it followeth there opened the counsels of God unto him according to his request I conceive it is very probable that the people of Israel in their several houses did use to pour out their prayers to God about the time of the morning and evening sacrifices and that Daniel and others of the godly when they were in captivity did observe those times though then the Temple was destroyed and the daily sacrifice interrupted A second sort of Sacrifices were sin offerings this kind of offering is called in the Hebrew expresly Sin because in a typical or figurative way the guilt or sin of him for whom the sacrifice was offered was laid upon the creature sacrificed So the Apostle sheweth that God hath made him scil Christ to be â—in for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him The sin-offering called sin figured the imputation of mens sin to Christ who had no sin of his own bnt voluntarily took upon him the guilt of mens sins as a surety taketh upon him anothers debt 1. See here how exceedingly the Son of God abased himself for sinners as to stand under the guilt of numberless sins If we consider the infinite holiness glory and Majesty of Christ is it not evident that this degree of humiliation and abasement passeth all understanding Admire therefore his infinite love and unconceivable goodness which moved him hereunto Learn highly to exalt and honour him 2. See here the baseness of sin which thâ— abased the Son of God when he took the guilâ— of it upon him out of compassion to sinnerâ— No outward estate condition calling imployment doth so abase any as the least sin doth in the Lord his account and yet hoâ— vain is the corrupt heart of man in being ashamed of many other things more thâ— of sin yea how many are there that arâ— ashamed of holiâ—ess and ready to glory iâ— sin 3. If Christ did thus abase himself for thâ— sins of others as to be made a sin-offering or to be made sin by imputation How shoulâ— we take shame to our selves and be exceedingly humbled and abased for our own sins As David I have sinned greatly in that I haâ— done I have done very foolishly And 〈◊〉 I abhor my self and repent in dust 〈◊〉 ashes 2. The blood of the sin-offering was to sprinkled seven times before the Lord and seâ— is noted for a number of perfection The Souâ— and Consciences of sinners are so deeply slaâ—ned and defiled with sin that they neeâ— much purging How often should we laboâ— by â—aith to sprinkle the blood of Christ upon our souls and to apply it to our selves This blood of the sin-sin-offering was to bâ— sprinkled seven times before the vail of 〈◊〉 holy place so it is the blood of Christ 〈◊〉 maketh way for believers to the mercy-seat which their sins had shut up against theâ— Having therefore Brethren boldness to enteâ— into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh and having an high-priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true â—eart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our bodies washed with pure water with hearts and souls sprinkled with the blood of Christ by faith and so purged from the guilt of sin and bodies washed with pure water being baptized outwardly and inwardly with water and the sanctifying graces of the holy spirit 3. Some of the blood was to be put upon the horns of the sweet incense Altar scil the Golden Altar so Christians are to ground their faith and confidence in offering up the Incense of prayer upon the blood and Mediation of Christ having no hope of acceptance but only through him and his satisfaction and intercession The Golden Altar being a type of Christ as he intercedeth for his people The blood of the sin-offering put upon this Altar may intimate unto us that Christ intercedeth with his Father and pleadeth for his people by presenting to him his blood the merit of his death and fulness of his satisfaction which he underwent not for himself who had no need but for them 4. The fat of the Inwards Kidneys c. were to be burned upon the Altar The fat may signifie carnal security senselessness and sottishness in heavenly and spiritual things Make the heart of this people sat and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes and the Kidneys and fat upon them may signifie fleshly lusts and therefore as these things were consumed by fire upon the Altar so let Christians earnestly pray and labour for more and more of the spirit of Christ to consume and burn up their earthly and carnal affections and sinful lusts And it shall come to pass that he that is left in Sion and he that remaineth in Ierusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Hierusalem when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the Daughters of Sion and shall have purged the blood of Hierusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Iudgement and by the spirit of burning 5. The skin of the Bullock for the sin-sin-offering and all his flesh with his head and with his leggs and his inwards and his dung even the whole Bullock was to be carried without the Camp where the Ashes were poured and there to be burnt and as this was to be done without the Camp while they were in the Wilderness as they were when these things were written so it seemeth after they were settled in Canaan it was done without the City The Apostle giveth us
the interpretation of this Mystery For the bodyes of those beasts whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burnt without the Camp wherefore Iesus also that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered without the Gate And he bearing his Cross went forth unto a place called the place of a Skull which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha It seemeth this was a loathsome place without the City where they executed the vilest offenders and so at that time there were two malefactours Crucified with the Lord Jesus Christ one at each hand A place of a skul where there were it is likely many skuls and bones of such as had been there put to death even as the sin-sin-offering was burnt at the place where the ashes were poured out First Here we have an other evidence of the wonderful abasement of the Lord of glory thrust out of the Camp out of the City as an outcast as an unclean and cursed thing so extreamly was he vilified whom all the Angels of God worship and to whom every knee must bow of those in heaven c And therefore let us make the same use of it as was formerly hinted Secondly In particular let us make the use of it which the Apostle points us to Let us go forth therefore unto him without the Camp bearing his reproach Both Iews and Gentiles conspired together in Crucifying the Lord Christ and therefore Believers must go out of the Iews Camp and out of the worlds Camp bearing the reproach of Christ they must not joyn with the obstinate Iews in observing legal Ceremonies nor be conformed to the world but labour to be conformed to a crucified Saviour and be content to endure scorn reproach persecution for Christ following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth Many will seem to close with Christ if they can find him in the Camp if they can enjoy their credit their favour with the world their earthly interests But how few will go forth to him out of the Camp bearing his reproach so as to be rejected by the world and dealt with as outcasts and the off scouring of all things For saith the Apostle here have we no continuing City but we seek one to come If Christ suffered without the Gate of the City let us not be so affected as if this world were the place of our rest Let us not mind earthly things let us have our conversation in Heaven labouring to make sure of our interest in that everlasting inheritance Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entring into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it The Apostle urgeth from this Type of the sin-offering that they which would still rest in the observation of Iewish Ceremonies had no right in Christ We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle for the bodies c. as before The bodies of the sin-offerings were burnt without the Camp and so the Priest did eat no part of their flesh whereby was signified that they who would feed upon Christ and partake of the benefit of his sacrifice must leave the Tabernacle or Temple Priesthood Sacrifices Ceremonies of the Law now that Christ hath suffered for thus are all established by Christ not so as to be observed much less to be rested in but so as to attain their end in Christ in whom it appeareth that they are no empty shadowes but lively types of great and weighty Mysteries whereof also they are useful illustrations Thirdly I proceed to somewhat of meat-offerings It seemeth these were sometimes offered by themselves and sometimes joyned with other sacrifices as they were offered by themselves we have them set down Lev. 2. The original word is taken for a gift or present so these meat-offerings were to be given and presented to the Lord and this offering was to be fine flower of the purest part of the wheat and so it is conceived to signifie the perfect purity of Christ offering himself to God for his people resembled by pure flower without any mixture of bran The Lord Christ is brought in speaking to his Father Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me in burnt offerings and Sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I Loe I come in the volumn of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God I conceive here those three sorts of sacrifices are mentioned burnt-offerings sin-offerings and meat-offerings none of these could satisfie the justice of God for the sins of men and therefore he prepared or fitted a body for his Son an humane nature fitted to suffer for the sins of men a pure humane nature as the pure flower of wheat by the miraculous operation of the holy Ghost This humane nature united in one person with the Son of God was sufficient to make full satisfaction to the infinite justice of God which all the sacrifices of the Law could not do In respect of his body or humane nature he was fitted for a sacrifice in respect of his God-head he was an all sufficient sacrifice of infinite value Labour then to lay hold on Christ by faith and to turn to the Lord by repentance that ye may have interest in this most pretious offering this compleat and most perfect sacrifice every way fitted for this use for as Christ is the only Son of God he is most nigh unto the Father the same God with the Father and infinitely beloved of the Father of infinite worth and excellency and so able to make full satisfaction to his justice As he is the Son of man so he is nigh unto men their Brother one of the seed of that woman who was the Mother of all living one of the same nature and so of a nature fit to suffer and therefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him 2. This meat offering of fine flower seemeth also to signifie the offering up of believers to Christ because the members are to be conformed to their head They shall bring all your Brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all Nations The word there translated offering is the same that elsewhere is rendred meat-offering Suitable whereunto is that of the Apostle saith he that I should be the Minister of Iesus Christ to the Gentiles ministring the Gospel of God that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost Although the Gentiles were prophane Idolaters and defiled with manifold abominations and so fitly resembled by the beasts that were unclean under the Law yet the Apostle preaching the Gospel to them and the holy spirit of Christ working in and with his Ministry upon their souls were renewed cleansed sanctified and so presented as an acceptable offering to the Lord 1. Let all Christians pray
people of Israel had with God part of the beast being offered to God on the Altar part being given to God for the use of his Priests and the remaining part being eaten by him and his houshold who presented his sacrifice so that in this ordinance they had special fellowship with God shewing the great priviledge of true believers who have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Saith the Lord Christ Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me How careful should Christians be to keep constant communion with God that their negligence may not deprive them of this blessed priviledge Saith the Apostle Behold Israel after the flesh are not they that eat of the sacrifices partakers of the Altar I conceive the Aposâ—le in this place sheweth the Christian Corinthians that it was not lawful for them to feast with their Idolatrous neighbours in their Idol-Temples upon the remainders of their sacrifices offered to Idols because their feasts were Idolatrous and kept in honour of their IIdols so the Israelites in eating of their peace-offering were partakers of or with the Altar the Altar had part and they had part then saith he the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to Divels and not to God and I would not that ye should have fellowship with Divels the Gentiles in scrificing to Idols sacrificed to Divels and when they offered part of the sacrifice upon the Idols Altar and feasted and fed upon the rest in honour of these Idols they had fellowship with Divels and on the other side the godly Israelitet in the time of the old Testament offering part of their peace-offerings to God upon the Altar and presenting part of it to him for the use of his Priests by his command and then feeding upon the rest had fellowship with God The Lord Christ having offered up himself to God for his people doth also now offer himself to his people that they may feed upon him and in feeding upon him by faith may have communion with the Father and the Son So much of Sacraments and sacrifices Now in the third place may be considered sacred Persons and things subservient to sacred or holy uses and first the Persons and among these Priests and principally the high-priests or Cheif preists this officer was an eminent type of the Lord Jesus Christ and 1. In regard of his commission or calling to the Office No man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest but he that said unto him thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck The Lord Christ as he was man was immediately called of God to his office As he is God the act of calling was his as well as the Fathers their acts being the same So God saith of Christ as he is man Behold my servant whom I have chosen He was called and chosen of God to be an eternal high-priest and how wonderfully was his calling and commission ratified and evidenced by many infallible signs and tokens When he had cured a Leprous person he said Go thy way shew thy self to the Priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a Testimony to them that this work may witness that I am called and sent of God and when he had cast a Divel out of the Dumb man that was possessed so that the dumb spake the multudes marvâ—lled saying It was never so seen in Israel since Israel was a Nation and a Church there never was a man raised up among them gave such evidence that he was called of God Nicodemus though a young Scholar in the School of Christ saith unto him We know that thou art a teacher come from God for no â—an can do these miracles that thou dost except God be with him Had he known Christ more perfectly he might have said except God be in him except he be personally united to God for Christ did these things by his own authority and by his own power had declared so much and yet such was the ignorance or insolence of the chief-priests and Elders that they took upon them to examine him saying By what authority dost thou these things and who gave thee this authority Had they not been grossely if not wilfully blind they might have seen his authority abundantly and most gloriously confirmed by his mighty works 1. Here see the unspeakable goodness of God instead of those imperfect High-priests under the old Testament to call one to the office who is most perfect every way even the man Christ Jesus personally united to his only and eternal Son even one who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the Heavens one who continueth ever and hath an unchangeable Priesthood being able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them 2. Therefore neglect not to come to him and to God by him And 3. If ye come to him in truth doubt not but he will save you to the uttermost having a peculiar call from God for this end above all other creatures in heaven and earth 4. See the humility of the man Christ who did not usurp this high office and dignity but took it upon him as called of God How great is their presumption who rashly thrust themselves into such imployments in the Church to w ch they were never called of God 2. In respect of his annointing but of that I have spoken in the meat-offering 3. The garments and ornaments of the High-priest were expresly appointed by the Lord who gave particular directions about them These things might seem to be of small moment considered in themselves but the spiritual mysteries are to be regarded which were shadowed by them 1. In General They are called holy Garments for glory and for beauty I conceive these may signifie the perfect holiness the incomparable beauty and glory of the Lord Jesus His perfect holiness both in his state of humiliation and exaltation his beauty glory chiefly in his state of exaltation as he now sitteth on the right hand of God Labour for an eye of faith to behold the beauty and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ which if it were clearly discerned would eclipse all worldly glory take off the gloss of the creatures and make them appear as dead and withered things The reason why we are so ensnared with earthly vanities is because we look upon things in a carnal manner with fleshly eyes not with a spiritual eye of faith not with such an eye as Moses did seeing him
him who is invisible and so despising earthly things Labour for union with Christ that partaking of his Spirit ye may partake of his holiness and graces and so of his beauty and glory Holiness beautifieth and adorneth the soul and ptepareth it for perfection of heavenly beauty and glory whereas sin doth both defile and disfigure the soul filling it with deformity This being noted in general I intend to mention some few of the particulars First The two precious stones upon the two shoulders of the Ephod or Priestly Robe wherein were ingraven the Names of the twelve tribes of Israel six in one stone and six in the other so that the high-priest bare their Names upon his two shoulders 1. This may note unto us the support which the Lord giveth unto his Church and to all the living members of it He beareth them as it were upon his shoulders Hence it is that his little flock hath been preserved in the midst of so many wolves from age to age Vpon this rock I will build my Church aud the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it What a blessed priviledge have they that are in Christ being built upon him as a rock immoveable and upheld by him born upon his shoulders who is their eternal high-priest 2. See how precious the people of Christ are in his account as if their names were engraven in precious stones and set in ouches or bosses of Gold 2. The breast-plate of Iudgement in which was to be set four rows of precious stones three in a row in all twelve stones of several kinds and in these again were ingraven the twelve names of the twelve Tribes of Israel and so Aaron was to bear the Names of the Children of Israel in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart when he went into the holy place for a memorial before the Lord continually 1. See the tender love and affection which the Lord Christ hath toward his people he beareth them upon his breast upon his heart continually he shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom next his heart and therefore it seemeth the Church prayes to Christ set me as a seal upon thine heart that tender love which moved him to let out his heart blood for their redemption is still so powerful and prevailing with him that he beareth them upon his heart in heaven 2. Ought not Christians then to bear Christ upon their hearts to entertain him to dwell in their hearts by faith to cleave unto him in love and walk in him following the guidance of his spirit 3. Christ this eternal high-priest beareth the Names of his people upon his breast-plate or heart now that he is in heaven before his Father for a memorial before his face continually I conceive this noteth Christ his intercession for his people He presenteth their names before his Father in Heaven as the High-priest did in the holy place on the earth which was a figure of Heaven Blessed are they whose Names God the Father readeth engraven upon the breast-plate written upon the heart of his beloved Son in whom he is well-pleased What is there that such may not obtain of the Father through the Son And how should all labour to give in their names and to give up their hearts to Christ that he may bear their names upon his heart for a memorial before the face of God continually Thirdly Vpon the hemme of the High-priests Robe were placed golden Bells and Pomegranates that his sound might be heard when he went in unto the holy place before the Lord and when he came out so the Lord Christ entring in to the most holy place in heaven after his death and resurrection maketh a most sweet and pleasing sound in the ears of his Father far beyond that of golden bells his mediation and intercession in behalf of his people grounded upon the merit of his death sacrifice and satisfaction maketh heavenly melody before his Father Jesus the mediator of the new Covenant and the blood of sprinking which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel And these Pomegranates may well resemble the sweet savour of Christs sacrifice Again Aarons bells were heard to sound not only when he went in to the holy place but also when he came out Now although the Lord Christ as he is man continueth within the most holy place not made with hands and doth not come out again yet he sent down his spirit upon his Apostles soon after and caused these golden bells to give a most pleasant sound throughout the several Quarters of the world publishing the glad tidings of pardon and salvation through Christ to the comfort and refreshing of many thousand souls and the precious promises of the Gospel published in the name of Christ were as Pomegranats that yeilded a pleasant smell to the reviving of many fainting hearts and drooping spirits Had we circumcised hearts and ears gracious spirits heavenly affections how pleasant would the sound of the Gospel preached how sweet would the promises of it be unto us Fourthly The Lord gave this Command Thou shalt make a plate of pure Gold and grave upon it like the engravings of a fignet Holiness to the Lord and this golden plate was put on the forefront of the Mitre and so to be worne on the forehead of the High-priest that he might bear the iniquity of the holy things which the Children of Israel should hallow in all their holy gifts and it was to be always upon his forehead that they might be accepted before the Lord. The Inscription I suppose may be read either Holiness to the Lord or the Holiness of the Lord. 1. Here see how the Lord Christ whose holiness and righteousness is of infinite worth and value the holiness and righteousness of Iehovah of him who is very God taketh away the iniquities and pollutions of the duties services spiritual sacrifices offered by his people Aaron did bear these but in a figure and in a way of representation Christ did really bear them and his holiness and righteousness of Jehovah is imputed to them and is alone sufficient to take away all their uncleanness and to procure acceptance for them How should Christians be humbled that such is the corruption of their natures and imperfection of their graces that the best of their services the holiest of their offerings have such iniquity cleaving to them that they need the imputation of Christs righteousness to cover them And again this may comfort them that are in Christ and are sincere in their services and stir them up to thankfulness that such a precious remedy is provided them in this case even the Holiness of Jehovah 2. This golden plate with this Inscription on the forehead of the High-priest may intimate unto us that God the