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
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
onely a disciple of Christ but an instructer of others He must therefore be stored 1. With variety of knowledge to bring forth things new and old 2. Variety of Ministeriall gifts to instruct exhort reprove correct 2 Tim. 3. 16. 3. Variety of saving graces to be an example in word conversation in love in spirit in faith in purenesse 2 Tim. 4. 12. 4. Variety of externall and civill vertues 1 Tim 3. 2. to the 8. and Tit. 1. 7. More gifts are expected in the builders of the house than in any stone of it III. As the Priest must carry on his breast Urim and Thummim so must every Christian and Evangelicall minister in whom are required graces ministeriall and personall The former that he may shine before the Congregation in the light and purity of wholsome doctrine The latter that he may shine in integrity and perfection of manners and conversation so farre as humane frailety will suffer The Urim must enable him to divide aright and furnish him with wholesome precepts The Thummim must fit him to walke aright and to go forward in holy practise The lights of the world must give light both wayes Deut. 33. 8. Let thy Urim and Thummim be on the man of thy mercy Mal. 2. 6. The Law of truth was in his mouth and he walked in truth and equity And 1 Tim. 4. 12 the Apostles Canon is that every Timothy should be a type of beleevers in doctrine and upright conversation I would all ours might be found such types Then should not so many parishes have lampes without light Mi isters without the light of saving knowledge and integrity of conversation IV. As the high Priest must carry on his forehead the plate of gold in which was written Holinesse to the Lord so the Ministers of the new Testament must labour for speciall holinesse If every mean servant in the house must be holy much more the steward of the houshold And if every private Christian must follow holinesse without which no man shall see God Heb. 12. 14. much more the Ministers They that carry the vessels of the Lord must be holy Alas how afraid are many of this Plate for spoiling of their preferment It was a chiefe grace of the chiefe Minister of the old Testament with us a chiefe disgrace and too much purity to carry holinesse in our profession We can put on this plate in the Pulpit and suppose it fit for the Temple but in our private houses cast it aside V. As the Priests must have in their skirts both bells and Pomegranates so must every Evangelicall Minister 1. The bells allow them not to be dumbe dogs Isai. 56. 10. but the sound of the Law and Gospel must clearly sound in their mouthes to be heard afarre off 2. These bells must be of gold to put Ministers in minde that their doctrine be pure not corrupt not savouring of Popery liberty or selfe-respect 3. They must never come into the congregation without these bells for Ministers must still be furnished with some sound matter of instruction and edification How is it then that many come into the Congregation and never bring bells Many are afraid least the sound of their bells should be heard too much and that it would disgrace them to be counted diligent Preachers And many sâ—orne others that their bells sound so often 2. To the bells ministers must joyne Pomegranates With the wholsome word joyne good workes and holy life He carries the bell a Minister whose life is agreeable with holy doctrine Matth. 5. 19. He that keepeth the commandements and teacheth others so to do shall be great in the kingdome of God John Baptist had both bells being a burning light in himself and Pomegranates being a shining light unto others And as the Pomegranates smelled sweet so must ministers labour to leave a sweet smell behind them every where Their conversation must not savour of lightnesse pride ambition covetousnesse contention prophanenesse c. VI. As the Priest must have the tribes be graven on his breast so must the minister his flock committed to him who must be deare to him and taken up into his heart And hearty love would force them to feed the flock in season out of season and set forward their salvation and instruction and seek them not theirs In that we Ministers are Christians we are so for our selves but in that we are Ministers of Christ we are so for you Some wholly forget the second and I wish not the first too Who may rather say In that we are worldlings rather than Christians we are so for our selves Their flockes are slightly engraven in their hearts VII As the Priests had these garments girded unto them so must ministers gird fast unto them these garments for these garments differ somewhat from theirs They might put off their garments when they came out of the holy place but Ministers of the Gospell may not put off theirs when they come out of the Church no nor when they goe to bed nor about any businesse they must never come off Many are so dissolute and ungirt and these garments are so loose on them as they give just occasion to the people to say that they be good onely in the Pulpit and so their people learn of them to be good onely in the Church We must girt our graces fast to us This is the onely ministerial apparrel appointed by God Sect. V. Now for the People of God I. These garments were never changed Though the high Priest dyed yet his apparrel remained and was put upon the next This teacheth us that we all have but one high Priest whose robes we must put on which are lasting and never worn out For 1. There was but one Mediator between God and man while Aaron lived a type of that our Mediator between God man Jesus Christ. 2. There were garments but for one although they passed from one to another as that Priesthood did So no other robe save of this one and onely true and high Priest must be presented before God no robe of our own workes or merits no robe made or woven by men or creatures not by Popes Saints living or dead or Angels We must never change this garment nor abide to see any challenge it but the high Priest our Lord Jesus And hence for ever detest the wicked and abominable Masse with those sacrilegious Priests who usurpe these garments of Jesus Christ and tell us they offer propitiatory sacrifices for the sinnes of the quick and dead The theeves that spoiled Christ of his garments and divided them among themselves did him no such despite as these theeves do who rob him and disrobe him of all his glory II. Every Christian is made a Priest unto God by participation Rev. 5. 10. But not legall and externall for they were dated by the Priesthood of Christ but Evangelicall improper and spirituall Neither to offer reall