that is fixed in that rocke and stone of Israel 7. Their use That Aaron who before bare the names of Israel on his shoulders before the Lord might now bear them on his heart continually for a remembrance before the Lord when he goeth into the holy place vers 29. signifying 1. The ardent love of Jesus Christ towards his Church who beares it not onely on his shoulders as a shepheard nor onely in his armes as a nurse but upon his heart and in his heart never to forget our good If Aaron may forget the names he carries upon his shoulders he cannot the names upon his brest or heart so cannot Christ forget the Church he hath taken into his heart Isai 49. 15. Can a woman forget her childe and not have compassion on the sonne of her womb though they should forget yet will I not forget thee 2. Bearing of the names continually before the Lord on his heart signifieth the continuall mindfulnesse and intercession of Jesus Christ for his Church in that heavenly sanctuary Heb. 7. 25. By vertue of which all our prayers get audience and acceptance 8. The quantity As all the names of Israel were gathered into a narrow compasse so Jesus Christ our Mediator shall gather together into one all the despersed sonnes of God and present them before God as the most beautifull and precious parts of the world Joh. 11. 52. He shall make a short account in the earth in comparison of the wicked who will take up more roome II. In respect of the Urim and Thummim which were put in the brest-plate of Judgement vers 30. Of which Rabbi David a Jew saith It is unknown to us what these signifie And what this precious monument was put by Gods appointment into the fold of the Pectorall no man living can tell I take it to be no workmanship of man but a sacred monument immediately received from God But expresly they signified Jesus Christ 1. In their names 2. In their use 1. Their names Urim and Thummin Urim signifieth lights in the plurall number Note that there were not lights and shining before in the Pectorall by the many precious stones but here is a glorious light shining above them all to which their light is obscurity Plainly signifying Jesus Christ in whom are hid treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2. 3. He is the light of the world Joh. 9. 5. Which enlightneth every one that commeth into the world Joh. 1. 9. There are many lights as stones and stars in the world but he is the sun nay he is lights With him is many-fold wisdome And without him is nothing but darknesse sinne death inner darknesse and utter Joh. 8. 12. Thummim signifieth perfections And to whom can this point us but unto Christ in whom alone are all perfections of holinesse and graces There is illumination in the twelve stones the Church but not any perfection there is some purity in the stones but farre from perfection of it In Christ is perfection in all parts and from him alone we must expect our perfection II. The use of them was to receive by them answer from God when the high Priest consulted with him vers 30. For when the Priest asked counsell of God God is said to answer by Urim that is not by the colour of the stones nor the changing of colour by brightnesse blacknesse or bloudinesse of them as some Jewes but the Lord answered by voice Numb 7. 89. And therefore it is called the Urim of Judgement not because it selfe gave Judgement or decided causes but because the Lord answered when the Priest applyed the Urim and Thummim This directly looked at Christ as to whom 1. All secrets and Mysteries are perfectly known He is the Lamb with seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God Rev. 5. 6. Onely worthy to open the booke vers 9. because of his abundant grace and wisedome signified by the seven spirits 2. Who makes known and continually reveales to his Church and members as their need requires whatsoever is meet for them to know by such meanes as himselfe hath sanctified Now although this was a great priviledge of the first Temple and the second did want it that they might not be kept from desire and expectation of the true Urim and Thummim yet we in the new Testament are farre beyond them For as the Oracle by Urim was certaine for direction so Christ is the most perfect rule and direction shadowed by that As the Urim answered by voice so Christ by his word preached As God spake then by Urim to the Priest So now by his own Sonne Heb. 1. 2. Wouldest thou have God answer thee goe to the Urim 1. Frequent his ordinance God then answered when the Priest consulted 2. Pray for wisdome If any man want wisdome let him aske of God and it shall be given him Jam. 1. 5. 3. Feare God Psal. 25. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him 4. Follow and obey the voice Joh. 14. 21. If any love me and obey my commandements I will love him and reveale my self unto him Joh. 7. 17. If any man doe the will of God he shall know the doctrine whether it be of God The third peculiar garment of the high Priest was the robe of the Ephod Exod. 28. 5 31. On the skirts of which were fastned 1. The Pomegranates of blue silke and purple and skarlet round about This fruit hath a most pleasant smell sweet in it selfe and sweetning other things round about it and is full of precious juyce and liquor 2. Bells of gold between them round about a golden Bell and a Pomegranate the use of which was that his sound might he heard round about when he went into the Sanctuary and holy of Holies The whole garment signified the righteousnesse of Christs humane nature which is 1. Most sweet it selfe having a most pleasant savour as the Pomegranate 2. Full of most precious juyce and vertue to qualifie and abate the raging heat of Gods displeasure as the juyce of Pomegranats doth allay the burning heat of an ague that would shake the body to pieces 3. Casts upon us a sweet savour being wrapped in it For wee by nature stinking in our sinnes and rottennesse are loathsome to the Lord but once covered with this mantle we are a sweet savour to God who now speakes of us as Isaac of Iacob covered in his elder brothers garments My sonne is as the savour of a field which the Lord hath blessed Gen. 27. 27. 3. This garment hath a sweet sound as of golden Bells which to hear were most delectable because the garment of Christs righteousnesse brings grace to us no otherwise than by the sound of the Gospell For Faith by which we put on Christ is wrought by hearing the sweet sound and golden Bell of the Gospell Whence some have thought that by this part of the Priests Attire is shadowed the Propheticall
is an Orphane the Widow desires it should be your Ward who in your love can best tender it and by your authority defend it sufficiently The God of heaven increase all heavenly graces and comforts in your noble heart abundantly and adde unto your dayes honours and blessings of all sorts till these shadowes flie away and the true Day-star arise upon you in glory the hearty prayer of one who is and desires to be reckoned among Isleworth June 29. 1635. Your Wo truest friends in every good service WILLIAM JEMMAT To the CHRISTIAN READER I Have heard of a demur made as though something were put forth under this Authors name which is none of his I assure thee in the word of a Minister that for the workes that have my Epistle prefixed and I hear of no other published with his name there is not one note nor notion which is not the Authors own according to his papers And the like I affirm concerning this Treatise of Types which now I publish The use of it is manifold To open divers places of Scripture To shew the meaning of legal shadowes and ceremonies To declare the faith of the Elders who received a good report To manifest our faith one with theirs one Faith one Lord one Baptisme one salvation To magnifie and commend Christ to every soul that it may be saved and he honoured To discern and bewail the blindnesse of Gods ancient people the Jewes and pray for their return to the truth not â—atching at shadowes Of whom in present I may say with detestation of their madnesse as he said against the Philosophers Nos qui non habitu c. We Christians whose excellency stands not in outward things but spirituall glory that we have found what they with all their diligence have sought and could not finde Why are we unthankfull Why doe we stand in our own light if the truth of the Deitie hath in this our age attained to maturity Let us enjoy and make use of our own good and follow the truth in truth avaunt superstition be packing all impiety let true religion be preserved and flourish Yet withall seeing there is a promise that all Israel shall be saved let us pray for the performance and that with all earnestnesse as that converted Jew gave exhortation to his son So long pour forth thy prayers for the remnant of Israel till God look from his high habitation and see and have mercy on his people for the Lords sake his Annointed that in our dayes Judah may be saved and the children of Israel may dwell safely in their own land and spend their dayes in good the Lord making his good Spirit to rest upon them WILLIAM JEMMAT A Table of the Contents of this Treatise I. THe Introduction containing five Propositions of the Church Salvation Covenant of grace Christ and the ancient Ceremonies p. 1 Five reasons for those Ceremonies 2 Grace in the new Testament specially how 3 Ceremonies called shadowes for four reasons ibid. Threefold use of them to the Jewes 4 Gods wisdome in appointing them three wayes ibid. II. The Treatise shewing Christ prefigured by holy persons and things 5 I. Adam a type of Christ in creation office soveraignty conjugation propagation 6 The Ministery reverend for antiquitie 8 Antiquity of the doctrine of free grace ibid. Seek life by Christs death 8 Get into Christ the second Adam as thou art surely of the first Motives ibid. II. Noah a type for salvation righteousnesse preaching Ark repairing the world sacrifice of rest and a dove sent out of the Ark. 9 Preserve integrity in the worst times 13 Sinnes which are signes of judgement approaching ibid. Comfort to be had in Christ our Noah 14 III. Melchizedek a type in Etymâ—logiâ— office originall excellency of person and Priesthood 15 16 17 Christ greater than Abraham 18 Comfort by Christ our Melchizedek ibid. We are blessed by our Melchizedek 19 By our Melchizedek the Church abides for ever ibid. Excellency of Christs Priesthood above the Leviticall eight wayes 20 Sin not to be accounted slight whose sacrifice is so costly 21 IV. Isaac a type in birth suffering offering escape marriage ibid. A pattern of obedience in 5. things ib. How Christ doth meet his Church 25 Two Rules 26 A type of our resurrection 27 Matter of sweet consolation 28 Look for help though the case be desperate ibid. V. Joseph a type in his person actions â—…ssions advancement 29 No newes for good men to be hated for their excellency 32 All sufferings of the godly come of God ordained and ordered 33 Comfort by Christ our Joseph four wayes 34 Doe to Christ as Joseph's brethren to him 35 VI. Moses a type in person estate office 〈◊〉 suffering sundry actions ib. Our doctrine is of God 40 Be faithfull in doing thy office ibid. Shew faith in the fruit of it contrary to four sorts of men 41 Assurance of our resurrection ibid. VII Joshua a type in saving calling miracles valour actions 42 A fearfull thing to be an enemy of the Church 45 Comfort in our salvation accomplished ibid. Duties we owe to Christ our Joshua 46 Conditions to be observed in going to heaven Six ibid. VIII Sampson a type in person condition actions sufferings stratagems victories 48 Judge none by outward calamities 51 Strange meanes used by God for the Churches good 52 Our victory stands in patience and passion ibid. Fourfold comfort to Gods people 53 In Gods cause contemn greatest perill and prepare for death approaching 54 IX David a type in person vocation wars kingdome office Propheticall and Priestly 55 Enter upon no office without assistance of the Spirit A note of it 61 Christ the true King of the Church Nine wayes more excellent than David 62 How God brings his servants to honour 65 Church ever pestered with home-bred enemies 66 Comfort to the Church in 3. things ib. X. Salomon a type in person condition peace-making wisdome glory temple justice 68 Duties to Christ our Salomon two 73 Fourfold comfort in our Salomon 74 XI Jonah a type in name office death buriall resurrection 75 Repent at the Ministery of Christs servants 77 Motives ibid. Vocation of the Gentiles 78 Our resurrection assured to us 79 Power and wisdome of God to be admired ibid. Terror of sinne even in Gods own children and comfort 80 XII The First-born types as Gods peculiar fathers of the family preferred before brethren double portion 82 Every mercy is the greater engagement unto God 85 Honour Christ as the first-born of God and how ibid. Threefold comfort in the birthright 86 Forfeit not the birthright by sin 87 Resemble Christ our elder brother 88 XIII Priests types in deputation to office and execution choice consecration apparell actions 88 A cover for us in Christ for all deformities of soul and body 90 Qualities requisite in Ministers ib. Eminency of Christ above all creatures 93 Ministers must increase their gifts 94 Duties of private believers ibid.
shall never enjoy it in heaven IV. In the type and truth we have a sure argument of our resurrection Moses dead body hid in the valley of Moab none knew where appeared glorious on the hill Thabor in Christs transfiguration Christs body hid in the grave comes forth glorious and ascends glorious on mount Olivet Both teach that our boies are not lost but laid up and as sure as laid downe in basenesse shall rise in glory CHAP. VIII 7. IOSHUA A type of our true Joshua another Moses I. BOth Saviours For Joshua under the very same name is propounded a type of Christ. Both had the name Jesus both saved their people therefore Joshua is called Jesus Heb. 4. 8. the type from temporal and externall enemies the truth from spirituall and eternall II. In his calling 1. Both succeeded Moses who makes way to both 2. Both guides going before Gods people The type to the earthly Canaan the truth to the heavenly 3. Both led them into the land Joshua led the people not onely towards the land but into the promised land What was denied to Moses was granted to Joshua Moses might not enter nor those that had disobeyed but Joshua eâ—…eth and taketh possession for himself and for all the people So our Joshua hath taken possession and led us into the possession of our heavenly Canaan What Moses Law could not do for our infirmity Christ by his Gospel hath done for us That may shew us the way but this brings us to the ways eâ—d and gives us all our promised expectation Thus our Joshua carries us through from this wildernesse to our rest 4. Both divided the land and allotted to every man his portion Joshua having entered Canaan assignes everyone his portion Josh. 14. 1. Christ ascended unto heaven prepares for every beleever a place Joh. 14. 2. III. Both confirmed their calling with many miracles 1. Joshua being to passe over Jordan divides the waters and they gave way unto him Christ in the same Jordan divides the heavens Matth. 3. 16. and they testifie unto him verse 17. Joshua divides waters but he ascribes it to the power of the Lord of all the world Chap. 3. 13. But our true Joshua being that Lord and God of all the world by his owne power commanded the seas and they obeyed him 2. Joshua becompassing the walls of Jericho and the long blast of rammes hornes overthrew the walls of it Chap. 6. 5. Our Joshua by as weak and vile meanes in the eye of flesh even by the sound and blast of the Gospel shakes down dayly the high and thick walls of the Divell and Antichrists kingdome and of the Jericho of this world which resists the people of God in their passage to Canaan By the preaching of the Gospel typified by the sound of the trumpets our Joshua overthrowes the wisdome power seeming sanctity and whatsoever strength of flesh is opposed to the power of the Gospell 3. Whilst Joshua was destroying the enemies of God the Sunne in the heavens at his word stood still and stayd his course as a willing spectator of that businesse and deferred the night least he should want day to smite his enemies in Chap. 10. 12. So our Joshua whilst on the Crosse he was spoiling principalities and powers and opening the way to Canaan commanded the Sunne to stop his course and hide his face to witnesse to all the world the great work in hand that day Of both these dayes may be verified Josh. 10. 14. there was never before day like nor after it shall be IV. In his fortitude victory triumphs Both of them mightily miraculous miraculously triumphant 1. Joshua was the Judge and Captaine of Gods people the leader of his Armies the mighty conquerour of all the enemies that rose up and resisted them He subdued both princes and people of the Canaanites He set his foot on the necks of five Kings at once and slew them Chap. 10. 24. nay made his men of warre set their feete on their necks and trample them as dung and went on and in small time had slaine one and thirty kings with their armies Chap. 12. 10. Never had Israel so many enemies in their passage to Canaan as Gods people have unto that heavenly Canaan their countrey and rest typified by that Even all the gates of hell the rage of Satan the power of sinne the allurements of the world whole armies of temptations a troupe of pleasures honours profits on one hand a whole band of crosses and discouragements on the other a legion of lusts within our selves But our Joshua the mighty Captaine not onely of the Lords hosts but who is the Lord of hosts is described to sit on a white horse whose name is called Faithfull and true and he judgeth and fighteth righteously Rev. 19. 11. He hath valiantly triumphed over all enemies spoyled principalities and powers set his foot on their necks trodden Satan under his feet and made us tread him under our feet too If Joshua have slaine one and thirty kings Our Joshua hath slaine so many thousand Commanders 2. by meanes of Ioshuas faithfullnesse and fortitude not one word failed of all the good things which the Lord had said unto Israel but all came to passe Chap. 21. 45. and 23 14. So by meanes of our Ioshua all the promises of God concernig heaven and happinesse are accomplished which are all in him Yea and Amen Heaven and earth may faile but not one jote of Gods promise but his Ioshua will see it accomplished V. In sundry actions 1. Ioshua saved Rahabs house that had the red cord hung out at the window because they had saved the Spies Chap. 6. So Christ saves every penitent sinner that expresseth faith in his bloud and love to the true Israel of God especially his Ministers and Seers 2. He graciously accepted the Gibeonites when they humbly sued and intreated peace of him So a broken and a contrite heart our true Ioshua never despised He that offers repentant sinners grace before they seek it when they seek it will not deny it 3. When God by Ioshua had wrought that great miracle of stopping up the river Iordan till they passed over Chap. 4. 2. Ioshua commanded twelve men of Israel to gather twelve stones out of Iordan and set them up memorials of Gods great acts to all posterity So our Ioshua having wrought many mighty miracles for the confirmation of his holy doctrine commanded twelve men his twelve disciples by the preaching of the Gospel to erect through all the world a monument and memory of the wondrous workes of the Sonne of God in the working out of mans salvation and leading them to the heavenly Canaan I. What a fearfull thing it is to be an enemy of God and his Church Never was Joshua so mighty against the enemies of Israel not one of whom were he never so strong could stand before him as our Joshua is to
private Christians Heb. 13. 9. Be not carried about with divers strange doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be stablished with grace 3. A bonnet verse 40. A symbole and signe to them of Gods protection still covering them in their faithfull service signifying to us the Lords cover and faithful protection both over our head and over his members for his sake So as every faithfull Minister hath a bonnet Christ carries him as a starre in his right hand and covers him from the rage of Satan and the world else should he not stand a minute And every faithfull member of Christ is so covered as an haire cannot fall much lesse the head without the will of his heavnely father 4. The breeches verse 42. Putting more comlinesse upon the uncomely parts Signifying to them and us 1. What reverence we ought to use in the service of God farre remooving thence every uncomely thing 2. Shaddowing out the true and perfect holinesse with which Christs humanity was cloathed and not onely with that but with the Majesty of his deity which highly graced and honoured the despised and fraile humanity which had no forme nor beauty Isai. 53. 2. 3. Not darkly representing that care and respect which our Lord and Saviour Christ hath of his inferiour base and despised both Ministers and members through the world Isai. 41. 14. Feare not worme Jacob I will helpe thee To the high Priest belonged six peculiar garments First the Ephod verse 4. In which 1. The matter it was not wooll or silk but linne which riseth out of the earth Ezech. 44. 17. Signifying that holy flesh of Christ which vailed his deity as a garment and that it was taken not from heaven but from his mother on earth as the matter of that garment grew immediately out of earth 2. The forme it was a long white garment signifying the long white garment of Christs absolute righteousnesse white innocent and unspotted and long to cover all our nakednesse without eecking and patching of merits 3. The ornament of it In â—it were set two Onyx stones and in them the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraven which Aaron carried upon his shoulders signifying 1. That the names of the godly are not lightly written but fast engraven in the love and memory of Christ as those names were engraven in very hard stones 2. That Christ doth still carry his Church on his shoulders lifting them up out of dust and misery and bearing them upon the shoulders of his power and providence as on Eagles wings Deut. 32. 51. Or as the good shepheard brings home the sheep on his shoulders Luke 15. 5. According to his gracious promise Isai. 46. 4. I have made you I will also beare you and I will carry you and deliver you 4. The use of it The high Priest in this garment carried on his shoulders the names of Israel into the sanctuary before God so our high Priest in the garment of his righteousnesse presents his Church shadowed by the twelve tribes without spot or wrinckle or any such thing and carries into heaven on his shoulders even into the true Sanctuary not made with hands those whose names are written in the book of life 5. Distinction As the high Priest carried the names in severall precious stones and severally engraven so our high Priest takes speciall notice of every particular member of the Church neglects not the meanest but knowes them by name as the head can name every member of the body and contemnes not the meanest Revl 3. 4. the Church of Sardâ— had a few names that is godly persons so well known to Christ as men by their names 6. The property of it It was not lawfull for any but Aaron and the high Priest to use this garment nor might any imitate it for it was the fall of Gideons house Judg. 8. 26. 27. for making an Ephod like that of the sanctuary It is true there were ordinary Ephods holy garments common to inferior Priests as Saul put to the sword fourscore and five Priests that wore an Ephod 2 Sam. 22. 18. And used by the Levits as Samuel very young ministred in an Ephod 1 Sam. 2. 18. And it may be there were some garments caled Ephods which great men did weare and no holy garment as 2 Sam. 6. 14. David danced before the Arke girt with a linnen Ephod But this Ephod was peculiar to the high Priest and in no garment else might he present the names of the twelve tribes signifying that no garment of righteousnesse may be expected or imitated in which God can behold his Church but this of Jesus Christ. And whosoever seeks elsewhere are abolished from Christ to their destruction Gal. 5. 2 4. Oh the fearfull case of Papists that seek to have their names written in another Ephod of their own weaving and making The second garment peculiar no the high Priest was called the brest-plate of judgement ver 15. the most precious part of all his garments I. In respect of the twelve costly and glistering stones which were set in four rowes according to the number of the tribes ver 17 to the 22. In which 1. The shining of these stones signified the shining purity and innocency of Jesus Christ both in himselfe and in his members If they be pure as the Sunne faire as the Moone what is he 2. Their price of great value and worth signifying what a price the Lord Jesus valued his Churth at He counteth not believers as common and base stones but more precious than his own life How vile and despicable soever they seeme to men and trodden under foot here below as common pebles yet Jesus Christ sets another price on them 3. Their place or situation They are set in the pectorall and Aaron must carry them on his heart fignifying that Christ hath as much care of his Church as if it were enclosed in his heart le ts out his bloud to make room in his heart for them 4. Their number Twelve according to all the tribes noting that there is a room in the heart of Christ for every one of the elect None can anticipate or prevent other With him is plentifull redemption The former without the latter shall not be perfected Heb. 11. 40. 5. Their order They stand in four rowes in a comely quadrangle signifying the comely order that Christ hath stablished in the Church some in higher place some in lower some of one ranke and virtues and some of another as those stones but all stand seemely and fitly And this order we must maintaine keepe our rankes as they did 6. The figure The four square ver 16. signifying the stability and firmenesse of the Church as a four square turne it any way is firme Satan and all deceivers shall not pick one stone out of Christs Pectorall The gates of hell shall not prevaile against him
and externall sensible sacrifices which all had end by Christs onely sacrifice upon the Crosse but spirituall sacrifices such as Calves of the lips Heb. 13. 15. The sacrifice of a broken heart Psal. 51. 17. Of almes with which God is well pleased Heb. 13. 16. Of mortification Rom. 12. 1. and of good works and duties of all sorts Of prayer Psal. 141. 2. Now before any of these sacrifices can finde acceptance we must all put on holy and spirituall garments Never was any priest or performance pleasing without his garments the use of which was to cover and adorne Quest. What garments must we put on Answ. Jacob before he could get his fathers blessing must put on his elder brothers garment Gen. 27. 15. so must we put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 13. 14. Quest. How Answ. Put on whole Christ as the Priest all his garments 1. By making him our own we must weare our own garments Speciall faith unites to Christ and marrieth us to him that he is ours and we his 2. Cover thy selfe with the sacrifice of his death Adam having sinned covered his nakednesse with skins of dead beasts signifying that all his sinfull posterity must cover themselves with the sacrifice of Christ dead the righteousnesse and perfection of which is the linnen Ephod in which thou being wrapped must offer up thy sacrifice 3. Array thy selfe with his virtues to adorne and deck thee This is the broydered coat which thou must weare of manifold virtues and graces which as jewels and ornaments must shine in thy life as the many glistering stones did in the brestplate So the Apostle Ephes. 4. 24. Put on the new man created after God in righteousness and holinesse 4. Put on Christ by Christian profession Our apparrell is seen and makes us known to others Servants make themselves known by the cloth they weare whose they are The Priest must put on the Plate on his forehead and we are commanded to carry the name of God and the Lamb on our foreheads Rev. 14. 1. that men may never see our faces but therein read the holinesse and innocency of our conversation 5. Put on the girdle Have thy loines girded Luke 12. 25. Stand in a readinesse 1. To all duties of Christianity 2. To all acceptable sacrifices of faith repentance prayer praises obedience 3. to offer up our selves by life or death to the glory and praise of God We had need be thus begirt that we may stand to the confession and profession of the truth not knowing when or what trialls will come besides that the world nor pleasure nor lusts seldome find us unprepared And can he be a good subject who is alwaies unprepared for his Princes service but ever ready to serve his enemys III. From the being arrayed with these garments the poore members of the Church have a ground of much comfort in respect 1. Of their head so arrayed 2. Of themselves and in respect of themselves considering those garments 1. In the generall 2. In the particulars First in respect of our high Priest Jesus Christ thus gloriously arrayed 1. In the Ephod we see his mighty power who carries his Church upon his shoulders of power and protection Alas where should we lie if our Lord did not lift us up and beare us up But now we never need to discourage our selves by casting what shall become of the Church or religion if such and such projects prevaile for so long as we are on Christs shoulders we are safe 2. In the Pectoral behold the ardent surpassing love of Jesus Christ to his Church For as he carries us on his shoulders by his power so he carries our names on his heart by his love This our true high Priest cannot forget his saints when he seems to turne his back on them but still hath their names before his eye And this is the happinesse of the Church in which she may well rest her selfe that according to her prayer Cant. 8. 6. Christ setteth her as a seale on his heart and as a signet on his arme How is it possible to forget that which is sealed on the heart How can the eye look off the signet on the arme For a signet because it is most precious is most carefully kept and being upon the arme of Christ what arme can pull us off from him Object Oh that I might know my happinesse to be set on Christs heart Sol. If thou wouldest be set as a signet on the Lords arme become the Lords servant and be faithfull in this service See Hag. 2. 23. O Zerubbabel my servant I will set thee as a signet 3. In his Miter we see our high Priest crowned with honour and glory above all men and Angels And all the Church must say as Psal. 132. 18. On him let his Crown flourish And if the dignity of the head be the honour of the members and the power of the head the safety of the members then from hence we have no small consolation 4. In his Plate we see holinesse engraven on his forehead that all our senses and thoughts must be fixed in the forehead of our onely high Priest from whom all holinesse floweth to his Church Oh what matter of joy is it to see that we in our selves so foule every way in our nature in our course and shut out of heaven where no uncleane thing commeth have in him a fountaine of holinesse set open for us For he is made to us of God wisedome sanctification c Secondly in respect of themselves by meanes of Jesus Christ the members of the Church thus arrayed enjoy sure and stable consolation For 1. In generall they all afford us this comfort that through Christ our high Priest we are beautifull and glorious yea our beauty is made perfect through his beauty Psal. 45. 9. The Queen stands in most royall and costly garments Never had Salomons Queen in all her royalty such sweet perfumed and precious garments as hath the spouse of our true Salomon For 1. Those were provided by Salomon Kings daughters in thy precious garments but these provided by Christ out of his wardrobe and will not endure any other garment or ornament brought or procured elsewhere 2. Those were materiall gold silver and precious stuffe out of earth but ours are spirituall and heavenly What the glorious robes of the Church are see Isa. 61. 10. I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord for he hath clothed me with garments of salvation and covered me with a robe of righteousnesse and decked me as a bride with Jewels What is gold silver silk pearles to righteousnesse holynesse life immortality and glory 3. Those were corruptible and soon cast off but these never weare nor teare For all the sonnes and daughters of God are clad with incorruption and immortality and are heires of eternity Now it were no small comfort that we being so naked and foule wallowing in our bloud and filthinesse or covered
preparation to the eating of it So no man must come to the Supper without due preparing himself For if so long preparation was by God thought fit for the shadow what preparation can be thought fit and sufficient for the substance 2 Chron. 35. 6 It was the counsell of Solomon Prov. 23. 1. When thou sittest down at a great mans table consider diligently what is set before thee Much more here at the great Gods Table no consideration of the Author matter manner end fruit and use can be sufficient What a fearfull thing is it to come as most men do not considering the Lords body How miserable was the sentence of that guest that sate down at the Kings table without his wedding garment Our common preparation is to put on our best clothes and to cover our bodily nakednesse in most curious manner In the mean time the Lord seeth and mens own consciences witnesse against them how naked their soules lie and filthily discovered The due preparation to this ordinance would be attended with more comfort within and more reformation without than we can espie in most communicants 3. As the Paschall Lamb must never be eaten without soure hearbs so we must never come to the Sacrament without true humiliation and sorrow for sinne There can be no sweetnesse in the bloud of Christ till the heart be full of bitternesse for sin For as soure sauces whet the stomack and provoke the appetite so true sorrow for sin stirreth up our desire and appetite after Jesus Christ and prepares us to all good duties and holds us in a fitnesse to pray to hear the Word to the Sacrament to works of mercy c. What a sweet sourenesse and bitterness is that which brings such delectable sweetnesse and refreshing after it Any man of reason would make hard shift to drink down a bitter potion to help his bodily health and much more a godly man will be contented to digest godly sorrow for the procuring of heavenly joy and the sweet comforts of Gods salvation 4. As the Jew might not eat the Lamb till he had purged all leaven out of his house So we must not come to the Sacrament without the forsaking of our sin Never can a man expect any comfort by Christs Sacrifice that hideth the old leaven in the corners of his heart Whence the Apostle 1 Cor. 5. 7. exhorteth the Saints to purge out the old leaven because Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us Here is to be considered 1. What this leaven is 2. What is the purging of it 1. This leaven is not onely the leaven of corrupt doctrine which suddenly soureth the truth and lumpe of the Gospel as leaven doth a lump of dough but also the leaven of sin both in the corruption of nature which is the old leaven in our selves and hath soured all the lump of whole mankind and every man and every faculty of man as also in corrupt and vicious conversation which soureth and leaveneth others with himself in societies 2. The purging of this leaven is 1. In correcting and repenting sin past when a constant care is nourished to find it out and to cast it out 2. In serious conversion and turning to God both which are expressed in Psal. 34. 14. Sest VI. Quest. How may we purge out this leaven Answ. Imitate the Jew For why should a Jew be more carefull in the shadow and ceremony than a Christian in the truth and substance I. The Jew begins to purge within and banish it out of his house So begin thou to purge the inside first Jer. 4. 4. Wash thy heart O Jerusalem An hypocrite can wash his face but a found Christian looks to his heart Many can purge their mouthes and outward man about the time of the Sacrament but the heart is stuffed with maliciousnesse envie prophaneness and ungodliness Many can be busie to purge other mens houses but the Jew must purge his own house II. The Jew purged out all leaven and spared none not a morsell or a crum And shall not a Christian count every sin a pollution and hatefull to God Shall any say Is it not a little one I may swear a little be drunk if seldome I may not kill but rail and revile and speak my mind I may not be an adulterer but wanton in speeches looks behaviours and in my company I may not goe to plough on the Sabbath but may buy and sell ride abroad or be idle at home Why Is not a little serpent a serpent or a little poison poison Is not a little leaven enough to soure a whole lump III. The Jew carefully and narrowly searched and swept every corner and cranny of his house that not the least crum might escape him And shall not we as carefully throw out this leaven out of every power of the soul and every part and member of our bodies That every one may possess his whole house in holinesse and honour 1 Thes. 4. 4. How doth the Scriptures teach us to purge this leaven out of all corners As 1. Out of the conscience to serve God with a pure conscience 2 Tim. 1. 3. 2. Out of the affections prescribing love out of a pure heart 1 Tim. 1. 5. and to take heed to our feet coming to the house of God 3. Out of our senses Psal. 119. 37. turn away mine eyes from regarding vanities Job 31. 1. I made a covenant with mine eyes So to shut the ear from hearing blasphemy against God or men and not to be agents and abetters of blasphemers 4. Out of our speeches Psal. 39. 1. I said I will look to my wayes that 〈◊〉 not in my tongue And instead of this leaven to accustome our selves to the language of Cannaan and â—…ous speeches tending to edification ministring grace to the heareâ—s IV. A Jew must begin his purging seven dayes before and hold on all the feast on pain of death How much more should we begin to purge our selves betimes and hold on so long as our Passeover lasts And because our Passeover is not annuall as that was but continuall we must continue our cleansing and separating from this leaven which is not easily washed out Thou hast but trifled in this busines that hangest down thy head for a day and art penitent for the time of the Sacrament unlesse thou continuest to reform and renew thy heart and life and conscionably avoidest all leaven of sin all thy life which is or ought to be a continuall Christian Passeover V. As the Jews must eat the Passeover with their loines girt with staves in their hands eating in haste as tending to their Countrey So we must never come to the Sacrament but with holy hearts and meditations 1. Seriously considering what strangers and pilgrims we are here below not having any continuing City here but are seeking a Countrey Heb. 13. 14. He that is a true eater of our Paschall Lamb must not pitch down his staffe here but