be perfected Heb. 11. 40. 5. Their order They stand in foure 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 vertues some of another as those stones but all stand seemely and fitly And this order wee must maintaine keepe our rankes as they did 6. The figure The foure square ver 16 signifying the stability and firmenesse of the Church as a foure 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 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 beare them on his heart continually for a remembrance before the Lord when he goeth into the holy place ver 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 breast or heart so cannot Christ forget the Church he hath taken into his heart Isa. 49. 15 Can a woman forget her child and not have compassion on the sonne of her wombe though they should forget yet will not I 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 Israell 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 Ioh. 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 brestplate of Judgement ver 30. Of which Rabbi David a Jew saith It is unknowne 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 workemanship 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 Thummim 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 Ioh. 9. 5. Which enlighteneth every one that commeth into the world Ioh. 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-folded wisdome And without him is nothing but darkenesse sinne death inner darkenesse and utter Ioh. 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 wee 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 bloodinesse of them as some Jews but the Lord answered by voyce 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 knowne He is the Lamb with seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God Rev. 5. 6. Onely worthy to open the booke ver 9. because of his abundant grace and wisdome signified by the seven spirits 2. Who makes knowne and continually reveales to his Church and members as their need requires whatsoever is meete 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 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 owne sonne Heb. 1. 2. Wouldst thou have God answer thee goe to the Urim 1. Frequent his ordinance God then answered when the Priest consulted 2. Pray for wisedome If any want wisedome let him aske of God and it shall be given him Iam. 1. 5. 3. Feare God Psal. 25. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that feare him 4. Follow and obey the voice Iohn 14. 21. If any love me and obey my commandements I will love him and reveale my selfe unto him Iohn 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 fastened 1. The Pomegranats 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 iuyce and liquor 2. Bells of gold between them round about a golden Bell and a Pomegranat the use of which was that his sound might be heard round about when hee 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 iuyce and vertue to qualifie and abate the raging heat of Gods displeasure as the iuyce 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
fellowship of a Kings Court such as Pharaohs in riot feasting drinking gaming is hatefull to a sound minde in comparison of the society of the miserable and persecuted Saints though a fleshly eye cannot see it 3. That it will be no great comfort to beleeve the Communion of Saints and not enjoy it 4. That they which despise it here shall never enjoy it in heaven 4. In the type and truth wee 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 bodies are not lost but laid up and as sure as laid downe in basenesse shall rise in glory CHAP. VIII 7. IOSHVA A type of our true Ioshua another Moses I. BOth Saviours For Ioshua under the very same name is propounded a type of Christ. Both had the name Jesus both saved their people therefore Ioshua is called Iesus Heb. 4. 8. the type from temporall 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 Ioshua led the people not onely toward the land but into the promised land What was denied to Moses was granted to Ioshua Moses might not enter nor those that had disobeyed but Ioshua entreth and taketh possession for himselfe and for all the people So our Ioshua hath taken possession and led us into the possession of our heavenly Canaan What Moses Law could not doe for our infirmity Christ by his Gospel hath done for us That may shew us the way but this brings us to the wayes end and gives us all our promised expectation Thus our Ioshua carries us through from this wildernesse to our rest 4. Both divided the land and allotted to every man his portion Ioshua having entred Canaan assignes every one his portion Iosh. 14. 1. Christ ascended into heaven prepares for every beleever a place Ioh. 14. 2. III. Both confirmed their calling with many miracles 1. Ioshua being to passe over Iordan divides the waters and they gave way unto him Christ in the same Iordan divides the heavens Matth. 3. 16. and they testifie unto him verse 17. Ioshua divides waters but he ascribes it to the power of the Lord of all the world Chap. 3. 13. But our true Ioshua being that Lord and God of all the world by his owne power commanded the seas and they obeyed him 2. Ioshua becompassing the walls of Iericho and the long blast of rammes hornes overthrew the walls of it Chap. 6. 5. Our Ioshua by as weake and vile meanes in the eye of flesh even by the sound and blast of the Gospel shakes downe dayly the high and thick walls of the Devill and Antichrists kingdome and of the Iericho 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 Ioshua overthrowes the wisedome power seeming sanctity and whatsoever strength of flesh is opposed to the power of the Gospel 3. Whilst Ioshua was destroying the enemies of God the Sunne in the heavens at his word stood still and stayed his course as a willing spectatour of that businesse and deferred the night lest hee should want day to smite his enemies in Chap. 10. 12. So our Ioshua whilst on the Crosse hee was spoiling principalities and powers and opening the way to Canaan commanded the Sunne to stopp his course and hide his face to witnesse to all the world the great worke in hand that day Of both these dayes may be verified Iosh. 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. Ioshua 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 Hee subdued both princes and people of the Canaanites Hee 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 Ioshua 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 hee judgeth and fighteth righteously Revel 19. 11. Hee hath valiantly triumphed over all enemies spoyled principalities and powers set his foot on their necks troden Satan under his feet and made us tread him under our feet too If Ioshua have slaine one and thirty Kings Our Ioshua hath slaine so many thousand commanders 2. By meanes of Ioshuas faithfulnesse 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 concerning 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 this 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 blood and love to the true Israel of God especially his Ministers and Seers 2. Hee 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 Hee that offers repentant sinners grace before they seeke it when they seeke 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 commmanded twelve men of Israel to gather twelve stones out of Iordan and set them up memorialls of Gods great acts to all posteritie 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
shadowes give place Nay there is no private man that is godly but he must weare this white linnen garment having put it on in the laver of regeneration as Gal. 3. 27. whosoever are baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 2. A girdle vers 40. which signifies constancy and stability in the truth both in our high Priest Jesus Christ who was not a reed shaken but a firme rocke as also in his members who are commanded to stand fast their lines girt with verity Eph. 6. 14. Hence followes That the Ministers word must not be yea and nay his course must be constantly gracious and watchfull And for private Christians Heb. 13. 9. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart bee stablished with grace 3. A bonnet vers 40. A symbole and signe to them of Gods protection still covering them in their faithfull service signifying to us the Lords cover and faithfull 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 fal much lesse the head without the will of his heavenly father 4. The breeches ver 42. putting more comelinesse 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. Shadowing 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 Isa. 53. 2. 3. Not darkely 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 Isa. 41. 14 feare not worme Iacob I will helpe thee To the high Priest belonged sixe peculiar garments First the Ephod ver 4. In which 1. The matter it was not wooll or silke but linnen which riseth out of the earth Ezech. 44. 17. Signifying that holy flesh of Christ which vayled 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 eeking or patching of merits 3. The ornament of it In it were set two Onyx stones and in them the names of the twelve tribes of Israel ingraven which Aaron carryed upon his shoulders signifying 1. That the names of the godly are not lightly written but fast ingraven in the love and memory of Christ as those names were ingraven 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. 11. Or as the good shepheard brings home the sheepe on his shoulders Luke 15. 5. According to his gracious promise Isa. 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 carryed 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 booke of life 5. Distinction As the high Priest carryed the names in severall precious stones and severally ingraven 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 Rev. 3. 4 the Church of Sardi had a few names that is godly persons so well knowne to Christ as men by their names 6. The propriety 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 Iudg. 8. 26 27 for making an Ephod like that of the Sanctuary It is true there were ordinary Ephods holy garments common to inferiour Priests as Saul put to the sword foure score and five Priests that wore an Ephod 1 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 called 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 seeke elsewhere are abolished from Christ to their destruction Gal. 5. 2. 4. Oh the fearefull case of Papists that seeke to have their names written in another Ephod of their owne weaving and making The second garment peculiar to the high Priest was called the brestplate 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 foure 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 sun faire as the Moone what is he 2. Their price of great value and worth signifying what a price the Lord Jesus valued his Church at He accounteth not beleevers as common and base stones but more precious then his owne life How vile and despicable soever they seeme to men and troden under foot heere 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 signifying that Christ hath as much care of his Church as if it were inclosed in his heart le ts out his blood to make roome in his heart for them 4. Their number Twelve according to all the tribes noting that there is a roome 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
given to the Sonne to have life in himselfe Ioh. 6. 35. I am that bread of life 2. That Manna not having life in it selfe cannot give to others what it selfe hath not it could onely preserve life given of God But this can conuey and give life to others Ioh. 6. 33. The bread of God is he which commeth downe from heaven and giveth life unto the world 3. That Manna preserved onely naturall and temporall life as other bread but this preserves spirituall and eternall life in the soule and inward man 4. That manna could not preserve this temporall life for ever Ioh. 6. 49. Your father did eate Manna in the wildernesse and are dead nay it could not keepe them from hunger above one day to an end But this bread once tasted makes a man live for ever hee shall not die vers 50. yea he shall never hunger more vers 35. 5. If a man were dead that manna could not raise him againe to life but this raiseth dead to life as Lazarus which all the food physicke and meanes on earth cannot doe Iob. 11. 25. He that beleeveth in me though hee were dead yet shall hee liue 6. That manna did corrupt it melted daily when the Sunne arose it lasted not beyond a day it continued not beyond the wildernesse and that small portion which the Lord reserved in the Holy of holies perished and was lost after the captivity But this manna is not subject to corruption but abideth sweet and precious to every hungry heart nor subject to violence but abides in the Holy of holies without all change or feare of danger nor onely lasts in this journey through our wildernesse but is the sweetest and most delicious in our Cannan when hee shall bee food physick raiment delight and all in all to all the Saints and sonnes of God Sect. IV. Now to application I. To note in God foure things 1. Patience and love 2. Watchfulnesse and care 3. Bountifulnesse and benificence 4. Wisedome and judgement And all these to his Church both Jewish and Christian and to all the Israel of God Legall and Evangelicall Every one of these affordeth us speciall matter of instruction I. His grace and patience appeares in the time of his giving both the typicall and the true manna from heaven Then hee pleased to give the manna to Israel 1. When Israel had great need of Gods helpe and had no power to helpe themselves when they were even ready to starve Even so when the Church was in extreme need of Christ and altogether helplesse in herself it pleased God to give his Sonne from heaven to save and refresh her Which the Apostle notes Rom 5. 6. For Christ when we were yet of no strength at his time died for the ungodly 2. Then God gave Israel manna when Israel murmuring had deserved nothing but wrath and vengeance when they could looke for nothing but fire from heaven hee gives them food from heaven and such food as was Angels food sweet as honey Oh what a tender Nurse is the Lord become to a froward people hee will still the frowardnesse of his first borne rather with the breast then with the rod Even so when by our hatefull sinnes of many sorts wee could neither deserve nor expect any thing but revenge from heaven God sent his Sonne from heaven the true manna and bread of life who hath more sweetnesse in him then the honey combe which one gift sweetneth all blessings which else had beene so many curses For what had the Israelites deliverance victory lives been worth in the wildernesse without food and manna which kept them in life and strength Even so had all our outward blessings been to us without Jesus Christ onely a lingring death and misery Oh who would deale thus with his enemy but hee that hath an Ocean of mercy Which the same Apostle in the same Chapter ver 8 leadeth us unto where hee magnifieth and heightneth Gods love unto us that while wee were yet sinners Christ died for us yea while we were yet enemies ver 10. he sent us this manna by whom he reconciled himselfe unto us Let this consideration be of use 1. To stirre up in us a fervent love of God who loved us with a pitifull love when wee were in so pitifull a case as also with so seasonable love when our extreme need urged us yea with such effectuall love as spared us the greatest gift of love and the richest mercy that heaven and earth can containe to relieve our want 2. To labour to love our enemies as God did us being his enemies For naturall men and hypocrites can love those that love them Matt. 5. 45. but if we love them that hate us we shall be the sonnes of our heavenly Father 3. To move us to cease from our sinnes for who would goe on to provoke so good a God that still prevents us with love and mercy And if hee please to reserve love for us while wee are yet in our sinnes and in love with them how sweet will his love be when we cease to love them How strong will it bee and how constant For doth hee not cast us off when wee are enemies and deserve hatred and will hee ever cast off those whom he thus loveth This love shall be stronger then death for that shall not quench it II. See the watchfulnesse and care of God over his Church The manna fell with the dew and while the people of Israel slept the Lord watched to spread a table for them because 1. he that keepeth Israel slumbreth not nor sleepeth The eye of the Lord saith Basil is without all sleepe ever watchfull 2. because hee is a tender father and Israel is his sonne and first borne A carefull father is waking for his childs good while it sleeps and takes no care In like maner hath this watchfull eye kept it selfe waking from the beginning of the world till this day How did it watch over Abraham and all his beleeving posterity whilest he and we were all in the night of sinne and death And whilest wee were in a dead sleepe how carefully did hee provide this heavenly manna and spread it about the tents of the Church in all ages 1. In the promise of the blessed seed 2. In the types and shadowes signifying and exhibiting Jesus Christ. 3. In the holy Ministery of Prophets and Apostles in which it was plentifully showred 4. In the spirituall worship of beleevers both in the old and new Testament 5. In the blessed incarnation and appearance of the truth it selfe who rose as a glorious sunne of righteousnesse but as it were at midnight when the world lay in such palpable darkenesse as was thicker then the darkenesse of Aegypt as manna fell in the night and was readier for them every morning then they were for it Apply this observation for thy particular comfort If thou beest an Israelite no night shall befall thee nor sleep in any