So God the Father hath highly exalted his Sonne Jesus and given him not onely the rich robes of immortality and glory but a Name above all names that at his Name every knee shall bowe He appointed not John Baptist onely to be his fore-runner to make way for him but all the Apostles and Evangelists cry before him Abrech Yea all faithfull pastours and teachers whose office is to bring men to stoope under the subjection of Jesus Christ. Yea he hath given his Sonne plenary authority to govern his kingdome and commands us as another Joseph to hear him I. From the type and truth learn It is no new thing for the best men to be hated and wronged for their excellency and innocency Joseph was therefore hated of his brethren because most loved of his Father Gen. 37. 4. Christ was hated because he was the light and gave witnesse unto it This is a certain truth if God will testifie to a man the world will testifie against him whose judgements are contrary to his If God will advance a man in grace the world will depresse him If God be extraordinary to Moses Aaron and Miriam his brother and sister will hate him If David be respected Saul will envy him Who can stand before envy not naturall brothers No marvail if men say as of old If we let this man alone all men will beleeve in him Well an evill eye is a sign of an evill man that dares in his thoughts check the Almighty for doing with his own as he will And a good man cannot expect a surer confirmation in goodnesse than to be hated for it as in our type and truth Let us on the contrary there love most where God sheweth most love nor let any Joseph leave his goodnesse for the hatred of his brethren II. All the sufferings of Gods children are ordained and ordered by him 1. They are ordained by God So in the type Joseph sees Gods decree It was not you but God sent me afore you So did the true Joseph It is not thou Pilate that could have any power over me unlesse it were given from above Joh. 19. 11. and Acts 4. 27 28. against thy holy Sonne Jesus Herod Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel gathered themselves together to doe whatsoever thy hand and counsell hath determined Let not us look so much at mens malice as at Gods decree So did David when he said Shimei curseth because the Lord hath bid him curse David 2 Sam 16. 10. If for brethren we find enemies let us say as Joseph It was not you God hath an hand in it 2. Our suffrings are ordered by God 1. For their measure as in the type Come say they let us kill the dreamer but they could not So in the truth come let us kill the heir and then the inheritance shall be ours let us bury him and lay stones and watch and feal yet with all these they could not keep him under Fear not evill men they shall not doe as much as they will but as God will 2. For the end they cannot frustrate the counsell of God nor his dreames Neither Gods glory nor Josephs preferment can be prevented So the Jewes Let us put this seducer to death and we shall well shift our hands of him what will become of his Doctrine of his Disciples But all turned to his greater exaltation as Josephs Conclude hence that all the hatred of evill men unjust accusations false sentences cruell executions shall not hurt but one way or other set forward our truest good As both Josephs and Christs turn to their greatest advancement both their innocencies break out as the light And innocency is innocency and will be so known and shall be as the Sun at noon day III. A singular comfort Is Christ the ture Joseph our brother He will 1. know us when we know not him as Joseph He will love us before we can love him he will love us when we shall not know it his bowels will earn within him towards us 2 Cor. 6 9 as unknown and yet known He is a stone of refuge to all his brethren and though he be rough for a while and try us with temptations and afflictions of sundry sorts as Joseph did yet he will at length make himself known to be Joseph he will say I am Joseph I am Jesus your brother 2 As Joseph took order that his brethren should be washed in his house and set at his own table So our Joseph washeth us in cleaner water even the pure streames of his bloud and makes us clean by the water of sanctification sealing it to us in baptisme and after feeds us at his own table and sets before us the bread and water of life as in the sacrament of the Supper 3. As Joseph sent his brethren home with victuals without money and with Chariots and all necessaries for their journey till they came again to be fully provided for by him so our Joseph furnisheth us in this our journey and travell with all necessaries without our money or merits untill we come to dwell with him and he be all in all unto us 4. As when Jacob and his sonnes came into AEgypt and at that joyfull meeting of Father and all the sonnes Joseph went out to meet them So our Joseph meets us now in our way by his grace and spirit and at that great meeting of all his brethren shall make ready the clouds as his Chariot and come in person in state and we shall meet the Lord in the air and be ever with him IV. As Josephs brethren behaved themselves to him Gen. 50. 17. So let us behave our selves to Christ. 1. Humble our selves be ashamed that we have so wronged our brother pray for pardon and as it is in Zachary look upon him whom we that is our sinnes have peirced and lament and be sorry for him as one mourneth for his onely sonne 2. Honour him All our sheafes must bow to his he hath that extraordinary blessing from above and below the blessing of his Father is strong with the blessing of his Elders Gen. 49. 26. Christ is blessed in himself and in his posterity in all ages 3. Depend on him for food as they and say with Peter Joh. 6. 68. Master to whom shall we goe thou hast the words of eternall life and for all supplyes apply that to him which is spoken of Joseph Gen. 50. 19. Is not he for us under God 4. Let his gracious promises comfort and feed us as Josephs brethren were comforted by his Gen. 50. 21. 5. Offer him such gifts as we have prayer praises duty endeavour Be encouraged Joseph will accept small and mean gifts from brethren although he need them not Gen. 43. 15. Our Joseph despiseth not a grain of grace not smoaking flax CHAP. VII 6. Moses a type of Christ 4. wayes MOses was a type of Christ. Deut. 18. 18. A Prophet will
even in that humanity now glorified he is set in the Holy of holies as the Manna in the golden pot before the Lord for ever Exod. 16. 33. and abides for ever in the heavens for all eternity not subject to corruption any more as that golden pot of Manna was Sect. III. II. Now let us see how Christ is infinitely preferred before this type or figure in six severall advancements 1. That Manna had no life in it self but this hath Joh 5. 26. As the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Sonne to have life in himself Joh. 6. 35. I am that bread of life 2. That Manna not having life in it self cannot give to others what it self hath not it could onely preserve life given of God But this can convey and give life to others John 6. 33. The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world 3. That Manna preserved onely natural and temporal life as other bread but this preserves spiritual and eternal life in the soul and inward man 4. That Manna could not preserve this temporal life for ever Joh. 6. 49. Your fathers did eat Manna in the wildernesse and are dead nay it could not keep them from hunger above one day to an end But this bread once tasted makes a man live for ever he shall not die ver 50. yea he shall never hunger more verse 35. 5. If a man were dead that Manna could not raise him again to life but this raiseth dead to life as Lazarus which all the food physick and meanes on earth cannot doe Joh. 11. 25. He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live 6. That Manna did corrupt it melted daily when the Sun arose it lasted not beyond a day it continued not beyond the wildernesse and that small portion which the Lord reserved in the Holies 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 fear of danger nor onely lasts in this journey through our wildernesse but is the sweetest and most delicious in our Canaan when he shall be food physick raiment delight and all in all to all the Saints and sonnes of God Sect. IV. Now to Application I. To note God in four things 1. Patience and love 2. Watchfulnesse and care 3. Bountifulnesse and beneficence 4. Wisedome and judgement And all these to his Church both Jewish and Christian and to all the Israel of God Legal and Evangelical Every one of these affordeth us special matter of instruction I. His grace and patience appears in the time of his giving both the typical and the true Manna from heaven Then he pleased to give the Manna to Israel 1. When Israel had great need of Gods help and had no power to help themselves when they were even ready to starve Even so when the Church was in extream need of Christ and altogether helplesse in her self 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 look for nothing but fire from heaven he 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 he will still the frowardnesse of his first-born rather with the breast than with the rod Even so when by our hateful sinnes of many sorts we 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 than the honey comb which one gift sweetneth all blessings which else had been 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 deal thus with his enemy but he that hath an Ocean of mercy Which the same Apostle in the same Chapter ver 8. leadeth us unto where he magnifieth and heightneth Gods love unto us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us yea while we were yet enemies ver 10. he sent us this Manna by whom he reconciled himself unto us Let this consideration be of use 1. To stir up in us a fervent love of God who loved us with a pittifull love when we were in so pitifull a case as also with so seasonable love when our extream 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 contain 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 Mat. 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 he please to reserve love for us while we 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 be and how constant For doth he not cast us off when we are enemies and deserve hatred and will he ever cast off those whom he thus loveth This love shall be stronger than 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 sleep ever watchfull 2. Because he is a tender father and Israel is his son and first born A carefull father is waking for his childes good while it sleeps and takes no care In like manner hath this watchful eye kept it self waking from the beginning of the world till this day How did it watch over Abraham and all his believing posterity whilest he and we were all in the night of sin and death And whilest we were in a dead sleep how carefully did he 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.
obedience Let the word command an angry furious natural man to forgive his neighbour that wrongs him and blesse him that curseth him and doe good for evill and recompence love for hatred Oh this is an impossible commandment and flesh and bloud cannot possibly brooke it and indeed he must be more than flesh and bloud that can heare it he must have a spirit subduing his will unto the will of God Let God speake as he did to Abraham to a man unconverted Offer me up now not thy sonne but thy sin thy dear lusts thy Usury thy Revenge Swearing Lying thy Herodias thy Dalilah thy Darling thy Pride take the knife into thy hand and with thine own hands kill it sacrifice it let out the life bloud of it Oh what grutching gainesaying rising up against the word and him by whom God commandeth Every naturall mans sinne is his Isaac his childe his best beloved his joy and laughter he cannot spare him he cannot part with him Though the Lord be in never so great haste and earnest they be not so hasty to rise up with Abraham early in the morning to offer up their sinnes a plain evidence that as yet their nature was never changed but they are in their sinnes Rule II. In dangerous and difficult or costly commandements prop up thy faith with consideration of Gods power and truth So did Abraham in this difficult commandement when he might have considered of a thousand strong hinderances he strengthened his faith by this Heb. 11. 19. he considered that God was able to raise him up even from the dead whence after a sort he received him Thus he supported his faith in that word of promise Rom. 4. 20 21. he considered not Sarahs dead body but was fully assured that God whom he beleeved who quickneth the dead verse 17. who hath promised was also able to do it These two props upheld him even the full assurance of Gods truth in promises and power in performing them In duties of apparant danger the casting an eye on Gods truth and power will bring them forward else they never come on Dan. 3. 17. Our God is able to deliver us and he will but if not c. So in the time of danger and deep distrhsse cast thy selfe on the might and truth of God who quickneth the dead who can say to the dead live and they shall live In duties chargeable if thy obedience must cost thee some part or the whole of thy estate looke on Gods power and goodnesse So the prophet to Amaziah 2 Chron. 25. 9. what shall we do for the hundreth talents The Lord is able to give thee more than this Object But I know not whether he will Sol. Faith assures it self there is never any losse in obeying God It knowes the way to keep Isaac is to give up Isaac It hath a promise whosoever forsaketh house lands c. for Christ he shall have an hundreth fold II. In both we have a nolable type of our resurrection Isaac was raised the third day as from the dead but Christ indeed raised not as Isaac for himselfe but as an head for his body and members Which assureth us 1. That we shall rise out of all petty deathes and dangers for our head is above water Though the billowes of afflictions inward and outward may rinse us and run over us yet they shall not drown us because our head is aloft They may threaten and affright us but shall not drown and destroy us we shall wade out well enough because they can never go over our head any more 2. That we shall at the last day rise from all the death of mortality and corruption in which argument the Apostle is large to prove that because Christ the head is risen the members must also rise againe For 1. Can or will a living and powerful head be always dismembred and sundered from the body 2. Because Christ rose not as a private person as Isaac did but as the first fruits of them that slept v. 20. 3. Because Christ in his resurrection is opposed to the first Adam v. 21. For as by the first Adam comes death on all so by the second Adam resurrection from the dead This is a sure prop and stay against all the miseries occurrences of this life against the bitternes of death and horror of the grave that we are assured of a better resurrection else were we of all men most miserable verse 19. III. A sweet consolation God watched every motion in both these Isaac's offering how farre Abraham should go how long to the lifting up of the knife and where he should stay and when was fit to say do the boy no hurt So he watched the executioners the crucifiers how farre they should proceed with Christ but stayed them from breaking his bones and kept him from seeing corruption So when Gods time and terme is come the affliction and afflicter shall goe no farther a voyce at length shall come and say Stay thy hand do him no hurt IV. Both were delivered but not till the third day the one when the knife was up the other being dead and hopeles at least in the account of men as appeared by the words of the disciples which were going to Emmaus Hence we learn to make this use for the strengthening of our faith Then to look for helpe and deliverance when the case is desperate and in humane sence we are gone There is life in this comfort which assureth us of life even in death as Hos. 6. 2. After two days he will revive us and in the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight In all wants and extreamities let Abrahams voice to Isaac comfort thee God will provide If Isaac see Abrahams sword in the one hand and fire in the other ready to devoure him yet a little while and the sword shall be put up and the fire shall take another object So the faithfull Sonnes of Abraham seeing God the Fathers sword of justice drawn against them and the fire of his fury ready to consume them yet at length shall see by Christ the sword put up and the fire of wrath turned againe into a flame of love and grace Faith hath a cheerfull voyce God will provide Unbeleefe is full of repinings and murmurings Oh how shall I be provided for in this or that I see no meanes c. Here the difference holds which was between the ten spies and the two Numbers 13. If thou see not the meanes for thy deliverance go to the Mountaine there is a Ramme for Isaac hasten thy obedience and God which set thee on work will hasten thy deliverance CHAP. VI. 5. Ioseph a type of Christ. 4. waies I. IN regard of his person 1. Joseph was the first borne of the beloved Rahel as Christ was the first borne of the freely beloved Mary 2. Best beloved of his father Gen. 37. 3.
MOSES AND AARON OR THE TYPES AND SHADOVVS Of our SAVIOUR in the old TESTAMENT Opened and Explained By T. TAYLOR D. D. Very usefull for the better understanding the whole Scripture And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself Luke 24. 27. LONDON Printed for John Williams at the Crown in St. Pauls Church-yard 1653. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Sir MILES FLEETWOOD Knight Receiver Generall of his Majesties Court of Wards and Liveries All welfare in Christ Jesus Noble Sir IT is a truth able to endure the most fiery times and trials None but Christ none but Christ. Ignatius expresseth as much drawing near to his Martyrdome Let come upon me fire crosse meetings of wilde beasts cuttings tearings breaking of bones rendings of members dissolutions of the whole body and all torments of the devill 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely that I may gain Iesus Christ. Thus he intreated the Romans not to intercede for him and hinder his suffering for the Gospel And thus the servants of God in these last times when Romanists have thrust them into flames and other calamities Christ is all and in all said the Apostle Col. 3. 11. Look to the Church he supplies all defects of his people heales all their infirmities puts on all comfortable relations and procures all saving benefits In the golden chain of our salvation which reacheth from eternity to eternity we shall observe that Christ is the owke or closure that tyeth every linke together as in these lines He is the foundation of our Election Ephes. 1. 4. He is the price of our Redemption 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. He is the cause efficient of our regeneration Eph 2. 10. He is the author of our justification Jer. 33. 16. He is the beginner and perfecter of our sanctification Heb. 12. 2. John 15. 4 5. He is the matter of our consolation spiritual and temporal c. 16. 37. Rom. 5. 1. He is the sweetner and sanctifier of all our troubles Rom. 8. 37 c. He is the assurance and pledge of our resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 20. He is the procurer and producer of our glorification John 17. 22. Rev. 21. 23. All of them good grounds of comfort and set forth the happinesse of Gods people All of them disgrace merit and the worthinesse of the creatures Men and Angels All of them magnifie Gods love and wisdome call unto thankfulnesse and would make us content with little All invite labour to make sure of a portion in Christ without whom all is as nothing And finally all command those that are in Christ to be all unto him doe all for him give all suffer all speak live die rejoyce in all through him and with him expect all in his heavenly kingdome Look to the Word wherein all these things are revealed Christ is evidently the matter and sum of the Gospel and the Apostle affirmes the like concerning the Law Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that believeth First by similitude saith Austin when a man is come to the end of a way he can goe no farther so when a Christian is come to Christ he hath no farther excellencie to seek or goe unto in Christ there is enough and enough to reconcile him to God and bring him to heaven Secondly for perfection saith Cyril when a thing is finished it is said to come to an end as namely in weaving a garment so Christ hath finished perfected and fulfilled the Law he came not to destroy but establish it so that in him we have a perfect righteousnesse to present God withall even as the Law required Gal. 2. 16. 21. Thirdly he is finis intentionis the Law bids us look to Christ in whom onely we can live both the Moral Law in the holy precepts of it impossible in this our weaknesse therefore have recourse to Christ Rom. 8. 3 4. together with the curses and threats of it whereby it is a sharp Schoolemaster leading to Christ Gal. 3. 24. As also the Ceremonial Law all whose shadows figure out Christ and his benefits Heb. 10. 1. Now is Christ come saith Tertullian who is the end of the Law opening all the dark matters of it anciently covered under the mists of Types and Sacraments An excellent Master an heavenly Teacher a setler of truth to the uttermost Austin calls Moses his Ceremonies prenunciative or foretelling Observations and saith We are not now constrained to observe things used in the Prophets time Non quia illa damnata sed quia in melius mutata sunt not for any evill in them but because they are changed for the better What they foretold and how they are changed for the better this Treatise in part discovereth and I purpose not now to discourse These glorious times of the Gospel shew evidently how much the truth excelleth the shadow the vertue common to the antient believers as well as unto us Christ Iesus yesterday and to day and the same for ever but as the manifestation is more clear so the grace is more plentiful and comfortable The same Testator made both Testaments and these differ not really but accidentally the Old infolding the New with some darknesse and the New unfolding the Old with joyous perspicuity This glorious dispensation of grace as it stands by the good pleasure of God so also by his manifold wisdome who in severall approaches of his mercy and goodnesse drawes still nearer to his Church and yet reserves the greatest for his Kingdome of glory Even now in this marvellous light of the Gospel we have our divine Ceremonies and Sacraments see him afar off know but in part darkly as in a glasse and receive our best contentment by the acts of faith while the Word and Spirit make us know the things freely given us of God in Christ Jesus But time shall be when to say nothing of the estate of the Church after the ruine of Antichrist and calling of the Jewes we shall in heaven see him whom we believed face to face clearly perfectly immediately without Sacraments or Types in the fullest vision nearest union and absolutest fruition Never till then shall we comprehend wholly what is the marrow of that text I am the Way the Truth and the Life To your Worship I commend this Treatise of that illuminate Doctor excellent sometime in following and opening an Allegory and now more excellent in enjoying the Truth it self of whom while here a Preacher you shewed your self a joyfull Hearer as of other faithfull Pastors at this day with obedience to the truth religious care of your family integrity in your office love of good men both in the Ministery and private estate and all Christian behaviours as the fame of your sweet savour goes forth in the Church of God to which I doubt not but this Treatise will be the more welcome because of your worthy name prefixed It
have any end for he is the beginning and the ending And although his humanity had genealogie beginning and ending of life yet as he was the word he had none And although as the Soâ—â—e he was from the Father yet as God he was from none but as the word was of himself Here also is a difference Melchizedek was without genealogy according to Scripture Christ according to nature IV. In the excellency of his 1. Person 2. Priesthood 1. For excellency of Person 1. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham for he blessed Abraham and the greater blessith the lesser Heb. 7. 7. signifying Christ the fountain and originall of all blessing in heavenly and earthly things Ephes. 1. 3. 2. Melchizedek refreshed Abraham and his Army returning weary from the battell and journey with bread and wine Here Abraham was a receiver Melchizedek a giver a manifest type of Jesus Christ refreshing and comforting all his followers and members of his militant Church in their journey and wearinesse with his word and Sacraments Matthew 11. 28. I will refresh you 3. Melchizedek was man onely and sinfull Christ God and man without sinne Melchizedekas the sonne of God Christ indeed the Sonne of God 2. For the excellency of his Sacrifice or his Priesthood which was greater than Aarons For 1. Levi and Aaron paid tythes in Abrahams loines to Melchizedek Heb. 7. 9. and the inferiour payes tythes to the Superiour Such is the Priesthood of Christ after the order of Melchizedek not of Aaron 2. In regard of the entrance Melchizedek was not annointed with materiall oyle as Aaron nor received his Priesthood from any other but onely so declared by the mouth of God So Christ succeeded none received his Priesthood from none but annointed by the Spirit of God Luke 4. 18. and made a Priest by the Oath of God Psal. 110. 4. The Lord sware and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek 3. In regard of the continuance of his Priesthood For as he receives it from none so he passeth it not to any other nor any can succeed him but he endureth ever having an everlasting Priesthood Heb. 7. 24. The Leviticall Priesthood ended particularly in the death of every high Priest and universally and finally in the death of our high Priest But Christ is eternall who died but rose again figured in Melchizedek I. If Christ be the true Melchizedek then must he needs be greater than Abraham though the Jewes vainly gainsay it Joh. 8. 53. To him all our tythes and offerings due from Abraham to Melchizedek He is blessed and Prince onely the King of kings and Lord of lords unto him be honour and power everlasting 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. So the four and twenty Elders Revel 11. 15 17. And Angels Beasts Elders and all creatures Revel 5. 11 12 13. II. For the comfort of the Church that Christ is the true Melchizedek both a Priest and a King 1. As he is a Priest we are assured of a perfect reconciliation by his all-sufficient Sacrifice 2. Of sound instruction for the Priest must teach the Law his lips must present knowledge Joh. 4. 25. When the Messiah is come he will tell us all things We detest the blasphemy therefore that tells us that he hath left an imperfect doctrine that must be eeked with traditions 3. Of his blessed intercession which is meritorious and acceptable Samuel out of his love to the people 1 Sam. 12. 23. saith thus God forbid that I should sinne and cease to pray for you but I will teach you the good way Christs love to the Church is no lesse therefore he will both teach and pray 4. Of powerfull protection and safety For he is not our Priest onely but our King not our Doctor onely but our Defendor not a Priest onely to pray but a King to obtain for us and bestow on us what he prayes for What if he had never so much power in teaching if he were impotent in defending But he is King of peace in himself and unto us We have a powerfull advocate in heaven They never tasted the sweetnesse of this doctrine that seek after any other Mediator III. Hence is the happinesse of the Church As Melchizedek blessed Abraham So Christ our Melchizedek hath blessed all the faithfull posterity of Abraham Ephes. 1. 3. with all spirituall blessings in Christ Jesus But with difference Melchizedek onely pronouncing blessing Gen 14. 19. Blessed art thou of God possessor of heaven and earth But our Melchizedek meriteth and bestoweth blessings of higher kind also than could Melchizedek For 1. Christ blesseth by meriting blessing through his most perfect sacrifice pacifying his Fathers wrath Melchizedek offered no such sacrifice to no such effect his was accepted by mercy not for merit not for his own sacrifice but for Christs 2. By actuall procuring the blessing of remission of sinnes and righteousnesse restored a more effectuall blessing than Melchizedek could procure His sacrifices could onely signifie these in the Messiah's not actually apply them 3. By gathering calling ruling and preserving in spirituall life his whole Church as members of his own body and by the donation of his spirit none of which blessings Melchizedek could give 4. By bestowing eternall life on beleevers here in the first fruits hereafter in the harvest whereof Melchizedek must be a receiver from him the fountain not a giver 5. By publishing and pronouncing on beleevers all this blessing in the preaching of the Gospel and sealing it to the hearts of the elect by the daily effectuall voyce of his spirit by the word which Melchizedek could not doe Therefore a greater than Melchizedek is here and a greater blessing than Abraham received from him Let the world curse wicked ones rage and revile against the Church and Members yet as Isaac said of Jacob Gen. 27. 33 I have blessed him and therefore he shall be blessed the same will Christ not say onely but accomplish to them IV. Hence is the stability and perpetuity of the Church and members That Christ is the true Melchizedek that is an eternall Priest the Church must be eternall For a Priest cannot be without a Church nor an eternall Priest without an eternall Church but of Christ it is said thou art a Priest for ever Therefore Tyrants shall not waste it time shall not out-last it death shall not hinder the being and happinesse of it no more than it could the eternity of the Priest himself who rose gloriously from the dead so shall the members How happy a thing is it to be of this houshhold V. The excellency of Christs Priesthood above the Leviticall This is the scope of the Apostle in describing Melchizedeks Priesthood so largely For the Leviticall Priests were homagers to this yea to the shadow of it in Melchizedek while they were in Abrahams loines 1. They were men onely of men Christ the Sonne
figuring Christ who was declared the well-beloved in whom his Father delighted Matth. 3. 17. 3. He was very beautifull Gen. 39. 6. and his internall beauty was more than his externall Christ was more beautifull than the sons of men and making us beautifull in his beauty 4. Joseph was endued with such a measure of wisedome and understanding as none was like him in whom Gods Spirit was For which cause he was called Zaphnathpaaneah verse 45. that is an expounder of secrets figuring Christ in whom were treasures of wisedome and the Spirit beyond all measure who is therefore called the great Counseller and the Lambe onely worthy to open the book who onely hath the key of David to open the secret mysteries of salvation 5. In Jacobs last Testament Joseph is called a fruitful bough whose branches runne upon the wall because out of him branched two tribes Ephraim and Manasseh therein he was a type of Christ who is not a fruitfull bough onely but a root from whom all the tribes of God branch out and flourish And whereas those tribes are come to nothing Christ shall see his seed and prolong his dayes II. In his actions 1. Joseph was sent by his father to visite his brethren in the wildernesse So was Christ sent to seek his brethren wandering in the wildernesse he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel 2. As at thirty years Joseph was preferred to his Office by Phanaoh so at thirty years Christ entered his Office 3. As by Pharaoh a virgin was given Joseph to wife verse 45. So is the Church as a pure Virgin given by the Father to Jesus Christ as his spouse to sanctifie and save All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that commeth to me I will in no wise cast out 4. As Joseph out of Pharaohs garners feeds all Egypt all his fathers house and the nations whence in Gen. 49. 24. he is called the feeder of Israel and a stone that is a rocke or refuge to his brethren So Jesus Christ is the feeder of Israel and of all the family of God in all Nations of the earth not with temporall food onely but with the Manna from heaven the word and Sacraments and his owne flesh and bloud the incorruptible and indeficient bread and water of life 5. As Joseph in his lowest estate was both a Lord in the prison and a comforter of the prisoners assuring the Butler of his life and recovery of his place So Jesus Christ at his lowest abasement was Lord over death and the grave having command of them and his last breath on the Crosse almost comforted the poor thiefe promising him both life and glory 6. As Joseph doth all the good he can for his brethren that had ill deserved it For 1. He teacheth them how to live together and commends brotherly love and concord fall not out by the way 2. Teacheth them how to speake to Pharaoh and what to demand 3. Goes to Pharaoh and speaks and obtaines for them whatsoever he would and placeth them in Goshen the fat of the land till they come to Canaan So Jesus Christ above all lessons commended to us the new Commandement of love a badge of his disciples teacheth us how to pray and what in the Lords prayer himselfe intercedes for us and obtaineth all that good is and provides for us in earth till we come to Canaan III. In his sufferings and passions 1. The archers grieved him Gen. 49. 23. that is not his Mistris onely and Master but his brethren also conspire against him although sent from his father in love and comes in love to see how they do and to know their wants yet they scorne him behold yonder dreamer comes they consult to kill him let us kill him and see what will become of his dreams So Jesus Christ came among his own sent from his Father in love pitying the wanderings and wants of men but the Jewes scorn him for a deceiver plot to kill him conspire against his life 2. As his brethren sold him for twenty pieces stript him naked and cast him into a pit sent hin as a slave into Egypt where he being indeed free became a servant So Jesus Christ in his infancy was sent into Egypt sold by the Jewes for thirty pieces stript naked of his apparrel and in the form of a servant cast into the pit of death and the grave whence they thought never to have heard more of him as Josephs brethren did 3. As in this service Joseph was tempted to whoredome by his wanton Mistris when they were alone and that often and daily but by strength of grace stoutly resisted yea conquered her and himself So was Jesus Christ in the enterance of his Ministery strongly assailed by Satan to spiritual whoredome when he was alone in the wildernesse and that often set upon yet by the power of the Spirit overcame and conquered so as the evill one found nothing in him 4. As in this service notwithstanding his faithfulnesse and innocency Joseph was falsely accused condemned cast into prison with the Butler and Baker So was Jesus Christ notwithstanding all his innocency falsely accused they lay things to his charge he never knew as falsly condemned bound yea fastned to the crosse between the theeves and cast into the grave as into a prison till the time of his deliverance came that he was taken out from prison and judgement as Isai. 53. 8. IV. In his advancement and preferment For 1. As Joseph was separate from his brethren Gen. 49. 26. that is advanced by God to honour above them all So Christ was separate and advanced in glory above men and Angels Heb. 1. 4. hath obtained a farre more excellent name than the Angels 2. Though Joseph was shot at by the archers yet his arme was strengthened the bonds and fetters were loosed and he not onely brought out of prison but advanced to be Lord over the whole Land and next unto Pharaoh having all administration delivered unto him So Jesus Christ although he was a But or signe of contradiction yet his arme was strengthened to raise himselfe out of the grave to loose all chaines of sinne to loose all sorrowes of death and being risen againe was advanced and exalted above all creatures all power given him in heaven and earth his throne set next unto his Fathers the Lord of his Church and ruler of the whole earth to him is committed the government and his bounds are the utmost hills Psal. 2. yea the whole Church in heaven and earth is his to whom all power belongs 3. As Pharaoh every way honoured Joseph As 1. He richly decks and attires him puts a golden chaine on his neck Gen. 41. 42. 2. They must cry before him Abrech that is every man must bow to him 3. Every man must depend on his word Gen. 41. 55. Goe to Joseph saith Pharaoh and what he saith to you do yee
a materiall house of stones or of gold silver wood marble but a spirituall house of living stones And as the house is spirituall so are the meanes and instruments he useth His rule is the word of God Psal. 19. 4. Their line is gone forth through all the earth and their words into the ends of the world The hammer by which he hewes and polisheth these rugged stones is the same word or doctrine of the Law Jer. 23. 29. The cement by which he couples them to the head is Faith and to the members is Love and Charity 2. Salomon being to build his Temple could not find matter enough for his building in his own countrey of Judea but sent abroad to Hiram a Gentile and to Pervaim now Peru as some think and to other farre and remote parts for supply So our Salomon for his spirituall building gathers matter not onely out of Judea his own ancient people but contracts friendship with the Gentiles and these come in out of the most remote parts of all the world to set forward that building therefore the Church is now Catholike 3. Salomon prepared great stones to lay in the foundation of the house 1 King 5. 17. but as great and costly as they were they could not uphold that house but it must fall to ruine and destruction Our true Salomon by inimitable art layes himselfe a foundation in Sion an elect precious and chiefe corner stone Upon which firme foundation he so aptly layes and knits every living stone that is every beleever that all the gates of hell cannot prevaile against any one of them Matth. 16. 18. 4. Salomon in that building prepared and hewed stones in Mount Lebanon 1 King 6. 7. and being so squared and fit not an axe or hammer nor any toole of Iron was heard while the house was a building Our Salomon admits no stone into his building which is not first prepared and initiated by the word and Sacraments and being fitted lays them on the foundation without any more shaking by hammer or hatchet knits them to the other stones by the durable cement of Christian love charity so as now the noyse of contention nor blowes of bitternesse and hatred are heard among them any more Secondly in dedication of the Temple 1. Salomon consecrated that house to the service of God by solemn prayer imploring his eye of protection upon it and his presence with it upon all occasions and necessities 1 King 8. 14. Our Salomon hath also dedicated his house and by solemne prayer commended it to the care and custody of his heavenly father Nothing needfull for his Church hath he forgotten to procure for it not onely by that most effectuall and meritorious prayer but also by his continuall intercession now in heaven for it 2. In that dedication Salomon framed a most excellent prayer the form of which is registred in Scripture but our Salomon hath delivered us a forme and pattern of prayer which is a great part of the riches of the new Testament above the old Thirdly In ordering the Temple that is in the constitution of Gods true and publike worship in that Temple in appointing the severall offices and Officers of it A type of Jesus Christ who ascending on high appointed the Officers of his Church some Prophets some Apostles some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the building up of the body of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 12. 5. there are many administrations but the same Lord. VI. Salomon was a type of Christ in wise dispensing and administring justice 1. In respect of gifts 2. Of excution or manifesting them 1 For the gifts they are notably signified in Salomons Throne which was exalted above all the Thrones of all Princes described 1 King 10. 18. 1. The matter was Ivory and gold wherewith it shined Signifying the sincere and upright disposition of Salomon to justice and equity shunning all corruption and by-respects which make men pervert justice And as these virtues made Salomons throne to shine so the royall throne of Christ is a throne of Justice a great white Throne Rev. 20. 11. Nothing but sincerity and purity proceeds thence He justifies no wicked person or cause nor takes the ungodly by the hand 2. The state of it The King ascended to it by six stayres signifying that the Kingriseth above all his subjects many degrees in practise of many vertues wisedome prudence justice fortitude piety So Christs Throne is infinitely exalted above all Princes above men and Angels dominations principalities thrones and set at the right hand of God and himselfe as infinitely transcendeth all creatures in practice of all graces in perfection of all holinesse 3. The figure was round signifying the perfection and simplicity of the minde in the Judge discerning causes who could not abide any deceitfull fraudulent or hypocriticall courses or corners Such is the Throne of Christ in whom was never found guile nor deceit neither can he abet or not hate it in any 4. There were two pillers or barres to beare up the armes of Salomon signifying the rewards and defence of good men and the punishment and repressing of evill men by the power of his arme whereby Kings and kingdomes are sustained So our Lord Jesus upholds his kingdome by reward and punishment and in the last day shall set the sheep at his right hand and the goats on his left 5. Two Lyons of gold standing by the stayes noting the power and fortitude of the King whose strength is as the strength of Lyons against enemies and to put in execution wise and soveraign counsels But Salomons strength was weaknesse to the strength of Christ who as a couragious Lyon of the tribe of Judah shall teare and foyle his enemies and none shall rescue Hos. 5. 14. 6 The foote-stoole of it was of gold 2 Chr. 9. 18. to note the freedome of the King from covetuousnesse that he ought to have his wealth under his feet and so master them as they neither overcome nor corrupt him So Christ the Judge of the world most perfectly despised the world and at his appearing shall set it under his feet and burne it 2. For administring according to those gifts Salomon did with such admirable wisedome judge between the two harlots for the living child as all Israel hearing the judgement feared the King for they saw that the wisedome of God was in him to do justice 1 King 3. 28. But our Salomon is the just judge of all the world who shall passe a righteous sentence between the godly and the wicked in that great and terrible day Matth. 25. when all flesh shall see and admire the wisedome and power of God in him to do justice For applycation briefly I. A greater than Salomon is here Luk. 11. 31. 1. Hence our Saviour perswads to come to him to partake of his wisedome wealth peace grace But the Queen of the South shall rise up
the more have we seeing of his fullnesse we receive grace for grace If he be strong he is strong for us if rich he is so to us If he be Prince and Priest of his family the Church hereby we recover the dignity we had lost by sinne and of slaves and vassals of corruption are made Kings and Priests that is the first-born to God Rev. 1. 6. If he have a double portion of the spirit so have we by him Isai. 40. 2. speake to the heart of Jerusalem her iniquity is forgiven she hath received double at the Lords hand for all her sinnes that is a double portion of grace and favour As Joseph made Benjamins messe to be doubled so our Jesus doubles his spirit on the elect If he have a double portion of glory immortality and heavenly inheritance so have we in him being coheires with him in the same inheritance Rom. 8. 17. 2. Comfort Being Gods first-born through Christ we are dear unto God So Exod. 4. 22. Israel is my first-born that is dear unto me as the first-born commonly are dearest to their Parents Israel before his receiving into the Covenant was the worst of all people and smallest in it selfe and in Gods eyes Deut. 7. and 9. 4. But afterwards being in the right of the Messiah Gods first-born became dear to him as the apple of his eye Now what a joy is it to the beleeving soule to see God a father look towards it as a father to his first-born So fareth it now with us being so made in Christ. 3. Comfort God takes notice and revengeth all the wronges done to the Saints because they are his first-born Let Egypt offer injury to Gods first-born God will say slay every first-born of man and beast in Egypt let them see in the punishment their sinne For can a tender father see an arme or a legge of his first-born cut off Would it not go to his heart to see him dismembred And can the Lord Jesus endure any wrongs and cruelties done to his members and this not pierce his bowels A man may sometime see his child in want and correct his first-born for his farther good send him to be schooled and trained in some course under a sharpe discipline but to see him wounded to see him bleed cast off trodden under feet he cannot endure No more the Lord. Let no man never so great dare to wrong the godly for he will rebuke kings for their sakes IV. Seeing in Christ the first-born we attaine the birth-right let every Christian beware of prophanenesse and passing away his birth-right as Esau who sold his birth-right for pottage Heb. 12. 16. and therefore called prophane So do they that exchange spirituall things for temporall earth for heaven As many who pretend a part in Christ but in Esaus language say Give me my pottage my silver my honour my profit my pleasure let them take their religion their preaching praying and precisenesse a bird in hand is worth two in the bush This contempt of their priviledges robbed the Jewes of them who being cast out of favour of first-born become the last of all people and now we Gentiles are stept into their birth-right Let us be wise in the entertaining our prerogative conscionably expresse our love to Christ and his Gospell not hatred as they least provoking the Lord he deal with us in justice as he did with them For if he spared not the naturall branches Rom. 11. 21. What reason hath he to spare us V. Learn to grow in conformity with our elder brother Christ with whom we cannot be equall but like as brothers All must have one Father one flesh one spirit For the brotherhood stands not in communion of flesh and bloud for so every man were his brother but in the spirituall union by regeneration We must be like him in affection like him in affliction like him in the combat and like him in the Crown How like unto Christ is he that resists and despises the spirit of grace that having onely humane nature hath no whit of that divine nature 2. Pet. 1. 4. When heardest thou this first-born brother to swear or lye Or be idle in speech wanton in behaviour carelesse of his course or company When was he ashamed of thy cause of thy Crosse yea or curse But thou art ashamed of his Crosse and cause When did he revile rebuke hate Would he be like us in every thing even in our evils sinne onely excepted should not we be like him in grace to be like him in glory CHAP. XIV PRIESTS Types in the deputation of their office OF the rankes and orders of holy persons some were sanctified and seperated to the Lord by office or function As the Peiests and high Priests who of all other were most expresse types of Jesus Christ. Hebr. 4. 14. We have a great high Priest which is entered into heaven even Jesus the Sonne of God The Priest a type of Christ 1. In deputation to his office wherein 1. his choice 1. for his tribe 2. for his perfections 2. his consecration 3. his apparrell 2. In execution of it Actions 1. Common 2. Ministerial Sect. 1. 1. The Choise had respect 1. To the tribe He must come of one onely tribe of Levi which was by God of all the tribes separated and appointed by God to exercise the Priesthood in the Tabernacle and to performe whatsoever belonged to the holy Ministery This signified Christ our Mediator who must be a speciall and singular man taken from among men Hib. 5. 1. as they true man as they For he must be true man in nature and affection that must mediate and negotiate mans cause with God and so taken from men to stand in the midst between God and man True it is our Lord came not of Levi but out of Judah Heb. 7. 14. with the reason for he was not to be after the manner of Aaron but of Melchizedek verse 15. and because he was to change the Priesthood and would do it in the tribe and was to be a Priest not after the carnall commandement but after the power of endlesse life verse 16. But yet he was expressely typed by those Priests Neither was it without a spirituall signification that Aaron the first of those high Priests should be Moses brother For what more Brotherly league than of Christ to Moses of Grace to the Law and of the New Testament to the Old 2. To the perfections For in the choice of the Priest were requisite many externall perfections Levit. 21. 17. Whosoever of the seed had any blemishes shall not presse to offer the bread of his God He must not be blind lame nor mishapen Wherin the Lord would not onely provide for the dignity of that calling in that infancy of the Church which otherwise if the Priesthood had been in outward shew contemptible many might have drawn not their persons onely into contempt but even all such holy