to be a multitude of little Stars Adam was a Type of Christ in regard of his Headship and Influence Enoch a Type of his Ascension into Heaven Noah of his Preaching and saving the Church by the Covenant and Water of Baptism Melchizedek was a Shadow of the Excellency and Eternity of his Person and of his Priesthood and Kingdom Know these things meditate and consider them more throughly and improve Christ in these Discoveries for your spiritual good Consider him as a common person standing in our stead as a Prophet Priest and King as ascended into Heaven as the Saviour of the Church which is his Body Use 2. Be exhorted to examine your selves and try which of the two Adams you are under For there are but two Men in the World the first and second Adam thou art a Member of one of them Adam and Christ divide the whole World Quest How may we know whether we be under the first or the second Adam Answ Take these Tryals 1. What Birth hast thou only the natural or spiritual Generation Art thou only born or new born For they that come only from Adam by natural Generation belong to him as the first Adam They that come of Christ by spiritual Regeneration are the Seed of Christ and belong to him as the second Adam What Experience hast thou had of this great work Nicodemus though a Doctor in Israel understood little of it 2. What Covenant doth thy Soul cleave to and act under the rule and influence of Works or Grace Works is the first Adams Covenant but Grace is the Covenant of the second Adam To go forth in a mans own Strength to expect acceptance in his own Worth this is a first Covenant Spirit a sign thou growest upon the old Stock upon the root of old Adam But to live in a continual dependance upon free Grace for every thing the free Grace of God in Christ this is the Spirit of the second Covenant and becomes the Sons and Branches of the second Adam Though a godly man may for a fit turn aside to the old Covenant as Abraham did to Hagar yet it is not his way it is not his Spirit to do so and thence he is never at rest till he return to have his dependance and rest on Christ again The Spirit of one under the Covenant of Grace is to have no confidence in the Flesh but to have his rest and rejoycing in Jesus Christ Phil. 3.3 3. What Communications whose Influences dost thou receive Every Branch receives from its Root the Stream from its Fountain Dost thou receive the Communications of the first or of the second Adam this will shew whose thou art and to whom thou dost belong You have heard what it is that each of them doth communicate That old Tree bears no good Fruit at all Art thou under the power of Sin and Death or under the power of Righteousness and Life Sin and Death reigns in the posterity of the first Adam But Righteousness reigns by Grace unto eternal Life in the posterity of the second Adam Rom. 5.21 2 Cor. 5.17 if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature Vse 3. Here is Comfort to the Seed of the second Adam against the present troubles they are under There be chiefly three complaints and troubles of Gods People under all which here is matter of support and relief 1. Thou art here upon Earth Christ the Head in Heaven but his poor Saints and Members here below But remember whither Jesus the Forerunner is entred for us As sure as Enochs Body is in Heaven or Elijahs by the virtue of his Ascension of whom they were Shadows so sure shall thine and mine ascend thither if we be his though we sleep in the dust for a time as Chirst himself also did 2. But while in this low valley the floods of great Waters are ready to overwhelm us the floods of Persecution Affliction Desertions the overflowing scourges of common calamities which puts many of Gods people to some cares and fears But as to this consider that true Noah the Lord provides an Ark of safety for his people that the floods of great Waters may not overwhelm them Psal 32.6 see Psal 124 1-5 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when Men rose up against us then the Waters had overwhelmed us the Stream had gone over our Soul then the proud Waters had gone over our Soul But 3. Thou art a poor unworthy creature and God is angry or appears angry and how can I expect such Salvation from him who have sinned against him so as I have done To this remember what an High Priest you have even Jesus who is made an High Priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek Therefore let us come with boldness to the Throne of Grace It is the Apostles Inference Heb. 4.15 16. the Apostle saith of Melchizedek Heb. 7.4 consider how great this man was It may be said much more of Christ consider how great your High Priest is How little soever thou art in thy own eyes how unworthy soever the Greatness and Glory of your Redeemer is enough to remove all discouragement Some entrance Beloved hath been made into the personal Types We are upon the individual persons that were Types before the Law whereof eight were named Adam Enoch Noah Melchizedek Abraham Isaac Jacob and Joseph whereof only two have been spoken to viz. first Adam secondly Enoch We shall now proceed to the rest 3. The third is Noah whom we did but touch upon the last time but shall endeavour now to clear it more fully The Story of Noah is written in the 6 7 8 and 9. Chapters of Genesis And so famous it was amongst his Posterity that the Heathen have some broken Remembrances and Traditions of it they had heard of a Flood as well as of the Creation of the World Ovid speaks of them both in his Metamorphosis And their Bacchus the very name with a little alteration of the Letters comes from Noah Noachus Boachus and Janus from the Hebrew Jajin vinum somewhat they had heard as it seemeth about his planting a Vinyard and making Wine That this History of Noah had a typical respect you may see in 1 Pet. 3.20 21. In what respect was he a Type In two things chiefly 1. In regard of his Preaching 2. His saving his Houshold in the Ark. 1. In regard of his Preaching he was a Preacher of Righteousness 2 Pet. 2.5 he gave warning to the secure World for a hundred and twenty years together both by his Word and Actions Every stroke in the building of the Ark had a voice and was an alarm to the World every day So Christ who did preach by his Spirit in the Ministry of Noah 1 Pet. 3.19 20. And when he came in the Flesh he did preach and bring in everlasting Righteousness Dan. 9.24 And he hath preached by
of Light the Light he gives diffuseth it self through the whole man and has an influence into all his conversation 6. There were many Rooms or Chambers in the Ark and so in the Temple yet all these made up but one Ark this signifies many particular Churches yet all the Churches in the world make up but one Church Catholick which is the mystical body of Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 as the Body is one and hath many Members and all the Members of that one Body being many are one Body so also is Christ see Cant. 6.9 My undefiled is but one 7. There were three Stories in the Ark it was three Stories high Gen. 6.16 and so Solomons Temple had three parts an outer Court an inner Court and an Holy of Holies This holds forth the three degrees of the Church There is 1. The visible Church 2. The mystical Church militant here on Earth 3. The Church triumphant in Heaven The Church in her lowest Story is her visible Members here on Earth among whom there be many Hypocrites yet even so she is more excellent than the Mountains of Prey Psal 76.4 Kingdoms are called Mountains of prey that saying being too often true that magna Regna are indeed magna Latrocinia But the Church is more glorious than they The invisible Church is the second Story against whom all the Gates and Powers of Hell shall not prevail Matth. 16.18 It is true in some sense in general concerning the visible Church Christ will always have some visible Societies of Christians in the world that shall make profession of his Name but it holds chiefly concerning the mystical Body of Christ True Believers cannot fall away The third Story is the Church triumphant which is higher than all these and more excellent than all the Kingdoms in the world than all the Churches upon earth 8. They in the Ark were safe and there was no safety but in the Ark so in the Church there is Salvation but no Salvation out of the Church Salvation is of the Jews Joh. 4. extra Ecclesiam nou est Salus It is always true of the mystical Church and it is ordinarily true concerning the visible Church Yea the Ark was safest when the Waters were highest Sea-man have an expression in a Storm they use to wish for Sea-room enough Or we may apply it higher to Christ himself and to his mystical Body Without Christ there is no Salvation but as they were safe in the Ark So whosoever is in Christ and a Member of that invisible Society he is safe and shall never perish 9. In the Ark there were both clean and unclean Beasts yet the Ravenousness of their Natures was restrained for the time Gen. 7.2 So in the Church there are both Saints and Hypocrites Hypocrites are unclean Beasts A Cham in the Ark a Judas a Devil in Christs own Family In the visible Church there be sometimes Wolves within and Sheep without though they are Wolves in Sheeps clothing For profane persons may and should be kept out but close Hypocrites cannot For as in the Ark though there were ravenous Beasts yet their Natures were restrained so in the Church such as are Beasts by nature yet the Corruption of their Natures is restrained there is restraining Grace upon Hypocrites in the Church as well as renewing Grace in the Saints Isai 11 6-9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain 10. There issued out of the Ark a Raven and a Dove whereof the Dove returned again but the Raven did not Gen. 8.7 8 9. the Raven is an unclean Bird Levit. 11.15 a Bird of prey and a Bird of darkness Isai 34.11 The Dove is a Bird of Light at the Baptism of Christ the Holy Ghost descended on him in the shape of a Dove Matth. 3. If a Dove go out from Christ and his Ordinances it shall find no rest till it returns again into the Ark and be taken in by the Hand of Noah by the Spirit of Christ But the Raven goes out of the Ark and returns no more and how many Ravens are there in the Church that depart and fall off and return no more 1 Joh. 2.19 they went out from us because they were not of us You Ravens that are going and coming and hovering to and fro Vide the old Geneva Note as the Raven she went and came Gen. 8.7 and might light on the outside of the Ark If you do not get into the Ark into Christ it shews what you are You that are Doves and gone out return again return to your Rest fly as Doves to the Windows Isai 60.9 The Dove is no ravenous Bird she cannot fight as the Raven and she is swift of Wing pray for the Wings of a Dove in this sense Psal 55.6 make haste to Christ Thus you see what a full and plentiful Analogy there is between the Ark and the Church in all these ten particulars 2. The Deluge was a Shadow of the Day of Judgment and the everlasting Salvation of some and Destruction of others at that day The Apostle Peter parallels them 2 Pet. 3.6 7. the World that then was being overflowed with Water perished But the Heavens and the Earth which are now are reserved for Fire against the day of Judgment It was indeed a lesser day of Judgment and magnum futuri Judicii praejudicium Hence Hell is called the place of the Gyants Prov. 21.16 The man that wandreth out of the way of understanding shall remain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in caetu Gigantum in the Congregation of the Gyants Prov. 9.17 18. but he knoweth not that the Gyants are there and that her Guests are in the depths of Hell The World will be in a like frame drowned again in deep security Matth. 24.37 38 39. though they see all the tokens appearing and all things fulfilled that have been foretold yet they will not be awakened But when they saw the Flood came indeed Oh the amazement that began to seize upon them when they saw the Cataracts of Heaven opened from above and the Fountains of the great Deep broke up from beneath So at the Day of Judgment every eye shall mourn Rev. 1.7 see Heb. 11.7 Noah prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by which he condemned the World some saved by Noah others condemned by him 3. The Waters that bore up the Ark are made by the Apostle a shadow of the Water of Baptism 1 Pet. 3.21 As that Water bore up the Ark and saved them from drowning so doth Baptism save us For though the Flood was a true and real History ye there be typical Histories as you will hear further when we come to the real Types Therefore that Water had a typical respect to the Water of Baptism 4. Noahs Sacrifice when he came out of the Ark was a manifest Type of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ For so indeed were all their Sacrifices Gen. 8.20 21 22. Hence Christ is called a Sacrifice of
here how glorious is the Messiah of whom all these were but weak and dark Umbrages He is indeed the chiefest of ten thousands Cant. 5. Vse 2. Look whatever Glory was in any of these Persons by way of Prefiguration of Jesus Christ it is and should be found in every Believer by way of Participation from Christ and Imitation of him Therefore in these Examples we see our own Duty in their Attainments we see what should be our Endeavours our Endeavours did I say I may say also through Grace our Attainments For tho it is true we are not yet perfect neither have we already attained yet there is a time coming when thou and I if we be true Believers shall be more holy than ever Elijah or Elisha were in the days of their pilgrimage here below when we shall serve God better than Zerubbabel and Jehoshuah did when they restored and rebuilt his Temple namely when we come to Heaven Then there is not the least Saint but is more holy than ever the most eminent Saint was here upon Earth For the best of them had a Body of Sin and Death in them but in Heaven there shall be no Sin at all For as these eminent Persons had a typical relation unto Christ so every true Believer hath a mystical Union and Communion with him and by virtue thereof they do partake of his Spirit and Glory So that as we have here a motive unto what we ought to do so we have also Encouragement and Comfort as to what we shall attain We shall attain it then when Jesus Christ shall present all his Members to his Father blameless and spotless and faultless Ephes 5.26 27. Jude 24. before the presence of his Glory with exceeding Joy Who is the Type or Figure of him that was to come Rom. 5.14 Sept. 26. 1667 THe personal Types of Christ have been referred unto two sorts 1. Individual Persons 2. Religious Orders or whole ranks and kinds of typical Persons The former have been spoken to we shall now proceed to the latter and so finish the Text. The difference between individual Types and religious Orders or kinds and ranks of typical Persons lies chiefly in this That no wicked man could be an individual Type of Christ but he may be involved in a religious Order of Types For the Order is holy though the Man be wicked And here it is not directly the Person but rather indeed the Order that is the Type and the Person as involved and invested in such an Order Quest What were these typical Orders and Ranks of Men Answ I shall instance only in these six 1. That whole Nation and People of Israel 2. The First-born of that Nation 3. Their Nazarites 4. Their Prophets 5. Their Priests 6. Their Kings 1. The whole Nation of the Jews they were a typical People their Church-state being very ceremonial and peculiar to those legal times and therefore now ceased and abolished and did adumbrate and shadow forth two things 1. Christ himself hence Christ is called Israel Isai 49.3 By Israel is meant Christ and all the Faithful as the Members of him their Head 2. They were a Type of the Church of God under the New Testament Hence the Church is called Israel Gal. 6.16 and Rev. 7. The twelve Tribes of Israel are numbred up by Name to shew forth the Lords particular Care of every one of his People in particular That place is not meant properly of old Israel because it relates to the times of the Antichristian Locusts Compare cap. 7. with cap. 9.4 the Analogy lies in this That they were a peculiar people to the Lord chosen and singled out by him from all the world So is Christ the Lords chosen Behold my Servant whom I have chosen mine elect in whom my Soul delighteth So are all the Saints 1 Pet. 2.9 A royal Nation a peculiar People gathered from among all Nations Rev. 5.9 Hence the Enemies of Israel were typical Enemies as Egypt and Babylon under the Old Testament Types of Antichristian Enemies under the New and the Providences of God towards that People of old Types and Shadows of his intended future Dispensations towards his People under the New as you will see further when we come to speak of typical Providences 2. The First-born of that Nation were also a typical sort of persons therefore Esau in despising his Birthright despised a spiritual Priviledge and therefore justly called a profane person Heb. 12.16 And they also typified Christ and the Church Christ For he is the First-born among many Brethren Rom. 8.29 The Church And thence the same Name and Title is given to all the Saints Heb. 12.23 The general Assembly and Church of the First-born The Analogy appears chiefly in two things 1. In regard of the Lords special Interest and Propriety in them 2. In regard of their Preheminence and Dignity above others 1. The Lords Propriety in them as his in a special and peculiar manner The First-born are mine Because he had redeemed them when the First-born of Egypt were destroyed Exod. 13.2 So Christ hath a special relation to God as his first begotten yea his only begotten Son his Son by Nature we are Sons only by Adoption and Grace Primogenitus ante quem nullus unigenitus post quem nullus Joh. 1.14 So the Saints The Lord hath a special relation and propriety in them all manner of ways by Creation by Redemption by Regeneration by his own choice of them by their consent and choice of him c. 2. In regard of their Dignity and Preheminence above others The First-born had many Priviledges above his Brethren he was as it were the second Father of the Family So Christ Isai 9.6 is called the everlasting Father He had the Honour and the Government the Priesthood was his and a double portion of the Estate Deut. 21.17 The First-born at first had the Priesthood Exod. 24.5 Young men sacrificed Afterward Levi was set apart instead of the First-born Numb 8. Therefore Reuben left the Government to Judah the Priesthood to Levi the double Portion to Joseph who was divided into two Tribes Ephrahim and Manasseh So Christ has the Honour above all Creatures Heb. 1.6 Let all the Angels of God worship him And the Saints which are the Lords First-born in a secondary way are honourable persons as being Members of Christ they are precious in his sight and honourable therefore he says I will give Nations and Princes for thy Life Isai 43.3 4. 3. Their Nazarites the Institution of their religious Order with all the Rules and Observations belonging to it you have in the 6th chapter of Numbers It was an Order of much esteem amongst the People of God in those times and is reckoned as a great Honour and Glory to that People Amos 2.11 I raised of your Sons for Prophets and of your Young men for Nazarites Her Nazarites Lam. 4.7 were whiter than Snow There were two degrees of it either for
attending this Rule of understanding and of accommodating typical Scriptures both to Type and Antitype not excluding either they being really meant of both and most fully of Christ the Antitype who is the scope and centre of all the Counsels and Dispositions of God Caut. 2. That the Lord in these occasional and extraordinary Dispensations whereof we speak did aim at sundry ends and intended them to be for several uses namely to be not only Types but other ways also to be instructive and useful and herein his infinite Wisdom appears the more in causing so many ends to meet at once and indeed so it is in all the rest of his Dispensations towards his people and in the world and so in the Ordinances we have at this day they do not serve for one use only Quest But what are these ends Answ Not to insist upon the general Ends of all the Types in this sort we are now upon viz. transient and occasional Types there were three great Ends. 1. For their outward and temporal good they had by these things outward supply and deliverance so the passing through the red Sea the Manna the Water out of the Rock were outward Mercies so the Brazen Serpent gave outward and bodily Healing to them beside that spiritual and sacramental use it had to adumbrate Jesus Christ 2. They were Instructions in moral Duties as indeed all Providences are the Lords giving them Water out of the Rock and Bread from Heaven were instructing Providences to depend upon God in straits and to trust in him at all times 3. The third End was the typical Adumbration of Christ and Gospel-mysteries besides all other ends and uses of them besides outward and temporal good and moral Instruction they did by the positive Intention of the Spirit of God point at Christ and lead to him For this the Text is express all these things happened unto them in Types and ver 4. that Rock was Christ Quest How may we judge what providential Dispensations had such a typical respect and use Answ This hath been formerly partly spoken to and this Rule was given that it is not safe for men to form Allegories out of their own Fancies unless it be some way hinted in the Scripture unless it be either expressed or may be gathered from thence by clear consequence as when by comparing the Scriptures a manifest analogy doth appear as clear as the Sun at noon day But for men to set their Fancies a work to extract Allegories out of every Scripture history as the Popish Interpreters use to do is not safe nor becoming a judicious Interpreter Luth. in Gen. 3. fol. 57. Luther called such Allegories Spumam Scripturae they beat the Scriptures into Froth by allegorizing all things Allegorias esse vanas speculationes tanquam spumam sacrae Scripturae And fol. 57 58. Hoc monuisse sit satis ut qui Allegoriis uti vellent iis utantur quas indicarunt Apostoli quae habent fundamentum certum in ipsa litera seu historia alioqui fiet ut aedificemus super fundamentum paleam stipulas non aurum Paraeus Protogom in Gen. in Gal. 4.24 Parce admodum Spiritus sanctus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Holy Ghost is sparing in the business of Allegories He doth not allegorize every Providence but some he doth And so these Providences were also Ordinances God was pleased to superinduce the nature of an Ordinance upon them Quest What were those typical Providences which we call occasional and extraordinary Types Answ They may be referred and distributed into 2 sorts things and actions A distribution that some have made use of in this Subject who have not well known where to place it but this I take to be the proper place of it It is indeed these occasional Types that are best distributed into things and actions 1. As to occasional typical things we may instance in seven particulars and I shall set them down before you according to the order of time wherein the Lord gave them 1. Jacobs Ladder 2. Moses his burning Bush 3. The Pillar of Cloud and Fire 4. Manna or the Bread that came from Heaven 5. The Rock that followed them and Water out of the Rock 6. The The Brazen Serpent And 7. Some have added also those healing Waters of the Pool of Bethesda These were typical things Occasional typical actions are such as their coming out of Egypt passing through the red Sea c. of which afterward We are to speak to these occasional typical things some whereof were given to particular persons as that visional Ladder to Jacob the burning Bush was shewed to Moses others of them were given to the whole people of Israel as the Pillar of Cloud and Fire and all the rest that were enumerated 1. Jacobs Ladder which he saw at Bethel This was but an occasional Type it was no permanent thing The History of it is in Gen. 28 12-16 That it had a typical respect our Saviour himself seems to insinuate Joh. 1. ult It represented Christ as the means of Intercourse between God and Man Yet it was not to speak properly a Type but rather a typical Vision being not a thing actually existent but only in a Vision of the night however because divers that have spoke upon the Types have made mention of it I shall also speak a word to it Yet even this circumstance some have thought of a typical accommodation for it thus That as Jacob saw this Ladder but in a Vision so we see Christ here but in a Glass darkly 1 Cor. 13.12 till the day-light of Glory in Heaven dawn upon us but then face to face But I shall draw the Parallel only in these five things 1. Here was some dark shadow of the Person Natures and Office of Christ thus In that this Ladder the foot of it stood upon the Earth and the top of it reached up to Heaven whereby Heaven and Earth did meet as it were So Christ in regard of his human Nature toucheth the Earth yet in regard of his Deity he is the God of Heaven And as in this Ladder the top and the foot of it made but one Ladder So both the Natures of Christ are but one Person and by this Union of his two Natures he brings Heaven and Earth together unites God and Man which was the great work for which he came into the world 2. This visional Ladder shews the way to Heaven There is no ascending to Heaven but by the spiritual Ladder Jesus Christ no Salvation but by Christ no comfortable Intercourse and Communion between God and us but only in and through him Men cannot climb to Heaven by their own Works and Merits though they should heap Mountain to Mountain of Duties one upon another yet they would fall short Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is no other Name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 3. We have in
Israel was thus Conducted safe in the morning Watch Exod. 14.24 27. So Christ in the morning Watch of his Resurrection and in the morning of the general Resurrection and last Judgment triumphs over all the Enemies of his people Psal 49.14 Then his Church is fully passed from death to life eternal life then may Israel sing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb and say the Lord shall reign for ever and ever Exod. 15.18 Much Teaching and many other Instructions might be learned from all the Circumstances of this Dispensation The Egyptians here met with a punishment suitable to their sin They had drowned the Children of Israel and now fourscore years after they themselves are drowned in the Red Sea and from the sore distress that Israel was in the Sea before them their Enemies behind them the Mountains on either side insomuch that they had no other choice in the eye of reason but either to be drowned or slain We may here observe that the most glorious Deliverances of the Church are in their greatest straits and most desperate distresses we may also observe the invincible safety of the Church of God in all Tryals under all troubles The Fire cannot burn them as you have seen before in the burning Bush which burnt and was not consumed the Sea cannot drown them you have formerly heard of Noah floating upon the Waves in an Ark of safety when all the World was Sea and now you see Israel safe in the bottom of the Sea Oh! Trust God and follow the Lord fully when he leads you into dangers and difficulties as deep as the bottom of the Sea 2 Chron. 20.12 We know not what to do but our eyes are unto thee It was by Faith that Israel did this Heb. 11.29 Some make the Red Sea a Type of the blood of Christ That through his blood we pass to the Land of Promise 3. Their marching through the Wilderness those Deserts of Arabia with their God in the head of them Psal 68.7 The Wilderness of an unregenerate Condition so Burroughs of holy Courage on Heb. 11.27 Cap. 25 and 26. Interprets and applies this their Passage out of Egypt unto Canaan Herein was an eminent Prefiguration of three things 1. Troubles difficulties temptations in the way to Heaven that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14.22 This World is but a Wilderness an howling Wilderness full of Lyons and Leopards sins and troubles Cant. 4.8 full of fiery Serpents and Scorpions and Drought as those Arabian Deserts were 2. We may here see as in a Glass the Corruptions of our own hearts That this was a great part of the meaning of this Type the Apostle shews at large in many Verses of the Context v. 5. to 10. Look what Israel did and how they carried it in the Wilderness we are apt to do the like we are apt to think they were a very murmuring froward People but if thou hadst been in their Circumstances thou wouldst have done as bad as they 3. The perishing and miscarrying of many Souls under some preparative and initial Works is also here plainly held forth For many of them perished in the Wilderness while they were in transitu between Egypt and Canaan So doth many a Soul after some beginnings and motions heavenwards The Apostle applies it thus Heb. 4.1 11. lest any man fall short after the same example of unbelief and here 1 Cor. 10.5 many of them were destroyed in the Wilderness 4. Their passing through Jordan under Joshua's Conduct the Priests bearing the Ark going in before them and standing in the midst thereof till all the people were gone over Joshua 3.13 17. and 4.10 18. The signification of this was as the Dispensation it self was much after the same nature with their Passage through the Red Sea but accompanied with differing Circumstances In general it represented and held forth Christ going before his people and himself bearing their sorrows that would have sunk them he wafteth them safely through all their sorrows and miseries and through death it self over unto their eternal Rest It was at this place Bethabara 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 domus transitus the house of Passage from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 domus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 transire Chytraeus in Josh 3. 4. The place that Jesus Christ was baptized at when he entred upon his Ministry Joh. 1.28 And as Israel of old did pass over on the tenth day of the first Month Josh 4.19 Paulus Eber. Pref. in Calend Hist Encamping in Gilgal where they kept the Passover Josh 5.10 So it seems that on the same tenth day of the first Month Christ rode into Jerusalem where he not only kept the Passover but presented himself the true Paschal Lamb to be slain for us and encountring with the swellings of Jordan the whole Confluence of the Wrath of God and the sins and sorrows of all his Elect he hath opened a Passage for them through the midst of Jordan as it were into the Land of their eternal Rest 5. And so this brings me to the Fifth typical Dispensation of Providence to them of old viz. Their Entrance into Canaan under the leading and conduct of the same Joshua who had led them through Jordan The History whereof is the main Subject of the Book of Joshua The Mystery of this Dispensation is plain and obvious Canaan was a Type of Heaven it shadowed forth another and a better Country that is an heavenly Heb. 11.16 Their Rest in the Promised Land shadowed forth another Rest remaining for the people of God Heb. 4.8 9. These things were partly spoken to when we were upon the Personal Types where we spake of Joshua as a Type of Christ the true Jesus or Joshua 6. The last typical Deliverance that I shall mention is their deliverance out of their Captivity in Babylon Their Bondage in Babylon was a Type of spiritual bondage their Deliverance a Type of spiritual deliverance by Christ and of his raising up his spiritual Kingdom Hence it is observable that the Prophets when speaking of that Recovery from Babylon they pass from that to Christ and our spiritual Restoration through him and they spake more magnificently of that than was fulfilled in the Letter and History and they often intermix Passages that are plainly and undeniably meant of Christ and of his spiritual Grace and Kingdom of which that temporal Deliverance was but a taste and Type See Jer. 32.36 37 40 41. also Jer. 33.15 16. and in very many other places See Calvin in loc the Prophets still lead the people from that to Christ in whom all the Promises and Prophecies are fully and perfectly accomplisht Moreover Babylon was a Type of Rome and consequently their deliverance out of Babylon a Type of the Churches deliverance in the New Testament from under the Yoke of Antichrist and the Circumstances also agree 1. That it was a gradual work for some came back with
can see but created Manifestations and Representations of his Glory he did appear in So Exod. 20.18 and 19.18 19 20 Jehovah descended symbolically in regard of the glorious tokens and symbols of his Presence But then they saw no similitude only Fire and Smoke and the Mountain shaking Deut. 4.12 Exod. 24.10 11. And they saw the God of Israel and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a Saphire stone also they saw God and did eat and drink Exod. 34.5 6. And the Lord descended in the Cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the Name of the Lord and the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed c. It seemeth by the expressions Deum humanâ effigie pertranfijsse that God passed by in an humane shape All the three Persons of the Trinity have appeared distinctly in visible Representations God the Father and the Son Dan. 7.9 13. I beheld till the Thrones were cast down and the ancient of days did sit I saw in the night Visions and behold one like the Son of Man came with the Clouds of Heaven to the ancient of days Revel 4.1 compared with Chap. 5.7 where we find that the Lamb took the Book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the Throne So that here be two of those glorious Persons distinctly appearing Ezek. 1.26 Above the Firmament there was the likeness of a Throne and upon it the likeness as the appearance of a Man about it It seems to be meant of God the Father because Ezek. 9.2 4. He is distinguished from the Man with a Writers Inkhorn by his side who is thought to be our only High Priest the Lord Jesus Christ The second Person Jesus Christ To Moses Exod. 3.2 4. For he is called the Angel which agrees not so well to the first Person And Moses prays for his Good will Deut. 33.16 Therefore it was not any created Angel but Jesus Christ the Angel of the Covenant of Grace as a praeludium to his Incarnation So to Isaiah 6.1 he saw the Lord. It is the Lord Jesus Christ so it is interpreted John 12.41 So Gen. 32.24 And Jacob was left alone and there wrestled a Man with him until the breaking of the day that is God in the form of a Man as the old Geneva Note hath it The Prophet Hosea saith it was God Hos 12.3 4. and Jacob wept and made supplication unto him and there he or God spake with us The third Person the Holy Ghost in the shape of a Dove at the Baptism of Jesus Christ Matth. 3. 2. Sometimes Angels have appeared sometimes in Bodies of humane shape provided for them by the Power of God either created of nothing and after the Apparition annihilated or compacted of the four Elements and especially of Air condensed and then resolved again after the Appearance was past into the matter of which they were compounded As to Lot Gen. 19.1 10. And there came two Angels to Sodom and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them and bowed himself with his Face to the ground These Angels vers 10. are called Men. To David 2. Sam. 24.17 And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the Angel that smote the People and said Lo I have sinned and I have done wickedly c. He saw the Angel Which is further explained 1 Chron. 21.16 And David lift up his eyes and saw the Angel of the Lord stand between the Earth and the Heaven with a drawn Sword in his hand At Christs Resurrection divers Angels appeared in the shapes of Men Matth. 28.2 3. An Angel rolled back the Stone from the door of the Sepulchre and sate upon it c. Luke 24.4 Behold two Men stood by them in shining Raiment So at his Ascension Acts 1.10 Behold two Men stood by them in white Apparel Sometimes the Angels did appear not only in humane shapes but with other Representations accompanying them as Horses and Chariots of Fire that is with Riders upon them 2 Kings 6.17 Behold the Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of Fire round about Elisha Zach. 1.8 Behold a Man riding upon a red Horse and behind him there were red Horses speckled and white and 6.1 there came four Chariots out from between the two Mountains ver 5. These are the four Spirits of the Heavens 3. Sometimes other things were represented and shewn in Vision to them to signifie to them the Mind of God as Jerem. 1.11 13. The Prophet there seeth the Rod of an Almond tree and a seething pot with the face thereof toward the North So Amos cap. 7. ver 1 4 7 8. has several things presented in Vision to him And this is one of these divers manners of the Lords speaking viz. by Visions or Representations to the eye waking 2. Another manner was by Dreams that is by Representation of things to the Fancy in sleep and they had not only things presented but usually Words spoken to interpret them Sometimes the Lord gave divine Dreams to wicked men as to Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar but they knew not what they meant and so were not Prophets but the Lord sent the Interpretation by others who were his faithful Servants But the Prophets and Servants of God usually had both the Dream and some further light for the Perception and Interpretation of it As to Abraham Gen. 15.12 And when the Sun was going down a deep sleep fell upon Abram and lo an horrour of great Darkness fell upon him and he said unto Abram know of a surety c. ver 13. And to Jacob Gen. 28.12 13. the Dream of the Ladder ver 12. is interpreted to him by God in the following verses and 31.11 12. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Jacob in a Dream and speaks unto him and 46.2 God spake unto Israel in the Visions of the night So to Daniel cap. 7. 1 7 13. the divers night Visions he had there are afterwards interpreted to him ver 15 c. To Joseph Matth. 1.20 An Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a Dream saying fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife and Matth. 2.13 19. An Angel of the Lord appeareth in a Dream to him saying arise and take the young Child and his Mother and go into the Land of Israel This way and manner of speaking seems to have been very frequent and usual in those ancient times as those words of Elihu intimate Job 33.14 15 16. For God speaketh once yea twice in a Dream in a Vision of the night See Aynsworth on Gen. 20.3 and Gen. 37.5 when deep sleep falleth upon Men in slumbers upon the bed then he openeth the Ears of Men c. 3. A third manner was by Voices by an audible Voice uttered either by God himself immediately or the Angels And these audible Voices are accompanied sometimes with visible Appearances to the eye but sometimes the Voice alone without any visible apparition To our first Parents Gen. 3.3 It was the Voice of God
no reflection at all upon his Truth and Faithfulness if the Messiah had been quite another manner of Person than the Types held forth But to admit such a supposition to suppose that the Messiah might have been quite another manner of Person than the Types hold forth is to take away the Analogy between the Type and the Antitype and so by consequence to deny that they were Types or else to make them all Lyes and false Images Therefore if it be but granted that they were true Signs it follows even from thence that they were Seals or sure and certain Pledges of Christ and Gospel-Mysteries in him See Calvin in 1 Cor. 10.3 11. Beza in Col. 2.17 Erant enim vera pro ratione ac modo Sacramentorum efficacia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ac etiam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They were both Signs and Seals and true and efficacious Signs and Seals after that manner of efficacy that is in Sacraments Rule 3. The Types relate not only to the Person of Christ but to his Benefits and to all Gospel Truths and Mysteries even to all New-Testament-Dispensations I mention this the rather because I have observed that it doth much darken the thoughts of many that they study to accommodate every Type directly to the Person of Christ because we commonly call them Types of Christ But that expression is not meant of his Person exclusively to his Benefits but of both together Christ and the good things of Christ the Types shadowed forth Christ and all the good that comes by him So the Apostle Heb. 10.1 they are a shodow of good things to come he doth not limit or restrain them to the Messiahs person only As the Cherubims were Types not directly of Christ but of the Angels that stand before the Lord and minister to him and to his People Hence before the Gospel there were no Gospel Types before the first Promulgation of it Genes 3. there could be no Types of Gospel Blessings There were some things extant before which were made Types afterwards but they had not that Schesis that habitude and relation to Christ and the Gospel till there was a Gospel or a Promise of Life by Christ that blessed Seed Yea as they had Types of Christs Person and of his spiritual and saving Benefits so they had Types even of all New-Testament Dispensations Our very Sacraments were shadowed forth by theirs As Baptism by Circumcision and by their passing thorough the Red Sea and the Lords Supper by their Passover Yea they had Types not only of the Blessings and Benefits of Christ but of our Miseries without him As they had their Ceremonial Uncleannesses as the Leprosie for instance was a Type Of what Neither of Christ nor of his Benefits but of our natural Pollution So they had a Type of the Covenant of Works viz. Hagar and Ishmael They had a Type of the Church of Rome viz. Babylon So Antiochus may pass for a Type of Antichrist Doeg and Achitophel of Judas Pharaoh for a Type of the Devil Sodom and Gomorrah for a Type of Hell For as the Types look chiefly and principally at Christ and his Benefits in the clear and full Exhibition and Communication of them under the Gospel so they represent other things also though not by way of Primacy and principal intention but by way of concomitancy and illustration of the Principal Therefore these Types of New-Testament-evils it will not be necessary always to handle them by themselves For the most of them will come in better under the several Types or Shadows of good things the further illustration whereof by the contrary was the thing chiefly aimed at in them Rule 4. As there is a Similitude a Resemblance and Analogy between the Type and the Antitype in some things so there is ever a dissimilitude and a disparity between them in other things It is so in all similitudes It is a Rule in Reason There is a mixture of Consentaneity and Dissentaneity or else instead of Similitude there would be Identity So here in these sacred Similies it is not to be expected that the Type and the Antitype should quadrare per omnia that they should agree in all things Therefore the Apostle though he makes Adam a Type of Christ whom he calls the second Adam yet he shews the disparity also and that the second Adam did infinitely transcend and excel the first 1 Cor. 15.47 the first man is of the Earth earthly the second man is the Lord from Heaven So the Priests of old they were Types of Christ but Christ did infinitely excel them and his Priesthood was infinitely more glorious as the Apostle disputes at large in the 7 8 9 and 10. of the Hebrews see particularly chap. 7. v. 23 24 27. There is more in the Antitype than in the Type Hom. 61. in Genes Oportet figuram minus habere quam veritatem Chrysost For such is the Glory and Excellency of Christ the Antitype that no Type could reach it Hence that Distinction of Types partial and Types total must be understood with some limitation thus That some things or persons were only Types of Christ in some one particular thing others in many things but there never was any that did or could possibly resemble him perfectly in all things So Jonas is called a partial Type because he shadowed forth the Messiah in that one thing his abiding two or three days in the Grave and then rising again David some call him a total Type in regard that the whole History of his Life hath so great a shadow and representaton of Christ the true David But yet if we speak rigidly and properly David himself was but a partial Type For he was only a Prophet and a King he was not a Priest but Christ was both Prophet Priest and King Moses indeed was both a Prophet a Priest and a King but his Priesthood continued only till Aaron was consecrated then Moses laid it down And Moses did mediate between God and the People as a Prophet to interpret the Mind of God to them and as a King or a Judg to govern them and as an Intercessor to pray for them but not by giving himself a Sacrifice unto death for expiation of their sins He was a Mediator ob interpretandi docendi officium but not ob satisfaciendi beneficium as some express it Therefore Moses himself was but a partial Type a Type only ratione rei in regard of Redemption and Deliverance but not ratione modi he did not do it by shedding his Blood and laying down his Life as Christ did Hence we must take heed of straining the Types too far to make them agree in that wherein indeed there is a disparity or disagreement If the Type go with us one mile or rather with the Antitype one mile we must not constrain it to go twain 3. The third thing propounded to be spoken to was the Differences and Agreements between a Type and
for evermore Psal 16.11 So likewise the Tree of Life in Paradise was a Type of Christ though it was created upon the third day of the Week and before the Gospel it could not be a Type of Christ yet after the Fall and after the preaching of the Gospel Gen. 3. it might be designed and ordained to this use As God provided Physical Herbs for Man before he fell or needed them as to that use of Physick so this Tree of Life before Sin or the Gospel was known It seems to be so spoken of Revel 2.7 and 22.2 The Tree of Life in the midst of Paradise Christ in the midst of the Church Mans Ejection out of Paradise a Type of his deserved Exclusion out of Heaven And the Cherubims with flaming Swords Gen. 3. ult an outward and visible shadow of the Wrath of God and of the Angels of God as Executioners of it on Man who were created to be Ministers to his good and are so again through Grace But as in our natural condition they are the Lords Hosts to fight against us But there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a much more put upon Christ His saving Virtue far exceeds that cursed influence of Adam in sundry particulars amply opened by the Apostle from ver 12. to the end of the Chapter 1. The disparity is very great both in their Persons The first Adam is of the earth earthly his Name is but Adam Earth or Red earth but the second Adam is the Lord from Heaven 2 Cor. 15.47 2. In their Headship and Undertaking the one of a Covenant of Works the other of a better Covenant of Grace 3. In the Success of their Undertakings The one failed the other kept the Covenant the first Adam was tempted by Satan and conquered by him but Christ was tempted but overcame the Tempter 4. In their Influences The first Adam was made a living Soul the second a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 The one conveys all evil Sin and Death to his Seed the other communicates all good Righteousness and Life to his There is Righteousness opposed to Sin and Life to Death and with a much more Rom. 5.15 16 17 18. Not as the Offence so is the free Gift At the great Day when Adam shall see his Seed lost and undone he must own it I have embrued my hands in the Blood of all these But Christ shall say here am I and the Children which God hath given me and not one of them is lost 2. Enoch the seventh from Adam It is true he is not so expresly mentioned in Scripture for a Type of Christ as Adam is but yet by comparing the Scriptures we may discern a clear analogy between Christ and him how he was made like unto the Son of God in sundry things 1. He was a most illustrious Type of Christs Ascension into Heaven and indeed the only Type they had of it before the Law They had but two in all Elijah under the Law and Enoch before the Law Therefore we cannot well omit him Gen. 5.24 Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him and Heb. 11.5 he was translated that he should not see Death and was not found because God had translated him Some look upon this as a pledg of their Translation that shall be found alive at Christs second coming of whom the Apostle saith they shall be changed or translated 1 Thess 4. But it looks first and chiefly at Christ himself at his Ascension This I mention first as being the chief particular but a further analogy may observed in sundry other particulars also as 2. There was in Enoch some shadow of Christs Prophetical Office we read of Enochs Prophesie Jude 14 15. But Christ is the true Prophet who hath unsealed the whole Book of Gods Counsels that Liber fatidicus Rev. 5. he hath opened it so far as is fit and needful for his Church to know And as Enoch prophesied of the Day of Judgment so hath Christ very fully and frequently 3. We may set him among the Types of Christ for his unparallell'd Holiness in the age wherein he lived which was a corrupt and evil time all Flesh began to corrupt their way Gen. 5.22 24. Enoch walked with God it is twice repeated as worthy of special remark so Christ fulfilled all Righteousness Matth. 3.15 4. His pleasing God For so it is testified of him Heb. 11.5 so Christ Matth. 3.17 this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Joh. 8.29 I do always those things that please him He is pleased so well with him that he is well pleased with Sinners for his sake even for his Righteousness sake 5. His very Name Enoch hath something in it dedicated unto God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consecratus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dedicavit consecravit From whence some derive the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Initio and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Feast of Dedication Joh. 10.22 So was Christ Luk. 1.35 that holy thing my Servant whom I have chosen Isai 42.1 and 49.5 formed me from the Womb to be his Servant 6. Some have added in regard of the continuance of his Life Henochs days were as the days of the Sun For he lived three hundred sixty five years Gen. 5.24 as many years as there be days in the year And of Christ it is is said his Throne shall continue for ever as the Sun before me Psal 89.36 3. The third typical person that we mentioned is Noah He is made a Type 1 Pet. 3.20 21. in regard of his preaching and saving those that believed him in the Ark. So Christ hath published the Gospel Matth. 11.27 no man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son revealeth him He came and preached Peace Ephes 2.17 1 Pet. 3.19 Christ preached in Noah he saves them that believe his Doctrine he saves them in the Ark of his Church by the Covenant and Water of Baptism 4. Melchizedek was also a Type of Christ and most especially in regard of the excellency and eternity of his Person Priesthood and Kingdom Psal 110 4. The Lord hath sworn and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek with Heb. 7.2 3 4. made like unto the Son of God But there is not time to insist upon these nor to proceed to the rest of the Types I shall therefore for the present conclude with something of Use and practical Improvement and shall raise the Uses not so much from the Doctrine in general but rather from that which hath been spoken upon it at this time Vse 1. Learn and know something more of Jesus Christ by what you have heard or if you knew it before let it be more deeply imprinted upon your hearts Let us sum up all together for they are all but partial Types and weak and imperfect Shadows of the Messiah but all put together will give the greater lustre like the Galaxia which is said
him Gen. 49.3 It is said the Irons entred into his Soul Psal 105.17 18. So Christ did suffer grievous things from the Jews his own Brethren and Countrymen and from the Romans those spiritual Egyptians He came to his own but his own received him not Joh. 1.11 See Calvin on Matth. cap. 2. ver ult but they delivered him up to the Romans He was a Nazarite as it were separate from his Brethren Gen. 49.26 Deut. 33.16 And what moved them to this It was for that of God that was in him The Patriarchs moved with envy sold Joseph into Egypt Act. 7.9 So it is said of Christ that Pilate knew that for envy they had delivered him Matth. 27.18 They hated him especially for that he by divine Visions and Revelations told them that he should be exalted Gen. 37.8 So the Jews sought the more to kill the Lord Jesus Christ because he not only had broken the Sabbath as they thought but said also that God was his Father making himself equal with God Joh. 5.18 If we let him alone you 'l see all men go after him Joh. 11.48 And when did they do this injury to Joseph It was when he was shewing kindness and doing good to them For his Father had sent him to seek and visit his Brethren in the Wilderness Gen. 37.13 14. Then they conspire against him and call him Dreamer sell him for twenty pieces of Silver to the Ishmaelites and they to the Egyptians where he is falsly accused condemned and put in Prison So Christ is sent from Heaven by his Father into the Wilderness of this world to visit his Brethren the Sons of Men but Judas and the Jews conspire against him call him a Seducer he is sold for 30 pieces of Silver by one of his own Disciples he is falsly accused condemned and crucified between two Malefactors like Joseph imprisoned with Pharaohs two Servants And as Josephs Brethren when they were resolved to kill him and had thrown him into the pit they thought they had made sure work with him we will see what will become of his Dreams Gen. 37.20 So the Jews thought of Christ they thought they had him sure enough when they had him upon the Cross and in the Grave But the hand of Providence was in all this ordering and over-ruling it for good to another issue than the Instruments intended or expected Gen. 45.5 7 8. So it is said of Herod and the Gentiles and the people of Israel that they were gathered together to do whatsoever thy Hand and thy Counsel determined before to be done Act 4.28 Act. 2.23 him being delivered by the determinate Counsel and foreknowledge of God ye have taken c. And you know the end of it was good to his Brethren for so he calls his Elect Heb. 2.11 yea saving everlasting good both unto Jews and Gentiles who both had an hand in his Sufferings as both Josephs Brethren had and the Egyptians too in his Sufferings the end and issue whereof was the saving of the Lives of both of them 3. Come we now to Josephs advancement to all his Glory here likewise was a shadow of what was done in Christ For as Joseph was brought first into such a low condition and then to the greatest height of worldly Glory from a Prison to a Kingdom Gen. 49.23 24. So Christ was first humbled then exalted Who would have thought that had seen Joseph in the Prison that ever he should come to be a Prince and a Ruler in the Land And when the Disciples saw Christ upon the Cross how little did they think to see him reign they were giving up their hopes in him we trusted it had been he which should have redemed Israel Luk. 24.21 Now was Josephs Dream fulfilled that all their Sheaves would bow to his now the Sun Moon and Stars did obeysance to him For he was made next to Pharaoh and they cryed before him bow the knee Gen. 41.43 And in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow For God hath given him a Name above every Name Phil. 2.10 11. Thou shalt be over my House saith Pharaoh Gen. 41.40 and he made him Ruler over all the Land of Egypt ver 43. So he hath put all things into the hands and under the feet of Jesus Christ and hath made him head over all things to the Church Ephes 1.22 He is an Head of eminence over all he is an Head of saving influence to the Church And Josephs Brethren as stout as they were yet at last came to him for supplies and did obeysance to him whom they had sold and slighted So must Sinners to Jesus Christ and so shall his Brethren the Jews though they have stood it out long against him yet they shall come in at last and humble themselves before him whom they have pierced Zach. 12.10 4. Joseph bare a similitude of the Son of God in his carriage towards his Brethren which was most heroick and Saint-like yea Christ-like in requiting good for evil forgiving all their injuries and shewing kindness to them who had done all the wrong they could to him And doth not Christ so to us he prayed for those that crucified him he saves us who have killed him This in general was Josephs deportment and carriage towards his Brethren and you see it was indeed divine and excellent but let us also look into some particular passages of it which were most remarkable 1. He knew them when they knew not him Gen. 42.8 So doth Christ know us before we know him yea when we are tempted to think he takes no notice of us I saw thee when thou wast under the Fig-tree Joh. 1.48 2. He carries it roughly towards them a while at first to bring them to Repentance Gen 42 7-21 and this made them reflect upon their own sins So doth Christ to Souls he first humbles and then comforts first he wounds and breaks the heart and then he heals it and binds it up he frowns upon them at first and pierceth their hearts through with godly sorrow Act. 2.37 and afterwards he pours in the oyl of Joy and Comfort Isai 61 1 2 3. 3. Joseph reveals himself to them at last in the sweetest melting expressions of his Love Bowels towards them when they were fit for it and when his own heart was full that he could contain no longer See the Story of it Gen 45.1 3 4 5. So doth Jesus Christ reveal himself to the Souls of his people when they are fit for it he gives them clear and sweet discoveries ravishing and amazing manifestations of his Love I am Joseph your Brother I am Jesus thy Saviour who was crucified and pierced for thee as well as by thee which thou hast been so long mourning for but I have seen thy tears I have heard thy Prayers and I am now come to comfort thee and to tell thee that I am thine and thou art mine such words as these they hear to this effect he speaks
a temporal Saviour Christ a spiritual Saviour Author of eternal Redemption Heb. 9. The Analogy appears chiefly in five things 1. Joshuah brought the people into Canaan after Moses his death which Moses could not do being alive He divided the Land among them assigning to every one his Portion So Christ brings us to Heaven which the Law could not do Rom. 8.3 And as Joshuah went in himself before them So Christ to Heaven Joh. 14. I go to prepare a place for you in my Fathers House are many Mansions Heb. 6. ult whither the Forerunner is entred for us And as when Joshuah did this the Cloud and Manna ceased which had been in Moses his time Of the Manna it is expressed and the time when Josh 5.12 of the Pillar of Cloud and Fire that it did cease is evident by many passages afterwards in the sacred History but the time when is not set down Probably it might be after they had passed Jordan being divided by the Ark and were on shoar on the other side So shall Ordinances cease when we come to Heaven Rev. 21. God himself is instead of all 2. Joshuah was a Type of Christ in regard of the Miracles wrought by him we read of three 1. He divided Jordan Josh 3. But herein as in all things Christ hath the preheminence for Christ in the same Jordan divides the Heavens when he was baptized Matth. 3. And he commanded the Winds and Seas and walked upon the waters as upon dry ground 2. Moreover Joshuah threw down the Walls of Jericho by the sounding of Rams Horns a weak and an unlikely means for so great a Work yea ridiculous and contemptible in the eye of Reason Josh 6. but it was done by Faith Heb. 11.30 So Christ by the Foolishness of Preaching subdueth Souls unto himself and throws down strong holds 2 Cor. 10.4 5. And as Joshua did it again and again six days seven days before the Walls fell So it is in the preaching of the Gospel There must be Assiduity in that work Line upon Line and Precept upon Precept and at last the strong holds are won and the Sinner subdued unto the Lord. 3. Joshuah commanded the Sun to stand still till he had slain his Enemies Josh 10.12 13 ver 14. and there was no day like that before it or after it that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a Man So Jesus Christ when fighting with Principalities and Powers upon the Cross Matth 27.45 when the Sun was ashamed and the Moon confounded and all the Angels in Heaven stood agast Thus you see how great a Person this Joshuah was in that all the Creatures all the Elements obeyed him the Earth the Walls of Jericho prostrate themselves and fell before him the Waters also viz. in Jordan were at his Command yea the Heavens also the Sun and Moon obeyed him thus God magnified him in the sight of all Israel as it is said Josh 4.14 But behold a greater than Joshuah is here For it is said of Christ That God hath given him a Name above every Name Phil. 2.9 that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven and things in Earth and things under the Earth ver 10. 3. Joshuah was a Type of Christ in regard of his Conquests and Victories over his Enemies We read of five Kings at once subdued by him Josh 10. and he bids his Captains tread upon their Necks and cap. 12. of one and thirty Kings which he smote yet notwithstanding there were some few Enemies left though weak and inconsiderable but not one that durst or could oppose or disturb the publick peace of Gods people yet they were left for a time for their good least the wild Beasts should multiply upon them Deut. 7.22 So Christ Jesus is a mighty Conqueror he subdueth all the enemies of his people see him described Rev. 6.1 2. conquering and to conquer not only five nor one and thirty but thousands of them One man was possest with a Legion of Devils but they are all cast forth by Jesus Christ And as Christ so his Followers are as Joshuahs Conquerors with and through him and he gives Believers to tread upon the necks of their own Lusts and of the Devils Temptations yet however there be some Canaanites left in the Land some Corruptions in the Hearts of Gods people in this Life to exercise their Graces and to keep them humble which yet if it be not through their own careless negligence shall not disturb their Peace with God But there were some Enemies that were devoted unto everlasting Ruine and Destruction irrecoverable by Joshuah in the spirit of Prophesie viz. Jericho cap 6.26 which Curse did not fall to the ground but was fulfilled in Hiel the Bethelite 1 King 16.34 a shadow of the irreparable Ruines and everlasting Destruction of all the implacable Enemies of God and his people and especially Rome and Antichrist Rev. 18.21 Babylon shall be cast down like a Milstone into the Sea never to rise more The Curse of Christ will fall upon such as endeavour to restore Rome again and raise up the Ruines that he hath brought upon it For it is devoted by our Lord Jesus the true Joshuah to irreparable everlasting Destruction 4. Though Joshuah conquered and destroyed resisting Enemies yet he saved those who submitted themselves as Rahab and the Gibeonites Rahab cap. 6. the Gibeonites cap. 9. Though they acted very sinfully they came out of slavish fear and they dissembled but yet they did submit themselves So Christ resists the proud but gives Grace to the humble that yield up themselves unto him though there be a mixture of much slavish Fear and sinful Selfishness and Unbelief in their so doing as Mark 9.24 5. Joshuah gave them rest fulfilling and accomplishing all the good promised cap. 21.45 and 23.14 Joshuah appeals to all their Knowledges and Consciences about it So when we come to Heaven we shall see the Truth and Faithfulness of God we shall have all the Promises accomplished through Christ the true Joshuah and be able to say with Joy unspeakable not a word hath failed and all through Christ the true Joshuah For in him all the Promises are Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 and this will be Rest for ever As they had Rest so now Believers enter into an everlasting Rest Heb. 4.9 10 11. But yet withal there is a great disparity between Christ and Joshuah and the Rest they bring their Followers into Joshuah brought them but into a state of outward Rest in the Land of Promise but this was not the true Rest But Christ gives us an higher Rest in Heaven by bringing us into a state of Grace and Glory Thus you see how eminently Joshuah was a Type of Jesus Christ Sept. 12. 1667. Who is the Type or Figure of him that is to come Rom. 5.14 THe second Conglobation of typical Persons under the Law is Sampson David and Solomon three famous Rulers amongst
that there was a Mystery in this Pillar of Cloud and Fire is clear from Isai 4.5 6. for there never was a literal Cloud and Fire upon Mount Sion This fiery Pillar did cease when they were entred into Canaan Isaiah therefore intends a spiritual thing under those expressions So it is here mentioned by the Apostle in the Context as representing a Gospel-mystery They were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud 1 Cor. 10. ver 2. It signified and shadowed forth 1. Something of Christ himself 2. The Benefits of Christ 3. The Ordinances of Christ 1. Christ himself some have noted a shadow both of his Deity and Humanity There was a fiery Brightness in the Cloud which yet was but a dark shadow of the Glory of his Deity which was often in Visions so represented But his divine Nature was veiled and overclouded by his humane as in this shadow there was a Pillar of Cloud as well as Fire In Revel 10.1 Christ is represented as clothed with a Cloud and his Feet as Pillars of Fire Expressions notably answering this antient Type and Shadow 2. It holds forth something of the Benefits of Christ What Benefits had they from this Pillar of Fire and Cloud They had three 1. Light and Direction 2. Defence and Protection 3. Ornament and Glory All which we have in an higher manner in Christ by the Gospel 1. Light and Direction in the way that they should go in those Arabian Desarts where no man dwelt and which no man passed thorough where there was neither Path nor Guide But they had the Lord himself to guide them So it is said of this Cloud in Exod. 13.21 where it is first mentioned that it was to lead them the way by day and by night to give them Light and more fully and with much emphasis Numb 9.17 18. and to the end of the Chapter So doth Christ direct and conduct his people in their travels through the Wilderness of this world to Heaven the true Canaan He is the true Light Joh. 1.9 who coming into the world enlighteneth every one that is enlightned For so that place may be fitly rendred He is the way the truth and the life Joh. 14.6 There is a directing Light they are under the everlasting conduct of his Word and Spirit He doth not leave his people in the dark as to things absolutely necessary for their Communion with him here in this world and for their Salvation with him in the world to come we must follow Christ as they followed the Cloud 2. A second Benefit they had by this Cloud was Safety and Protection both from the heat and scorchings of the Sun in those burning Sands and Desarts of Arabia For the Cloud covered and overshadowed them therefore it is said of it Psal 105.39 he spread the Cloud for a Covering And likewise from their Egyptian Persecutors and Enemies For the Cloud went behind them when their Safety so required Exod. 14.19 20. as if the Lord should say You shall not hurt them till you have stricken thorough me first Yea the very same Dispensations which are directing and protecting to his people are dark and destructive to his Enemies as here the same Cloud was light to the Israelites but darkness to the Egyptians Vpon all the Glory shall be a Defence and a Covert from the Storm Isai 4.2 last There is a protecting presence of God in his Church we do experience the truth of this at this day in all our solemn Assemblies there is a wonderful protecting Providence over us Every Church of Saints is a spiritual Army of Jesus Christ and these Armies are terrible Cantcles 6.10 glorious as the Sun terrible as an Army with Banners It is a terrible thing to offend or trouble them a man had better fight against all the power the great Turk can raise than oppose or offend one Church of Christ and there were more hope of Success For the Lord himself is a Wall of Fire round about them Zach. 2.5 as well as the Glory in the midst of them Therefore it is written Isai 54.17 no Weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn Some allude thus upon these two Benefits they had by the Cloud That Truth is as a Pillar of Fire to go before us and Peace as a Pillar of Cloud to overshadow and refresh us 3. This fiery Pillar was exceeding glorious it was an honour and glory to them so in the Church Christ is the Glory of his Church See Isai 4.2 We would think if we could see a company of Kings and Princes and Nobles and great men walking together in the Ways and Ordinances of Christ this were glorious but Deus maximus in minimis There is a Glory in the meanest of the Assemblies of his Saints though spiritual that carnal eyes are not able to discern it When you come to the meetings and Assemblies of Gods People you should endeavour to see this divine Glory you should by Faith discern and see a Pillar of Cloud and Fire over the places where they meet and a Guard of Angels and fiery Chariots round about them God is present there in his Temple doth every one speak of his Glory Psal 29.9 Thus the Pillar of Cloud and Fire did figure and exhibit to them the Benefits of Christ Light and Direction Safety and Protection Ornament and Glory 3. It figured also the Ordinances of Christ and his Presence in and with them For the Ordinances are the outward and visible tokens of Gods Presence with his people as this fiery Pillar was of old And therefore when the Tabernacle was made and set up it rested upon the Tabernacle Exod. 40.38 There be some Duties are secret which the world sees not nor may see as Alms-deeds personal and secret Prayer But the Ordinances of Institution are things that ought to be practised with all the publickness that may be They are outward and visible tokens of Gods Presence particularly that great Ordinance of Baptism as in this Chapter 1 Cor. 10.2 The Cloud it seems had a refreshing moisture in it to shade and to refresh and cool them from the burning heat And they were bedewed with it as we are with the Water of Baptism whereby this legal Cloud became a Type of Gospel-Baptism And so you see how it represented something of Christ himself and something of his Benefits and something of his Ordinances under the New Testament So much for this third typical thing this Pillar of Cloud and Fire 1 Cor. 10.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 April 16. 1668. A Fourth typical thing amongst them of old was their Manna or Bread from Heaven And a fifth was the Rock that followed them and gave them Water Here was spiritual Meat and spiritual Drink Of these two the Lord assisting at this time They are both mentioned above in the 3 and 4th verses of this Chapter And they did all eat
shall Christ remain and all the Dispensations of him in this life they shall remain in precious remembrance with the Saints in Heaven before the Lord to all eternity Christ shall be laid up as it were in the Golden memories of the Saints like Manna in the Golden Pot for a memorial before the Lord the Love of Christ and all the Dispensations of himself They had likewise Aarons Rod blossoming laid up to the same end and purpose The Saints shall remember in Heaven how the Rod of Aaron budded how the Ministry was blessed and made fruitful to them when they were in this World So much as to the Manna or Bread from Heaven You see how full it was of Christ and Gospel Mysteries A Fifth Typical thing of old was the Rock that followed them with Water issuing forth out of the Rock The History of this Type is in the 17th Chap. Exod. see verse 6. That it was a Type is expressed by the Apostle a little before the Text 1 Cor. 10.4 which Rock was Christ This Rock and the Water issuing out of it was a Type of Christ and of His Spirit It was a Dispensation often Celebrated by His people to the praise of God in after times But wherein did the Rock represent Christ I shall but instance in four Respects 1. As to strength and firmness and stability He is indeed the Rock of Ages Isai 26.4 The Rock of eternity Everlasting strength as it is not unfitly interpreted by our Translators Isai 33.16 His defence is the Munitions of Rocks Impregnable safety to his people Their bread shall be given them Their waters shall not fail 1 Pet. 2.6 Behold I lay in Sion a chief Corner stone elect precious and he that believeth in him shall not be confounded The Church is built upon this Rock Mat. 16.18 Hence a wise Hearer is said to build his house upon a Rock Mat. 7. 2. As to shadow and refreshment Isa 32.2 As the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land this World is a weary Land Psal 121.6.5 The Sun shall not scorch by day nor the Moon by night Those that dwell under the shadow of this Rock those that are in Christ 3. He is fitly resembled to a Rock for offence and scandal accidentally not in himself but only accidentally through the prejudices and lusts of Men. Hence he is called a Rock of offence and a stone of stumbling 1 Pet. 2.8 Rom. 9.33 As it is writen Isa 8.14 and 28.16 Behold I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and Rock of offence and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed 4. He is a Rock as to meanness and unlikelihood of that supply of Water Who would expect or look for water out of a Rock Therefore it is so often remembred with admiration Psal 78.20 The Rock was of no great pomp to see to but only a rude thing standing in a vast Desert So in Christ to outward view there is no beauty that we should desire him Isa 53. Neither is there any likelihood of salvation to be had in Christ if men behold him only in his meanness and look only at his abasement with an eye of sense and carnal reason as the Jews of old did And as the Rock represented Christ unto them So 2. the water out of it represented the Spirit of Christ Joh. 7.37 38 39 Out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living water This spake he of the Spirit There is nothing more frequent in Scripture then to express the Spirit by water Isa 44.3 and that most fitly because of the cleansing and refreshing vertue of it But let us here consider it in reference to the Rock from whence it came and in this there is a four-fold Analogy observable 1. As the water issued out of the Rock So the Spirit proceeds and comes from Christ The Comforter whom I will send unto you from the Father Joh. 15.26 To refresh the weary soul when ready to faint away 2. The water came forth out of the Rock when smitten with the Rod of Moses Exod. 17.6 So the Spirit proceeds from Christ being smitten as it were with Moses his Rod with the curse of the Law for our sins Isa 53 he was smitten of God and afflicted Had not Christ dyed and suffered we had never had any refreshing water never any Rivers of Joy and Consolations from his Spirit 3. The next time the Rock must be spoken to Numb 20.8 It seemeth that God in his unsearchable Wisdom and Providence did so order it That the Waters did cease at this time which had followed them Thirty eight Years Hereupon the people murmur and their murmuring causes Moses himself to stagger at the Promise through unbelief Though in this Moses did miss it too for that he smote the Rock in stead of speaking to it But this we may learn from it Christ must be preached as well as suffer for us and in and by the speaking and preaching of the Gospel he doth communicate his Spirit Gal. 3.2 Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith As Christ smitten is the procuring cause of sending the Spirit so Christ preached is the instrumental cause 4. There is yet a fourth Analogy in this that the Rock followed them either the Rock it self or as others the Rock in regard of the rivers and streams of water issuing from it So doth the Spirit of Christ follow his people in all their changes and travels up and down in the wilderness of this world when we run from Christ he follows us This Water of the Rock the Spirit of God pursues and follows them up and down from place to place and from one condition to another I shall close with a threefold Improvement of this Truth Vse 1. We may here see that they had the Gospel preached unto them as well as we For this spiritual Bread was Christ and the Rock that followed them was Christ If they had not all that I have preached to day and ever since I begun upon the Types it is all false Doctrine for you know the scope of all hath been to let you see what of Christ and what of Gospel Grace and Truth was held forth under those legal Types and Shadows Vse 2. This should render Jesus Christ precious exceeding precious to us for that he is every way suitable to our necessities He is a Rock for support He is the Bread of Life and the Water of Life for Food and Nourishment Vse 3. Here is Comfort and Direction to poor weak hungry thirsty Souls whither to go and to whom to repair for help and for supply here is a Rock and sure Foundation for thy weak and weary Soul to rest upon here is spiritual Bread and spiritual Drink Therefore feed upon Christ by Faith and this will fill thy Hunger and quench thy Thirst and stay and support thy weary Soul But thou hast been rebellious and murmuring and questioning the Truth
I shall prove each Particular out of plain Scripture 1. That great Seed that was not only the Seed of the Woman but the Son of God this was the first and chief Seed here intended Gal 3.16 He saith not as to Seeds but to thy Seed which is Christ such a Seed in whom all Nations are blessed Now it is in Christ only that all Nations are blessed therefore he was this promised Seed The Lord had not before limited the Seed Messiah to any particular Family but left it at large so far as appears among the whole Race of Mankind It was said to Adam the Seed of the Woman there was then no further limitation till Noahs time and then in Abrahams time the Lord limits the Covenant to his Seed It was afterwards confined to Judah one of the twelve Tribes at last the Lord went further to one Family in Judah namely Davids but here he limits it to Abraham that of him should come that great and blessed Seed This was the main thing indeed as without which all other Promises could never be bestowed and fulfilled but through him they are Yea and Amen Abraham saw my day and rejoyced he saw the Messias was to come of his Loyns this was the Seed in whom he believed and by which he was saved 2. There was a Church-seed promised the meaning is this That the Church of God should be continued in his Race and Posterity the true Religion should be setled there There were other godly persons before and after we read of Melchisedech and Job and his Friends and it is very like there might be others and when God had setled Salvation to Abraham it was the duty of all others to joyn themselves to that Church The Lord entailed by Covenant all his Ordinances to Abraham and his Posterity He gave them his Statutes and Judgments he chose them to be a peculiar People a People to the Lord and that is a Church a Society intrusted and invested with the Ordinances and thus he dealt with them he shewed his Statutes to Israel this is no small priviledge and mercy to enjoy the Ordinances this is called the Kingdom of God This Christ threatned the Jews that it should be taken from them and given to other people Mat. 21.43 that is God would settle his Church among the Gentiles and give them his Ordinances And that this is a Priviledge we see by that expression of the Apostle to the Ephesians wherein he mentions it as a part of the dreadful misery of the Ephesians that they were Aliens to the Common Wealth of Israel 3. There was a third thing intended and that is a believing Seed such as should be truly Godly and of this the Apostle speaks in Gal. 3.7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith are the Seed of Abraham so that all true Believers are his Seed in that sense He is called the Father of the Faithful all Believers are his Posterity There were Multitudes that were truly Godly of Abrahams Seed and all that are Godly are his Seed they walk in his steps they are the Seed of the Covenant they are spiritually related to him He was the Pattern and typical Head of that Covenant in which we do all believe the Pattern of Faith to us He is called our Father It is said of him that he believed against sense and reason this was not writen for his sake alone but for us also that we might follow his steps 4. There was included in this Covenant an ingrafted Seed it is the Apostles expression in Rom. 11.17 I mean a Seed not only of the Jews but of the Gentiles God did not only engage to Abraham that there should be Church of his own natural Seed and that there should be Saints of his natural Seed but that the Gentiles should be ingrafted into his Covenant and so become his Seed Thou being a wild Olive Tree wert grafted in among them and partakest of the root and fatness of the Olive Tree God did above and beyond the ordinary course of things ingraft the Gentiles into that Covenant that he had once made with Abraham And thus you see what the Seed is which the Lord did promise in the Covenant whereof Circumcision was the Seal He did promise to give to Abraham that Seed firstly and chiefly that Seed who was the Son of God and a Church Seed and a believing Seed and not only a Seed of the Nation of the Jews but a Seed ingrafted into that Grace and Covenant from among the Gentiles We have gone through two Branches of the Covenant the third is this 3. That God would give an Inheritance to him and them this was the third part of Gods Covenant with him It is the greatest desire in nature to have Children and it is a good desire it is of God And what do Parents desire next a comfortable Inheritance for them and this did the Lord promise to Abraham And in that Text which hath been so often alledged God first promises to make him exceeding Fruitful and then I will give to thee and thy Seed after thee the Land wherein thou art yet a Stranger The Lord promised an Inheritance and that Inheritance was the Land of Canaan Now the Question is whether this was a temporal or spiritual Inheritance Doubtless the Lord did not promise to Abraham Canaan meerly as a temporal Inheritance but as a spiritual Inheritance Canaan was not as other Lands are a meer outward thing but it was a typical Land it was the Land of Emmanuel it is the Land of Glory Canaan was a Type of Heaven and in that respect it was that they did so earnestly prize it and look upon it as being Heaven in an earthly Shadow therefore Jacob and Joseph must needs be buried there therefore the Apostle assures us they did seek a better Country they professed themselves Strangers and Pilgrims here upon Earth They that say such things declare plainly they seek another Country which is an heavenly one wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God It is a heavenly City whose Builder and Maker is God so that under that Shadow the Lord did promise Heaven to Abraham and this was the third part of this Covenant This Land of Canaan is called the Mountain of Holiness what expression can be higher Dan. 11. and therefore the Saints did look beyond that to another Country You see what the Covenant was and what were the principal things and Branches of it That God should be his God that God should give him a Seed and that God should give an Inheritance to him and them You see what the Covenant is that Circumcision doth relate to Now the last thing that was propounded was this what respect it is that Circumcision hath to this Covenant He gave him the Covenant of Circumcision For this Note these five things 1. Circumcision respects the Covenant as the Seal or Sacrament of Initiation into the Covenant The reason of
out of their mouths that is the Word of God denouncing the Wrath of God fiery indignation devours the adversaries Heb. 10.27 4. We read of fiery tryals and afflictions Luke 12.49 I am come to send fire on the earth 1 Pet. 4.12 Think it not strange concerning the fiery tryal the fiery tryal of Persecution by open enemies publickly opposing the fiery tryal of Contention by false brethren secretly undermining 6. The Fire of the Altar came from Heaven Lev. 9.24 2 Chronic 7.1 strange Fire is forbidden Lev. 10.1 1. Humane inventions which he had not commanded them Lev. 10.1 2. Carnal Wrath and Passion this is not the Fire of the Altar but strange Fire James 3.17 Wisdome from above is first pure then peaceable c. the wrath of man accomplishes not the Righteousness of God James 1.20 7. The use of the Altar in reference to the Sacrifice was to support and sanctifie it the Altar did two things both which Faith is to eye and look unto both as done in Christ and to be done in us 1. To support the Sacrifice and bear it up so Christ was born up by the power of his Deity 2. To make it acceptable so Christs Sufferings are so infinitely precious and acceptable with the Lord through the glory and excellency of his Person there is nothing else will bear up a Soul under sense of Guilt but this to consider who it was that died and suffered for us It was the Son of God And the reason of many fears and tremblings of unbelief is because the Soul looks at the Sacrifice without the Altar looks at the Death of Christ but considers not the Altar the Deity that sanctifies the Gift As to us we need both support and acceptance eye both these in Christ eye Christ for them to your own Souls 1. Support when the heart is ready to sink and to be overwhelmed with the difficulties that do occur thou art weak but here is strength 2. Acceptance Isai 56.7 their Burnt-offerings and their Sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar thou art unworthy but leave thy Gift upon the Altar and it shall be accepted whatsoever toucheth the Altar shall be holy Vse 1. See the unlawfulness yea the abominableness of material Altars and Altar-worship under the New Testament For the Altar was a Type of Jesus Christ in his Deity and Priesthood therefore Altars are ceased For is not Jesus Christ the Son of God or hath God another Son to dye for us or do we look for another Gospel that we must build Altars to typifie the mysteries thereof Because it lies directly in my way and it is one of the worst and grossest of the Superstitions and Corruptions of Worship in our times I may not well pass it by consider but two things here 1. The Lords Table is not an Altar ought not to be so called or so accounted 2. The many other evils that are involved in this and go along with it 1. The Communion Table is not an Altar and ought not to be so called nor so accounted Take three arguments for the proof of this Reas 1. Because the Scripture calls it a Table but not an Altar and we must speak of God and of his Ordinances as God himself doth in his word So the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.21 ye cannot be partaker of the Lords Table and of the Table of Devils so Christ Luk 22.21 the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the Table Reas 2. An Altar implies a Sacrifice and sacrificing Priests for Priests Altar and Sacrifice are relatives and have a mutual and inseparable connexion and dependance upon one another But the Lords Supper is not a Sacrifice nor the Ministers of the Gospel Priests therefore the Lords Table is not an Altar The use of an Altar is to offer Sacrifice upon but when we come to the Lords Supper do we come to Sacrifice Christ again and to crucifie the Son of God afresh No but we come to celebrate the memory of his Death who dyed once for all Heb. 10.10 Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb 9.28 and 7.27 To talk of a commemorative Sacrifice is meer non-sense and a contradiction for as the Picture of a man is no man so the commemoration of a Sacrifice is in truth no Sacrifice If it were a Sacrifice offered upon the Table as an Altar they should make four Horns upon the four corners of the Table and they should make a Grate for the Fire and they should put Fire to their Altars to burn the Sacrifice even the Bread and Wine Reas 3. If the Communion Table were an Altar then it should be greater and better then the Sacramental Bread and Wine then the Lords Supper it self and a means to consecrate them for the Altar sanctifies all the Gifts and Sacrifices that are offered upon it and is greater then the Gift Matth. 23.18 19. Hence it is said the Altar shall be holiness of Holinesses or most holy Exod. 40.10 But the Table is not greater then the Lords Supper Therefore the Table is not an Altar It is true some of the Antients have called it an Altar but unscripturally and improperly as they did also use other extravagant and wanton Metaphors calling it Solium Christi the Throne of Christ whereas Christ is not represented on the Table in his Majesty as upon a Throne but in his lowest humility and deepest abasement as broken crucified c. These expressions of the Fathers 1. They were unscriptural the Scripture doth not use such language nor speak of the Communion Table in such a strain 2. They have done much hurt in the Church unawares to those good men and have been inlets and occasions of much Superstition 3. When they used this phrase of speech the Sacrifice of the Mass and Priests and much other Idolatrous Popish trash was not known nor heard of in the world neither were there any to be scandalized with those phrases and to use them to such ill ends and purposes as the Papists and other superstitious persons have improved them therefore such language is worse now then it was then 4. Others of the Fathers have testified against Altars even in the primitive times O igen contra Gelsum l. 4. as Origen who lived about two hundred years after Christ Objicit nobis Celsus quod non habemus Imagines aut Aras aut Templa He that is Celsus chargeth the Christian Religion with this that we have neither Images nor Altars nor Temples Arnob. l. 6. apud Quench-cole p. 71 72. In answer to this Origen doth not deny the Charge but confesseth the matter of fact to be true and defends it from the very fundamental grounds of Religion and so doth Arnobius and others 2. Consider the many other evils that follow and flow from this and go along with it from this blind conceit that the Lords Table is an Altar hence follows 1. Calling it an high Altar and making steps to
home and be converted but also that we be preserved unto his heavenly Kingdom Joh. 17.15 He prays that we should be kept from the evil Hence sometimes Believers are kept from being tempted But if they be tempted they are either kept from falling by temptations or if they fall from lying in their falls 4. Suppose you meet with troubles oppositions and persecutions from the world Let the world speak evil of us yet Christ speaks well of us or rather for us to his Father and then what need we fear See Isai 51.7 8. 5. Thy Prayers are full of weaknesses and imperfections but the Prayers of Jesus Christ have no weakness and imperfection going along with them Quest But how may I know that Christ prays for me Answ Thou maist know it by two things 1. If thou hast a heart to pray for thy self thy Prayers are the eccho of his Intercession if Christ hath taught thee to pray for thy self Christ intercedes and prays in Heaven for thee Rom. 8.27 2. Hath the Lord taught thee to prize the Prayer and Intercession of Jesus Christ for thee if so it is a sign he is interceding for thee Heb. 7.25 Vse 2. This also makes against the Papists who plead for Mediators of Intercession though not of Satisfaction beside Christ This cannot be for his Intercession is founded in his Satisfaction the Scripture makes him the only Mediator of Intercession Rev. 8.3 It is true the Saints do pray or intercede for one another but yet they are not Mediators because it is not their own Incense nor their own Blood but it is his Incense it is his Blood that makes their Prayers effectual They do not pray in their own name but in his but he prays in his own name by the merit of his own Blood THE GOSPEL of the ARK and its Appertainances in the HOLY of HOLIES Jan. 3. 1668. Hebr. 9.4 5. THe Ark with its appertainances was another of the holy vessels belonging to the Holy of holies and it was the chief of all their holy things as appears in sundry respects as for instance 1. It had many glorious appertainances that related to it many other vessels belonging to this as the Cherubims c. 2. The place of it was the Holy of holies 3. Solomon though he made all other things new in the Temple yet he did not make a new Ark but only introduced the same which Moses had made with great solemnity into the Oracle the place which he had prepared for it 2 Chron. 5.7 Whatever changes and varieties there may be in other things whereby God dispenseth himself unto and amongst mankind other utensils may be made new there may be new Ordinances new Administrations but there is no new Christ Never look for any new or further Administration in this respect as there is no new God so there is no new Christ but Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. It is a blind and blasphemous delusion to speak of Christ as an Administration that is to pass away when the Saints have passed under it for a while 4. In that the Providences about it were very great and glorious and full of teaching and instruction The Ark of God led them through the Wilderness We are to follow the Guidance of Christ through the world It was carried with Bars so is Christ upon the Ministry of the Gospel from one place to another As the Levites did carry the Ark so Preachers may be said to carry Christ to bear his Name among the Gentiles so Paul Act. 9.15 Many great things were done by it Jordan was divided by it so by Christ all obstacles are removed out of the way The Walls of Jericho fell by it so by Christs coming the strong holds of Satans Kingdom are cast down It was the downfall of Dagon So is Christ of Satan and Idolatry While the Ark was amongst the Philistines they were plagued but Obed-Edom was blessed while it was at his House so Christ in the Gospel to some brings wrath being refused to others Salvation Eli and his Daughter died when the Ark was taken and the Bethshemites rejoyced exceedingly when they saw it so the presence of Christ brings comfort but his absence grief and sorrow The Bethshemites were punished for prying into the Ark. It is a dangerous thing to search into inscrutable Mysteries Be wise unto sobriety The Ark after many travels was brought at last to a place of rest in Solomons Temple so Christ after many wearisome journies on Earth was at length taken up into Heaven a place of rest where he sits at the right hand of God But as to this glorious Utensil it self we may observe these things 1. The Ark was the Throne of God on which he did appear sitting on his Throne of Grace and Glory and from whence he spake and gave forth Answers and Oracles Hence we read of a Throne of Grace Heh 4. ult This Throne of Grace is that Mercy-seat that covered the Ark on which God sate and where he is said to dwell between the Cherubims Psal 80.1 1. Here he gave upon special occasions visible appearances of his Glory This is that Shechinah which the Jewish Rabbins speak of And they have it from the Scriptures and the Prophets Ezek. 1. last and cap. 9. and 10. The Glory of the Lord is said to appear and to remove and depart away by little and little There was still less and less of God among them till he was quite gone So Isai 6.1 Rev. 4.2.3 2. Hence the Lord spake with audible voice and gave forth his answers so he promised to Moses Exod. 25.22 so Numb 7. ult The mystery of all which is this that God is to be seen in Christ and that he speaks and reveals his mind to us only in and through Jesus Christ 2. The Mercy-seat which was upon the Ark was a Type of the passive Obedience and Satisfaction of Jesus Christ for our sins whom God hath set forth to be Rom. 3.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a propitiation 1 Joh. 2.2 he is the propitiation for our sins 3. The Law which was within the Ark is the active Obedience of Christ Psal 40.8 thy Law is within my heart 4. The Golden Pot of Manna is Christ in the Word Exod. 16. Joh. 6.48 49 50 51. He is the true Manna the true Bread of life 5. Aarons Rod that budded is the Ministry blessed with success for the good of Souls Numb 17.10 this was reserved before the Testimony for a token against the Rebels 6. The Cherubims upon the Ark are the Angels ministring to the Lord Ezek. 1. they are there described Is 6.2 they look towards the Ark they pry into the mysteries of the Gospel 1 Pet. 1.12 held forth by the Church Eph. 3.10 The mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God being above their comprehension and their Subjection to Christ as Mediator being not included originally within the Law
on foot about it as if a man should say he had rather lye or steal or whore or be drunk or kiss the Pix or bow to an Idol or go to Mass then not preach the Gospel For I beseech you consider either it is a sin or it is not a sin If it be not a sin to preach in a Fools Coat or in a Surplice prove this and then use it and wear it in the name of God But if it be a sin it is not a supposed good intent to save a Soul that will justifie an evil action though it be not so foul an evil as some others If a Minister would fain do good to Souls and therefore is very loth to be silenced let him observe this rule let him take heed of conforming lest God silence him lest God stop his mouth or blast his endeavours that he shall never speak with any great evidence and demonstration of the Spirit nor with any great success for the good of Souls For I see but few Surplices or Circingle men that do much good Vse 2. To confute the Popish Allegorizers who tell us the literal sense of these Garments is such as this namely That the disposition and frame of the World is expressed in them and that the High Priest did thereby profess himself the Minister or Servant of the Creator of Heaven and Earth For of the significations of these holy Garments thus they descant see Aquin. 1. 2â— â—st 102. art 5. ad 10. and Becan tom 3. Opusc 7. cap. 5. q. 1. 〈◊〉 lintea significabant terram ex quâ linum nascitur Balceus Oceanum qui cingit terram the Linnen Breeches signifie the Earth out of which Flax groweth the Girdle the Ocean because it compasseth the Earth like a Girdle Tunica hyacinthina Aerem quia hyacinthini coloris est the sky-coloured Coat the Air because it is of a sky-colour The Golden Bells of it the Thunder in the Air The Pomegranates the Lightenings The Ephod the starry Heavens The two Onyx-stones the two Hemispheres or the Sun and the Moon The twelve Precious Stones in the Ephod the twelve Signs in the Zodiack The Mitre the Empyrean Heavens The Golden Plate God the King of all This they call the literal account of these holy Priestly Garments Well then they come to the mystical sense and there they tell us That the Linnen Breeches signifie Chastity the Linnen Coat purity of Life the Girdle moderation of Discretion the Mitre a right Intention which they say are virtues necessary for all Ministers over and above which Bishops they say must have four others which they fancy to be signified by the other Garments of the High Priest But these are too vain to insist on a large Confutation of them As these Interpretations and Applications of theirs have no footing in Scripture nor the least countenance given them from thence so there is a profound silence concerning Christ therein passing him over wholly when as indeed He and his Performances and Endowments are the great thing taught and shadowed forth by them all Vse 3. See and behold in these holy Pontifical Vestments the spiritual Glory of Jesus Christ the true High Priest For all this did represent plusquam Angelicam Splendorem Calvin that more then Angelical Splendor of Jesus Christ who is clothed indeed with Glory and Beauty Let me but briefly run over and recapitulate the heads of things according to the Explications given 1. Here is the white and pure Linnen of his perfect Righteousness imputed to us in Justification For that is one great thing intended by it as well as the Garments of Holiness and Grace inherent 2. He is girded with Strength and with Truth and Faithfulness for our Salvation and is always ready to do us good 3. He hath a glorious Robe the Golden Bells whereof have sounded in the holy place and their sound is gone forth into all the earth and the Fruits thereof are sweet and fragrant as a Garden of Pomegranates 4. He wears a glorious Ephod in the shoulders whereof he doth support his Church and lifts up them and their concernments out of the dust of death and sin and misery and bears them up before the Lord as upon the shoulders of an infinite and almighty Power 5. He hath a Brest-plate of Love upon his Heart continually our Names and our Concernments are written there even upon the Heart of Jesus Christ like the Names of the Children of Israel upon Aarons Brest-plate 6. Here is the true Urim and Thummim all Divine Illuminations and Perfections in the Heart of Jesus Christ and Emanations of Light and Holiness from him to us 7. He hath a Mitre upon his Head He is a Royal Priest both King and Priest He reconciles us effectually and intercedes with Power as a Prince prevailing with the Lord. 8. And lastly he wears a Golden Crown of Holiness upon his Forehead before the Lord. And having such an High Priest Is not all this enough to strengthen Faith and to encourage you not only to believe but to rejoyce in believing even to rejoyce and triumph in Jesus Christ THE GOSPEL of the CONSECRATION of the PRIESTS Exod. cap. 29. ver 1 c. to 38. Feb. 21. 1668. THe Contents printed in your Bibles give you the true Analysis of this Chapter for there be three things in it 1. The Consecration of the Priests to ver 38. 2. The continual Burnt-offering ver 38 c. 3. The Lords Promise of his gracious Presence with the Children of Israel ver 45. It is only the first of these viz. the Consecration of the Aaronical Priests unto their Office that we are now to speak unto There be four things wherein those Priests of old were Types 1. In their Priestly Qualifications and other Rites and Rules observed by them 2. In their Apparel 3. In their Consecration to their Office 4. In their Priestly Ministrations The two former of these viz. their Priestly and ritual Qualifications as also their holy Garments have been spoken to That which follows next is their Consecration to their Office which is declared at large in two places almost two whole Chapters of holy Scripture The Direction of it in this 29th of Exodus and the Execution of it in the 8th Chapter of Leviticus This Consecration was the solemn Investiture of them in their Office which was done by sundry sacred and mystical Rites and Ceremonies ordained and appointed of God for that end They were chiefly these four all mentioned in both these places Exod. 29. and Levit. 8. 1. Washing them 2. Apparrelling them with the holy Garments 3. Anointing them with the holy Oyl 4. Sacrificing and so sanctifying them by Blood All which I shall put together in one general Proposition or point of Doctrine which will indeed contain the sum of this whole Chapter as far as to ver 38. Doctr. That the Consecration of the Priests of old was done by washing them and by apparrelling them