MOSES AND AARON OR THE TYPES AND SHADOVVS Of our SAVIOUR in the old TESTAMENT Opened and Explained By T. TAYLOR D. D. Very usefull for the better understanding the whole Scripture And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself Luke 24. 27. LONDON Printed for John Williams at the Crown in St. Pauls Church-yard 1653. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Sir MILES FLEETWOOD Knight Receiver Generall of his Majesties Court of Wards and Liveries All welfare in Christ Jesus Noble Sir IT is a truth able to endure the most fiery times and trials None but Christ none but Christ. Ignatius expresseth as much drawing near to his Martyrdome Let come upon me fire crosse meetings of wilde beasts cuttings tearings breaking of bones rendings of members dissolutions of the whole body and all torments of the devill 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely that I may gain Iesus Christ. Thus he intreated the Romans not to intercede for him and hinder his suffering for the Gospel And thus the servants of God in these last times when Romanists have thrust them into flames and other calamities Christ is all and in all said the Apostle Col. 3. 11. Look to the Church he supplies all defects of his people heales all their infirmities puts on all comfortable relations and procures all saving benefits In the golden chain of our salvation which reacheth from eternity to eternity we shall observe that Christ is the owke or closure that tyeth every linke together as in these lines He is the foundation of our Election Ephes. 1. 4. He is the price of our Redemption 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. He is the cause efficient of our regeneration Eph 2. 10. He is the author of our justification Jer. 33. 16. He is the beginner and perfecter of our sanctification Heb. 12. 2. John 15. 4 5. He is the matter of our consolation spiritual and temporal c. 16. 37. Rom. 5. 1. He is the sweetner and sanctifier of all our troubles Rom. 8. 37 c. He is the assurance and pledge of our resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 20. He is the procurer and producer of our glorification John 17. 22. Rev. 21. 23. All of them good grounds of comfort and set forth the happinesse of Gods people All of them disgrace merit and the worthinesse of the creatures Men and Angels All of them magnifie Gods love and wisdome call unto thankfulnesse and would make us content with little All invite labour to make sure of a portion in Christ without whom all is as nothing And finally all command those that are in Christ to be all unto him doe all for him give all suffer all speak live die rejoyce in all through him and with him expect all in his heavenly kingdome Look to the Word wherein all these things are revealed Christ is evidently the matter and sum of the Gospel and the Apostle affirmes the like concerning the Law Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that believeth First by similitude saith Austin when a man is come to the end of a way he can goe no farther so when a Christian is come to Christ he hath no farther excellencie to seek or goe unto in Christ there is enough and enough to reconcile him to God and bring him to heaven Secondly for perfection saith Cyril when a thing is finished it is said to come to an end as namely in weaving a garment so Christ hath finished perfected and fulfilled the Law he came not to destroy but establish it so that in him we have a perfect righteousnesse to present God withall even as the Law required Gal. 2. 16. 21. Thirdly he is finis intentionis the Law bids us look to Christ in whom onely we can live both the Moral Law in the holy precepts of it impossible in this our weaknesse therefore have recourse to Christ Rom. 8. 3 4. together with the curses and threats of it whereby it is a sharp Schoolemaster leading to Christ Gal. 3. 24. As also the Ceremonial Law all whose shadows figure out Christ and his benefits Heb. 10. 1. Now is Christ come saith Tertullian who is the end of the Law opening all the dark matters of it anciently covered under the mists of Types and Sacraments An excellent Master an heavenly Teacher a setler of truth to the uttermost Austin calls Moses his Ceremonies prenunciative or foretelling Observations and saith We are not now constrained to observe things used in the Prophets time Non quia illa damnata sed quia in melius mutata sunt not for any evill in them but because they are changed for the better What they foretold and how they are changed for the better this Treatise in part discovereth and I purpose not now to discourse These glorious times of the Gospel shew evidently how much the truth excelleth the shadow the vertue common to the antient believers as well as unto us Christ Iesus yesterday and to day and the same for ever but as the manifestation is more clear so the grace is more plentiful and comfortable The same Testator made both Testaments and these differ not really but accidentally the Old infolding the New with some darknesse and the New unfolding the Old with joyous perspicuity This glorious dispensation of grace as it stands by the good pleasure of God so also by his manifold wisdome who in severall approaches of his mercy and goodnesse drawes still nearer to his Church and yet reserves the greatest for his Kingdome of glory Even now in this marvellous light of the Gospel we have our divine Ceremonies and Sacraments see him afar off know but in part darkly as in a glasse and receive our best contentment by the acts of faith while the Word and Spirit make us know the things freely given us of God in Christ Jesus But time shall be when to say nothing of the estate of the Church after the ruine of Antichrist and calling of the Jewes we shall in heaven see him whom we believed face to face clearly perfectly immediately without Sacraments or Types in the fullest vision nearest union and absolutest fruition Never till then shall we comprehend wholly what is the marrow of that text I am the Way the Truth and the Life To your Worship I commend this Treatise of that illuminate Doctor excellent sometime in following and opening an Allegory and now more excellent in enjoying the Truth it self of whom while here a Preacher you shewed your self a joyfull Hearer as of other faithfull Pastors at this day with obedience to the truth religious care of your family integrity in your office love of good men both in the Ministery and private estate and all Christian behaviours as the fame of your sweet savour goes forth in the Church of God to which I doubt not but this Treatise will be the more welcome because of your worthy name prefixed It
could have imitated them But while he was in the world to shew that his kingdome had no similitude nor correspondency with the Pomps of earthly kingnomes in his progresse he gets on an asse and in'stead of a saddle of state he had poore mens clothes spread under him But when he shall shew his glory he shall ride upon the Clouds as on an horse with such attendants and majesty as all the Potentates on earth were never capable of nor shall be able to behold 6. In amplitude and absolutenesse They will be free Monarchs and Commanders their will and every word of theirs must be a Law but never was any kingdome absolutely Monarchicall but Christs all earthly kings ever held in fee of him By me Kings raigne Prov. 8. 15. Never any other included all kingdomes of the world in it and under it but this Never any to whom all Princes were subject but this Never was there any of them which shall not be broken to pieces by this little stone if it stand in opposition against him Dan. 2. 45. 7. In dispensing justice 1. They must judge by evidence and proofe by the sight of their eyes and hearing of their eares but he shall not do so Isai. 11. 3. For he shall try and discerne the reynes and secrets of all hearts and shall judge things as they be not as they seem David judged according to the hearing of his eare rashly against Mephibosheth Christ shall not do so 2. They can pronounce their subjects just and innocent but he can make them innocent and just communicating his own righteousnesse to them which no Prince can do 1 Cor. 1. 30. He is made to us righteousnesse 8. In meanes of upholding and maintaining 1. They must winne holds as David Sions for t and enlarge themselves by force of armes dint of sword multitude of souldiers But Christ sends but twelve unarmed poor men who wonne and subdued the whole world with the word onely in their mouthes such a word as was the greatest enemy to the world and corrupt fashions of it This is the weapon mighty under God to cast down holds 2. They if they want men money munition must despaire of attaining or retaining their rights But Christs kingdome being neither set up nor held up by military power shall be upheld by the invisible and secret power of the spirit If all worldly power be against it never despaire it thrives best in opposition 9. In things to be attained In them the best things are honour pleasure externall prosperity and this for a time But Christs Kingdome stands not in meat or drink but in righteousnesse peace of conscience joy in the holy Ghost in grace here and glory hereafter The wealth of Christs subjects is to be rich in grace rich in good works his honour to be of the stock and lineage of Christ his pleasure a patient and painfull expectation of the pleasures at Gods right hand And these being eternall the kingdome of Christ must needs be eternall now this being the glory of the kingdome of Christ we have need of faith to discerne it and a great measure of humility before we can resolve to become subjects of it The theefe on the Crosse asking Christ to remember him in his kingdome Augustine askes him What Royalty doest thou see Seest thou any other crown than that of thornes any other Scepter than Iron nayles any other purpl than bloud any other Throne than a wooden Crosse any other guard than executioners Was there now so great faith in Israel Let our faith touch the top of this Scepter let us submit our selves to his word for the present and cast our eye beyond the present upon his second comming when we shall see him ride upon a white horse not upon garments but upon the Clouds in power and great glory entring not Jerusalem but the stage of the whole world to render unto every man even Kings according as they have done in the flesh good or evill III. David was called and anoynted to be King but between that and the installing or enjoying of his kingdome he had many troubles doubts and feares that made him stagger and say I shall surely one day fall by the hand of Saul So was the true David Jesus Christ annoynted with the fulnesse of the Spirit and called to be King of his Church but before his installation into his Kingdome many afflictions persecutions feares yea death it self overtooke him for our sakes Isai. 5. 3. Wherein he said My God why hast thou forsaken me So must it be with us who must be content to suffer before we can raigne to be crowned first with thornes as Christ was and stand with Christ on Mount Golgotha before we come to Mount Olivet see Act. 14. 22. It is so ordained by God that we should make our way through a straite to state through thornes to Roses through troubles to rest through stormes to the haven through vertue to glory through conquest to triumph through warre to peace through the Crosse to Heaven And this processe God the father strictly observed with his beloved Sonne as was necessary Luk. 24. 26. Phil. 2. 8 9. he was humbled therefore God exalted him And this is the Lords honour to honour his servants raised from the dunghill that they may know the way to glory lies by humility IV. It was ever the lot of the Church to have in it secret and inbred enemies as David and Christ had even such as eat bread at his table and dipped in the dish and these have alwayes proved more mischievous than open and forraigne enemies The Church ever had hypocrites and false brethren Satans spies who professing the same Christ and religion eating bread at the same table of the Lord and making shew of friendship in the communion of Saints joyning in the hearing of the word and prayer yet watcht the haunts of Gods servants to spy their weaknesse and where they ly open to advantage Every one sees they advantage not themselves but by all meanes undermine the Gospell and professors so as the silly dove of Christ can find no rest for the soale of her foot And never was the Church so wounded as in the house of her friends Cant. 1. 5. The sonnes of my mother were angry against me This being the estate of the Church to be hunted as the silly hare from one Mush to another and no where safe it must make us 1. more wary 2. desire our rest 3. love that promise Come with me from Lebanon c. Cant 4. 8. V. Comfort the Church That Jesus Christ is the true David 1. We have a strong deliverer and deliverance David pulled the sheep out of the Lyons mouth and the Lamb out of the paw of the Beare 1 Sam. 17. Christ the true David hath delivered his chosen flock out of the power of Satan death and damnation 1 Cor. 15. 27. 2. Be
reason which perhaps would count it foolish and ridiculous But the Lord though he might by many other more mighty and likely meanes will by no other meanes effect their deliverance He that brought in the Serpents could as easily have removed them if not that yet he might have hindered them from biting them or he might powerfully of the same poyson have made a remedy but he chooseth most unlikely meanes Quest. Why doth the Lord thus Answ. For three reasons 1. He will have his people look for help at no hand but his own who useth in such meanes to help as whence no help can be expected but onely divine Israel now sees that all the world cannot make a dead Serpent prevail against living Serpents but that God of all the world to whom all creatures obey 2. He will have his people hereby know and acknowledge the power of his Word For it was not the Serpent as it was brasse nor as it was lifted up nor as it was beheld that could heal them but as unto this sign was added the word first of commandement secondly of promise By vertue of which word the infected persons were cured Psal. 107. 20. he sent out his word and healed them Gods word alone can make a Serpent heal and a dead Serpent restore to life 3. He will shew the mighty power of his arme which hath ever by weak things confounded the mighty See this in examples When God was to save Noah from the deluge one would have thought it fit to have reared him up a mighty turret of iron or Adamant or founded him some invincible building upon some mighty Rock to have resisted the waters But Noah must build himself a weak Ark of boards and a little pitch and that must float all the time and sustain all the waves and billowes without mast stern or Pilot or any the like meanes to preserve it When God was by Joshua to demolish the mighty walls of Jericho he bids him not set against it huge engins or warlike Ramms and batteries to batter it seven dayes together but he must cast down the walls with looking on them and win the City by walking about it seven dayes and onely blow upon it with Rams hornes but not lift an hand or weapon against it Josh. 6. When God sends Gideon against an huge army of Midianites to overcome them a man would have thought he would have furnished them with armour of proof and munition fit for the warre but he puts into their hands trumpets and pitchers and lampes within the pitchers and bids them not fight but onely make a noyse and so they conquer Judg. 7. 17. When God is to foyle that mighty Giant Goliah a warriour from his youth who alone at the sight of him made all Israel run away 1 Sam. 17. 24. he chooseth not a man of war and prowresse but a poor shepheard David a boy as Saul calls him ver 33. and he not armed with sword and spear as Goliah was but with a sling and a scrip and five stones with which when he had overthrown him he borrowed his own sword to cut off his head These instances instead of many may serve to shew Gods ordinary custome and delight to effect the greatest matters by weakest meanes and to advance his own power in weaknesse This doctrine may be fruitfully applyed to our present times in which we see such tumults raised against the Church such insolencies of the enemy such hopes yea and triumphs before victory If God give his Church a check and his people receive a foyle oh how the enemy laughs and boasts and blasphemes as if all were theirs but let us raise our faith and confidence in considering these grounds I God can and doth often work by unlikely and contrary meanes When he was to multiply Abrahams seed as the starres of heaven he begins his promise with that precept Abraham take thy son thy onely son and slay him in sacrifice What seemed more diametrally or directly contrary to this promise yet hindered not but furthered it 2. Gods word and promise for the present causes of the Church shall be accomplished either with meanes or without them yea against them God hath determined and in his word foretold the fall of Antichrist and destruction of Babylon Isai. 60. 12. the kingdome that will not serve the Lord shall be destroyed much more that kingdome which is most opposite to the Lord as this is More specially 2 Thes. 2. 8. whom the Lord shall consume and abolish There is both a consumption and an extinction The former we have seen the second as certainly remaines in short time to be done Rev. 19. 20. 21. The Beast and the false Prophet shall be taken and their flesh made meat for the fowls of the air There is more strength in this word of God than in all Antichistian limbes and captaines All Babylons Physitians shall not heal her for great is the Lord who will destroy her If this be the time it shall forward apace if deferred not forgotten 3. The cause in hand is Gods cause against a Kingdome 1. Contrary to Christs whole Kingdome 2 A Kingdome destinated to destruction by God 3. A Kingdome against which Christian Princes are called to sanctifie their swords and to fire her and to return double according to the whores workes 4. A Kingdome in which every member is an high blasphemer and ought to dye no eye pittying them 5. A Kingdome an infinite encroacher upon Christian Kings and Kingdomes and disturber of all their common and publike peace by claimes to all Crowns Scepters Lawes subjection but God is with his cause and therefore it is strong enough 4. The cause is not therefore at an end because foyled nor farther from victory because the party seemes weaker and the meanes incomparable Judges 20. Israel had the better cause than Benjamin and more number of souldiers and were prudent and expert in war as it appeares by some stratagems set against the enemy yet was foyled and broken twice because although God had been sought yet not so seriously as was fit If the Israel of God had sought the Lord so seriously by fasting prayer and sound humiliation the powers of Antichrist could not prevail But great are the sinnes of the Church which must be corrected and God will be more earnestly sought to be found in so great mercy Again Salomon observed that the race was not alwayes to the swift nor the battail to the strong nor for their strength Gideons Army may be too many for God to give victory by Meanes are to be used not trusted in and whether they be likely or unlikely God will save his Church either by them or without them Therefore let the Church look back to that of Moses Exod. 14. 14. The Lord shall fight for you and yee shall hold your peace Sect. IV. II. Moses having a commandement shuts his own eye and makes a
is an Orphane the Widow desires it should be your Ward who in your love can best tender it and by your authority defend it sufficiently The God of heaven increase all heavenly graces and comforts in your noble heart abundantly and adde unto your dayes honours and blessings of all sorts till these shadowes flie away and the true Day-star arise upon you in glory the hearty prayer of one who is and desires to be reckoned among Isleworth June 29. 1635. Your Wo truest friends in every good service WILLIAM JEMMAT To the CHRISTIAN READER I Have heard of a demur made as though something were put forth under this Authors name which is none of his I assure thee in the word of a Minister that for the workes that have my Epistle prefixed and I hear of no other published with his name there is not one note nor notion which is not the Authors own according to his papers And the like I affirm concerning this Treatise of Types which now I publish The use of it is manifold To open divers places of Scripture To shew the meaning of legal shadowes and ceremonies To declare the faith of the Elders who received a good report To manifest our faith one with theirs one Faith one Lord one Baptisme one salvation To magnifie and commend Christ to every soul that it may be saved and he honoured To discern and bewail the blindnesse of Gods ancient people the Jewes and pray for their return to the truth not â—atching at shadowes Of whom in present I may say with detestation of their madnesse as he said against the Philosophers Nos qui non habitu c. We Christians whose excellency stands not in outward things but spirituall glory that we have found what they with all their diligence have sought and could not finde Why are we unthankfull Why doe we stand in our own light if the truth of the Deitie hath in this our age attained to maturity Let us enjoy and make use of our own good and follow the truth in truth avaunt superstition be packing all impiety let true religion be preserved and flourish Yet withall seeing there is a promise that all Israel shall be saved let us pray for the performance and that with all earnestnesse as that converted Jew gave exhortation to his son So long pour forth thy prayers for the remnant of Israel till God look from his high habitation and see and have mercy on his people for the Lords sake his Annointed that in our dayes Judah may be saved and the children of Israel may dwell safely in their own land and spend their dayes in good the Lord making his good Spirit to rest upon them WILLIAM JEMMAT A Table of the Contents of this Treatise I. THe Introduction containing five Propositions of the Church Salvation Covenant of grace Christ and the ancient Ceremonies p. 1 Five reasons for those Ceremonies 2 Grace in the new Testament specially how 3 Ceremonies called shadowes for four reasons ibid. Threefold use of them to the Jewes 4 Gods wisdome in appointing them three wayes ibid. II. The Treatise shewing Christ prefigured by holy persons and things 5 I. Adam a type of Christ in creation office soveraignty conjugation propagation 6 The Ministery reverend for antiquitie 8 Antiquity of the doctrine of free grace ibid. Seek life by Christs death 8 Get into Christ the second Adam as thou art surely of the first Motives ibid. II. Noah a type for salvation righteousnesse preaching Ark repairing the world sacrifice of rest and a dove sent out of the Ark. 9 Preserve integrity in the worst times 13 Sinnes which are signes of judgement approaching ibid. Comfort to be had in Christ our Noah 14 III. Melchizedek a type in Etymâ—logiâ— office originall excellency of person and Priesthood 15 16 17 Christ greater than Abraham 18 Comfort by Christ our Melchizedek ibid. We are blessed by our Melchizedek 19 By our Melchizedek the Church abides for ever ibid. Excellency of Christs Priesthood above the Leviticall eight wayes 20 Sin not to be accounted slight whose sacrifice is so costly 21 IV. Isaac a type in birth suffering offering escape marriage ibid. A pattern of obedience in 5. things ib. How Christ doth meet his Church 25 Two Rules 26 A type of our resurrection 27 Matter of sweet consolation 28 Look for help though the case be desperate ibid. V. Joseph a type in his person actions â—…ssions advancement 29 No newes for good men to be hated for their excellency 32 All sufferings of the godly come of God ordained and ordered 33 Comfort by Christ our Joseph four wayes 34 Doe to Christ as Joseph's brethren to him 35 VI. Moses a type in person estate office 〈◊〉 suffering sundry actions ib. Our doctrine is of God 40 Be faithfull in doing thy office ibid. Shew faith in the fruit of it contrary to four sorts of men 41 Assurance of our resurrection ibid. VII Joshua a type in saving calling miracles valour actions 42 A fearfull thing to be an enemy of the Church 45 Comfort in our salvation accomplished ibid. Duties we owe to Christ our Joshua 46 Conditions to be observed in going to heaven Six ibid. VIII Sampson a type in person condition actions sufferings stratagems victories 48 Judge none by outward calamities 51 Strange meanes used by God for the Churches good 52 Our victory stands in patience and passion ibid. Fourfold comfort to Gods people 53 In Gods cause contemn greatest perill and prepare for death approaching 54 IX David a type in person vocation wars kingdome office Propheticall and Priestly 55 Enter upon no office without assistance of the Spirit A note of it 61 Christ the true King of the Church Nine wayes more excellent than David 62 How God brings his servants to honour 65 Church ever pestered with home-bred enemies 66 Comfort to the Church in 3. things ib. X. Salomon a type in person condition peace-making wisdome glory temple justice 68 Duties to Christ our Salomon two 73 Fourfold comfort in our Salomon 74 XI Jonah a type in name office death buriall resurrection 75 Repent at the Ministery of Christs servants 77 Motives ibid. Vocation of the Gentiles 78 Our resurrection assured to us 79 Power and wisdome of God to be admired ibid. Terror of sinne even in Gods own children and comfort 80 XII The First-born types as Gods peculiar fathers of the family preferred before brethren double portion 82 Every mercy is the greater engagement unto God 85 Honour Christ as the first-born of God and how ibid. Threefold comfort in the birthright 86 Forfeit not the birthright by sin 87 Resemble Christ our elder brother 88 XIII Priests types in deputation to office and execution choice consecration apparell actions 88 A cover for us in Christ for all deformities of soul and body 90 Qualities requisite in Ministers ib. Eminency of Christ above all creatures 93 Ministers must increase their gifts 94 Duties of private believers ibid.
Christ himself by the Spirit so as never man spake yet both were despised and the Spirit resisted whereby they spake So now godly Ministers must not think much to be despised in their Ministery for as it was in the days of Noah and of Christ So Christ hath told us it must be 3. Prophanenesse of the Ministery and generall malice against sincerity As in the dayes of Noah many Wrights and workmen were busie to prepare an Ark for others but themselves neither entred into the same nor saved by the same And as in the dayes of Christ the Scribes and Pharisees professed themselves chiefe builders but refused the corner stone and neither entred themselves nor suffered others but envy Christ they could So shall it be in the dayes of the Sonne of man 4. In the common-state and men apostacy security sensuality men eat drinke marry but know nothing of judgement that is will not know So shall the comming of the Sonne of man be Mat. 24. 39. III. In that Christ is the true Noah all the true members of Christ who are carefull to prepare them an Arke and to get within the Arke of the Church have solid and strong comfort For 1. He is ready to receive all that come unto him who calls all the weary as Noah readily received all that offered themselves unto him Let not thy sinne discourage thee be thou never so uncleane get once into the Arke and thou art safe 2. As Noah himself entered into the Arke and abode there all the time of danger and tossing by the waters so our Lord abides still in the same ship of the Church with us he is so much the more compassionate to us as he is acquainted with our sorrowes and though the danger and fear be never so much we shall fare no worse than himself will who in all our troubles is troubled with us and for us 3. As Noah pitched the Ark within and without and so fenced it against the waves and raging billowes and surges of a world of seas So doth our true Noah strengthen his Arke and Church partly with his promise partly with his prayers that their faith faile not as with pitch within and without so firme and sure as let this little Arke of the Church be tossed upon the waters of affliction and tried by never so many temptations and persecutions in this sea of the world it is so fenced pitched that it shall never miscarry Noahs Arke indeed by tossing beating of the waters may be weakned and made worsei but Christs Arke the Church is made better and stronger by trials and afflictions It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I may learn thy statutes Noahs Arke at last shall putrifie and perish but Christs Arke shall never perish but at last be more perfect and glorious 4. As Gods Covenant with Noah was his safety in the Arke for looke upon the Arke floating above water laden with heavie burthen fenced against the waters with a little pitch perhaps not very skilfully that being the first vessell that ever was made for the water without Anchor mast sterne Pilot or Master to govern it for Noah was shut in by God how should it be but carried by windes and waves upon rocks or hils or sands or trees or buildings and so in an instant split all to pieces but that the Lord was Stearsman of all that voyage So the safety of the Church is that it hath so faithfull a Pilot whose Covenant made in his Church is the wall and defence of his People more stable than the foundation of the earth Which made David to glory Though the earth be moved and the mountains tumbled into the sea yet the Church may glory in the salvation of her God In our lesser trials stormes oppositions look to God our safety be within the Arke God will provide for thy safety 5. The Arke had a time to be freed from the deluge of waters So the Church hath a time for her deliverance Rev. 7. 14. Psal. 55. 22. 6. When the flood of waters bated the Arke rested on the mountaine of Ararat Gen. 8. 4. So when the waters of affliction are dried up the Church hath her rest in the holy mountaine of God Psal. 15. CHAP. IV. 3. Melchizedek a type of Christ. HEbrews 7. 3. He was likened to the Sonne of God We must search wherein and how Christ was the truth of that figure I. In the notation of his name Melchizedek signifieth King of righteousnesse Our Saviour was indeed properly King of righteousnesse Heb. 7. 2. Isai. 11. 4. Psal. 45. 6 7. thy kingdome is a scepter of righteousnesse thou lovest righteousnesse Mal. 4 2. Christ the Sonne of righteousnesse shall arise From him all have righteousnesse as from a fountaine II In his Office 1 He was King of Salem of peace So Christ is called the Prince of peace Isa. 9. 6. not of a corner but of all the world and of Salem that is of Jerusalem Psal. 2. 6. I have set my King on Sion On his shoulders was the government laid Of whom Zach. 9. 9. O Jerusalem behold thy King commeth unto thee he is just and saved himself poor and riding upon an asse but with this difference Melchizedek brings peace earthly temporall but Christ is our peace Ephes. 2. 14. by whom we have peace with God he guides our feet into the way of peace and leades us to peace eternall So he was true king of true peace so was not Melchizedek 2. Melchizedek was not onely a King but Priest of the most high God Gen. 14. 18. So Christ was both King and Priest King Revel 1. 5. Prince of all the kings of the earth Priest Heb. 4. 14. Our great high Priest This was not usuall in the Jewes Policy or progeny of David to whom onely the kingdome was promised neither would God admit the mingling of these Offices among them as in Uzziah 2 Chron. 26. But as this dignity was reserved unto Christ so was it dispenced with in his speciall figure to be both a great King and Priest III. In his originall Without Father or Mother genealogy beginning or end of dayes without kindred that is none of these mentioned in Scripture or in the story of his life Although he had both father mother kindred birth death yet the Lord of set purpose would have all these concealed in scripture that he might be a more expresse type of Jesus Christ who was truely without father as man That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God without mother as God without kindred according to his Deity in respect of his Divine nature without generation for who can declare his generation Isa. 53. 8. seeing he was before all worlds eternally begotten of his Father And whereas Melchizedek onely had no beginning or end of life expressed Christ is onely truly without beginning neither shall
Sam. 16. 23 Christ by the sweet voyce of the Gospel stills the evill spirits which molest and vexe men and gives them peace and quietnesse in mind and conscience And in the dayes of his flesh how he sought to cure and allay the spirituall madnesse of the wicked Scribes and Pharisees against him is plaine in the story 2. David brings back the Arke to his right place 2 Sam. 6. So did Christ the truth of Gods Law obscured by the false glosses of Scribes and Pharisees and reduced the true sence and meaning of it And freed his Church signified by the Arke from the spirituall thraldome and captivity of the Law 3. David buildes an Altar in the grounds of a stranger 2 Sam. 24. 24. namely Araunah the Jebusite The true David builds up a Church among the Gentiles and sets up Gods worship among them that were strangers from the Covenant 4. David offers a sacrifice and the Lord accepts it sending fire from heaven to consume it 2 Sam 24. 25. Christ offers the most acceptable sacrifice that ever was in which both Davids and all ours must be accepted and in which alone the Lord smels a savour of rest I. As the Spirit of God came on David after his anoynting 1 Sam. 16. 13. So did it on our true David after his baptizing to fit them to their waighty offices Learne 1. That he that is not fitted and furnished with gifts of the spirit in some measure and attempteth any office in the Church or common-wealth is not called by God whose wisedome will not send a blind man for a Seer nor a dumb man on his message or errand Would a man know whether he have received of this spirit for his office A note is when God stirres up his will in that office to performe all the desire of God Isai. 44. 28. he saith to Cyrus Thou art my Shepheard thou shalt performe all my desire The Magistrate is a shepheard he must do in judgement what God himselfe would do in repressing vice and cherishing religion else the spirit who is not contrary to himselfe leads him not The Minister is a shepheard he must speake nothing but what God would speak for the incouraging of grace and disgrace of sinne and sinners God speakes peace to his people and feeds the impenitent with judgenent and he that in his ministery doth speak sweetly to wicked men and broacheth aÌ„ vessell of gall and wormewood for godly men to drink is not sent by God on that errand he crosseth the spirit which he pretendeth 2. Art thou a private Christian see that the same spirit rest on thee and that thou hast received of the same anointing For 1. he that hath not the spirit is none of Christs and 2. wâ—â—t is it to us that the spirit rest and light upon Christ if he should determine all his fruits and graces upon him But in that the sweete oyntment and Balsame poured upon the head of our high Priest runnes down to the skirt of his garment that is to the lowest member of his Church Psal. 133. 2. hence are we sweetly and admirably refreshed Findest thou emptinesse or want of grace fly to this fullnesse but observe the diverse manner To the head is given the spirit in all fullnesse to us members of that fulnesse Joh. 1. 16. To him beyond all measure to us according to measure II. That Jesus Christ is the right and undoubted King of his Church of whom David was but a shadow And it will be worth our labour to enquire how farre the truth exceeds the type 1. For originall Davids kingdome and all other Kings and kingdomes are mediately from men either from some meane family as Jshais or some greater house in some corner of the earth But the kingdome of Christ is immediately and unchangeably from heaven Dan. 2. 44. the God of heaven shall raise up a kingdome that is immediately for mediately all kingdomes Kings and power is from him 2. In respect of unction All they are anoynted 1. by men 2. with materiall oyle 3. to be temporary Saviours 4. from temporary dangers But Christs anointing was by the Spirit of God with more divine and excellent oyle above all his fellowes Psal. 45. 7. that he might be a spirituall and and eternall Saviour a Jesus saving his people from their sinnes and such spirituall evils as pertaine to the life to come 3. Their titles are stately and glorious David as an Angell of God as the woman of Tekoah said so Caesar Augustus Charles the great Constantine and Alexander the great to set out their glory But all these are nothing to the true and undoubted title of Jesus Christ who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19. 16. And if this were too little he hath another for he is God and man in one Person our Emmanuel a stile too high for Pope or Potentate for men or Angels Isai. 7. 14. 4. Their Scepters are of metal gold or silver which they hold in their hands and by them they save or slay innocent or nocent But his Scepter is but verball which he holds in his mouth the word and breath of his mouth more pure than the gold of Ophir more potent than all the Scepters of all Kings put together By this he slayes the wicked Hos. 6. 5. I slew them with the word of my mouth 2 Thes. 2. 8. He shall slay that wicked man of sinne with the breath of his mouth Other Kings by their Scepters can kill men but cannot make them alive againe when they have done but Christ by his word can quicken and make alive dead soules and bodies They by theirs can be dreadfull to men Christ by his drives back devils diseases death and all adversary power 5. In port and state 1. Their banners and ensigns exprese their noble acts and the honourable exployts of them and their progenitors which are glorious in the eyes of men Christs banner for his kingdome of grace is his Crosse or rather the Gospel a doctrine of the Crosse to the world foolishnesse or basenesse but in his kingdome of glory the signe of the sonne of man that is such glory and power as agrees to none else 2. Their servants and attendants must be rich stately noble and the sonnes of great Princes must be nearest to attend them Christ Jesus in contempt of what the world admireth will have his servants poor meek lowly not such losty Lords as so farre excell the Emperour in worldly glory as the Sunne the Moone the Popes ridiculous claime and yet they be Sonnes of God heires of heaven brethren of Christ and of the royalest bloud that ever was 3. When they ride in progresse they shew their state pompe and worldly glory Great Alexander gets upon his Bucephalus Pompey triumphs upon an Elephant Anthony rides upon Lyons Aurelianus upon Harts and Bucks Christ had his kingdome been of this world
against this generation For she 1. a woman of weak sexe 2. A Queen enjoying pleasures at home 3. Undertooke a long journey from the ends of the earth Matth. 12. 42. 4. Set aside the weighty affaires of her kingdome the charge of her journey and gifts to Salomon not small 1 King 10. 10. the dangers wearinesse and all to hear the wisdome of Salomon yet as a Gentile did all this But many men and women professing Christianity will not step over their thresholds to hear the wisdome of a greater than Salomon Object If Salomon or Christ were here we would Sol. 1. The Jewes would say so but would not 2. He that heares you heareth me 3. He that will not hear us would not hear Christ himselfe Object We have businesse and occasions Sol. 1. Many make occasions which might be avoided 2. Many pretend occasions 3. Many have occasions but so had this Queen who would not be hindered from Salomon by the weighty affaires of a kingdome 4. Whose occasions ordinarily hinder them they shall never taste of the supper 2. Hence we must labour to account it our happinesse that we may have liberty to wait on the true Salomon So the Queen of Saba Happy are thy servants that may attend on thee and heare thy wisedome So our Saviour himself Happy are they that hear the word and keep it Happy we if we saw our happinesse that we need not with such cost and toyle seek after our Salomon For he comes to us and knocks at the doors of our hearts and offers to enrich us with treasures of wisedome Let us open our gates that this king of glory may enter in Let us receive the rules of wisedome from his mouth and consider how unhappy they are that despise the word of which both the Salomons were preachers II. Comfort that Christ is the true Salomon 1. Great were the blessings which Salomon procured to Israel but all temporary and outward but our Salomon procures greater spirituall and eternall 2. Salomon prayes and is heard of all that pray in the Temple 1 King 8. Christ prayes and merits that all prayers of Saints be heard Joh. 17. 3. Salomon could not be present in all his kingdome at once Cant. 8. 11. Salomon had a Vineyard and let it out to dressers vers 12. but my Vineyard is set before mine eyes Himself still walks in the midst of the golden Candlesticks and watcheth for the good of it 4. All the excellencies which now we see and enjoy in Christ are nothing to them we shall see as the Queen of Saba halfe was not told me in my country So as the glory delight pleasure which our Salomon now gives us must affect our hearts to renonunce carnall delights and pursue those that are above What is earth to heaven that is faith to fruition This is that Cant. 3. 7. Behold his bed is better than Salomons which was for price and safety most excellent for threescore valiant men stood about it every night But the spirituall marriage-bed in the marriage chamber the kingdome of glory surpasseth all comprehension all sweetned with incense of holynesse happinesse glory immortality better than the best perfumes there is perfect security and lasting joy on their heads for ever CHAP. XII 11. Jonah a type of Christ in 4. respects IOnah was a type of Christ as Matth. 12. 39. No signe shall be given them but the signe of the Prophet Jonah I. In his name and office Both Jonahs both doves one in name the other in nature Both mournfull one in a sea of sorrowes shut in the whales belly the other a man of sorrowes and such as no man ever sustained and overcame Both Prophets Jonah sent to preach repentance to Niniveh Christ the true Jonah the great Prophet of the Church was sent to preach the same doctrine to the world Mat. 4. 17 Then Jesus began to preach and say Amend your lives c. Both of them in expresse words must signifie to their hearers that without repentance they were in state of perdition II. In respect of his death and suffering In the 1. kind 2. manner 3. fruit 1. The kinde it was a willing death a free will offering For as Jonah when the tempest was raised freely offered himselfe to death when the Marriners would faine have saved him Ion. 1. 12. take me and cast me into the sea that the tempest may cease So when the storm of Gods wrath was boystrous against the sinnes of mankind Jesus Christ our Jonah offered himselfe to the death for he had power either to lay down his life or to retaine it Joh. 10. 18. No man taketh away my life from me but I lay it down of my selfe Joh. 18. 5. I am he 2. The terrible and dreadfull manner For as Jonah was swallowed up of the Whale who made but one morsel of him So Christ was swallowed up of death and seemed wholy devoured of the curse of God As the one cryed in the Whales belly and out of the belly of hell Ion. 2. 2. and vers 4. I am cast away out of thy sight So the other cries upon the Crosse My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Both of them were in so extraordinary death as in their sence they were in the deepest hell 3. The fruit of it 1. The appeasing of the wrath of God his Father For as Jonah once cast into the Sea the windes were stilled the sea ceased from hâ—r raging Chap. 15. 1. and there was a great calme So Christ by his death pacified his Fathers wrath stilled the rage of Satan abolished the horror of death which otherwise had never been still and calme towards us 2. To save his fellowes For as Jonah must be cast into the sea to save his fellowes from drowning Chap. 1. 12. So must Christ be overwhelmed with the waves of his Fathers displeasure and as Jonah be put to death by those that should have preserved him but not for any desert of his owne but to save his companions and brethren in the same ship with him from death and drowning For so was the signification of his name Jesus so himself affirmed Matt. 20. 28. The Sonne of man came to give his life a ransome for many So also Caiaphas prophecies It is fit that one man die for the people and that the whole Nation perish not Joh. 11. 50. III. In Jonah we have a type of Christs buriall noted by Christ himself For as Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights Matth. 12. 40. So must Christ be detained in the grave and lie under buriall three dayes and three nights parts put for the whole as perhaps also in Jonah till the case seemed desperate in both not onely in their own apprehensions as 〈◊〉 have before shewed but in the disciples apprehension Luke 24. 21. We thought this should have been he that should have delivered Israel and behold
this is the third day IV. Jonah was a manifest type of Christ in his resurrection For 1. As Jonah was taken into the belly of the Whale whole passed through the ranges armies of teeth as sharpe as speares without breaking or crushing one bone of him or the least limb of his body So Jesus Christ passed through the straight gate of death but as one bone of him was not broken the special and extraordinary providence of God in both of them watching the whole businesse 2. As the Lord spake unto the fish and the fish against his will must cast up Jonah on dry ground So the belly of the earth can keep Christ no longer than the third day no more than the belly of the Whale could keep Jonah his blessed body must see no corruption 3. As Jonah returned from his grave with a song of praise and thanksgâ—ving Chap. 2. So Jesus Christ returned to life from his grave with a song of triumph and victory fore-prophecyed Hos. 13. 14. and accomplished 1 Cor 15. 55. O death where 〈◊〉 thy sting O grave where is thy victory 4. As Jonah an Hebrew goes not to preach to the Ninivites being Gentiles till after his resurrection out of the belly of the Whale So Jesus Christ an Hebrew not till after his resurrection leaves the obstinate Jewes and by his Apostles Ministery and preaching turnes himselfe to the Gentiles Act. 13. 46. 5. As Jonah after his delivery went and preached the doctrine of repentance with great fruit and successe to the conversion of all Niniveh and preventing the fearfull wrath denounced to come within forty dayes So our Lord Jesus after his resurrection and ascension sending out his Apostles to preach repentance and remission of sinnes mightily prevailed and suddenly converted many nations of the heathen and brought them to faith and repentance For Application I. Let us acknowledge a greater than Jonah here Matth. 12. 41. Least as the Ninivites shall rise up against the Jewes they rise also against us if we convert not nor repentat Christs doctrine as they did at Jonahs For 1. Who are they to us They barbarous Heathens and Gentiles never instructed before we have been trained in the Scriptures from childhood 2. What were their meanes to ours Jonah preached but three dayes to them Christ hath preached not three days as he nor three yeares as to the Jewes but above threescore yeares He preached one Sermon Christ a thousand 3. What was this Preacher to ours 1. Jonah was a weak man Christ is God and man 2. Jonah a sinfull man cast into the sea for his own sinne Christ an innocent man cast into the sea for our sinne 3. Jonah a Prophet a servant Christ the Lord of all the holy Prophets therefore of Jonah 4. Jonah a stranger to them Christ of our own kindred and family 5. Jonah preached unwillingly Christ preached freely and spent himself for us 6. Jonah preached nothing but destruction of them and their City Christ a sweet doctrine of grace salvation and the promise of a kingdome of heaven 7. Jonah came indeed out of the belly of the Whale but did no miracle for confirmation of his doctrine Christ came both from the bosome of the Father and from the heart of the earth and did innumerable signes and miracles in which we see his glory 8. Jonah a most angry impatient man would faine die because he Ninivits did not Christ a mirrour of patience will die least his hearers should 9. To Jonah no prophet gave witnesse or foretold of him To Christ all the Prophets gave witnesse Act. 10 43. and spake before of him Shall now Niniveh repent in sackcloth and ashes by Jonahs Ministery of three days and shall not we by Christs constant Ministery of threescore yeares Shall Niniveh condemne Judea for not acknowledging a greater than Jonah and shall it not condemne us not repenting whose sinne shall be farre greater than that of the Jewes who rejected Christ in his abasement and humiliation but we reject the Lord of glory now exalted II. In the type and truth the freedome of Gods favour in the calling of the Gentiles Jonah was a preacher of grace to the Gentiles and Christ was a preacher of grace not to Jewes onely but the Gentiles also being given for a light to the Gentiles that he might be the salvation of Gentiles to the farthest parts of the earth For 1. God is not the God of Jewes onely but of Gentiles also Rom. 3. 29. 2. Christ was the promised seed in whom all nations must be blessed Gen. 22. 18 Hence comes in our title to grace and not from any desert of ours For what is amiable in the wilde olive It is onely Gods free calling who calls her that was not beloved to be beloved Object If we be grafted into Christ and received into grace all is well we are in state good enough Sol. Some are grafted into the Church by profession of mouth onely as all were not Israel that were of Israel and some planted into it by the faith of the heart The former are not altered from their wilde nature the other are renewed to the Image of Christ. Therefore let none content themselves with externall profession joyning in the word sacraments and prayer but labour for soundnesse of faith and grace by which onely we become branches of the true Olive whereas to be hanged as a scien by a thred of profession will not keep it from withering III. In both we have a certaine Emblem and proofe of our resurrection Rom. 8. 11. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jonah and Jesus be in us he shall also quicken our mortall bodies and if the head be risen the members must rise also For as God spake to the Fish and the fish gave up Jonah as from the dead so shall God speak to the earth and Sea and all creatures and they shall give up their dead Isai. 26. 19. he shall say to the earth give and to the sea restore my sonns and daughters and they that are as seed under clods shall awake and sing And these dry bones shall be againe covered with sinewes flesh and skin aâ— Ezek. 37. 6. For as it was impossible for Christ to be held ever under death Act. 2 24. as impossible is it for his members Let us comfort our selves in the approach of death to our selves or our friends and by rising before hand from the grave of our sinnes provided for a blessed and joyfull resurrection 2. King 13. 21. a dead body cast into Elisha's grave quickned so our soules and bodies IV. The wonderful power and wisdome of God that can draw light out of darknesse Jonahs casting over board into the sea was the occasion of converting the Marriners Even so Christs death converted many of them that were causes and authors of it Act. 2. 36 41. And as the Marriners lives were saved by casting Jonah into
onely a disciple of Christ but an instructer of others He must therefore be stored 1. With variety of knowledge to bring forth things new and old 2. Variety of Ministeriall gifts to instruct exhort reprove correct 2 Tim. 3. 16. 3. Variety of saving graces to be an example in word conversation in love in spirit in faith in purenesse 2 Tim. 4. 12. 4. Variety of externall and civill vertues 1 Tim 3. 2. to the 8. and Tit. 1. 7. More gifts are expected in the builders of the house than in any stone of it III. As the Priest must carry on his breast Urim and Thummim so must every Christian and Evangelicall minister in whom are required graces ministeriall and personall The former that he may shine before the Congregation in the light and purity of wholsome doctrine The latter that he may shine in integrity and perfection of manners and conversation so farre as humane frailety will suffer The Urim must enable him to divide aright and furnish him with wholesome precepts The Thummim must fit him to walke aright and to go forward in holy practise The lights of the world must give light both wayes Deut. 33. 8. Let thy Urim and Thummim be on the man of thy mercy Mal. 2. 6. The Law of truth was in his mouth and he walked in truth and equity And 1 Tim. 4. 12 the Apostles Canon is that every Timothy should be a type of beleevers in doctrine and upright conversation I would all ours might be found such types Then should not so many parishes have lampes without light Mi isters without the light of saving knowledge and integrity of conversation IV. As the high Priest must carry on his forehead the plate of gold in which was written Holinesse to the Lord so the Ministers of the new Testament must labour for speciall holinesse If every mean servant in the house must be holy much more the steward of the houshold And if every private Christian must follow holinesse without which no man shall see God Heb. 12. 14. much more the Ministers They that carry the vessels of the Lord must be holy Alas how afraid are many of this Plate for spoiling of their preferment It was a chiefe grace of the chiefe Minister of the old Testament with us a chiefe disgrace and too much purity to carry holinesse in our profession We can put on this plate in the Pulpit and suppose it fit for the Temple but in our private houses cast it aside V. As the Priests must have in their skirts both bells and Pomegranates so must every Evangelicall Minister 1. The bells allow them not to be dumbe dogs Isai. 56. 10. but the sound of the Law and Gospel must clearly sound in their mouthes to be heard afarre off 2. These bells must be of gold to put Ministers in minde that their doctrine be pure not corrupt not savouring of Popery liberty or selfe-respect 3. They must never come into the congregation without these bells for Ministers must still be furnished with some sound matter of instruction and edification How is it then that many come into the Congregation and never bring bells Many are afraid least the sound of their bells should be heard too much and that it would disgrace them to be counted diligent Preachers And many sâ—orne others that their bells sound so often 2. To the bells ministers must joyne Pomegranates With the wholsome word joyne good workes and holy life He carries the bell a Minister whose life is agreeable with holy doctrine Matth. 5. 19. He that keepeth the commandements and teacheth others so to do shall be great in the kingdome of God John Baptist had both bells being a burning light in himself and Pomegranates being a shining light unto others And as the Pomegranates smelled sweet so must ministers labour to leave a sweet smell behind them every where Their conversation must not savour of lightnesse pride ambition covetousnesse contention prophanenesse c. VI. As the Priest must have the tribes be graven on his breast so must the minister his flock committed to him who must be deare to him and taken up into his heart And hearty love would force them to feed the flock in season out of season and set forward their salvation and instruction and seek them not theirs In that we Ministers are Christians we are so for our selves but in that we are Ministers of Christ we are so for you Some wholly forget the second and I wish not the first too Who may rather say In that we are worldlings rather than Christians we are so for our selves Their flockes are slightly engraven in their hearts VII As the Priests had these garments girded unto them so must ministers gird fast unto them these garments for these garments differ somewhat from theirs They might put off their garments when they came out of the holy place but Ministers of the Gospell may not put off theirs when they come out of the Church no nor when they goe to bed nor about any businesse they must never come off Many are so dissolute and ungirt and these garments are so loose on them as they give just occasion to the people to say that they be good onely in the Pulpit and so their people learn of them to be good onely in the Church We must girt our graces fast to us This is the onely ministerial apparrel appointed by God Sect. V. Now for the People of God I. These garments were never changed Though the high Priest dyed yet his apparrel remained and was put upon the next This teacheth us that we all have but one high Priest whose robes we must put on which are lasting and never worn out For 1. There was but one Mediator between God and man while Aaron lived a type of that our Mediator between God man Jesus Christ. 2. There were garments but for one although they passed from one to another as that Priesthood did So no other robe save of this one and onely true and high Priest must be presented before God no robe of our own workes or merits no robe made or woven by men or creatures not by Popes Saints living or dead or Angels We must never change this garment nor abide to see any challenge it but the high Priest our Lord Jesus And hence for ever detest the wicked and abominable Masse with those sacrilegious Priests who usurpe these garments of Jesus Christ and tell us they offer propitiatory sacrifices for the sinnes of the quick and dead The theeves that spoiled Christ of his garments and divided them among themselves did him no such despite as these theeves do who rob him and disrobe him of all his glory II. Every Christian is made a Priest unto God by participation Rev. 5. 10. But not legall and externall for they were dated by the Priesthood of Christ but Evangelicall improper and spirituall Neither to offer reall
man shall never attain sound obedience unto God For much of that obedience required at our hands is clean against corrupt nature As the whole doctrine of repentance of mortification or watchful and careful conversation of restraining our selves in unlawful liberties yea and in lawful all crosses reason Had Abraham ever sacrificed his son had he consulted with reason Had Paul ever joyned to the Disciples to preach that doctrine which he had persecuted had he consulted with flesh and bloud Gal. 1. 16 What other reason can be given that the word powerfully preached is so generally fruitlesse but that men think they have reason not to obey it at least not in all things They see no reason to be so precise nor is there any wisdome to be so forward Reason tells them they see few great men so strict and but a few despised men are so earnest 4. He shall never attain heaven 1 Cor. 15. 50. Flesh and bloud cannot inherit the kingdome of heaven neither doth corruption inherit incorruption By flesh and bloud is meant the vitiate and corrupt estate of man or flesh and bloud severed from the spirit and grace of God or the man unregenerate having onely flesh and bloud So Mat. 16. 17. Blessed art thou Simon Jonas for flesh and bloud hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father So as here is not required an abolition of flesh and bloud in the being and substance of it but an addition of new qualities As in Christs transfiguration was not an extinction of his body but an accesse of incredible glory without which change none can get to heaven John 3. 3. Exâ—ept a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdome of God The Apostle adds the reason 1 Cor. 15. 50. Gods kingdome is incorruptible flesh and bloud in it self is corrupted and so not capable of that kingdome Therefore to come to heaven thou must be changed in thy will reason wisedome and all Sect. V. To apply this I. Labour to bring the eye of faith to the word else shall we be ready to reject holy doctrine as absurd and impossible as Nicodemus did the doctrine of regeneration Why else doe most men live no other than a natural life in the midst of so many supernatural and divine meanes but that their reason resists the Spirits perswasions Why are many wholsome doctrines daily distasted and quarrelled against by our witty men but that they think they have better reason to doe as they doe than any that we can bring out of Gods book Why else doe so many fall back to Popery and idolatry but because they cast off the teaching of the Spirit and give themselves to another teacher agreeing with natural corruption and reason If a man were to be led onely by reason and it were lawful to cast off religion I would choose to be a Papist by which doctrine it is lawful to be every thing but a sound Christian. Therefore though some Apostates are gone from us we need not care how many such turn Papists for such were and are their gracelesse and lawlesse courses that it were pity they should be of any other religion than that which yeilds men so much liberty II. Pray for that eye-salve wherewith to annoint our eyes that we may see Revel 3. 18. This eye-salve is nothing but the spirit of illumination working sound and saving knowledge in the mind by which their natural darknesse is enlightned as eye-salve sharpens and cleares the dim sight This is proper to the regenerate that they have received the â—…ointing which teacheth them all things that is all needful things III See what need we have to captivate our own wisdome and reason being one of the highest 〈◊〉 and holds i◠〈◊〉 â—…ed againstâ— God 2 Cor. â—0 5. If this be not brought into subjection unto God we can never become his servants The Apostle in the same verse sheweth what must be cast down and captivated his words are Casting down reasonings and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. These reasonings and cogitations the froth of humane reason must be resisted yea remoued Thou must become a foâ—â— to be wise As a full vessel cannot hold any more and no wise man will offer to pour any thing into it if he would not spill it So an heart filled with carnal wisedome is an uncapable vessel for the Lord to pour his wisdome into He fils the empty vessel and teacheth the humble Obey without reasoning or disputing though the commandement be never so difficult or seem unreasonable Abraham left his own countrey and went he knew not whether at Gods commandment One would have thought that this had been folly in him but that the Scripture acquits him and saith he did it by faith Heb. 11. 8. And in a more difficult commandment he rose early to slay his son not reasoning the case with himself nor with Sarah nor his son nor his servants The Disciples when Christ bad them leave all and follow him did so presently Here let us consider 1. How reasoning with flesh resists the commandement 2 King 5. 12. Naaman being commanded to wash seven times in Jordan grows angry and falls into comparisons of the waters of Israel and Damascus Are not Arbaâ—a and Pharphar better than all the waters in Israel c. But had not his servants been wiser than he to perswade him to so small a thing his reason had returned him without his 〈◊〉 The young man that came so hastily to Christ hearing a commandement goe sell all and give to the poor 〈◊〉 and consulted with himself but Christ heares no more of him 2. To follow reason is to follow a crooked rule But admit it were straight yet is it defective and too short for mysteries above reason And if it were straight and large enough yet it is a party and so unfit to be a Judge in cases between God and man And therefore there is no fit Judge in divine things but the Word which stands equally affected between God and man 3. We read much of the blind obedience of Papists in their workes to their rules and Superiours of things scarce credible but that themselves have published them in writing One Masseus a Franciscan tumbled himself in the dust and crawled like a childe because St. Francis said they could not be converted unlesse they were as little children Another of our Countrey called Throckmorton even in the Article of dâ—â—th was so dutiful to his Superiour as he would not die without his leave asked as Everard a Papist writeth in his commendation Another called Barcen as Diego a great Jesuit relates was so humble and dutiful that when the Devil appeared unto him he ran to meet him and prayed him to sit down in his chaire because he was more worthy than himself The Jesuites are so formed to obedience by Ignatius his rules that whatsoever service they are set upon by their