Gods Three Arrows, Section 52 – Section 53
§. 52. Of the meaning and method of the 47 Verſe.
NVMB. 16. 47.And Aaron tooke as Moſes commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation: and behold the plague was begun among the people: and he put incenſe, and made an attonement for the people.
THe fore-mentioned charge for ſtaying the plague is here noted to be put in execution: for it is expreſly ſaid, that Aaron tooke as Moſes commanded. That is, He tooke a cenſer, and put fire therein from off the altar; For theſe are the things which Moſes commanded in the former verſe. This word, *foreign dibbar cum dageſh in foreign.commanded is fitly tranſlated. For though uſually the word, in the firſt conjugation import no more then to ſpeake. Yet aIn Piel quae dadeſhatur.in the ſecond, an emphaſis is added by a doubled letter: and ſo, eſpecially if the Perſon that ſpake, Moſes, the Prince and chief Governour; and the Matter ſpoken, which was a Divine direction for ſtaying the plague, be duly weighed, it will appeare to have the force of a command.
As Aarons obedience in the generall ſubſtance is commended: ſo alſo in the particular circumſtances, which is implied in this particle *foreign quemadmodum.AS, or according to that which. So much the Hebrew importeth.
Beſides this generall, that Aaron tooke as Moſes commanded, ſome particulars are expreſſed: For where Moſes charged to go quickly, it is here ſaid that Aaron *foreignràn, which importeth the greateſt ſpeed that man can make: for he hath not wings to fly withall. It is added, *foreignInto the midſt of the congregation, namely where the plague was hotteſt, to ſhew that feare of infection kept not him from executing his function.
And where this reaſon is rendred by Moſes (The plague is begun) to move Aaron to make ſpeed, the ſame reaſon is here againe repeated, and *foreign & …cce.a note of attention prefixed before it (Behold the plague is begun among the people) to ſhew that he was the rather thereby ſtirred to make the ſpeed he made, and to do the deed he did.
Where further Moſes commanded to put incenſe on the fire that Aaron tooke from the altar in his cenſer, it is here ſaid that He put incenſe.
And to ſhew Gods approbation and acceptation of that which Aaron ſo did according to the charge given him, where Moſes ſaid Make an attonement for them, to give Aaron to underſtand the reaſon of the charge he gave him: it is here ſaid, He made an attonement for the people: Declaring thereby that the end which Moſes aimed at was accompliſhed.
The Summe of this Verſe is
A remedy uſed for redreſſe of a plague.
This is 1 Generally propounded, And Aaron tooke as Moſes commanded.
2. Particularly exemplified. Wherein there are foure obſervable points.
1. The manner of doing what was done: Implied in this particle AS. And expreſſed in two branches.
1. The ſpeed he made. He ran
2. The courage he had. Into the midſt of the congregation.
2. The Motive, which moved him the rather to doe what he did. The plague was begun among the people. This is further amplified by a note of attention, or obſervation, Behold.
3. The Matter, or thing which was done: He put incenſe.
4. The End, or Effect, and Efficacy thereof (And made an attonement) amplified by the Parties for whom, For the people.
Five uſefull inſtructions (beſides thoſe which were noted in the charge on the 46 Verſe, whereof many of them might be here noted againe) are here offered to our due conſideration.
I. Obedience is to be yeelded to the good directions of pious Governours. Moſes was a pious Governour: his direction was a very good one. Aaron yeelded obedience thereto: which is here commended, and recorded as a patterne for us to follow.
II. Obedience is to be ordered according to the charge given. Not onelyonly in the generall ſubſtance, but alſo in the particular circumſtances. This particle *foreignAS importeth as much. So do the particular branches of Aarons obedience, being anſwerable to the particulars of Moſes his charge.
III. Haſte muſt be made to relieve ſuch as are in distreſſe. When Aaron heares that a plague was among the people, he runnes to ſuccour them.
IIII. A good calling may make one bold in danger. Aaron was a Prieſt, and by vertue thereof to offer for the people. He was commanded of Moſes to go to the congregation: Therefore he is bold to run into the midst of the congregation, where the plague was begun.
V. Gods judgements are duely to be obſerved. The note of obſervation, BEHOLD, imports as much.
Of putting incenſe, and making attonement. See before, §. 25, 27, 31, 36, 37, 38. 39.
§. 53. Of obedience to Governours directions.
I. *See § 52. Cum omni vigilantia omne licitum adimpleat. Maximè circa ſuos ſuperiores ſ…udeat id ipſum obſervare. Bern. in Form. honeſt, vitae.OBedience is to be yeelded to the good directions of pious Governours. I ſay good, ſuch as are lawfull and warrantable, becauſe ſuch an one was the direction here given by Moſes, and becauſe if mens directions or commandements be evill, ſuch as a1 Sam. 22. 17.Sauls was unto his ſervants to ſlay the Prieſts of the Lord, and as bAct 4. 18.the Rulers was unto the Apoſtles, not to ſpeake at all, nor to teach in the name of Ieſus, then this Apoſtolicall rule takes place, cActs 5. 29.We ought to obey Godrather then men. Where further this attribute, pious, is inſerted, it is not to exclude other Governours, as if the commandements or directions of none but pious Governours were to be obeyed. For dRom. 13. 1. &c Eph. 6. 5. 1 Tim 6. 1. Tit. 2. 9—3. 1.the Apoſtles, that wrote to Chriſtian ſubjects and ſervants that were under Heathen Governours 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 18.—3. 1.and Maſters, exhorted to obey ſuch, namely in the Lord, ſo farre forth as they obey not in things forbidden by God, or any way againſt his will. (eThe whole armour of God. Treat. 1. § 6, 96 & Treat. 3. §. 51. & Treat. 7. §. 38. Whereof I have elſewhere ſpoken moreat large.) Yet where Governours are pious, obedience ought ſo much the rather to be yeelded to them: as the Apoſtle adviſeth, where he ſaith, f1 Tim. 6. 2.They that have believing maſters, let them the rather do them ſervice, becauſe they are faithfull. Such an one was Moſes, to whoſe charge Aaron here yeelded obedience. And therefore this attribute, pious, is here inſerted. Of this generall point I have treated in The Churches Conqueſt, on Exo. 17. 10. §. 36.