The Figures or Types of Christ, Typological category 1 · Sermon 4
—Who is the Type or Figure of him that is to come. Rom. 5.14.Aug. 22. Sept. 5. 1667.
THe individual Perſons that were Types of Chriſt have been referred unto two Claſſes.
1. Such as were before the Law.
2. Such as were under the Law.
The typical Perſons that were before the Law have been ſpoken to. We are now to proceed (as the Lord ſhall enable) unto typical Perſons under the Law, and they were many and divers. I ſhall not mention all, but only (as in the former ſort) ſome of the chief and moſt illuſtrious of them.
And becauſe the nature of the matter will not only bear it; but doth partly lead unto it, none of them giving a full and perfect Repreſentation of the Meſſiah; and there being ſomething of Connexion remarkable in the Hiſtories and Actions of divers of them; I ſhall therefore put them together in pairs, or in ſeveral Conjunctions and Conſtellations, as it were, whereby they will yield the greater luſtre, and give a more clear and full Repreſentation of that glorious perſon whom the Lord ordained and deſigned them to repreſent; like the Galaxia in the Heavens, which Philoſophers conceive to be a Conjunction or Conglobation of many leſſer Stars ſhining together, which gives that luſtre, which we call the Via lactea, the milky way in the Heavens. The conjoyning or putting of them thus together will be ſome help both to your Uerſtandings and Memories.
Now there were four eminent Conjunctions or Conſtellations, as it were (for I know not well what fitter word to expreſs it by) of typical Perſons who ſhone like bright Stars in the night, in thoſe darker times under the Law, before the Sun of Righteouſneſs himſelf aroſe with Light and Healing in his Wings.
The firſt is Moſes and Joſuah, whereof the one delivered them out of Egypt, the other brought them into Canaan; a Shadow both of the evil we are ſaved from, and of the good we are poſſeſſed of, by him who is the true Moſes and Joſuah.
The ſecond Conſtellation or Conglobation of typical perſons is, Sampſon, David and Solomon, all which three put together, gives a bright and glorious Repreſentation of Jeſus Chriſt: Sampſon in his Death and Sufferings, David in his Victories and Conqueſts, Solomon in the peace, and quiet eſtabliſhment of his Kingdom.
The third is Elijah, Eliſha and Jonah, three Prophets; the firſt whereof was an illuſtrious Type of Chriſts Aſcenſion, the ſecond of the Continuance of his Preſence and Spirit in his Apoſtles and Miniſters ever ſince (for the Spirit of Elijah did reſt upon Eliſha,) and the Death of Chriſt, which was the procuring cauſe both of his Aſcenſion, and the effuſion of his Spirit, is ſhadowed forth in Jonah.
The fourth and laſt that I ſhall ſpeak to, is Zerubbabel and Jehoſhuah; one whereof was the Prince, and the other the High Prieſt, and both Rebuilders of the Temple, and Reſtorers of the collapſed eſtate of the Church of God in thoſe times.
1. Firſt then for Moſes and Joſhuah, the one (as I ſaid) delivered them out of Egypt, the other brought them into Canaan; and ſo ſhadowed forth both our Deliverance from ſpiritual Bondage and Miſery, and the bringing of us into a ſtate of ſpiritual Reſt and Happineſs by Jeſus Chriſt. There was a Prefiguration of the former in Moſes, and of the latter in Joſhuah.
This Moſes, the Scripture ſpeaks of him, as the greateſt perſon upon all accounts that ever was in the world, except Jeſus Chriſt. See the three laſt verſes of Deuteronomy; And there aroſe not a Prophet ſince in Iſrael like unto Moſes, whom the Lord knew face to face: In all the ſigns and wonders which the Lord ſent him to do in the Land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and all his Servants, and to all his Land, and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moſes ſhewed in the fight of all Iſrael.
As to all humane and divine Excellencies and Accompliſhments, and appearances of God in him, there was never his fellow.
Melchizedek indeed was greater in one reſpect, as to that ſhadow of Eternity and unchangeable Glory beforementioned: Solomon was greater as to the outward Peace and Splendor of his Kingdom, and as to univerſal Inſight into all the depths, and ſecrets, and myſteries of Nature: But neither of them had ſuch continual viſible Entercourſe and Communion with God in viſible appearances to him upon all occaſions: Neither of them wrought ſuch Miracles, nor were they inſtrumental to ſo great a work of Providence, as the Deliverance of Iſrael out of Egypt, which, with all the paſſages and circumſtances belonging to it, was the greateſt and the higheſt Diſpenſation of Providence that ever was, excepting that of our Redemption by Jeſus Chriſt.
Yea ſo famous was the Hiſtory of Moſes, that though it was very antient; yet the Heathen Hiſtorians and Poets have ſaid ſomething of it. And he is thought by ſome to be their Mercurius Triſmegiſtus, of whom they ſpake out of ſome broken remembrances and traditions, though corrupted with fabulous Inventions intermix'd; wherein yet ſome footſteps of the Truth may be diſcerned. They call their Mercurius, Interpres Divum, and paint him with a Rod twined with Serpents, &c.
Now that Moſes was a Type, the Scripture is clear, Deut. 18.18. I will raiſe them up a Prophet from among their Brethren, like unto thee— Heb. 3.2. Jeſus Chriſt, who was faithful to him that appointed him, as alſo Moſes was faithful in all his Houſe.
But how, or wherein was Moſes a Type?
The Anſwer is in two reſpects: For Moſes may be conſidered two ways.
1. In regard of his Diſpenſation, and ſo he was a type of the Law.
2. In regard of his Perſon, and ſo he was a Type of Jeſus Chriſt: And ſo we have two things to inquire into.
1. What of the Law, and
2. What of Jeſus Chriſt was ſhadowed forth in Moſes.
I ſhall begin with the lower Notion firſt.
1. Moſes was a Type of the Law in regard of the Diſpenſation wherein the Lord was pleaſed to uſe him, and to introduce by his Miniſtry into the Church. For (as hath been formerly ſhewed) the Types are not always to be reſtrained only to the Perſon of Chriſt; But there were legal ſhadows of all other Truths, which are more clearly and fully revealed under the New Teſtament: And ſo they had their Types and Shadows even of the Covenant of Works, as was ſhewed in Abrahams Wives and Children: So likewiſe Moſes his Adminiſtration of the Mind of God ſhadowed forth the ſame thing.
Hence the Scripture ſpeaks ſo much of the Law of Moſes, under the notion of Works. The Law came by Moſes, Joh. 1.17. that is, as contradiſtinguiſhed unto Goſpel Grace and Truth, for it follows: but Grace and Truth by Jeſus Chriſt. Not that Moſes his Diſpenſation was indeed a Covenant of Works but a ſhadow or repreſentation of it. For had it been indeed a Covenant of Works, it would have been their Duty to ſeek Salvation by their own Merits: but they were ſaved by Grace as well as we, and not by Works: they were ſaved by Faith in Chriſt, and in his Righteouſneſs, whereof they had ſome diſcoveries; they were under a Diſpenſation of Grace: but it was like a Covenant of Works, and did very much reſemble that legal way in many reſpects.
Queſt. But wherein was the Moſaical Diſpenſation ſo like unto the Covenant of Works? what of the Law was ſhadowed forth in Moſes?
Anſw. Something was hinted as to this in the firſt Sermon on Heb. 4.2. But now to ſpeak a little further to it.
1. In regard of the dreadful Majeſty, and Terror, and Glory of that Adminiſtration. Herein it was like the old Covenant, Heb. 12.18.—21. God acts as a Soveraign Lord in the Covenant of Works, and appears in the dreadful Glory of his abſolute Soveraignty and Dominion over his Creatures.
2. There was a darkneſs alſo in that Diſpenſation, Heb. 12.18. Ye are not come unto blackneſs, and darkneſs, and Tempeſt.
Hence Moſes had a Veil upon his Face, Exod. 34.29, 30, 33. But there was a further myſtery in this Veil; it ſignifieth a ſpiritual Veil, a Covering upon the Heart, 2 Cor. 3.13.14. a Veil upon their Minds, Act. 13.27. the Prophets, they underſtood them not, though read every Sabbath day.
3. There was a Yoke of Bondage, which neither we nor our Fathers (ſaith Peter) were able to bear, Act. 15.10. ſo the Law genders unto Bondage, Gal. 4.24, 25. Such as are under the Law, their Spirits are under continual Bondage: but the Goſpel is ſpiritual Liberty.
4. The abiding Strength and Power of the Law to condemn, 1 Cor. 3— the Letter killeth— It is the Miniſtration of Death: And as Moſes his natural Force was not abated, Deut. 34.7. ſo neither is the Strength of the Law, as to its condemning Power over Sinners.
Hereby the continual force of the Law is ſignified, the Power whereof decayeth not in the Conſcience of Sinners by number of Days or mutitude of Works,Anſworth in lec. till God take it away, and aboliſh it by Grace in Chriſt.
5. The Weakneſs of it to ſave. Moſes might not enter into Canaan, though he did much deſire it; ſee Deut. 32.52. And the Reaſon alledged is his failing in that one point, Numb. 20.12.
What was Moſes his error and miſtake at that time? There is ſomething of difficulty to diſcern, and make it out.
Three things the Scripture ſeemeth to intimate.
1. He ſmote the Rock twice, Numb. 20.11. when his Inſtructions were no more, but to ſpeak unto it, v. 8.
2. Something of inordinate Paſſion ſeems to be noted, Pſal. 106. he ſpake unadviſedly with his Lips, v. 33.
3. His Unbelief is expreſly taxed, becauſe ye believed not my Word, Numb. 20.12.
But what was this Unbelief? or how came it to be working in him at this time?
Some have gueſſed at it thus.
This Occurrence fell out eight and thirty years after their firſt murmuring for Water: and their was a new Generation now riſen up, and they falling into the very ſame ſin, and that at the ſame place, upon the Borders of Canaan, and upon the ſame occaſion, want of Water, for which the Lord had rejected and excluded their Fathers; Moſes was afraid that the Lord would now take advantage againſt this Generation alſo, as he did againſt their Anceſtors, cauſing them to wander forty years; and as indeed he might juſtly have done againſt theſe alſo: But yet Moſes ſhould not have given way to ſuch Fears, unleſs the Lord had declared it, which as to this Generation he did not: But for this one failing Moſes could not enter into Canaan.
So the Law, if but one Sin be admitted, keeps the Soul of Heaven: the Law is ſtrong to condemn and deſtroy Sinners, but it is unable and weak to ſave them. The Law cannot ſave, Rom. 8.3.
Yea, 6. The abrogation of it through Grace.
As Moſes's Body was buried that it could not be found, Deut. 34.6. and Satan would have brought it forth again; but Michael oppoſed him, Jud. 9. ſo he hath buried the Law; though Satan would revive it in the Spirits of Men.
7. Moſes did prepare the people for Joſhuahs Diſpenſation: So the Law prepares and ſits the Soul for Chriſt, Gal. 3.24. wherefore the Law was our Schoolmaſter, to bring us unto Chriſt, that we might be juſtified by Faith. It doth not put us into Chriſt, but it prepares us for Chriſt.
Thus, in regard of the Terror of that Diſpenſation, and the Darkneſs and Bondage of it, the Strength to condemn, the Impotency of it to bring them into Reſt, and the Abrogation of it, and that nevertheleſs it did prepare and fit them for it, Moſes did adumbrate and ſhadow forth the Covenant of Works.
But, 2. We may conſider Moſes under an higher notion, though in reſpect of the external Diſpenſation introduced by him, he ſhadowed forth the Law; yet in other reſpects, if we conſider him in his own Perſon, he was a Type of Chriſt.
The Scripture is clear for this alſo, Deut. 18.15, 18. A Prophet ſhall the Lord thy God raiſe up unto thee of thy Brethren like unto me— That this was ſpoken of Chriſt, ſee Act. 3.22. Peter there applies it unto Chriſt, he was like unto Moſes.
There was a Similitude, but yet there was not a Parity. For Chriſt was far above Moſes, Heb. 3.3. For this man was counted worthy of more Glory than Moſes, inaſmuch as he who builded the Houſe hath more Glory than the Houſe: and again ver. 5. Moſes verily was faithful as a Servant; but Chriſt as a Son over his own Houſe, v. 6. You may ſee it in theſe particulars.
1. In regard of his Birth.
2. In his perſonal Qualifications.
3. In the whole courſe of his Life.
4. In the cloſe of it.
1. Moſes was a Type of Chriſt in regard of his Birth, in that he was born but of mean Parents, in the time of Iſraels Bondage in Egypt, Exod. 2.1. perſecuted in his Infancy by Pharaoh, and wonderfully preſerved, Exod. 2.3, 9.
So Chriſt, Iſai. 53.2. He ſhall grow up as a Root out of a dry ground.
When the Houſe of David was brought very low, and the Glory of it ſeemingly extinct, they were of the pooreſt ſort of people, as appears by their Offering, which was but a pair of Turtle Doves, or two young Pigeons, Luk. 2.24. when they taxed all the world, that is when the Jews were under Bondage to the Romans, Luk. 2.1, 4. and you know Rome is ſpiritually called Egypt; then, and in this condition of Subjection to the Roman Power was Chriſt born: And as ſoon as born, he was perſecuted by Herod, Matth. 2. who ſought his Death; but wonderfully preſerved, and by means of his reputed Father, as Moſes by the Mother that adopted him; both of them by wonderful Providences ſaved and delivered, that they might be Saviours and Deliverers unto others.
2. Moſes was a Type of Chriſt in his perſonal Qualifications, which were very eminent. He was the moſt accompliſh'd Perſon that ever was, except Jeſus Chriſt himſelf.
1. In Learning and Knowledge, Act. 7.22. He was learned in all the Wiſdom of the Egyptians.
So Chriſt, Iſai. 11.1, 2, 3. the Spirit of Wiſdom and Underſtanding, the Spirit of Counſel and of Knowledge reſted upon him, to make him of quick Underſtanding in the Fear of the Lord; inſomuch that he diſputed with the Doctors at twelve years of age, Luke 2.42, 46, 47. Thoſe Doctors were as too many are now adays eaten up with mens Traditions, and ignorant of the Scripture. The Jews acknowledged and admired it, Joh. 7.15. And the Jews marvelled, ſaying, how knoweth this man Learning, having never learned,; and ver. 46. the Officers anſwered, never man ſpake like this man.
2. Clear and extraordinary Viſion and Sight of God, Numb. 12.6, 7, 8. Face to Face, Mouth to Mouth God ſpake to Moſes, even apparently, and not in dark ſpeeches; and the ſimilitude of the Lord did he behold: expreſſions arguing unparallell'd Clearneſs in the Lords revealing himſelf and his Mind to Moſes. There was never the like vouchſafed to any other. To others, even Prophets the Lord made known himſelf in a Viſion, or ſpake to them in Dreams, ver. 6. but to Moſes at another rate.
So Chriſt, Joh. 1.18. no man hath ſeen God at any time, but the only begotten Son, which is in the boſom of the Father, he hath declared him.
3. There was in Moſes an admirable mixture of Meekneſs and Zeal; eminent in meekneſs of Spirit, and that ſeaſoned and tempered with holy Zeal, Numb. 12.3. forty years he bare their manners in the Wilderneſs, Acts 7.36. with 13.18. though murmuring and rebelling againſt God and himſelf, with an invincible Patience.
So Chriſt, Matth. 11. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. When his Diſciples tempted him, he would not fetch down Fire from Heaven againſt his Deſpiſers and Oppoſers; yet he was angry at the Defilement of the Temple, and whipt them out: And ſo was Moſes at the Golden Calf— Meekneſs without Zeal is nothing elſe but Lukewarmneſs and Cowardiſe. Zeal without Meekneſs degenerates into ſinful Paſſion. We ſhould be meek in our own Cauſe; but zealous in the Cauſe of God.
4. Faithfulneſs to his Truſt; this was eminent in Moſes, but more eminent in Chriſt, Heb. 3.5, 6. Moſes was but faithful as a Servant in his Lords Houſe. But Chriſt as a Son in his own Houſe. He will not loſe one Soul of all thoſe that the Father hath committed to him, Joh. 6.39, 40. In his laſt Prayer he profeſſeth, Joh. 17.12. thoſe that thou giveſt me I have kept, and none of them is loſt, but the Son of perdition: not the leaſt Believer can or ſhall miſcarry.
If thou ſayſt, How may I know whether I was committed to the truſt and care of Jeſus Chriſt by the Father?
The Anſwer is, If thou doſt commit thy ſelf to him, the Lord hath done it. Thou couldſt never truſt thy ſelf with him; thou couldſt not commit thy Soul to his keeping, if the Lord had not firſt intruſted thee with him in his eternal Counſel and Covenant of Redemption. But thou haſt done it, and it is thy daily work; therefore thou maiſt ſafely conclude with Paul, 2 Tim. 1.12. he will keep the thing I have committed to him: He will be faithful to God, and faithful to thee; he never failed any that truſted in him.
3. Moſes was a Type of Chriſt in the whole courſe of his Life. And here many things come to be conſidered.
1. His Work and Office.
2. His Sufferings and Conflicts in the Diſcharge thereof.
3. The Lords owning and bearing witneſs to him by Miracles and Signs and Wonders; in all which there was a manifeſt Prefiguration of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
1. In his Work and Office. He was in general a Mediator between God and the People, a typical Mediator. All the good that God was pleaſed to confer upon that People, it was by his Miniſtry, and Interpoſition between God and then, Gal. 3.19. the Law was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator— Deut. 5.5. I ſtood between the Lord and you at that time, to ſhew you the Word of the Lord; for ye were afraid by reaſon of the Fire, and went not up into the Mount, Exod, 19.7, 8.
So Chriſt is the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace, Heb. 9.15. and for this cauſe he is the Mediator of the New Teſtament. But he hath the preheminence above Moſes, Heb. 8.6. but now hath he obtained a more excellent Miniſtry, by how much alſo he is the Mediator of a better Covenant.
God was pleaſed to redeem his people Iſrael out of their Bondage in Egypt by Moſes his Miniſtry: God ſent him, and he left his former Employment and Place to do this Work, Exod. 3.10. Come now therefore and I will ſend thee unto Pharaoh, that thou maiſt bring forth my people the Children of Iſrael out of Egypt.
But by Jeſus Chriſt he redeemeth us out of the ſpiritual Bondage of Sin and Satan, which is worſe than Egyptian Bondage; and he was ſent by his Father, and was content to come down from Heaven, and to leave his Glory to do this great Work; wherein Chriſt hath the preheminence. For Moſes was a Mediator only of temporal and typical Redemption: but Chriſt is the Mediator of ſpiritual and eternal Redemption.
By Moſes his Mediation alſo, the Law was delivered upon Mount Sinai, Gal. 3.19. it was ordained in the hand of a Mediator, or a middle perſon that ſtood and tranſacted between God and the people, Act. 7.38. who received the lively Oracles to give unto us.
But by Jeſus Chriſt the Goſpel is publiſhed. In this reſpect he is the Mediator of a better Teſtament.
Moſes gave the moral, judicial and ceremonial Laws.
But Chriſt reveals the Goſpel and Goſpel-Worſhip.
Moſes appoints the Paſſover, Sacrifices, builds the Tabernacle made with hands.
But Chriſt gives the Lords Supper, a moſt lively Repreſentation of himſelf and his own Death, the true Sacrifice: And he is himſelf alſo the true Temple and Tabernacle, which the Lord hath pitched, and not Man: ſo that Chriſt hath the preheminence in all things, inaſmuch as Goſpel-worſhip excels Legal worſhip, and Truth and Subſtance excels Figures and Shadows.
Laſtly, Moſes did mediate between God and the people as an Interceſſor by his Prayers and Supplications, and did prevail for them, for the Deſtruction of Amalek, Exod. 17. And again, when they murmured upon the evil Report of the Spies, Numb. 14.12, 13, 20— and when they made the molten Calf, Exod. 32.10, 11, 14. then with much wreſtling he prevailed with the Lord for them, Pſal. 106.23. Moſes ſtood in the breach.
So doth Chriſt intercede, and pleads for us with the Father, when we provoke him by our Sins, 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. yea, he lives for ever to intercede, Heb. 7.25.
2. Moſes his Sufferings and Conflicts in the Diſcharge of his Truſt, and Exerciſe of his Office, had in them a Shadow of the like to be undergone by Chriſt.
Moſes faſted forty days and forty nights in the Mount.
So did Chriſt in the Wilderneſs.
He ſuffered many Contradictions both from his Enemies and from his Friends, profeſſed Enemies, Jannes and Jambres, and the Magicians of Egypt, 2 Tim. 3.8. His Friends, the people to whom he was ſent rejected him, Exod. 2.14. often murmured at him, forty years he bore their manners, Acts 13.18. yea his neereſt friends ſometimes, Aaron and Miriam.
So Chriſt, he was rejected of the Builders, Pſal. 118.22. came to his own, and his own received him not, Joh. 1.11. His own Diſciples ſometimes thought his Doctrines hard ſayings; as when he ſpake againſt Divorces, they thought a man had better never be married, than ſubmit to ſuch a yoke: and all along how weak and wayward were they? But the Scribes and Phariſees, like Jannes and Jambres, openly reſiſted and oppoſed his Doctrine and Miracles.
3. The Lords owning and bearing witneſs to him by Miracles, Signs and Wonders, Deut. 34.10, 11, 12.
So to Jeſus Chriſt Acts 2.22. a man approved of God among you, by Miracles, Wonders and Signs— ſome note in all about five and forty of them recorded by the four Evangeliſts, and wrought in the three years and an half of his publik Miniſtry, viz. three in his firſt year, nineteen in his ſecond year, and thirteen in his third year, and ten in his laſt half year, before Judas betrayed him; beſides thoſe at his Death, and after his Reſurrection.
Only there were theſe two differences between Moſes his Miracles and Chriſts.
1. That Moſes his Miracles were wrought in Chriſts Name: but Chriſts Miracles were wrought in his own Name.
2. That Moſes his Miracles had more of Terror and Majeſty; Chriſts more of Love and Sweetneſs. Chriſt ſeldom wrought any Mirales for the hurt of his Enemies in a way of righteous Wrath and Judgment; but ordinarily only for the help both of Friends and Enemies: as for inſtance, the healing of Malchus his Ear. I remember but two Miracles wrought by Jeſus Chriſt in a way of Wrath and Puniſhment againſt his Enemies, the ſuffering the Devil to enter into the Gadarenes Swine, and cauſing his Enemies to fall backward, when they came to apprehend him.
All the reſt were Miracles of Mercy and Kindneſs: But by the Hand of Moſes there were no leſs than ten miraculous Plagues upon Egypt. There were Thunderings and Lightnings at Mount Sinai. The Earth opened her mouth upon Corah, Dathan and Abiram, and ſwallowed them up quick, with other ſuch dreadful and terrible things in righteouſneſs.
The reaſon of this difference was, becauſe Moſes was the Miniſter of the Law, which is a voice of Words, and Terror, and Fear, and genders unto Bondage; but Jeſus Chriſt is the Miniſter and Author of the Goſpel, which is Grace and Peace: Therefore theſe two different kinds of Diſpenſations were atteſted with two different kinds of Miracles. But as to the general, the working of Miracles by Moſes, and ſo being owned by the Lord, and born witneſs to by him, herein there was a reſemblance and prefiguration of what was done by Jeſus Chriſt.
4. And laſtly, Moſes was a Type of Chriſt in the end and cloſe of his Life, viz. in his Death, Reſurrection, and Aſcention into Heaven. He dyed willingly, he went up to Mount Nebo, which was a part of Mount Abarim, and there ſurrendred up his Soul.
So Chriſt, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my ſelf, no man taketh it from me: ſee Joh. 10.18. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. He went to Mount Golgotha, and there gave up his Soul to his Father.
Moſes after his Death and Burial roſe again; buried he was, Deut. 34.6. and that he roſe again, and aſcended into Heaven, may be gathered from Matth. 17. For he did appear and talk with Chriſt at his Transfiguration, together with Elias.
So you know Jeſus Chriſt roſe again from the dead, and aſcended into Heaven.
Thus Moſes was a Type of Chriſt all along. In his Birth, in his perſonal Qualifications, in the whole courſe of his Life, his Office, his Sufferings, his Miracles, and finally in his Death, Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion into Heaven.
But yet though there was ſuch a full analogy, and ſo great a reſemblance between them; yet there was a diſparity; Chriſt having the preheminence above Moſes, Heb. 3.5, 6. Moſes was faithful as a Servant in his Lords Houſe: but Chriſt as a Son in his own Houſe— Thus much as to Moſes—
Now for Joſhuah, his Succeſſor.
That he was a Type appears, becauſe Chriſt was called by that name in the Hebrew.
And Joſhuah is called Jeſus in the Greek, in the New Teſtament, Acts 7.45. Heb. 4.8. that is, a Saviour; though he be but a temporal Saviour: Chriſt a ſpiritual Saviour, Author of eternal Redemption, Heb. 9.
The Analogy appears chiefly in five things.
1. Joſhuah brought the people into Canaan after Moſes his death, which Moſes could not do being alive: He divided the Land among them, aſſigning to every one his Portion.
So Chriſt brings us to Heaven, which the Law could not do, Rom. 8.3.
And as Joſhuah went in himſelf before them.
So Chriſt to Heaven, Joh. 14. I go to prepare a place for you; in my Fathers Houſe are many Manſions, Heb. 6. ult. whither the Forerunner is entred for us.
And as when Joſhuah did this, the Cloud and Manna ceaſed, which had been in Moſes his time. Of the Manna it is expreſſed, and the time when, Joſh. 5.12. of the Pillar of Cloud and Fire, that it did ceaſe is evident by many paſſages afterwards in the ſacred Hiſtory; but the time when is not ſet down. Probably it might be after they had paſſed Jordan, being divided by the Ark, and were on ſhoar on the other ſide: So ſhall Ordinances ceaſe when we come to Heaven, Rev. 21. God himſelf is inſtead of all.
2. Joſhuah was a Type of Chriſt in regard of the Miracles wrought by him; we read of three.
1. He divided Jordan, Joſh. 3.
But herein, as in all things, Chriſt hath the preheminence; for Chriſt in the ſame Jordan divides the Heavens when he was baptized, Matth. 3. And he commanded the Winds and Seas, and walked upon the waters, as upon dry ground.
2. Moreover, Joſhuah threw down the Walls of Jericho, by the ſounding of Rams Horns, a weak and an unlikely means for ſo great a Work, yea ridiculous and contemptible in the eye of Reaſon, Joſh. 6. but it was done by Faith, Heb. 11.30.
So Chriſt by the Fooliſhneſs of Preaching ſubdueth Souls unto himſelf, and throws down ſtrong holds, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5.
And as Joſhua did it again and again, ſix days, ſeven days before the Walls fell.
So it is in the preaching of the Goſpel: There muſt be Aſſiduity in that work; Line upon Line, and Precept upon Precept; and at laſt the ſtrong holds are won, and the Sinner ſubdued unto the Lord.
3. Joſhuah commanded the Sun to ſtand ſtill, till he had ſlain his Enemies, Joſh. 10.12, 13— ver. 14. and there was no day like that, before it, or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a Man.
So Jeſus Chriſt, when fighting with Principalities and Powers upon the Croſs, Matth 27.45. when the Sun was aſhamed, and the Moon confounded, and all the Angels in Heaven ſtood agaſt.
Thus you ſee how great a Perſon this Joſhuah was, in that all the Creatures, all the Elements obeyed him; the Earth, the Walls of Jericho proſtrate themſelves and fell before him, the Waters alſo, viz. in Jordan were at his Command, yea the Heavens alſo, the Sun and Moon obeyed him: thus God magnified him in the ſight of all Iſrael, as it is ſaid, Joſh. 4.14.
But behold a greater than Joſhuah is here: For it is ſaid of Chriſt, That God hath given him a Name above every Name, Phil. 2.9. that in the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow; of things in Heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the Earth, ver. 10.
3. Joſhuah was a Type of Chriſt in regard of his Conqueſts and Victories over his Enemies: We read of five Kings at once ſubdued by him, Joſh. 10. and he bids his Captains tread upon their Necks, and cap. 12. of one and thirty Kings which he ſmote; yet notwithſtanding there were ſome few Enemies left, though weak and inconſiderable: but not one that durſt or could oppoſe or diſturb the publick peace of Gods people; yet they were left for a time, for their good, leaſt the wild Beaſts ſhould multiply upon them, Deut. 7.22.
So Chriſt Jeſus is a mighty Conqueror, he ſubdueth all the enemies of his people: ſee him deſcribed, Rev. 6.1, 2. conquering and to conquer, not only five, nor one and thirty, but thouſands of them. One man was poſſeſt with a Legion of Devils; but they are all caſt forth by Jeſus Chriſt.
And as Chriſt, ſo his Followers are as Joſhuahs, Conquerors with and through him: and he gives Believers to tread upon the necks of their own Luſts, and of the Devils Temptations: yet however there be ſome Canaanites left in the Land; ſome Corruptions in the Hearts of Gods people in this Life to exerciſe their Graces and to keep them humble; which yet, if it be not through their own careleſs negligence, ſhall not diſturb their Peace with God.
But there were ſome Enemies that were devoted unto everlaſting Ruine, and Deſtruction irrecoverable by Joſhuah in the ſpirit of Propheſie, viz. Jericho, cap 6.26. which Curſe did not fall to the ground, but was fulfilled in Hiel the Bethelite, 1 King. 16.34. a ſhadow of the irreparable Ruines, and everlaſting Deſtruction of all the implacable Enemies of God and his people, and eſpecially Rome and Antichriſt, Rev. 18.21. Babylon ſhall be caſt down, like a Milſtone into the Sea, never to riſe more. The Curſe of Chriſt will fall upon ſuch as endeavour to reſtore Rome again, and raiſe up the Ruines that he hath brought upon it. For it is devoted by our Lord Jeſus, the true Joſhuah, to irreparable everlaſting Deſtruction.
4. Though Joſhuah conquered and deſtroyed reſiſting Enemies; yet he ſaved thoſe who ſubmitted themſelves; as Rahab and the Gibeonites; Rahab cap. 6. the Gibeonites cap. 9. Though they acted very ſinfully, they came out of ſlaviſh fear, and they diſſembled: but yet they did ſubmit themſelves.
So Chriſt reſiſts the proud; but gives Grace to the humble, that yield up themſelves unto him; though there be a mixture of much ſlaviſh Fear, and ſinful Selfiſhneſs and Unbelief in their ſo doing, as Mark 9.24.
5. Joſhuah gave them reſt, fulfilling and accompliſhing all the good promiſed, cap. 21.45. and 23.14. Joſhuah appeals to all their Knowledges and Conſciences about it.
So when we come to Heaven, we ſhall ſee the Truth and Faithfulneſs of God; we ſhall have all the Promiſes accompliſhed through Chriſt the true Joſhuah; and be able to ſay with Joy unſpeakable, not a word hath failed; and all through Chriſt the true Joſhuah: For in him all the Promiſes are Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1.20. and this will be Reſt for ever.
As they had Reſt; ſo now Believers enter into an everlaſting Reſt, Heb. 4.9, 10, 11.
But yet withal there is a great diſparity between Chriſt and Joſhuah, and the Reſt they bring their Followers into Joſhuah brought them but into a ſtate of outward Reſt, in the Land of Promiſe; but this was not the true Reſt: But Chriſt gives us an higher Reſt in Heaven, by bringing us into a ſtate of Grace and Glory.
Thus you ſee how eminently Joſhuah was a Type of Jeſus Chriſt.