Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Theological treatise · Chapter 28 · Questions · Question 46
QUEST. XLVI. Of the mysticall application of the inferiour Priests garments.
FOr the mysticall application of these foure Priestly garments, the linen coat, the girdle, bonnet, and linen breeches: 1. Hierom by the coat made of linen, which groweth out of the ground, understandeth the earth: by the girdle, the Ocean sea, quo terra constringitur, by the which the earth is as it were girded about: and by the bonnet aloft, Gods providence, that watcheth over all. But this seemeth to be somewhat curious. 2. Rupertus applieth them unto Christ, the linen breeches hee would have to signifie the holy incarnation of Christ, qua praeornata est natura nostra ignobilis, by the which our unable and base nature is adorned; and the uncomelinesse of our nature, even originall sin covered and healed. But as the high Priest with his ornaments was a type and figure of Christ: so the inferiour Priests with their attire doe better resemble other sorts of Christians. 3. Therefore, thus may the ornaments of the high Priest be applied unto Christ: The long white garment signifieth his innocencie: the miter with the crowne, his Kingdome and power: the girdle, his justice: as Esai. 11.5. Iustice shall be the girdle of his loines, Marbach. As in our blessed Saviour there are three heavenly functions and offices: his Propheticall, to teach us what evill is in our selves, and what good we receive from God: his Priestly, to reconcile us to God, in delivering us from the evill which we have deserved, and from our sins, and in communicating unto us righteousnesse, and other graces from God: his Kingly, that our deliverance from evill, and our possession of heaven and heavenly things may be confirmed unto us by his Kingly power for ever. So these three offices were shadowed forth in Aarons glorious apparell: his robe with the bels setteth forth Christs Propheticall office: the golden plate, wherein was written, Holinesse to Iehovah, his Priesthood: and the miter, which was put aloft as a crowne, his kingly power, Iun. in Analys. And herein Aaron also was a lively type of Christ: that as three duties were to bee performed by the high Priest; to teach the people by puritie of doctrine, with integritie of life, signified by Vrim and Thummim, and to take care of the Church continually, which is meant by bearing the names of the tribes, graven in precious stones, in his breast: and by his sacrifices and prayer to be Mediatour for them unto God: So all these, but shadowed forth in Aaron, are truly performed by Christ: who is our Prophet, most holy and perfect, to teach us his Fathers will: as our King, hee protecteth and keepeth us, and taketh care for us: and as our Priest, hee did once for all offer up himselfe in sacrifice for us, and still continueth our Mediatour, Borrh. 4. Now the inferiour Priests garments are fitly applied to set forth the qualities and conditions of the faithfull, which are the members of Christ, as the other did shadow forth Christ our head. 1. Beda by the linen garment interpreteth decorem castitatis, the comelinesse of chastitie: by the girdle, vigilantem mentis custodiam, the diligent watchfulnesse of the minde to keepe the same: by the bonnets, visus, anditus, gustus custodiam, the diligent keeping of the sight, hearing, taste, and of all the senses.1 2. qu. 102. art. 5. ad. 9. 2. Thomas maketh a more generall use: Castitas significatur per femoralia, &c. Chastitie is signified by the breeches, Puritas vita per lineam tunicam; Puritie of life by the linen garment: Moderatio discretionis per cingulum; Moderate discretion by the girdle: Rectitudo intentionis pertiaram; And a right intention by the bonnet. 3. But this application is more fit: The linen garment signifieth our innocencie and righteousnesse, which we receive in the lavacre of regeneration, being cloathed with Christs righteousnesse:Galath. 3.27. Ephes. 6.14. as the Apostle saith, All yee that are baptized unto Christ have put on Christ: the girdle signifieth constancie in the truth: as S. Paul saith, Stand therefore, your loines girded about with veritie: Tiara protectionis divinae signa erant; The bonnets were signes of the divine protection: the linen breeches shew, what care should be had of comelinesse, and what reverence is to be used in the service of God, Pelarg. Marbach. Who addeth this further, that as we put more comelinesse upon our uncomely parts: as the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 2.23. So our Saviour hath respect unto the vile and abject members of the Church, such as are despised and counted base in the world. 4. And like as we use three kinde of garments, some for necessitie to cover our naked parts, some for ornament and comelinesse, and some for defence, as militarie garments: as here the Priests had their linen breeches of the first sort; their linen coat of the second, and their girdle of the third: So unto a Christian are necessarie three kinde of spirituall garments: the first is the garment of faith, whereby our sins are covered: secondly, the ornaments of the soule are requisite, whereby Christians must be adorned, in the sanctitie and integritie of life: thirdly, they must put on their spirituall armour, and take the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, whereby they may fight against Satan, Simler. Borrhaius.