Christ Revealed, Scriptural typology · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
Water out of the Rock, a type.
THe second extraordinary Sacrament sealing up to Israel their nourishment and strength in the Covenant,Water out of the Rock, a type. was the water out of the Rocke. After the Lord had brought Israel through the dangerous Sea, hee brings them to Elim, a sweet and fruitfull place, where were twelve fountaines of water, and seventy Palme trees, there they camped and breathed, Exod. 15. 27. Not long after they must come into the dry desart of Sin, where they want both bread and patience; for they murmure against God, and exclaime against Moses and Aaron. At this time the Lord feeds their bellies, and fills them with miracles of which Manna was full. Thence at Gods commandement must they come unto Rephidim, Exod. 17. 1. Here have they bread from heaven, but no water, Now contend they as fast with Moses for water as before for bread. And as thirst is the more eager appetite, so it ineagers their affections that Moses complaines to God they are ready to kill him. God sees their rebellion and puts it up; and instead of revenge of their horrible obstinacy and ingratitude, satisfies their thirst as miraculously, as formerly hee had done their famine and hunger.The fact it selfe. Hee commands Moses to take his rod and speake to the Rock, and then should issue waters in abundance to satisfie all the Campe, both man and beasts; and so he did, Exod. 17. 6.
Now wee may not thinke that this fact concerned onelyonly Israel in the wildernesse, but even all the Church and Israel of God passing through the wildernesse of this world:The thing ours as well as theirs: reasons. And that for these reasons. 1. The Apostle (1, Cor. 10. 4.) calleth it a spirituall rocke, both for being miraculous in effects, and for being a type of what was to come. Propter miraculosum effectum, & propter futuri signum. Aquin.It was both miraculous and significant, and therefore called spirituall. 2. The same water which they drank, we also drink, as in the same Chap. and ver. because in the holy Supper of the Lord, the matter of our spirituall drink is the same with theirs, and that is the blood of Christ, resembled by theirs: The difference is onelyonly in the maner of drinking. 3. Including this water of the Rock, the Apostle saith: they are all types to admonish us, and are written for vsus, vers. 6. & 11. 4. Most plainly he affirmeth, vers. 4, and that Rock was Christ; Non per substantiam, sed per significantiam.not in substance but in signification, saith Aquinas. Now wee having as much to doe with Christ as they, wee must farther enquire into this type. 1. To parallel it with the truth by comparing them. 2. By applying it in some fruitfull observations to our selves.
The Rock was a type of Christ three wayes.The Rock a type in three respects. 1. As it was a Rock, 2. As out of it issued water. 3. In the manner of obtaining.
I. As a Rock, it elegantly typed out Jesus Christ, fitly compared to a Rock in five resemblances.In nature: fiue resemblances.
1. For the despicable appearance: The Rock is in appearance dry and barren, the most unlikely thing in all the world to afford water; so as it was incredible to Moses and Aaron themselves to fetch water out of a Rock. If God had commanded them to have beaten fire out of a flinty rock it had not been so unlikely; but to distill water out of a flint or rock must be miraculous: Even so Jesus Christ was (for outward forme and appearance in the world) most unlikely of all men to afford any such waters of grace and salvation. Isai. 53. 2, 3. hee was as a dry root, without forme or beauty; as an hard, barren, and despised rock, the most abject of men, the refuse of the world, a worme and no man; of whom when the Prophets preached, they could finde none almost that would beleeve their report.
2. A Rock for exaltation and advancement. A Rock is a promontory lifted up above the earth: Such a Rock was Christ advanced above the earth, yea and the heavens; advanced above all men and creatures: 1. In holinesse and purity: 2. In power and authority: 3. In place and dignity. So Ioh. 3. 31, hee that comes from heaven is above all. His person is above all; for God hath exalted him, and given him a Name above al names, Phil. 2. 9. His worke is above all that men and Angels can comprehend in power and merit. His place is above all; the head of the Church, eminent above all men and Angels.
3. A Rock for firmnesse and stability: Hee is the strength of Israel; on this Rock (as on a sure and firme foundation) the whole Church is laid, and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it, Matt. 16. 18. Hence he is a Rock of defence and safety to his chosen; and every wise man builds his house on this Rock.
4. A Rock of scandall and offence to wicked men, Rom. 9. 32. Not in himselfe and his nature (for hee is a precious corner stone) but accidentally and passively, because men dash themselves against him; as many, at this day bark (like doggs) against the wholesome doctrine of justification by Christ without the works of the Law. Many loose and formall Gospellers scorne the basenesse and meannesse of Preachers and true professours of the Gospel, because their darknesse can abide no light to come neere it. To all these and thousands moe, Christ is a rock of scandall by their owne default.
5. A Rock for waight, and danger, and inayoidable judgement upon his adversaries; which on whomsoever it falls, it crusheth him all to pieces, Matt. 21. 44. If any rise against it, they doe but tire and teare themselves: but if this Rock rise against any man, and fall upon him, it breaks him to pouder. Witnesse the greatest enemies of Jesus Christ which the world ever had, Herod, Iudas, Iulian, Iews, Pilate; as unable to rise from under his revenge, as a man pasht to pieces unable to rise from under a Rock.
II. It was a type of Christ, as it sent out water in abundance to the people of Israel ready to perish for thirst.In respect of the waters issuing forth. For so Jesus Christ is the onelyonly Rock that sends from himselfe all the sweet waters of life for the salvation of his elect, otherwise ready to perish eternally. For explanation whereof, marke
1. As from that Rock issued waters to wash and cleanse themselves and their garments:Three things. so from this Rock streame waters of ablution or washing; which serve to wash away both the guilt of sinne, and staine of sinne. For the former; the precious blood of Christ streaming out of his side is the onelyonly mundifying water in the world, to wash the soule from the guilt of sinne, and to scowre away all the execration of sinne from the sight of God, 1. Ioh. 1. 7. the blood of Iesus Christ cleanseth us from all sinne. For the latter; from the same side of Christ our Rock issueth water as well as blood, even the waters of regeneration, called (Tit. 3. 5.) the washing of the new birth, by the Spirit of grace and holinesse, which daily cleanse the staine and filthinesse of sin. Of these waters reade, Ioh. 7. 38. He that beleeveth in me, out of his belly shall flow riuers of water of life: This hee spake of the Spirit which he would give.
2. As from that rocke issued waters to coole and comfort Israel in their wearinesse and wandrings: so from Jesus Christ do issue the waters of refrigeration and comfort, to coole and refresh the dry and thirsty soule; to allay the heat of a raging and accusing conscience; and to revive with new strength the fainting soule in temptation or persecution. And therefore the tryed traveller and thirsty passenger is called to these waters, Mat. 11. 28, Isa. 55. 1. For nothing but sound grace from Jesus Christ can quench the tormenting thirst of an accusing or distressed conscience.
3. As from that rocke streamed abundance of waters to make fruitfull that barren wildernesse wheresoever they ranne: so onelyonly from the true rock issue plentifull waters of grace to make our dry and barren hearts fruitfull in all workes of righteousnesse: Isa. 44. 3, 4, I will poure water upon the thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will poure my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy buds; and they shall grow as among the grasse, and as willowes by the rivers of waters. All this blessing of fruitfulnesse is from the Rocke. See Eph 1. 4.
III. In the manner of attaining this water, are many sweet resemblances.In the manner of obtaining it.
1. The people might aske Moses water,5. resemblances. but Moses cannot give it. It is God must give it, and miraculously fetch it out of a rocke, which how it should be, Moses cannot conceive: So men may seeke justification, and to drink waters of salvatiō in themselves, either by nature, as Pelagians, or by merit as Popish justiciaries do, either in the Law of Moses as the Jews, or in Evangelical Counsells, as the fond votaries of the Church of Rome: But no Jew can tell how to procure any water to himself, neither can Moses give it. By the Law of Moses no man can bee justified, nor by any fond devises beyond the Law. But God of his grace hath devised a way, and poynted to us a rocke of living waters, to supply unto us that which was impossible to Moses Law because of our infirmitie, Rom. 8. 3.
2. The rocke gives water but not till it bee smitten, Exod. 17. 6. so Christ the true rock must be smitten with passion, he must be smitten with the wrath of his Father, and made a curse for us, before there can issue out of his side that bloody streame by which the thirst of beleevers can be quenched. And as the rocke was smitten twice, and waters gushed out both times: so Christ was twice smitten, first actually in himselfe, secondly virtually in the saith of beleevers of all ages, the faithfull before him, beleeving in the rock that was to bee smitten and suffer death for sinne, the faithfull after him, beleeving in the rock that was smitten, dead, and raised already.
3. It was the Rod in Moses hand that smites and breakes the rocke: Even so it was the Law given by Moses hand, and our transgression against it that breaks the true Rock. Isa. 53. 5. Gal 3. 13. he was made a curse for us, and our transgression of the Law was laid upon him that we might be freed from it. And as this was the same Rod that smote the River to bring destruction on the Aegyptians and enemies of the Church: so this same Law and Rod of Moses brings the curse and damnation upon all the enemies of God from whom it is not remooved by Jesus Christ.
4. The rocke was smitten, but it was not so much the striking on the rock, but the Lords standing upon it that gets water for Israel, Exod. 17. 6. There was no vertue in the stroake, but all depended on Gods commandement, and precept, and presence: even so, it is not the death of Christ, nor the abundance of price and merit of his blood, nor the striking on this rock before mens eyes in the ministery of the word and Sacraments, that can bring one drop of true water of comfort, but by the presence and word of Gods blessing. The efficacy of grace depends not on any meanes or worke wrought, but it is Gods word and presence that doth all in them.
Ob. Then we may give up the use of all meanes, and pray at home for grace.
Sol. Not so, for meanes must be used, Moses must speake to the rocke. God appoints no meanes in vaine, but we must not insist and dwell in them, but looke beyond them to Gods blessing and successe. Moses must use the Rod, though a word without the rod might have done it: so we must use the meanes as being tyed to them (though God be not) but not stick in them, seeing, the abuse of them may make them hurtfull not helpefull. The people of Moses (the Jewes) strooke this rocke, pearced him with thornes and speares; saw with their eyes the precious fountaine opened in his side (a priviledge in which they were beyond all people of the earth) but partly ignorant what they did, partly malicious treading this precious blood under foot, not attending not beleeving the word: this reall striking of this rocke was unprofitable, yea and damnable unto them.
5. The waters of the rock smitten followed the Israelites, 1. Noting the abundance of water not only for their present supply,How the Rock followed the Iewes. but also for future: so in Christ & his blood is abundant and plentifuil redemption and consolation.1 Cor. 10. 7. 2. The rock following them, that is, following or satisfying their desires. Petra consequēte eos, 1, sequente, vel satisfaciente eorum voluntati. Aquin.It followed them every where, where they desired; followed their necessities, followed their desires: So Christ Jesus is to the faithfull heart, all it can desire. He followes them with all sweet and needfull desires. He is above all that heart can thinke; alwaies present with us through our wildernesse, especially in most needfull times.Veritatem sequē tem significante. Aquin. 3. It followed them, in signifying the truth which was to follow. It signifyed plainely that Christ was to follow it as the truth the type; and so it followed them with instruction and admonition: so Christ the true Rock followes the Church with instruction. His whole life, Ministery, miracles, actions, passion, and speeches was a reall instruction. And now by his Ministery he followes us with daily directions. 4. It followed them through the wildernesse even unto Canaan. All the drynesse of that dry and barren wildernesse could not dry it up: So the waters of grace streaming from the Rocke Jesus Christ, follow the beleeving Israel of God through the wildernesse of the world to the heavenly Canaan. All the persecutions and parching heats and droughts in the world can never dry it up. Let all the wildernesse besides want water, in Israels campe is enough. Where God begins with a man in sound and saving grace here, it will carry him into the land of promise. True grace must end in glory.
Hence arise observations twofold. I. In respect of God,Vses in respect of God. to confirme our faith in the assurance of his, 1. presence. 2. power. 3. mercy to the Church.
I. His presence.Christ ever present with his Church. He that before was present in the Pillar of the cloud and fire for their safety, and in the manna for their sustenance; is now present in the Rocke for their satiety in their extreame thirst. The presence of Christ is all in all to the Church; his presence is a present supply of all wants. His eye is alwaies present, for although it goe over all the world, yet it is alwaies fixed on the Church. His eare is present, they cannot call to Moses for bread or water, but he heares and supplyes. His hand is ever present with and for his Church, and is not shortned. Himselfe is ever present with his, in life in death, and after; for good, for grace and glory.
OnelyOnly keepe thou these conditions.Our dutie by vertue thereof. 1. Be with him, 2 Chr. 15. 2, that is, walke with him, as Henoch. 2. Keepe in thy waies, for so long he hath promised his comfortable presence. 3. Rejoyce in his presence, in the presence of his spirit, in the signes and meanes of his presence. And then feare not want, sicknesse, nor to walke in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death, for God is with thee, Psa. 23. 4. He will also prepare a table for thee in the sight of the adversary, ver. 5.
II. Here is a testimony of such mighty and miraculous power in God for his people,An almighty power in Christ for his Church. that even Moses himselfe staggered, and could scarce conceive a worke of such power from God. Here is a worke of omnipotency in cleaving the hard rocke, Psal. 78. 15. To shew 1. That he is a free worker not tied to second causes; but at his pleasure can hinder, alter, or change the power of nature, Psa. 115. 3. 2. That he can worke by contraries, and out of most unlikely (yea contrary) meanes, effect his owne pleasure. Luk 1. 37, Is any thing impossible to God? 3. That we should cast our eyes on this power. Psa. 62. 11, Once have I heard it, yea twice; that power belongeth to God.
And hence learne 1. Not to limit the holy one that made heaven and earth of nothing.Our dutie. 2. Faithfully to depend on this power when we see no meanes of safety or supply, but all the meanes contrary. For the rocke shall yeeld water rather then thou shalt want what hee seeth good for thee. 3. In thy fainting and wearinesse, when thy weaknesse tells thee thou art not able to goe on in this wildernesse for want of water of comfort and consolation, nay art hopelesse in thy selfe or any meanes thou canst make; now hope above hope, Gods power is sufficient in thy weakenesse; Sampson shall get both victory and water by a jaw-bone, the most unlikely thing in the world for either. And though this power now worketh not miracles ordinarily; yet before thou that waitest on him shalt miscarrie, hee will miraculously sustaine thee.
III. Heere is a testimony of Gods admirable mercry to his people.Gods mercy to his people, admirable. Israel deserved to be smitten for their murmuring and rebellion; but the rock is smitten for them. The rock is not smitten for it selfe, but for Israel. In stead of a revenging power which they might have expected, they find a gracious power which they could not expect: Even so all ma…kinde was to be smitten by the Law; but the Rock must be smitten for us. Our Rock suffered nothing for his owne sinnes (who was purer in his nature and actions then all the Angels of God) but all the stroke he suffered was for the Israel of God, that they might draw out of this well-head waters of joy and abundant consolation. The mighty power of God (which we had deserved to be turned all against us) is all turned to the salvation of the Church, where mercy rejoyceth against judgement.
Thus of God.
From this Rock and water we are also to observe some things concerning our selves.Vses in respect of our selves. See the fountaine of grace opened.
I. Wee have heere the accomplishment of that Prophecy, Zach 13. 1, A fountaine is opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for uncleannesse. Here we have Christ himselfe the true water out of the Rock; who onelyonly refresheth dry and weary soules, and comforteth the fainting heart with the sweet promises flowing from the Gospell. And that wee may see the excellency and benefit of this fountaine, we will a little compare this Rock with the other, and set the truth above the type, to draw our eyes and desires after it.
1. In that rocke,Farre better then that in the wildernesse: 7. waies. the rocke was one thing, the water another: here Christ is both the rocke and water, both the giver, and water given. 2. That rock refreshed wicked men and beasts: this is bestowed upon and comforteth onelyonly beleevers. 3. That rock refreshed bodyes onelyonly: this both soules and bodies. That preserved naturall life: but this torrent preserves the supernaturall life of grace; so as a leafe withers not, nor falls from a tree of righteousnesse planted by this river of water, Psa. 1. 3. 4. That rock might preserve and comfort the living, but could not helpe a dead man: but this quickneth the dead soule with new and heavenly life. 5. The waters of that rock quenched natural thirst: but this quencheth all unnaturall. One drop of it tasted by Zacheus quenched all his unnaturall thirst after the world: and in Paul all the thirst of revenge and furie against the Saints. 6. The rock gave water twice: this rock gives waters of comfort alwaies. The water of that rock followed them a great while, but at length were dryed up: but the waters of this rock are never dried up. The blood of CHRIST is alwaies running, and a fresh fountaine never dry. 7 The Israelites dranke of that water, and were contented for a little while; but by and by did thirst againe: But he that drinkes of this water shall never thirst againe, Ioh. 4. 14. that is, miserably as they: however he shall desire it still, yet his very desire is his happinesse and saciety.
II. How we are to carry our selves to this rock and fountaine,Doe as Israel at the Rock. namely, as Israel to that rock.
1. The Israelites thirst and call for water,Thirst for Christ. they see and feele their need and want: so we must feele our want of Christ, and get a fervent desire after Christ and his graces, because onelyonly the thirsty are called, Isa. 55. 1. and onelyonly they in want see the worth of the thing wanting. Now we may not thinke that every wish after Christ is this thirst; for the worst can wish a part in Christ: but this thirst and desire must have three conditions:
1. It must be fervent and eager as Sampsons, Conditions.Give me water, or I die. Iud. 15. 18. As the chased Hart panteth after the rivers of water, so doth my soule after thee, Ps. 42. 1. 2. It must be faithfull. We must not thirst with repining and diffidence, as the Israelites, but with faith and confidence: This drawes vertue from Christ, According to thy faith, be it to thee. 3. It must be constant. The Israelites thirst still till they obtaine their desire: so we must not content our selves with desire, or to come where this water is and goe without it; but we must never be content with our estate (though it be never so well with us for the world) till we taste the sweet comfort & strength of Christ and his merits.Continue …ll this thirst: Rules. To continue thy thirst, observe two rules. 1. So long as God hath any grace to give, or is not weary of giving, thou must not be weary of thirsting, begging, asking. 2. So long as thou wantest any grace, or any measure of grace received, thou must thirst still▪ Ever be desiring one good thing after another, and one measure of grace after another, till thou beest compleat; and then shalt thou never give over this thirst while thou livest here.
2. Israel thirsty runs to the rock:Have recourse to Christ. so in thy thirst run thou to the rock. Dost thou thirst for pardon of sinne, for grace of sanctification, for sence of Gods love, for assurance of eternall life? come to this Rock for supply. Art thou ready to faint in thy soule for want of grace and comfort, art thou ready to sinke in sorrows, feares, faintings, wants, dangers? runne to this fountaine which God hath opened for thee.Motives. To move thee hereto, consider 1. the rock it selfe calls thee which art thirsty (which that rock could not doe) Ioh. 7. 37. If any man thirst, let him come to me and drinke. 2. That to runne any whither else, is to forsake the fountaine of living waters, and dig pits that will hold no water. Let Papists runne to the puddle waters of their owne merits, or seek other Mediators or Intercessors: say thou with the Apostles, Lord thou hast the words of eternall life, and whither should we goe? Let others runne to humane helpes and remedies in their sorrowes; to cards, dice, merry company, let them runne to devils and witches, and make them their rock: Let thy heart say, The Lord is my Rock: and if the word were not my comfort, I were sure to sinke in my trouble.Quench thy thirst and be satisfied.
3. Israel comming to the rock, did not onelyonly draw from thence, but drinke heartily: so we must not onelyonly come to the place where Christ is preached, but we must beleeve in him, and specially apply to our selves the merit of his death. For as drinking is a speciall application of water to the thirsty body, so by beleeving in Christ we specially apply the waters of grace to the refreshing of the soule. To beleeve is to drinke this water, Ioh. 7. 38. with Ioh. 4. 14. Nothing could quench Israels thirst (being bodily) but water: and onelyonly faith quencheth our spirituall thirst: And therefore (as they to Moses) we must say to Christ, Lord, give us faith to quench our spirituall thirst.
Let these motives provoke us to drinke these waters.Three motives. 1. As Israel was by drinking that water revived and refreshed, so onelyonly these waters from Christ quicken us with new life, and coole the heat of raging and accusing consciences. Every beleever hath true tranquillity of heart, and joyes of the holy Ghost within him; yea so plentifully doe these waters of consolation rise from the Rock,Rom. 14. 17. that he that drinkes them is said to have the kingdome of God in him, which stands in righteousnesse, peace, joy, &c. 2. What madnesse and folly is it to lay about us so eagerly for this puddle water in comparison, and catching with all greedinesse at the bitter-sweet comforts of this life, which prove poyson to the most; and neglect the sweet and pure streames of saving waters of grace flowing from the true Rock JESUS CHRIST. Wee reade what strife and contention was among the Jewes for wells of spring water; and now no man will lose a dishfull of well water but he will know to whom: and shall we onelyonly not care for the water of saving grace, which cost Christ so deare before he could open the well of it for us? 3. When the woman of Samaria heard Christ say, that he that dranke of this water should thirst no more: Lord, faith she, give mee this water, that I may no more thirst, nor come hither to draw, Ioh. 4. 15. So let it stir up our desires after it also, that wee may get within the well that springeth up to eternall life.
3. What meanes may we use for the attaining of water out of this rock?Means to get water out of this rock.
Answ. 1. Be an Israelite. That rock was smitten onelyonly for them: This rock is laid in Sion, not in Aegypt. No Aegyptian, no Canaanite, no Romish Aegyptian that drinkes of that Popish puddle, no profane worldlings taste of these waters; swill and draffe is good enough for such swine. 2. Come to the place. Israel must goe out of their houses as well to fetch water out of the rock, as to gather Manna. The place whence the rock sends water is the threshold of the Sanctuary, Ezech. 47. If wee will not stirre out of our dores, wee may justly starve 3. Avoid letts and hindrances that damme up these waters: As,
1. Ignorance of their worth,Hindrances. and of thy owne neede; Ioh. 4. 10. If thou knewest the gift of God, thou wouldest have asked, &c. Good reason thou want it, who thinkest it a thing thou mayst best want. Many among us (like Tantalus) in the midst of water die for thirst. 2. Hardnesse of heart, which keepes the soule dry and barren; and abiding in the naturall hardnesse of a rock, all the waters of this spirituall rock are lost upon it. 3. A quenching and grieving of the spirit: this turns the stream another way, that it finds another channell. Greeve not the spirit, but grieve rather that thy selfe art so strait-necked a vessell. 4. Secure neglect of meanes. A man that will be rich followes the meanes: so he that meaneth to be rich in grace: whereas he that meaneth to die a begger, casts up all and makes holy day at his pleasure.
4. Provide 1. the bucket of faith to draw;Helpes. for the well is deepe, and without this bucket thou gettest none, Ioh. 4. 11. 2. Find a fit vessell to put these waters in: As 1. a cleane vessell of a pure heart. Who would put Aquavitae or Balme water in a fusty and stinking bottle? 2. a whole vessell, that it leake not out againe. This whole vessell is a whole and sincere heart, but broken all to pieces. No vessel here can hold but a broken and contrite heart. God fils the humble: the haughty and proud are sent away empty.