shall like (c) 2 Chron. 19.9 Johosaphat charge the Officers of Church and State to act in the fear of the Lord faithfully and with a perfect heart or like godly Hezekiah Command the People to give a portion to the Priests and Levites that they may be (d) 2 Chron. 31.4 encouraged in the Law of the Lord. Or lastly like tender Josiah (e) 2 Chron. 34.33 make all that are in their Israel to serve even to serve the Lord their God That Magistrates may be like fenced (f) Isa 5.5 Walls round about the Vineyard of the Church That Church shall never want errors and those dangerous that wants the fence of Discipline and the wall of a godly faithful and zealous Magistracy and that Church shall never want Rents and Schisms breaches and disorders where Circumstantials are rigidly pressed and where external niceties wherein Saints that (a) Col. 2.19 hold the head may safely differ without breach of communion are with too warme and self-conceited a spirit imperiously urged upon the consciences of meek Brethren who desire to walk in all the wayes of Holinesse (b) Psal 35.20 Soberly Righteously and Godlily and to rest quiet in the Land Yet doubtless union in externals is very beautiful if it may be had But that I may draw to a period of this discourse concerning the Priestly Vestments on which I have so long insisted It is sure somewhat worth our notice that there is no mention made of any shoos or sandals or any such kind of covering for the feet of the Priests who in the cold of Winter and heat of Summer performed all their services barefoot Indeed the Winter's cold was seldom vehement in that Climate but the Summer's heat might be somewhat more offensive by reason of the stone-pavements which might be very hot by the reflection of the Sun-beams However it were they were to officiate in this manner The feet when covered are subject to contract filth by sweat but possibly that of Moses his being unshod because (c) Exod. 3.5 the place was holy may suit this our observation concerning the Temple As the feet are sometimes in Scripture put (d) Eccles 5.1 for the affections sometimes for holy walking in the life and conversation So ought the Gospel-Ministery to walk unblameably (e) Psal 119.59 to have a conversation naked and open before the World in all simplicity and godly sincerity and then (f) Rom. 10.15 Oh! how beautiful are the feet of them that Preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad tydings of good things Having treated thus largely of the Vestures of the High-Priest and the Inferiors under him It is high time to remove to the 3d and last thing hinted in the beginning of this Section concerning the Consecration of this prime Officer of the Temple together with the rest his attendants which consisted principally in these 3 Ceremonial performances Washing Anointing and Sacrificing all distinctly laid down in the 8th Chapter of Leviticus and thereof I shall treat very briefly in their order First We reade that the (a) Lev. 8.6 Priest was to be washed with water So was Christ baptized with water (b) Mat. 3.16 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him when he was initiated into this great work of his Ministry So ought the sons of Aaron likewise the Children of Christ as he is sometimes pleased to call his Apostles and Disciples they must be washed with the water of Regeneration if ever they expect to do great services for Christ A Ministry baptized with the spirit of fire in their hearts may through God be inabled to cast down the strong holds of Satan 2dly We read of the Priests Unction first of the chief Priest (c) Lev. 8.12 verse the 12th and after of the inferiors vers 30. Now here before I proceed I would beg leave to speak a little to the materialls and the composition of the holy anointing Oyl because formerly omitted in the History of the Temple The ingredients and their quantities we read to be these (d) Exod. 30.23 Of pure myrrhe 500 shekels sweet Cinnamon 250 sweet Calamus 250. Cassia 500 and of Oyl-Olive an Hin Concerning the measures we have spoken before at large As for these materials there is no great difference among Expositors worth the noting All of them are designed to set forth the graces of the Spirit But first a word of the several Species or as we translate them Spices in their order 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mor derir The myrrhe of liberty or freedom that is the Gumm which sweats freely out of the Tree of the same name whereof Pliny treating in his 12th Book and 15th Chapter tels us that the Gumm which comes naturally out of that Tree without incision is called Stacte whereof formerly 2. The second is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kinnemon the name whereof is retained at this day and commonly known Concerning which the cited Authour speaks at large in the 19th Chapter of the same book which I shall not transcribe at present 3. The third is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kene-Boshem Calamus Aromaticus The Seventy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sweet-scented Cane I cannot say 't is the same which is called in shops at this day Acorus the root whereof is used in aromatical mixtures Of this speaketh Matthiolus upon Dioscorides lib. 1. cap. 17. out of Pliny Theophrastus and others manifesting its principal native place to be in Arabia and that it is a sort of Reed of a very fragrant scent The Prophet Jeremy speaking of Incense brought from Sheba adds And the sweet Cane from a far Country Jer. 6.20 which seems to be meant of the same place being but an additional expression to Shebah For so that Queen who is related to have governed Sheba 1 Kin. 10.1 is by the Evangelists reported to have come from a farr Country indeed even †Mat. 12.42 Luk. 11.31 the uttermost parts of the Earth 4. The fourth Ingredient is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kiddah The Seventy translate it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Iris or sweet scented Flower de lice of Florence whereof the Orice powder is made But the general harmony of Interpreters carries it for the Cassia a wood now in use and easily wrested from Kiddah seeing the Chaldee version turns the ד into צ in that word which they use for this Aroma 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it being counted but a Chaldaean deâ—orsion of the same word although now found from another root by Lexicographers The Plant groweth in the same Countries where Cinnamon saith Pliny in the forecited place and is but three Cubits high usually It is called with us Cassia-lignea being brought into our Country by our Asian Merâ—hants and and is indeed when burned of a most Aromaticall and fragrant Savour 5. The last is Oyl-Olive known to every one But here it may seem somewhat strange that Balsame the peculiar rarity
had kept him in his Infancy from ruine and was now inspired of God to rebuke his Idolatry yet permitted the People to stone him in the Court of the House between the Temple and the Altar Ver. 22. and forgetting the kindness of his Father contracted the sin of Murder upon his own head That this was the same man mentioned by our Lord in the Gospel-story Mat. 23.35 though the name of his Father be there styled Barachiah is most probable For that the place of his Murder there recited doth agree to this and that Hierom observes on the place that in the Gospell used by the Nazarenes he is termed the son of Jojada Besides it 's observable that the two Names of Barachiah and Jehojadah do little vary in signification the former signifying the blessing or praising of God the other the acknowledging or confessing of God i. e. in a way of praise To let this inquiry pass Did Joash goe unpunished No certainly but at the end of the year God's Judgments took up an expedition against this revolting and treacherous Prince 2 Kin. 12.17 and made Hazael King of Syria the General of his angry bands to execute his fierce wrath upon Judah These Syrian Troops though small in number yet re-inforced with the anger of God destroyed all the Princes of the People 2 Chr. 24.24 and conquered an huge Host of Joash and executed Judgment upon Him and his People for they had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers The face of this Enemy being turned towards Jerusalem Ioash took away all the hallowed things that were given by Iehoshaphat Iehoram Ahaziah and himself 2 King 2.18 together with all the Gold in the Treasures of the Lord's House and of his own and sent them to Hazael Wherewith the Tyrant being pacified turned his face to Damascus But though Hazael was yet God was not gone from Ioash but marched towards him in the paths of anger For the Syrians left him under the hand of God in great diseases as the same Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that Text doth other-where clearly signifie 2 Chr. 24.25 as you may read in 2 Chron. 21.15 Prov. 18.14 Ierem. 15.4 c. Neither did God permit him to dy of such grievous Sickness but bloody violence must be compensated with a dysastrous death and accordingly we presently hear of his Servants conspiring against and slaying him upon his sick bed Ver. 25. That so a violent death might ride to his bed-side before a naturall death had dispacht him The Spirit of God reciting the reason of all to be for the blood of the Sons of Iehojadah Neither yet doth vengeance forsake him but carryes him from the Sepulchre of the Kings not suffering him to rest with his famous Predecessours From all whose Judgments we learn what a hatefull sin Apostacy from true Religion is in the sight of God for in him that draws back the Soul of God will take no pleasure Heb. 10.38 Prov. 14.14 but the Back-slider in heart shall be filled with his own waies Amaziah the Ninth King A.M. 3165 The former Section exhibited the downfal of an irreligious Apostate but herein we have the view of a notorious Hypocrite who did that which was right but his Heart was not perfect with God 2 Chro. 25.2 He had prosperous success against the Edomites of Mount Seir but being lifted up with pride would needs challenge the King of Israel to Battel wherein being overthrown and taken prisoner at Bethshemesh in the Tribe of Judah by Ioash the King of the Ten Tribes he was carryed as a Triumphal Captive to his chief City by the Conquerour who being arrived at Jerusalem brake down the Wall of the City for the space of four hundred Cubits lying between the Corner-Gate and the Gate of Ephraim on the North side of this famous Metropolis that he might enter the capital City with the greater pomp and magnificence After which stately admission 2 Chr. 25.24 2 Kin. 14.14 this King of Israel spoils the Temple of all the Gold and Silver and carryes away all the Vessels that were found in the House of God with Obed-Edom's sons who had the charge of the Treasury that lay in the house of Asuppim near a Gate of the same name in the West-side of the outward Court of the Temple 1 Chr. 26.15 2 Chr. 25.15 But this wicked King who had worshipped the gods of Seir that could not save their stupid Proselytes out of his own hands thus deeply provoked the Lord to such fierce wrath that it prosecuted him to a violent death for falling under the hands of his own servants at Lachish Ver. 28. he was brought much like Richard the Third from Bosworth Field upon horses in an ignominious manner to his Burial at Jerusalem Thus we see the discovery and downfal of Hypocrisie a sin greatly detested of God who uncloathed this Hypocritical Zealot of his Religious Cloak which he wore in his first days by the Warm Sun of Success in War against the Children of Edom. Whereby being encouraged to shew what he was and supposing he stood now strong upon his own legs he bows down to the Idumaean Idols but never rose up again into the pristine state and glory of his Kingdom for being pursu'd by thick Troops of Divine Vengeance at last he is constrained to resign up both Scepter and Life to the severe Avengers of God's broken Covenant Thus usually the Lord is pleased to deal with ambiguous Hypocrites first to discover and then to ruine them A.M. 3194 Azariah or Uzziah the tenth King I shall not meddle with any of his Civil or Warlike Actions that do not Historically relate to the Temple during his long and prosperous Reign 2 Chro. 26.5 Ver. 16. while he sought the Lord. But let 's observe onely that when he was strong his heart was lifted up to his fatal destruction for having fortified the City and repaired the ruines it suffered under his Predecessor and done many noble Exploits Ver. 9. at last unworthily usurping the Priests Office he entred into the Temple to burn Incense upon the Golden Altar Whereupon he was immediatly smitten with Leprosie by God thrust out of the Temple by the High-Priest and deposed from his Kingly Office his Son Jotham being admitted to the Execution of Judgment in his room yielding a notable document to the highest and most imperial persons in the World not to intermeddle with sacred Functions A.M. 3246 Jotham the 11th King His powerful Wars crowned with notable success against the Ammonites as the reward for the preparing of his ways before the Lord his God we shall omit 2 Chro. 27.6 and take notice onely of the stately high Gate which he built for the House of the Lord which is conceived to be the West-Gate leading to the Kings House and mentioned by an Historical Prolepsis in the days of Joash 2 Chr. 23.20
As we read that all the stones of the Temple were wrought with Iron tools by the Art of Masonry before they were brought and laid in order and coemented together in the walls of that sacred House In like manner the stones of the spiritual building are hewn and squared by the Preaching of the Law which as the Apostle tells us is a (a) Gal. 3.24 School-master unto Christ to fit and prepare us for the heavenly (b) 2 King 22.14 Colledge at the Temple If we shall accept it for a Type of heaven as sometimes it is then may we learn that as the Stones and Timber were compleatly fitted to fall into their several places without noise of Tools and Instruments even so in this life doth the Gospel-Ministery fit and prepare the Saints for that Celestial place (c) Rev. 21.4 where sorrow and crying shall be heard no more If we shall understand by the Temple the worship of the Gospel as Scripture doth frequently insinuate this preparative work for the Temple-buildings may possibly shadow forth and allude to the Spirit of Bondage preceding the spirit of Adoption For our blessed Saviour hath sent forth not only hewers with rough garments like John Baptist Elijah to prepare but some workmen of the temper and strain of Barnabas also like so many sons of consolation to strengthen and joyn the stones together in the spiritual building with the coement of Faith Love and Joy So that as the word of God is compared to an hammer by the Prophet (d) Ier. 23.29 Jeremy to break in pieces rugged hearts So likewise we find workmen at a gentle peaceable and quiet businesse laying Judgment to the (e) Isai 28.17 line and righteousnesse to the Plummet that the stones of the Temple may be said in an erect in an even and regular forme since we hear of the (f) Psal 19.4 line of the Apostles doctrine which is gone out through the whole World Fourthly As King Solomon did solemnly appoint in a set frame and orderly method the 24 courses of the Priests for their several services together with the duties of the Levites in their various Charge for a most noble end even to praise God and to Minister before the Priests accordingly as the (g) 2 Chron. 8.14 work of every day required instituting likewise the Porters according to their Courses to watch at every Gate so hath our blessed Lord and Saviour ordered by divine institution the several spiritual Ordinances in his Church According to which every Saint is appointed in his station to worship the Father in spirit and in truth seeing he is faithful in all his house beyond Moses the Law-giver of the antient Israelites Fifthly As King Solomon did in most stately and pompous manner performe the various rites of the dedication of this most famous and splendid Structure at Jerusalem Even so the blessed Lord of life and Saviour of the world ascending up on high (h) Psal 68.81 gave gifts unto men sending down his most holy spirit in the form (i) Act. 2.1 2 3. of Cloven tongues noting the variety of Languages wherewith they should be miraculously indued and the various Nations to which they should be sent as likewise under the shape repreentation of fire noting the fervency of zeal and the illumination of knowledge wherewith they should shine throughout the World at that time sitting upon the Apostles and Disciples assembled together in one place at Jerusalem By which plenary manifestation of the Spirit they were consecrated anointed and initiated into the several glorious Evangelical Offices to be then undertaken by them and discharged in the Primitive Church Sixthly and Lastly This glorious King conversed in this Stately and Famous House for many years together taking great delight in the Sacrifices and solemn worship of his God So doth the Lord Jesus the Pramer and builder of the spiritual Temple take wonderful solace in his Gospel-Church continually walking in the midst of his (k) Reu. 2.1 seven Golden Candlesticks Yet herein we must observe that though King Solomon declined in his latter dayes to shew that he was but a man although a most glorious and admirable Type of Jesus Christ Yet herein our blessed Lord as he did farre out-bid all other prefigurations of himself so also this personal Type of King Solomon in this particular that he never forsaketh the assemblies of his Saints but is alwayes (a) Mat. 18.20 in the midst of them For whom he once loveth (b) Ioh. 13.1 he loveth unto the end or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as some expound it even to the death Nay continuing his love beyond the term and period of his meritorious passion he hath graciously promised to be (c) Mat. 28.20 with them alway even to the end of the World Hitherto let it suffice to have treated thus largely concerning the prefatory matters respecting the Time Place and Architect of the Temple Now I shall proceed to the main design in the 6 following Sections according to the method which I have before laid down not without most humble imploration of divine aid and assistance to be yeilded and afforded to me in the further prosecution of these abstruse and profound Mysteries craving moreover a gentle and favourable connivence and remission of my failings by all serene spirits who possibly may please to converse with these so rude and impolite discourses SECT I. Concerning the Mysteries af the Covered Temple and it s included Rooms AS to the management of this present Section I shall crave leave to treat in the first place of the Mystical significations of the Temple in general and afterward to descend to the most material particulars of the covered Building whereof it may be requisite to discourse more largely In general the holy Scriptures do frequently insinuate the Typification of three things by the Temple when taken in a more laxe and ample signification as for example Our blessed Lord himself personally considered Secondly the Church or body of Christ mystical And thirdly every Saint also in particular At least I hope it may be safely said that the sacred writings do in all these 3 respects frequently allude to the antient Temple of Solomon it being no unusual thing for the self same Type to hint at various Mysteries under the Gospel as may more amply and evidently appear out of the divine pages of Scripture by this ensuing discourse 1. Some would have the Temple in general to prefigure and Typifie the blessed body of our Lord and Saviour grounding their apprehension upon that famous place where our Lord speaking concerning the destruction of the Temple in three dayes is interpreted by the Evangelist John who was the beloved Disciple and lay in his bosome (d) Ioh. 2.19 21. to have meant it of his own body Upon which account Tertullian (e) Hieron in Script Ecclesiastic Edit Erasm Ludg. 1530. Tom. 1. p. 287. who lived under the
Flowers and Gemms were added to it and not weaved in it by the hand of an Artizan They were to bind the linnen Coat before-mentioned with this Belt or Girdle between the Navel and the Breast It was of the breadth of four fingers and hung down to the legs on one side When there was need of haste for Sacrifices they cast it over their left shoulder I know there be that hold there were two sorts of these Girdles the one of white linnen only mentioned in (e) Lev. 16.41 Leviticus when the High Priest was to lay down his own costly and beautiful Garments on the great Humiliation or Expiation-day and to enter into the Holy place with the garments only of an ordinary Priest to signifie his humility and lowlinesse of spirit The other that girdle which was even now described and used by the High Priest only Indeed where Moses relates the making of the Vestments he mentions Coats Bonnets Breeches in the plural being for Aaron and his sons (a) Exod. 39.27 28 29. but of the Mitre and Girdle in the singular only as if there were but one of those made viz. for Aaron where the Make of the Girdle is mentioned as before described But I shall leave this nicety to others determination only propose my conjecture as to that place of Levit. where it is to be observed that the Text doth not say the girdle was all of white linnen but barely linnen so it doth not distinguish for the various-coloured girdle mentioned often before in Exod. was all made of linnen only of threds of four various and different colours For the fine-twined linnen I take to be white and untinctured with any colour But to proceed to a more material enquiry and that is What was signified by the Girdle and herein we shall consider the various ends or uses of a Girdle 1. A girdle is of use to (b) Is 5.27 22 21 strengthen the body and preserve it in hard labour and straining-services and therefore when the Apostle exhorts Christians to stand to the truth manfully (d) Eph. 6.14 he bids them to stand having their loyns c girt about with truth As a girdle strengthens the body so doth truth the mind (e) Acts 12.8 It signifies activity and promptnesse in business (e) Prov. 1.9 2. A girdle is for ornament and beauty in which sense we may apply what Solomon speaks concerning instruction that it should be an Ornament of Grace and as Chains viz. of Gold about the neck 3. As the Girdle served of old for a purse to put the money in Take no money in your girdles in the Greek Mat. 3.1 9. (f) Dr. Arrowswith Tact. Sacr. l. 2. c. 1. §. 6. pag. 104. Rich are they who are well fraught with Truth I know thy poverty said our Lord to the Angel of Smyrna Rev. 2.9 but thou art rich In truth the chiefest Riches We must (g) Prov. 23.23 buy the truth at any rate and never sell it we must trade for the truth laid up in Scripture dig for it as for hid Treasures Gospel-ministers especially as they must be girt about with the girdle of truth so they must alwayes walk with the precious pieces of truth about them 4. A Girdle binds-on the Garments and keeps them from loosnesse from unhandsome and uncomely flying out that the nakednesse be not discovered Errour and Sin make men naked When the Israelites had worshipt the golden Calf they unloosed the girdle of truth and sincere worship When Aaron made them (a) Exod. 32.25 naked to their shame Those that are shaken from the truths of the Gospel their garments flye loose (b) Ovid. met 1. Sinuantur flamine vestes by the winds of corrupt and pernicious (c) Eph. 4.14 Doctrines and when once this Golden girdle is let fall from about their heart usually men turn oft to loose and extravagant courses and once being ungirt from the girdle off Truth at length prove unblest It is an Emblem of chastity as Solvere Zonam was used of old for married persons 5. A Girdle keeping the garments close to the body is a means of warmth in cold seasons Truth well setled to a mans heart makes him zealous for God in stormy-times 6. A Girdle helps a man to continue and persist in his labours and may therefore hold forth perseverance and constancy Gird up the loyns of your minds be sober and hope to the (d) 1 Pet. 1.13 end sayes holy Peter Let your loyns be girt about and wait for the Lords coming Luke 12.35 But to conclude The variety of colours mentioned in the Girdle signifie saith (e) Ribera pag. 188. Ribera all the various Vertues which tye the life of a good man together I shall not be so curious as to think that the white noted Innocency and the blew Heavenlinesse the Scarlet persecution the purple a holy maity of Spirit as that was an Emperial colour But rather as the Girdle in general noted Truth So the variety of colours that Saints especially Ministers must be sound and Orthodox in all points of truth they must hold fast (f) 2 Tim. 1.3 the whole form or Synopsis the Encyclopoedia the enriching Girdle of wholsome words in faith and love in Christ Jesus 4. The fourth parcel of Array mentioned in order Leviticus 8. was the Robe of the Ephod and this was peculiar to the High-Priest only which had hanging at the bottom of it the Bells and Pomgranates It was made all of (a) Exod. 28.31 blew or sky-colour to note say some the Heavenliness of Christ our High-priest Some think this garment noted Christs (a) Exod. 28.31 personall Righteousnesse The threds thereof were twelve-times double as (b) Rom. 10.17 Ainsworth notes out of Maimondes the hole thereof through which the head was put was woven at the beginning of the weaving It had no sleeves but was divided into two skirts from the end of the neck unto beneath after the manner of all Robes and was not joyned together but about the neck only And so he observes the garment of Christ to be a Coat (c) John 19.23 without seam woven from the top throughout which though not a Priestly garment yet says he it was mystical and is usually applyed to unity Jerome saies (d) Vbi supra pag. 63. Significat rationem sublimius patere non omnibus sed majoribus atque perfectis It signifies that the reason of Heavenly and sublime things is not known to all but to those that are of the high form and perfect At the bottom were the Pomgranates The juyce of which fruit is (e) Dioscorid cum Mathiola l. 1. c. 137. cooling and binding So we read of but a touch of the hem of Christs garment cooling and refreshing the heart when scorched with the burning wrath of God for sin and of a binding nature to stop the (f) Mat. 9.20 bloody issue of the soul As it
of Judaea no other Country affording it besides as many Authors write the Prince of Oyles or Unguents as the name imports should be left out in this choise composition Wherefore some have apprehended it to be concluded in the first words for that which we translate Principal Spices the Hebrew terms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beshamim Rosh Aromata capitis the spices of the head that is the chief and most eminent But because these words seem to be onely general terms comprehensive of the particulars presently enumerated therefore others have thought that the Balsame is couched under the name of free and pure Mirrhe However it be this is evident that the choisest ingredients for such a composition are commanded by God wherewith the Priests were to be anointed But as to the spiritual signification of this Unction we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit him self to direct us who in the New Testament doth frequently intimate that the participation of his Gifts and Graces is thereby shadowed forth to us The High Priest upon the account of this legal Unction is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Messiah Lev. 8.3 5. and by the Seventy in the 3d verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in the 5th 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christus the anointed clearly hinting to us our Gospel-High-Priest the Lord Jesus Christ the true Messiah or Anointed of the Father with the (a) Ps 45.7 Oyl of gladnesse above his fellowes which place is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 distinctly and expresly applied unto our Lord and Saviour in the (b) Heb. 1.9 Epistle to the Hebrews The glorious Antitype of David being (c) Psal 89.20 anointed King as well as Priest of his Church The same person the Apostle Peter asserts to have been (d) Act. 10.38 anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power Nay all the people of God who are (e) Rev. 1.6 Priests and Kings unto God are (f) 2 Cor. 1.21 anointed with the same Spirit The ancient Unction was external (g) Ps 133.2 upon the head of Aaron and ran down upon the beard and went down to the skirts of his Garments The Gospel Unction is internal which we (h) 1 Joh. 2.20 27. have received from the holy One and abideth in us the same anointing teacheth us all things and is truth Precious and excellent were the mixtures of that ancient Oyl What particular Gifts or Graces each might signify I leave to others being certain of this that (i) Isa 11.2 the Spirit of the Lord did rest upon Christ the Spirit of wisdom and understanding the Spirit of counsel and might the Spirit of knowâ—edge and of the fear of the Lord and it is of this His (k) Joh. 1.16 fulnesse that we have received even Grace for Grace This Unction was administred by measure to Aaron in a certain weight of sweets and a Hin of Oyl Olive Exod. 30.24 Joh. 3.34 but God gave not the Spirit by measure unto Christ But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.7 And when all the Graces of the Spirit do hold communion together in a Saint's duty as the several Ingredients of this Unction in one composition then are duties most fragrant With this Unction were all the Vessels of the Sanctuary to be anointed to signify to us that all religious exercises and Ordinances under the Gospel are no further useful and beneficial then as they are perfumed with the secret and most precious operation of the Holy Spirit through whom we are made partakers of Christ's holinesse and have (l) Eph. 2.18 accesse with holy boldnesse to the Throne of Grace The last thing in the consecration of Priests was Sacrificing whereof may be read at large in the 8th Chapter of Leviticus The blood of the Sacrifice being sprinkled upon them To note that the Office Calling and Execution of the service of Gospel-Ministers are all sanctified by the blood of Christ The Lord Jesus died to purchase a Gospel-Ministry his precious blood consecrates and sets them apart to that excellent function Oh how dreadful a sin is it for vile wretches to trample upon and scorn that Office which was dedicated by the blood of Christ who when ascended up on high * Ps 68.18 received Gifts for men He gave not onely †Eph. 4.8 12. Apostles Prophets and Evangelists but Pastors and Teachers also for the perfecting of Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ For how long time Till we all come in the unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ The Gospel-Ministry anointed by God and consecrated by the blood of Christ and receiving gifts by the benefit of Christ's ascension is we hence learn to continue till all the Members of Christ's mystical body are gathered into one which work will not be compleatly finished till the end of the world For some Saints shall remain alive at the second coming of our Lord 1 Thes 4.15 c. when he himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the Trump of God c. Then those which are alive and remain shall be caught up together c. in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall they ever be with the Lord who had promised at his ascension to be with his Ministers alwayes Mat. 28.20 even unto the end of the World The High-Priest among the Jews was consecrated with blood he needed Sacrifice for his sins but our High-Priest is holy harmlesse undefiled Heb. 7.26 Ver. 24. separate from sinners and made higher then the heavens he continueth for ever and hath an unchangeable Priest-hood He was without sin and therefore the Sacrifice of himself whereby he was consecrated to all his glorious Offices was to make entrance for others into the holiest by his blood in a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us Heb. 10.20 Joh. 17.19 Heb. 10.14 For their sakes he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dedicate and sanctify himself that they might be sanctified through the Truth For by one Offering hath he perfected for ever them that are sanctified On this excellent subject I might enlarge amply but considering there are yet several things behind in the two last Sections of this Chapter which refer somewhat to this point I shall speak but a word or two of the other Temple-Officers and come to the close of this 4th Section Having spoken thus much concerning the Priests Let me in brief hint at the rest and I shall conclude They were the Levites and Nethinims whereof at large in the former story of the Temple The Levites according to four distinct charges were divided into Singers Porters Judges and Treasurers Here some might expect possibly that I should