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
Peter's words in such a sense as may hint to us a large intire stone that lyes flat at the botome and extends to all the four corners bearing and underpropping the whole building both in the middle and all the four Angles thereof which noble and stately stone being indued with admirable strength by reason of the greatnesse and immensity of its body to undergo the burden imposed upon it we cannot apply and resemble it in a spiritual sense to any thing better than to the infinite strength of the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord on whose almighty shoulders there is laid help sufficient for our faith to lean on to support and preserve us from sinking under the direful weight of our sins into the crude raw indigested and boggy ground of our polluted righteousnesse when oppressed by the impetuous storms of temptation and when mourning under the ponderous pressure of Gods wrath righteously imposed upon the backs of sinners Hence is it that they who believe shall not need to make haste away from it as men do from boggy grounds as the noble Prophet expresseth it in the forecited place seeing it's firme ground wherein the Angular stone of our help and salvation is laid The [c] Isa 9.6 government resteth on the shoulders of an omnipotent Atlas supporting Heaven and Earth from falling under the leaden talents of divine wrath and justice So that the foundation of our spiritual house is not laid in the sandy desert of our impotent and lubricous natures or in the soft and shaking bogs of our filthy works but the help and stresse of our happinesse is settled upon One who is mighty to save For behold a hand of grace and mercy descending from heaven and fixing a most sure foundation on which our souls may find a safe and secure repose from all their fluctuations and disquietments Now for as much as the Apostles of Christ are termed also [d] Eph. 2.20 Rev. 21.14 foundations of the Church Nay seeing that even the Church it self is said to be [e] 1 Tim. 3.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the pillar and ground of truth we are to understand the former [f] Noyes Temple meas p. 31. of a doctrinal foundation the Apostles having bin such as did edifie and build up the Church upon the head-stone of the corner So Paul speaks of himself who like a wise master-builder had laid his Corinthians upon Christ as the (a) 1 Cor. 3.10 foundation of their faith By the latter concerning the Church we are to understand the promulgation and conservation of that truth once delivered unto it by our Lord himself and his holy Apostles inviolable and indelible to the day of Christ throughout all generations But of this possibly I may speak more fully in another place of this Treatise Wherefore to conclude this present paragraph about the corner-stone let us also remember that as this stone hath respect unto both sides of the building so it may fairely represent that sacred function and office of our Lord in knitting and uniting both Jews and Gentiles in one Temple of his mystical body Ideo etiam (b) De cessat legal p. 153. saith our famous Grostest sometime Bishop of Lincolne utriusque testamenta sacrificia peregit Christus ut in se angulari lapide continuaret duos parietes aedificii culturae Domini Therefore did Christ also performe the sacrifices of both testaments that he might joyn together the two walls of Gods worship in himself being the corner-stone That so he might become the foundation (c) Jud. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the salvation common both to Jews and Gentiles For through him (d) Eph. 2.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith holy Paul we both that is of the stock of the Jews and of the gentile race have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father Others there be who interpret this cementing or uniting of the corner-stone to be understood in respect to Saints and Angels Seeing the Father is related by the same Apostle (e) Eph. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to gather together unto a head all things both in the heavens that is Angels and Saints triumphant and also such as are upon the Earth that is Saints militant in Christ the head stone of the corner 6. In the sixth and last place he is termed (f) 1 Pet. 2.4 a living stone ¶ 6. To which purpose we may observe that such stones which still remain in their native place within the Quarry not yet dugg up or removed out of their natural situation are by the antients whether Poets Orators or Philosophers called living stones At present one shall suffice for all it being a thing commonly noted in the poems of the (g) Virgil. Aen. lib. 1. v. 167. Mantuan muse which describing the seats of the Nymphs in a rock upon the African shore sings thus Intus aqua dulces vivoque sedilia saxo Nympharum domus c. Where waters sweet with gentle murmurs slide The Nymphs on seats of living-stones abide Whereas on the other side stones hewn out of the Quarry and translated into stately Fabricks do moulder away by the forcible impressions of stormy weather and impetuous windes and may be styled dead stones though it be an unusual and harsh expression when those that remain in their native seats decay not but are rather increased and augmented and in some sort said to grow The common determination is that these subterraneous bodies are inlarged in their quantity by the petrification of adjacent matter (h) Cont. Cardan Exerc. 108.9.4 Scaliger holds that they are increased by certain exhalations that sweat out of the stones themselves like as gummes out of trees which by the astringent and indurating quality of cold do admit of concretion in their exterior parts and so augment their quantities The acute (i) Principo Philosoph p. 231. Amsteled 1644. quarto Renatus Desâ—cartes differs from the former teaching that there are many sharp spirits volatile salts Oily exhalations and vapors of a Mercurial nature that ascend out of the bowels of the Earth towards its surface which according to various and different mixtures cleave together when the more lubricous fluid and aëreal parts are evaporated and flown away producing such various sorts of stones both common and precious in the upper parts of the Earth The last that I shall mention is the opinion of our Country-man (a) De orig font p. 233. Lond. 1605. 8â— Lydiat who conceives upon many probable grounds that there are great subterraneous fires actually burning in the bowels of the Earth from which there ascend great quantities of spirits and manifold vapours differing in moysture or driness according to the inflamed matter beneath The moyster parts of such exhalations are resolved into water near the surface of the earth by reason of the cold aire condensing these vapors into drops as is ordinarily seen in the art of destillation which are the
things do but generally hint at the Churches excellencies and probably carry not in them any particular reflection Wherefore I intreat that I may alwaies be construed according to this sense here laid down as not indulging a private fancy nor being any thing positive in these points onely speaking by way of allusion unlesse hints from Scripture do fortify and uphold them Wherefore to proceed according to this intreated construction In like manner the prominency or standing out of the precious stones for so they are conceived to have been bunching out in squares might declare the visibility the exemplarinesse and the radiancy of the Saints The sides of the Sanctuary had three principal great and large ornaments the Palm-Trees the bunches of open flowers of Lillies and the Cherubims The Palm-Trees might denote the Saints patience and the emergency of the people of God out of trouble and persecution who though depressed yet are not broken though cast down yet not destroyed (d) 2 Cor. 4.9 and that if they persevere unto the end they shall walk with (e) Rev. 7.9 Palmes of Victory in their hands after the Lamb whithersoever he goeth Besides as the Palm-Trees stood upright with bunches of pendulous fruit It might shew that Saints have (f) Joh. 4.31 meat to eat in the Sanctuary which the world knoweth not of As there were open flowers carved in Cedar and covered with Gold So the Saints in the State of their conversing here below in Church-Ordinances are filled with the hopes of Glory Christ in them the true Lilly (g) Cant. 2.1 of the Vallies the (h) Col. 2.27 hope of Glory As they are pure white Lillies noting the impolluted ground of their hopes so doth this hope (i) 1 Joh. 3.3 purify them more and more even as he is pure Finally As we find Cherubims on the wals they might denote the constant communion of the Church with Angels For even those pure Spirits do desire (k) 1 Pet. 1.12 to pry into the Mysteries of the Gospel To the intent that now unto (l) Eph. 3.10 Principalites and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God To note likewise that we should do the will of our Heavenly Father as the Angels in Heaven do perform it with constant alacrity and chearfulness Therein might likewise be exhibited the constant protection of the Church which God affords not only by his own immediate presence but by the subserviency of Angels who are made ministring (m) Heb. 1.14 spirits for them who shall be heirs of salvation Wherefore because of their presence at Church-Ordinances Paul charges Timothy not only before God but also the (n) 1 Tim. 5.21 Elect Angels Women likewise that they should have (o) 1 Cor. 11.10 Power over their heads that is Vailes upon their faces because of the Angels presence in their Church-assemblies as some have interpreted that obscure place Thus much let be sufficient to have spoken of the inside Ornaments of the Sanctuary a little of the Windows Floor and Cieling and I shall then lead you into the sacred Oracle The Windows were made to let in the Light of the Sun into the Sanctuary I will not say there was any particular thing thereby typified but give me leave to allude in conformity to and harmony with the rest so that as the other Ornaments shewed the various graces of Saints adorning the Church within so these might signify a divine irradiation shining from heaven upon their understandings Or what if Christ's Gospel-Light should be noted by (p) Cant. 2.9 it as shining through the windows who is represented shewing himself through the Golden Lattesses Besides since that windows in Scripture are sometimes taken for the (q) Eccles. 12.3 eyes and finding that Prophets are termed (r) Kin. 17.13 Seers Why may not these windows of the Temple typifie the Gospel-Ministers that receive Visions from Heaven For it is by the (Å¿) Psal 36.9 Light of Heaven only we that can see and enjoy the true Light John the Baptist is termed by our Lord himself (t) Joh. 5.35 a shining Light and otherwhere the Apostles are called the (u) Mat. 5.14 Lights of the World not as if they were immediate Fountains of Light but as Starrs and Candles that shine with a borrowed Light or like Diaphanous or pellucid bodies that transmitt Light which originally flowes from Heaven it self teaching us that we must receive no Light from Teachers in Church but such as comes through them from Heaven Wherein we see the difference betwixt them and other Saints Ministers being capacitated to convey light to others as being indued with clearer capacities and irradiated with Heavenly Visions As glasse Crystal the Lapis Specularis so much used by the antients for windows and indeed all perspicuous bodies having (x) Basso Cont. Arist stotl p. 546. straight and direct pores are fitted for transmission of rayes of Light although all Diaphanous bodies do not perform it with equal lustre but accordingly as they are thick or thin or as the pores are more or lesse obstructed by those material atoms as of sand in the glasse and the like whereof they consist For indeed none of these pelluicd bodies be they never so thin but admit of some small (y) Lydiat prael Astr. p. 24. Gassend Epicur Philos. Christ 1. p. 302. refraction although indiscernable to the eye as hath bin observed by curious inquirers We may from the mention of the Temple-windows although we cannot learn that they were adorned with glasse yet herein alluding unto holy Prophets and Evangelical Ministers look upon them as fitted by God with clearer apprehensions the pores of thier understanding being made more direct for the drinking in of the beames of divine Light and transmitting them to others Whereas the Capacities of ordinary Saints are commonly distorted with cares and obstructed with the sorrows troubles and businesses of this World But let Prophets take heed that as the beams of Light receiving tinctures from red or green glasses accordingly do distaine the ground they suffer not the Light of Heaven of its self pure and uncoloured to be mixed and polluted with private passions and affections It is to be observed besides that as those win lows were narrow without and broad within to yield an expansive light into the Sanctuary It might denote that all the understanding which Gospel-Ministers receive from heaven must be imployed for the benefit of the Church of Christ These Windows were high likewise as being above the side-chambers appendant on the out side of the Temple noting the end of the Ministry onely to present divine and heavenly Objects but nothing of terrene and low concernment If we take them to signify the medium or means of the particular illumination of each Saint or the power and faculty of discerning whereby Saints look up to heaven with an eye of love and desire and on earth with
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
is meant the holy place or Sanctuary at the upper end whereof neer the vail stood the golden Altar What this golden Altar and its horns signified I have spoken before The Incense noted Prayer Hereby in the first place may be signified that by virtue of Christs bloud it is that his prayers and mediations for the Church are heard and accepted before the throne of God Hâ—s Intercession is built upon his passion and for all that he suffered them he prayes for As to the prayers of the Saints it is to be noted that none are effectual but such as proceed through Christs Censer perfumed with the Incense of his intermediation with the Father for us The bloud put upon it noted that the infirmities and sinfulness of our prayers are to be purged and taken away by the bloud of Christ As he said Domine laeva lachrymas Lord wash my tears we must say Wash them in the bloud of Christ and perfume our sighs with his precious odours The four horns tipt with bloud signifies the prevalency and vigorous strength of his prayers when he treats with his Father on our behalf upon the account of his precious bloud As the four horns did look to the four winds of Heaven and the four quarters of the Earth which to allude possibly might signifie the availableness of Christs prayers for all believers throughout the world who put their trust in him and lift up their prayers to Heaven in his blessed name The horns of this Altar might set forth the strength of prayer both for the good of the Church and for the ruine of her enemies and therefore is it that we read of odours smoaking at the golden Altar Revel 8.3 and immediately upon the Saints prayers the seven Angels prepared their Trumpets to sound warre desolation and ruine to the adversaries of the Church and at the sounding of the sixth Angel There was a voice or return of prayers that came from the four Horns of the golden Altar Revel 9.13 which is before God Furthermore as the Tabernacle or Sanctuary was also to be purged with bloud this might shew to us that all our holy services wherein we draw nigh to God must be washed in the bloud of Christ or else God will find matter enough therein to condemn us unlesse he take away the iniquity of our holy things we shall never be able to stand in Gods sight or to answer him one of a thousand for all the choisest and highest performances which we yeeld to his Majesty with the most ardent and heavenly frames that our spirits can possibly be in while we walk here below in Tabernacles of clay When the Priest had finished this work of Atonement for the Oracle and Sanctuary he then came out into the Court to the scape Goat and performs the work before-recited You heard of two Goats the one by lot was pitcht upon for a sin-offering whose bloud we see was carried into the most holy place Prov. 16.33 Act. 2.23 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. So was Christ delivered by the determinate counsel of God But why should our Lord among other creatures be set forth by a Goat a rank and falacious creature who himself was not touched with the least shadow of sinne In the Scripture c Mat. 25.33 wicked men and cruel Heathen Kings are set out by Goats Dan. 8.5 Devils by Satyrs AEgipans c. in many Authors Possibly upon this account of that imputed sin and iniquity which he sustained he being found d Rom. 8.3 in the likenesse of sinfull flesh For the bloud of those beasts was brought into the Sanctuary by the High priest e Heb. 13.10 Rainold against Hart. for sin Some think that the two Goats f Parisiens pag. 39. represented the two Natures of our blessed Saviour the slain Goat his Humanity the scape Goat his Divinity I rather suppose they might exhibit the two States of his Humanity his Passion and his Resurrection For because the same creature could not both suffer death and presently live again without a miracle Therefore one was appointed to death to represent our blessed Lord his suffering death upon the Cross The other after the bloud of the former had been sprinkled was to escape signifying his Resurrection He was the slain Goat g Rom. 4.25 delivered for our offences and as the living Goat that scaped death so was he raised again for our Justification As the slain Goat he was h 1 Pet. 3.18 put to death in the flesh as the scape Goat he was quickned by the Spirit The scape Goat although a poor creature in it self uncapable of sinne yet had all the sinnes of the people confessed over its head So Christ i 1 Cor. 5.2 who knew no sinne yet was made sinne for us that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him He laid on him the iniquity of us all Isa 53.6 The Rabbies tell a story k K. Sheringham Joma p. 147. Isa 1.18 that when the scape goat was sent into the wilderness there was a scarlet thred tied to the Temple-gate which when the Goat arrived at the rocks in the wilderness immediately turned white and therein do allude to that place though your sins be as scarlet yet they shall be as white as snow Which I leave to their confirmation The scape Goat being laden with the sins of the people was carried from Gods presence in the Temple afar off into the wilderness So hath the Lord Jesus removed our sins afar off out of the sight of God and from his vindicative Justice carried them into the Land of forgetfulness it being for his sake who bore our sins that he hath promised to remember them no more As far as the East is from the West so far hath he removed our transgressions from us b Isa 43 25. Ps 103.25 Lastly In that the Scape-Goat went into the Wildernesse it might denote the influence of Christs death to bear the sinnes of the Gentiles who were out of the pale of the Church then and aliens at that time from the Covenant of Promise But now in Christ Jesus c Eph. 2.13 they who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ After the work and service of the Scape-Goat was finished then the fat of the sin-offerings was laid and burnt upon the Altar Fatnesse signifies grossenesse and stupidity of spirit Make the heart of this people grosse or d Isa 6.10 fat and so it might signifie the consuming of great and grosse sins by the Sacrifice of Christ offered up for sinne Or rather as the fat is counted the choicest of the Sacrifice So it might denote the giving up to God as Christ did the primest chiefest choicest of our spirits in holy services Then we read that the Bullocks and Goats flesh with their skin and dung were all to be burnt without
under the Law though somtimes fortified by the Moral and Judicial Laws were also to remain after the abrogation of the ceremonies and not to determine at that time As for example the seventh part of our time stands dedicated to God by a moral Institution being appointed before the Law was given in the Wilderness even in the state of Innocence and therefore continues after the Law even in the times of the Gospel although the seventh part part of the week be changed to another day yet a seventh part still continues so likewise some acknowledgement of our substance and goods the encrease of our grounds and the fruit of our labours is to be rendred up to God as a moral duty as thereby owning him to be our God and the giver of all our blessings But now the quota pars or how much of this is to be dedicated stands in force by the positive Law of his Declarative Will which I have shewn to be the tenth God declaring that the tenth is his 't is his portion in the world which he gives to his servants whom he appoints for the celebration of his worship Wherefore even Heathens by the light of nature knowing that there is a God and consequently that this God is to be worshipped and then that there must be administrators or managers of this Worship who because of their constant attendance thereon could not nay might not employ themselves in any worldly affairs therefore ought to have some set maintenance whereby their lives might be preserved according to the dignity of their place wherefore they generally assigned them the tenths either deducing it by tradition from the ancient Patriarchs after the flood to whom they were allyed in collateral lines or else by imitation of the Worship of God in Canaan This I could abundantly testifie out of Plutarch Plut. in Luc. alibi and other grave Authors in this case But I cannot say that the tantum or such a quantity dedicated to God could be discerned by the light of Nature A second branch of the objection is That this way of maintenance is Popish and Antichristian being brought into the Church after the defection from the Truth and the rise of the man of sin As to this the want of skill and knowledge in the history of the Church may be indulged and pardoned for no man is bound to speak more then he knows yet to assert it so vehemently as some have done that 's unhandsom and not befitting any sober spirit Let them then know that after the ten persecutions of the Primitive times were ended and peace and rest given to the churches of Christ by the great blessing of God under the glorious Reigne of Constantine the great that godly Emperour that he made a Decree and Law Sozom Hist Eccl. l. 1. c. 8. That the Christian people should give a certain fixed rate of their estates to the maintenance of the Gospel-Ministery about the year 325. after the overthrow of Licinius which certain rate that it was a Tenth is attested by some vid. Zipp 363. ex Hermanno and was fully enjoyned by after Empeâ—ours Whence we infer First That this work was not done by the Pope for then there was but a Bishop at Rome without a super-eminent title or power over others which is the character the Apostle gives whereby we should know the rise of Antichrist 2 Thes 2.4 That it was many years before the clear manifestation of the Man of sin which was in the year 602 when the cruel Phocas constituted the Bishop of Rome head over all Bishops and then was he revealed with power It is true Whitak Ope. Theol Tom. 2. cont de Rom. Pont. praef p 517. 2 Thes 2.7 An 325. Petav Doct. Tempor part 2. p. 720. an Antichristian spirit catching after superiority and usurping of the place of Christ to be Head of the Church did work even in the Apostles days and yet no sober person will say I hope that those times were Popish But to clear up all The Nicene Council manifests the days of Constantine to have shined with great luster of truth as appears by the Nicene Creed or Confession of Faith composed by three hundred and thirteen Fathers then met together in Council which is commonly to be seen for five of the three hundred and eighteen did disagree from it Hotting Eccles Hist part 1. p. 174. They determined also clearly against Arius the Heretick who opposed the Divinity of Christ In these times of the Sun-shine of the Gospel was it that the godly Emperour Constantine stated a set rate for the Ministery Afterwards here in Britain the Saxon Kings having expelled the British out of their ancient Seats being themselves then Pagans at last were converted to the Faith and holding possession of the Land by the Title of Conquest of what Lands they kept to the Crown and of what they enfeoffed their great Lords in to hold under them they retained nine parts and made a donation or deed of gift of the tenth part to the Clergie so that there is no one person in the land that hath at present any injury or is oppressed thereby For if Landlords they never purchased the tenth If they be tenants they never paid for any Hold or Tenure of the Tenths either by Fine or Rent The tenth part being always reserved upon the account of the ancient Donation as the Ministers particular stated portion unless what is alienate by Impropriation in the days of Henry the eighth so that all the great men of the Nation holding their lands either by Grant from the Crown or Patrimonial descent or purchase do thereupon still retain the right of Patronage or presentment to such places whereof their Ancestors were possessed at the time of the Donation So that this Tenure and possession proceeds from the free gift of Christian Magistrates who seeing a necessity of maintaining a godly learned and painful Ministry thought it the highest prudence to fix upon some setled rate and portion annually to be assigned over to that use and behoof who because of the example of the ancient Patriarchs before the Law and the command and institution of God under the Law thought no course could be better taken then to follow those leading examples and not to give either an eighth or ninth or a twelfth or twentieth part of their estates but a tenth which hath since been confirmed by manifold Acts and Decrees of successive Parliaments of this Nation both before and since the Reformation But as to the manner and way I think no sober and serious person will much hesitate in case there be a fixed rate set and appointed that so their condition may not fluctuate and be subject to inconstancy their hopes of supply being else frustrate under some necessities of Providences Hence then as to the third branch of the objection which lies against forced maintenance There is no person in this point unjustly and unrighteously