The Law of God Ratified by the Gospel of Christ, Chapter 5

The Law of God Ratified by the Gospel of Christ · Chapter 5

p. 102CHAP. IV.

SEcondly,Of the second Sacrifices and their meaning. in the next place follow the Sacrifices. It seemeth there were but few sorts of creatures used for Sacrifices. Of sensible creatures such as have life and sense,What kind of Beasts and used in Sacrices. but five sorts: whereof three were of four-footed beasts scil. Bullocks, Sheep, and Goats, old or young, and so comprehending under them Calves, Lambs and Kids;Clean and Meek. and two sorts of fowls, as turtle doves and young pigeons. Thefe were creatures that were meek and gentle above many others, and such as were in a special manner subject and serviceable to men: so p. 103the Lord Christ who was appointed to be a Sacrifice to the justice of God,Mat. 11. 29.Matt 11:29 was meek and lowly in heart,Act. 8. 32.Acts 8:32 He was lead as a sheep to the slaughter, Phil. 1. 2, 6, 7, 8.Phil 1:2Phil 1:6Phil 1:7Phil 1:8and like a Lamb dumb before the shearer, so opened he not his mouth: who being in the form of God thought it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a se…vant and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. None that are unclean or cruel, used.Lions, Bears, Tigres, Leopards, wild-beasts, beasts of prey, fierce and cruel creatures; Eagles, Hawks, Vultures, or other ravenous fouls were not appointed for Sacrifice: These were not fit to represent the Lord Christ in his state of humiliation, in his suffering condition, as he was appointed to be a Sacrifice for sin:Rev. 5. 5.Rev 5:5 It is true Christ is called the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah, I conceive to represent him in regard of his mighty powers, in protecting his Church, and subduing his enemies, but not to resemble him as a Sacrifice, for so he was in a state of suffering and of service; and therefore Christians according to his command should learn of him who is meek and lowly of heart, and be content to be conformed to him in sufferings, taking up his Cross and following him. They should be useful and serviceable as Christ was, who was figured by such creatures offered in Sacrifice.

2. Ye may note in general, that an offering presented to the Lord, was called in p. 104the Hebrew Korban of foreign to draw near.foreign This may teach us that none was fit to offer an offering to the Lord, but only the Lord Jesus Christ, and those that come to God by him; for all mankind since the fall were a far off at a great distance from God, but the Lord Iesus Christ being God and Man, is nigh unto the Father. In regard of his Godhead, he is the only begotten Son of God in the bosom of the Father, as he is man personally united to the Son of God, he is one person with the Son of God, and being without spot of sin, he came near to God to present himself an offering and a Sacrifice unto him. Secondly, none can come nigh unto the Lord to offer any spiritual Sacrifice to him, or to have any inward communion with him, but in and by the Lord Jesus Christ,Eph. 2. 13.Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Iesus, Ye, who sometime were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Christ being nigh to God, drew nigh unto him actually with the sacrifice and offering of himself, and so made way for sinners who were afar off from God by their sin and guilt, to draw nigh to God by virtue of his blood; that applying his blood, satisfaction, and righteousness to themselves, they might be made nigh unto God in regard of their estate, being taken into Covenant with him as his confederates, and so into Communion, and that they might draw nigh unto him from time to time, in offering spiritual services and sacrifices to him by Jesus Christ. Let us all see our great need p. 105of Christ, there is no coming nigh unto God but by him, neither in respect of our estate, nor of our services, but in Christ there is access to be had in both respects. But more especially,

First,Sect. 1. The burntoffering. This was called in Hebrew foreign which signifieth ascending or ascension, Special consideration of burntofferings.because all the flesh of the beast being burned upon the Altar was to ascend or go up towards heaven in fire:Lev. 1. foreign the meaning of it 1. in its ascension.Lev 1 so the Lord Jesus Christ when he was here on earth in the flesh, offered up himself to his father in heaven; the infinite virtue of his Sacrifice ascending to the Throne of God, for the appeasing of his wrath and satisfying of his justice for sin. This may teach us also that we should present our whole selves, souls and bodies, sacrifices living holy acceptable to God, and that they which will thus present themselves to the Lord must be heavenly minded, their souls and hearts must be raised and ascend upward: How many carnal, outward, dead hearted services are dropped down before the Lord, that never ascend upward, having nothing of heaven nor of Christ his spirit in them.

Secondly,2. The offerer laid his hand on the head thereof. ver. 4. He that offered the burntoffering was to lay his hand upon the head of the creature that was to be slain: so he that will have benefit by the sacrifice of Christ, must lay hold of him by the hand of faith.

Thirdly,3. The Bullock to be killed and the blood poured out. The Bullock for the burntoffering was to be killed, the blood of it to be poured out: this, 1. was fulfilled in Christ, according as it p. 106was Prophesied of him,Isa. 53. 7, 8, 9, 10, 12.Isa 53:7Isa 53:8Isa 53:9Isa 53:10Isa 53:12 He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, He was cut off out of the land of the living, ver. 9. His grave and death are expresly mentioned, thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, ver. 12. He hath poured out his soul unto death. And Daniel Prophesied that Messiah or Christ should be cut off or slain,Dan. 9. 26.Dan 9:26 and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

1. This may move Christians to pitty,Vse 1. and earnestly pray for the poor blinded Israelites, that the Lord would be pleased to take the vail from their hearts:Heb. 9. 22.Heb 9:22 Is it not lamentable to consider that they should make the Cross and death of Christ a stumbling block, whereas his death and sufferings are so clearly foretold in the Law and the Prophets which themselves acknowledge to be the word of God? Yea, all those millions of sacrific…s slain and offered according to the Lord his appointment, did clearly foreshew the death of Christ, and the shedding of his most pretious blood for the sins of the world. But how is man left to the darkness of his own mind, and blinded by Satan?

Secondly,Vse 2. See here how odious sin is in the sight of God which nothing could wash away but the blood of Christ, figured by the death and blood of these legal Sacrifices: for it is not possible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sins,Heb. 10. 4.Heb 10:4 these did signifie the blood of the Son of God infinitely more pretious, of sufficient virtue to wash away the greatest and foulest sins. How should we p. 107tremble at sin? Should we not look upon every sin as bloody, as murtherous, either as slaying the sinner himself, or as killing his Saviour? either thy sin must be washed away with the blood of Christ, or it will cost thee more then thy best blood is worth.

Thirdly,Vse 3. This is for comfort to souls burdened and oppressed with the guilt of sin, that that one sacrifice even Christ himself, figured by so many millions o… sacrifices is offered to satisfie for sin;Act. 20. 28.Acts 20:28 that that blood figured by the blood of so many offerings is shed to take away sin; and that God hath purchased his Church with his own blood: it is the blood of God because of him who is God and man in one person,1 Joh. 1. 7.1 John 1:7 though not the blood of the God-head. The blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God cleanseth from all sin; it is of infinite value, it is of more virtue then all the bloody sacrifices of the Law.

4. Woe unto those wretches that dare to swear prophanely by this pretious blood, or by those bleeding wounds of the Son of God. Is not this to trample under foor the blood of the Covenant?

4.Vse 4. The death of these sacrifices may teach us … kill our dearest sins, to slay our lusts, to mortifie our corruptions:Rom. 12. 1.Rom 12:1 Christ did not dye for sin that thou mightest live in sin, but that thou mightest dye to sin, and live to him ye righteousness and holiness. I beseech you therefore Brethren by the mercies of God, that … present your bodyes a Sacrifice living, holy and acceptable to God; a Sacrifice and therefore slain p. 108and yet a living Sacrifice. Present your selves a sacrifice dying to sin, and a sacrifice living quickned with grace, living in the spirit. Again, among all the burnt offerings, ye may take particular note of the continual burnt offerings sacrificed to the Lord every day,Numb. 28. 3.Num 28:3 one Lamb in the morning and another in the evening: so the people of God had need every day morning and evening to flee to Christ, and to apply his sacrifice and satisfaction to themselves, and through him to seek pardon of God for their dayly sins and infirmities, every day sprinkling the blood of Christ the Lamb of God upon their souls.

2. This may stir up Christians dayly to offer up a morning & evening sacrifice to the Lord, in confession of sins, prayers, praises, thanksgivings. We read of special blessings which the Lord vouchsafed at those times.2 King. 3. 20.2 Kgs 3:20 The King of Iudah, Israel, and Edom, with their Army, were in danger to perish for want of water, and in this great distress they had recourse to the Prophet Elisha: now it is said ver. 20, and it came to pass in the morning when the meat-offering was offered, that behold there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water. So Dan…ul having prayed with much importunity for the Church which was then in captivity, saith,Dan. 9. 21.Dan 9:21 the man Gabriel (to wit the Angel Gabriel in the likeness of a man) being caused to fly swiftly, touched him about the time of the evening oblation, and so (as it followeth p. 109there) opened the counsels of God unto him according to his request. I conceive it is very probable, that the people of Israel in their several houses did use to pour out their prayers to God about the time of the morning and evening sacrifices; and that Daniel and others of the godly, when they were in captivity did observe those times though then the Temple was destroyed, and the daily sacrifice interrupted.

A second sort of Sacrifices were sin offerings, Sect. 2. Sin offering considered, opened and applied.this kind of offering is called in the Hebrew expresly††foreign Sin, because in a typical or figurative way, the guilt or sin of him for whom the sacrifice was offered, was laid upon the creature sacrificed.Lev. 4. 3. Its name.Lev 4:3 So the Apostle sheweth that God hath made him (scil. Christ) to be …in for us who knew no sin, 2 Cor. 5. 21.2 Cor 5:21that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him. The sinoffering called sin, figured the imputation of mens sin to Christ, who had no sin of his own, bnt voluntarily took upon him the guilt of mens sins, as a surety taketh upon him anothers debt.

1. See here how exceedingly the Son of God abased himself for sinners, Vse 1. Condescension of Christ.as to stand under the guilt of numberless sins. If we consider the infinite holiness, glory and Majesty of Christ, is it not evident, that this degree of humiliation and abasement passeth all understanding; Admire therefore his infinite love and unconceivable goodness which moved him hereunto: Learn highly to exalt and honour him.

p. 1102. See here the baseness of sin, 2. Baseness of sin.which th… abased the Son of God, when he took the guil… of it upon him, out of compassion to sinner… No outward estate, condition, calling, imployment, doth so abase any, as the least sin doth, in the Lord his account; and yet ho… vain is the corrupt heart of man, in being ashamed of many other things more th… of sin: yea, how many are there that ar… ashamed of holi…ess, and ready to glory i… sin.

3. If Christ did thus abase himself for th… sins of others,3. Humiliation of our selves. as to be made a sin-offering or to be made sin by imputation: How shoul… we take shame to our selves, and be exceedingly humbled and abased for our own sins As David, 2 Sam. 24. 12▪2 Sam 24:12I have sinned greatly in that I ha… done, I have done very foolishly. And … I abhor my self, Job 42. 6.Job 42:6and repent in dust … ashes.

2. The blood of the sin-offering was to sprinkled seven times before the Lord, 2. The manner of sprinkling the blood of it.and se… is noted for a number of perfection. The Sou… and Consciences of sinners are so deeply sla…ned and defiled with sin,Lev. 4. 6. Seven times before the Lord,Lev 4:6 that they nee… much purging. How often should we labo… by …aith to sprinkle the blood of Christ upon our souls, and to apply it to our selves This blood of the sin-offering was to b… sprinkled seven times before the vail of … holy place:or before the Vail. so it is the blood of Christ … maketh way for believers to the mercy-seat which their sins had shut up against the… Having therefore Brethren boldness to ente… p. 111into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail,Heb. 10. 19, 20, 21, 22.Heb 10:19Heb 10:20Heb 10:21Heb 10:22 that is to say, his flesh: and having an high-priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true …eart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water: with hearts and souls sprinkled with the blood of Christ by faith, and so purged from the guilt of sin; and bodies washed with pure water, being baptized outwardly and inwardly with water, and the sanctifying graces of the holy spirit.

3. Some of the blood was to be put upon the horns of the sweet incense Altar, 3. Sprinkled on the horns of the Altar.scil. the Golden Altar: so Christians are to ground their faith and confidence in offering up the Incense of prayer upon the blood and Mediation of Christ,Lev. 4. 7. its meaning.Lev 4:7 having no hope of acceptance, but only through him and his satisfaction and intercession. The Golden Altar being a type of Christ as he intercedeth for his people. The blood of the sin-offering put upon this Altar may intimate unto us that Christ intercedeth with his Father, and pleadeth for his people, by presenting to him his blood, the merit of his death, and fulness of his satisfaction, which he underwent, not for himself (who had no need) but for them.

4. The fat of the Inwards,4. Fat of &c. Sin-offering to be burnt. Its meaning. Kidneys, &c. were to be burned upon the Altar. The fat may signifie carnal security, senselessness, and sottishness, Lev. 4. 8, 9, 10, Isa. 6. 10.Lev 4:8Lev 4:9Lev 4:10Isa 6:10in heavenly and spiritual things. p. 112Make the heart of this people sat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: and the Kidneys and fat upon them may signifie fleshly lusts; and therefore as these things were consumed by fire upon the Altar; so let Christians earnestly pray and labour for more and more of the spirit of Christ, to consume and burn up their earthly and carnal affections and sinful lusts.Isa. 4. 3, 4.Isa 4:3Isa 4:4 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Sion, and he that remaineth in Ierusalem shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Hierusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the Daughters of Sion, and shall have purged the blood of Hierusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Iudgement, 5. The sin-offering carried out of the Camp, and its meaning.and by the spirit of burning.

5. The skin of the Bullock for the sin-offering and all his flesh,Lev. 4. 11, 12.Lev 4:11Lev 4:12 with his head, and with his leggs, and his inwards, and his dung, even the whole Bullock was to be carried without the Camp, where the Ashes were poured,without the City after they are setled. and there to be burnt; and as this was to be done without the Camp while they were in the Wilderness (as they were when these things were written) so it seemeth after they were settled in Canaan, Heb. 13. 11, 12.Heb 13:11Heb 13:12it was done without the City. The Apostle giveth us the interpretation of this Mystery, For the bodyes of those beasts whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the high priest for sin, Joh. 19. 17.John 19:17are burnt without the Camp: wherefore Iesus also that he might sanctifie the people with his p. 113own blood, suffered without the Gate. And he bearing his Cross, went forth unto a place called the place of a Skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha. It seemeth this was a loathsome place without the City, where they executed the vilest offenders: and so at that time there were two malefactours Crucified with the Lord Jesus Christ, one at each hand: A place of a skul where there were (it is likely) many skuls and bones of such as had been there put to death: even as the sin-offering was burnt at the place where the ashes were poured out.

First, Vse 1.Here we have an other evidence of the wonderful abasement of the Lord of glory; thrust out of the Camp, out of the City, as an outcast, as an unclean and cursed thing: so extreamly was he vilified, whom all the Angels of God worship, and to whom every knee must bow of those in heaven, &c, And therefore let us make the same use of it as was formerly hinted.

Secondly, Vse 2.In particular, let us make the use of it which the Apostle points us to;Heb. 13. 13.Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the Camp, bearing his reproach. Both Iews and Gentiles conspired together in Crucifying the Lord Christ, and therefore Believers must go out of the Iews Camp, and out of the worlds Camp, bearing the reproach of Christ; they must not joyn with the obstinate Iews in observing legal Ceremonies, nor be conformed to the world, but labour to be conformed to a crucified Saviour, and be content p. 114to endure scorn, reproach, persecution, for Christ, following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Many will seem to close with Christ if they can find him in the Camp, if they can enjoy their credit, their favour with the world, their earthly interests: But how few will go forth to him out of the Camp, bearing his reproach, so as to be rejected by the world, and dealt with as outcasts and the off scouring of all things? For saith the Apostle, here have we no continuing City, but we seek one to come. ver. 14.If Christ suffered without the Gate of the City, let us not be so affected as if this world were the place of our rest; Let us not mind earthly things, let us have our conversation in Heaven, labouring to make sure of our interest in that everlasting inheritance; Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entring into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. The Apostle urgeth from this Type of the sin-offering, that they which would still rest in the observation of Iewish Ceremonies had no right in Christ,Heb. 4. 1.Heb 4:1 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle, for the bodies, &c. as before. The bodies of the sin-offerings were burnt without the Camp,Heb. 13. 19.Heb 13:19 and so the Priest did eat no part of their flesh, whereby was signified that they who would feed upon Christ, and partake of the benefit of his sacrifice, must leave the Tabernacle or Temple, Priesthood, Sacrifices, Ceremonies of the Law, now that Christ hath suffered; for thus are all established p. 115by Christ, not so as to be observed much less to be rested in, but so as to attain their end in Christ, in whom it appeareth that they are no empty shadowes, but lively types of great and weighty Mysteries whereof also they are useful illustrations.

Thirdly,Sect. 3. Meat-offerings considered. Their name, foreign Lev. 2. 1.Lev 2:1 I proceed to somewhat of meat-offerings. It seemeth these were sometimes offered by themselves, and sometimes joyned with other sacrifices, as they were offered by themselves, we have them set down Lev. 2. The original word is taken for a gift or present: so these meat-offerings were to be given and presented to the Lord, and this offering was to be fine flower of the purest part of the wheat, Of what matter fine flower. Of the signification.and so it is conceived to signifie the perfect purity of Christ offering himself to God for his people, resembled by pure flower without any mixture of bran. The Lord Christ is brought in speaking to his Father, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, Heb. 10. 5, 6, 7.Heb 10:5Heb 10:6Heb 10:7but a body hast thou prepared me, in burnt offerings and Sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Loe I come (in the volumn of the book it is written of me) to do thy will O God. I conceive here those three sorts of sacrifices are mentioned, burnt-offerings, sin-offerings, and meat-offerings, none of these could satisfie the justice of God for the sins of men, and therefore he prepared or fitted a body for his Son, an humane nature fitted to suffer for the sins of men, a pure humane nature (as the pure flower of wheat) by the miraculous operation of the holy Ghost. This p. 116humane nature united in one person with the Son of God, was sufficient to make full satisfaction to the infinite justice of God, which all the sacrifices of the Law could not do. In respect of his body or humane nature, he was fitted for a sacrifice; in respect of his God-head, he was an all sufficient sacrifice of infinite value. Labour then to lay hold on Christ by faith, and to turn to the Lord by repentance, that ye may have interest in this most pretious offering, this compleat and most perfect sacrifice, every way fitted for this use; for as Christ is the only Son of God, he is most nigh unto the Father, the same God with the Father, and infinitely beloved of the Father, of infinite worth and excellency, and so able to make full satisfaction to his justice: As he is the Son of man, so he is nigh unto men, their Brother, one of the seed of that woman who was the Mother of all living, one of the same nature, and so of a nature fit to suffer, and therefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.

2. This meat offering of fine flower seemeth also to signifie the offering up of believers to Christ, Signification.because the members are to be conformed to their head. They shall bring all your Brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all Nations. Isa. 66. 20.Isa 66:20The word there translated offering, is the same that elsewhere is rendred meat-offering. Rom. 15. 16.Rom 15:16Suitable whereunto is that of the Apostle: saith he, that I should be the Minister of Iesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the p. 117Gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost. Although the Gentiles were prophane Idolaters and defiled with manifold abominations, and so fitly resembled by the beasts that were unclean under the Law, yet the Apostle preaching the Gospel to them, and the holy spirit of Christ working in and with his Ministry upon their souls, were renewed, cleansed, sanctified, and so presented as an acceptable offering to the Lord,

1. Let all Christians pray for the Success of the Gospel in all places, Vse 1. Pray for success of the Gospel.particularly in the place where they live, that those that are unclean may become an acceptable offering unto the Lord, being sanctified by the holy Ghost. Is it not much to be lamented, that where there are many people living under the Gospel, the Lord should have so few offerings? that so few shloud give clear evidence that they are as fine flower sifted from the bran of their natural corruption, and so fit to be presented as meat-offerings to the Lord; and how restless should each particular soul be, until 'tis thus sifted and sanctified by the holy spirit, that it may be a holy offering unto the Lord.

2. Oyl was to be poured upon the fine flower. This may signifie the annointing of Christ concerning whom it is said,Oyle to be added, a Part of the meat offering. Its meaning. God even thy God hath annointed thee with the Oyle of gladness above thy fellows. Those pretious graces of the spirit poured forth abundantly upon Christ,Heb. 1. 9.Heb 1:9 were resembled by oyle,Joh. 1. 14, 16.John 1:14John 1:16 and therefore p. 118it is said of him, He is full of grace and Truth, …. 3. 34.and of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace. He hath an overflowing fulness of this heavenly oyl, of these spiritual graces enough for all that are united to him, for God giveth not the fpirit by measure unto him. Let all be stirred up to come to Christ, and turn unto him that they may receive of his fulness grace for grace. They that are wholly empty of saving grace may receive from him, they that have some beginnings may receive increase from him. Is it not want of exercising faith upon Christ, and keeping close to him, that maketh Christians so defective in grace? It is said the pretious ointment upon the head of Aaron the High-priest went down to the skirts of his garment. The unconceivable fullness of grace poured upon Christ the eternal High-priest,Psal. 133. 2.Ps 133:2 is ready to distill upon his members if they be not wanting to themselves.

3. There was also frankincense put upon this meat-offering: 3. Frankincense.so the Lord Christ gave himself for his people an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling favour,Eph. 5. 2.Eph 5:2 and God the Father proclaimed from heaven concerning him,Mat. 3. 17.Matt 3:17 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased. The sweet odour and savour of Christs sacrifice is so pleasing unto the Father, that he is appealed toward all that are truly united to Christ, and reconciled to him by Christ: and this also maketh the services of such well-pleasing to the Lord; the sweet savour of Christ his Sacrifice perfumeth their offerings.

p. 1194. An handful of this meat-offering was to be burnt upon the Altar as a memorial,1. Part burnt on the Altar. and the rest belonged to the Priests,Lev. 2. 3.Lev 2:3 the Sons of Aaron.

1. The memorial may signifie that the Lord is moved to remember his Covenant of grace by the merit of Christ his sacrifice. Not that the Lord is subject to forgetfulness, or needeth to be put in remembrance, but it is spoken after the manner of men, and to help the weak faith of his people, and therefore they may assure themselves that the Lord will ever be mindful of his Covenant and shew himself faithful in his promises.

Again in a Secondary way it may be a ground of much comfort to the people of God in respect of their duties and services which they offer up to God by Christ in sincerity. The Lord will have them in remembrance: the Lord hear thee in the day of trouble remember all thine offerings. Psal. 20. 1, 3.Ps 20:1Ps 20:3So the Angel told Cornelius, Thy Prayers and thine Alms are come up for a memorial before the Lord.Act. 10. 4.Acts 10:4

5. The remnant of the meat offering was to be Aarons and his Sons who were Priests of the Lord. 5. Remainder was the PriestsThe Apostle inspired and directed by the holy Spirit argueth thus from hence, Do ye not know that those which minister about holy things, Lev. 2. 3.Lev 2:3live of the things of the Temple, 1Cor. 9. 13, 14.1 Cor 9:131 Cor 9:14and they which wait on the Altar are partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. They that did service at the Altar under the old Testament did partake with the p. 120Altar, as here in the meat offerings the Altar had part, and they that waited on the Altar had part. So the Apostle shews that it is the Lords own ordinance, that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. They therefore that oppose the ma…ntenance of the preachers of the Gospel, do resist the ordinance of God, and presumptuously oppose his supream authority.

6, The meat offering was to be seasoned with salt.6. Salt added to the meat-offering and why. Yea, it seemeth this was to be used, not only in this case, but also generally in all Sacrifices, for so it is said, Every oblation of this meat offering shalt thou season with salt,Lev. 2. 13.Lev 2:13 neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the Covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat-offering, With all thy offerings thou shalt offer salt.

1. Salt consumeth crude and raw humours and preserveth from putrefaction and rottenness:1. Preserveth from putrefaction. so Christ by his spirit seasoneth the souls of true believers, and worketh out the natural corrupt distempers of their hearts, and where the spirit of Christ is wanting, men are left to the bent of their own spirits: How wofully are they filled with corruption, and rottenness, and therefore it is said, Have salt in your selves, get the graces of the spirit to season your hearts.Mar. 9. 50.Mark 9:50

2. Salt maketh things savory and of good relish: 2. It gives a savour.How unsavory and loathsome is a carnal unregenerate soul in Gods account, that savoureth not the things of Christ his spirit,Rom. 8. 5.Rom 8:5 for they that are after the flesh do mind or savour the things of the flesh. They are p. 121loathsome and unsavory unto the Lord, they have not salt in themselves, But they that are after the spirit do mind or savour the things of the spirit, they have salt in themselves though not of themselves, they have it of Christ, yet they have it in themselves.

3. Salt when it meeteth with sores causeth smart. 3. it causeth sores to smart.The grace of the spirit, and the word of grace in which the spirit worketh, seemeth smarting to corrupt hearts, yea, to gracious hearts so far as they have corruptions remaining in them; but they that will present themselves living, holy, acceptable sacrifices to God through Christ, must be willing to be salted with the grace of Christ his spirit, and with the word of grace though the flesh smart, For every one shall be salted with fire, Mar. 9. 49.Mark 9:49and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Every one that will be acceptable to God must be salted with fire, the power of Christs spirit as a fire from heaven to consume the dross of their lusts, and to refine their souls. And every sacrifice, &c. Every one that will be a pleasing sacrifice to God▪ must be salted with this salt of the sanctuary, He must have the graces of Christ to mortifie his corruptions, and to cause him to savour the things that be of God; and the spiritual sacrifices which he offereth, the duties which he performeth must have a tincture and favour of Christs spirit in them.

4. Salt preserveth things from perishing, 4. It seems to perpetuate the Covenant.and so may note unto us perpetuity; therefore p. 122it is called the salt of the Covenant of God, and a sure and everlasting Covenant is called a Covenant of salt: 2 Chron. 13. 5.2 Chr 13:5so Abijah pleading the right of Davids posterity to the Kingdom of Israel, said, Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the Kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his Sons by a Covenant of salt? This was imperfectly fulfilled in David and the Kings that sprang from his loyns before Christ his coming, but it was compleatly verified in Christ the Son of David after the flesh, to whom God gave the throne of his Father David that he should raign over the house of Iacob or Israel for ever. The Covenant of grace established by Christ his sacrifice, is a covenant of salt that shall never fail. How earnestly should we labour to break off all leagues with sin and Satan, and turn to the Lord by unseigned repentance, and lay hold of Christ by faith, that in him we may be reconciled to God, and made parties to this unchangeable Covenant,Lev. 23. 13.Lev 23:13 enjoying the everlasting blessings and priviledges of it.

2… To the meat-offering was added a drink-offering, a quantity of wine. The meat-offering consisting of fine flower, and the drink-offering of Wine, how fitly do they resemble the pretious body and blood of Christ, which is meat and drink indeed, upon which Christians are to feed by faith? And how exactly doth the bread and wine in the Sacramental supper of the new Testament answer to this meat and drink offering consisting of the same materials?

p. 123Fourthly,Sect. 4. Now followeth the peace-offering… conceive this was offered especially in a way of thankfulness for mercies and deliverances,4. Peace-offering considered. …ometimes upon a conditional vow made be…ore,Its occasion. sometimes without a vow;Lev. 3. 1, &c.Lev 3:1 and therefore may also be called thank-offering:1. Its meaning, viz. whole Christian duty in general. and …hese may signifie the duties of Christians in general, their spiritual sacrifices and services, which they are to offer unto God continually in thankfulness for his saving mercies towards them in Christ. And therefore the Apostle having largely shewed that the sacrifices of the old Testament were not to be observed in the times of the Gospel,Heb. 13. 15, 16.Heb 13:15Heb 13:16 since they are fully accomplished in Christ, toward the end of that Epistle he calleth upon believers to offer spiritual sacrifices by him (scil. by Christ;) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his Name, but to do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is wellpleased. All these and the like spiritual sacrifices believers are to offer up by Christ their high-priest in his name, presenting them to the Father by his hand, that they may find acceptance through him, and whatsoever we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Iesus, Col. 3. 17.Col 3:17giving thanks to God and the Father by him: all these sacrifices are to be offered in his name, and to be presented to God by and through him.

2. For a peace offering and thank-offering, Its matter: whether male or female at liberty.liberty was given to sacrifice either male or p. 124female: so saith the Apostle, There is neither Iew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free, Gal. 3. 28.Gal 3:28there is neither male nor female, for y… are all one in Christ Iesus. The Lord maketh no difference of persons now, either in respect of Nation, condition, or sex, if they be in Christ, (whatsoever they are in other regards) the Lord accepteth them in his beloved Son, and they may present themselves as living holy sacrifices unto him, assuring themselves that he will graciously receive them; and by the same reason they may offer up their services and duties to him by Christ as spiritual sacrifices.

3. The fat and the kidneys of the peac…-offerings were to be burnt upon the Altar, 3. The fat to be burnt. The rest, Lev. 7. 34.Lev 7:34but what was to be done with the rest of the flesh,to the Offerer. Priest. that you may find in Lev. 7. the breast and the right shoulder were to be given to the Priests the Sons of Aaron, whereof the former was to be waved before the Lord, the latter to be heaved or lifted upwards, and then they were to be given to the Priests.ver. 15. with It seemeth the rest of … flesh of the peace-offerings was to be eaten by him that brought the sacrifice of the peace-offering before the Lord, who together with his family was to celebrate a holy feast with spiritual rejoycings before the Lord.

1. The breast was to be given to God▪ for what was given to the Priests was given to God,1. 2 Deut. 6. 7.Deut 6:7 because it was given to the Priest for the attending on the service of God. The Priests part, breast.This may teach us to give up our breasts, hearts, affections p. 125to God in holiness and ob…dience, aaProv. 23. 26.Prov 23:26My Son give me thine heart. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,bbMat. 22. 37.Matt 22:37 and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

2. The breast was to be waved before the Lord, or shaken to and fro. The original word is taken for sifting with a five: so this waving of the breast may teach us what stir…ings of heart,must be waved. what lively workings of spirit and affections there should be in Christians in performing services to the Lord. It is not a dead soul without spiritual, life and motion,Isa. 30. 28.Isa 30:28 which the Lord regardeth, but it is a wave-breast that he calleth for, an active heart and soul, a stirring spirit like that of David, Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.Psal. 103. 1.Ps 103:1

3. The right shoulder was to be heaved up before the Lord, 3. …ht shoulder Priests dueor to be lifted up. This may …each Christians to lift up their souls to the Lord as David, Psal. 25. 1.Ps 25:1VntoUnto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul: Col. 3. 1, 2.Col 3:1Col 3:2to seek the things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God,Phil. 3. 20.Phil 3:20 …o set their affections on things above,Improved to prove Gospel maintenance for Ministers. not on things on the earth, to have their conversation in Heaven. These parts being to … given to the Priests by the Lord his command, here we have another ground esta…lishing the maintenance of Gospel Ministers …ecording to that of the Apostle mentioned be….The Officers part.

The rest of the flesh of the peace-offerings …ting to be eaten by him that brought the …rtices, with his houshold, rejoycing in the p. 126Lord, may teach Christians that as Christ offered up himself in sacrifice to God to satisfie his justice for the sins of his people, so he inviteth them to feed and feast upon him by faith, with rejoycing, with joy of the holy Ghost: this they should do in reading and hearing the Gospel, in meditating upon the word, upon Christ and the things of Christ.Its signification. And in the use of the Lords supper, I conceive this feasting upon the remainder of the facrifice was a special act of Communion which the people of Israel had with God, part of the beast being offered to God on the Altar, part being given to God for the use of his Priests, and the remaining part being eaten by him and his houshold who presented his sacrifice: so that in this ordinance they had special fellowship with God, shewing the great priviledge of true believers who have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Saith the Lord Christ, Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, 1 Joh. 1. 3.1 John 1:3I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me: Rev. 3. 20▪Rev 3:20How careful should Christians be to keep constant communion with God, that their negligence may not deprive them of this blessed priviledge? Saith the Apostle, Behold Israel after the flesh: 1 Cor. 10. 18.1 Cor 10:18are not they that eat of the sacrifices partakers of the Altar? I conceive the Apos…le in this place sheweth the Christian Corinthians that it was not lawful for them to feast with their Idolatrous neighbours in their Idol-Temples, upon the p. 127remainders of their sacrifices offered to Idols, because their feasts were Idolatrous and kept in honour of their IIdols: so the Israelites in eating of their peace-offering, were partakers of, or with the Altar: the Altar had part, and they had part, then saith he, the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to Divels and not to God, and I would not that ye should have fellowship with Divels: ver. 20,the Gentiles in scrificing to Idols sacrificed to Divels, and when they offered part of the sacrifice upon the Idols Altar, and feasted and fed upon the rest in honour of these Idols, they had fellowship with Divels: and on the other side, the godly Israelitet in the time of the old Testament, offering part of their peace-offerings to God upon the Altar, and presenting part of it to him for the use of his Priests by his command, and then feeding upon the rest, had fellowship with God. The Lord Christ having offered up himself to God for his people, doth also now offer himself to his people, that they may feed upon him, and in feeding upon him by faith, may have communion with the Father and the Son. So much of Sacraments and sacrifices.

Now in the third place may be considered, sacred Persons, Sect. 5.and things subservient to sacred or holy uses:Sacred Persons considered. and first the Persons; and among these Priests,Priests, &c. and principally the highpriests or Cheif preists: this officer was an eminent type of the Lord Jesus Christ, and, p. 1281. In regard of his commission or calling to the Office. No man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron. Heb. 4. 5. 6.Heb 4:5Heb 4:6So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest, but he that said unto him thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck. The Lord Christ as he was man, was immediately called of God to his office: As he is God, the act of calling was his as well as the Fathers,Mat. 12. 18.Matt 12:18 their acts being the same. So God saith of Christ as he is man, Behold my servant whom I have chosen. & 8. 4.He was called and chosen of God to be an eternal high-priest; and how wonderfully was his calling and commission ratified and evidenced by many infallible signs and tokens! When he had cured a Leprous person, he said, Go thy way▪ shew thy self to the Priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a Testimony to them, that this work may witness that I am called and sent of God: and when he had cast a Divel out of the Dumb man that was possessed, so that the dumb spake, the multudes marv…lled saying, It was never so seen in Israel; since Israel was a Nation and a Church,Mat. 9. 32. 33.Matt 9:32Matt 9:33 there never was a man raised up among them gave such evidence that he was called of God. Nicodemus though a young Scholar in the School of Christ, saith unto him,Joh. 3. 2.John 3:2 We know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no …an can do these miracles that thou dost except God be with him. Had p. 129he known Christ more perfectly, he might have said, except God be in him, except he be personally united to God;Mat. 21. 23.Matt 21:23 for Christ did these things by his own authority, and by his own power had declared so much, and yet such was the ignorance or insolence of the chief-priests and Elders, that they took upon them to examine him saying, By what authority dost thou these things, and who gave thee this authority? Had they not been grossely (if not wilfully) blind, they might have seen his authority abundantly and most gloriously confirmed by his mighty works.

1. Here see the unspeakable goodness of God, Vse 1.instead of those imperfect High-priests under the old Testament, See Gods unspeakable goodness, &c.to call one to the office who is most perfect every way, Heb: 7. 26.even the man Christ Jesus, personally united to his only and eternal Son, even one who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher then the Heavens, ver. 24. 25.one who continueth ever, and hath an unchangeable Priesthood, being able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

2. Therefore neglect not to come to him, and to God by him.2. Come to Christ, neither And,

3. If ye come to him in truth, 3. Doubt in coming to him.doubt not but he will save you to the uttermost, having a peculiar call from God for this end above all other creatures in heaven and earth.

4. See the humility of the man Christ,4. See Christs humility, &c. who did not usurp this high office and dignity, but took it upon him as called of God: How p. 130great is their presumption who rashly thrust themselves into such imployments in the Church to w^ch they were never called of God.

2. In respect of his annointing, but of that I have spoken in the meat-offering.

3. The garments and ornaments of the High-priest were expresly appointed by the Lord,3. Garments of high Priest significative. who gave particular directions about them. These things might seem to be of small moment considered in themselves, but the spiritual mysteries are to be regarded which were shadowed by them.

1. In General, They are called holy Garments for glory and for beauty. 1. In General, what they signified.I conceive these may signifie the perfect holiness, the incomparable beauty and glory of the Lord Jesus.Ex. 28. 2.Exod 28:2 His perfect holiness both in his state of humiliation and exaltation, his beauty & glory chiefly in his state of exaltation, as he now sitteth on the right hand of God. Labour for an eye of faith to behold the beauty and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, which if it were clearly discerned, would eclipse all worldly glory, take off the gloss of the creatures and make them appear as dead and withered things. The reason why we are so ensnared with earthly vanities is, because we look upon things in a carnal manner with fleshly eyes, not with a spiritual eye of faith, not with such an eye as Moses did, seeing him him who is invisible, and so despising earthly things.Heb. 11. 27.Heb 11:27 Labour for union with Christ, that partaking of his Spirit ye may partake of his holiness and graces, and so of his beauty p. 131and glory. Holiness beautifieth and adorneth the soul and ptepareth it for perfection of heavenly beauty and glory, whereas sin doth both defile and disfigure the soul, filling it with deformity. This being noted in general I intend to mention some few of the particulars.2. What particular Garments, &c. and their Import.

First, The two precious stones upon the two shoulders of the Ephod, or Priestly Robe, wherein were ingraven the Names of the twelve tribes of Israel, 2. Stones.six in one stone and six in the other,Ex. 28. 9. &c. on his shoulder.Exod 28:9 so that the high-priest bare their Names upon his two shoulders.

1. This may note unto us,1. Support by him. the support which the Lord giveth unto his Church and to all the living members of it.Mat 16. 18.Matt 16:18 He beareth them as it were upon his shoulders, Hence it is that his little flock hath been preserved in the midst of so many wolves from age to age, VponUpon this rock I will build my Church, aud the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. What a blessed priviledge have they that are in Christ, being built upon him as a rock immoveable, and upheld by him, born upon his shoulders who is their eternal high-priest.

2. See how precious the people of Christ are in his account, 2. The Price Christ sets on his people.as if their names were engraven in precious stones and set in ouches or bosses of Gold.

2. The breast-plate of Iudgement, 2. Breast-plate of Judgement.in which was to be set four rows of precious stones, three in a row,Ex. 28. 15. &c. …Exod 28:15 in all twelve stones of several kinds, and in these again were ingraven the twelve names of the twelve Tribes of Israel p. 112and so Aaron was to bear the Names of the Children of Israel in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart, when he went into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.

1. See the tender love and affection which the Lord Christ hath toward his people,1. Signification. he beareth them upon his breast, upon his heart continually; he shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the Lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom,Isa. 40. 11.Isa 40:11 next his heart, and therefore it seemeth the Church prayes to Christ, set me as a seal upon thine heart: Cant. 8. 6.Song 8:6that tender love which moved him to let out his heart blood for their redemption is still so powerful and prevailing with him that he beareth them upon his heart in heaven.

2. Ought not Christians then to bear Christ upon their hearts,2. Signification. to entertain him to dwell in their hearts by faith, to cleave unto him in love, and walk in him following the guidance of his spirit?

3. Christ this eternal high-priest beareth the Names of his people upon his breast-plate or heart,3. Signification. now that he is in heaven, before his Father, for a memorial before his face continually. I conceive this noteth Christ his intercession for his people; He presenteth their names before his Father in Heaven, as the High-priest did in the holy place on the earth, which was a figure of Heaven. Blessed are they whose Names God the Father readeth engraven upon the breast-plate written upon p. 133the heart of his beloved Son, in whom he is well-pleased. What is there that such may not obtain of the Father through the Son? And how should all labour to give in their names, and to give up their hearts to Christ, that he may bear their names upon his heart for a memorial before the face of God continually.

Thirdly,3. Part of Garments of high-Priests. VponUpon the hemme of the High-priests Robe were placed golden Bells, and Pomegranates, that his sound might be heard when he went in unto the holy place before the Lord,Exod. 28. 33, 34, 35.Exod 28:33Exod 28:34Exod 28:35 and when he came out: so the Lord Christ entring in to the most holy place in heaven,Its Significaion. after his death and resurrection, maketh a most sweet and pleasing sound in the ears of his Father far, beyond that of golden bells; his mediation and intercession in behalf of his people, grounded upon the merit of his death, sacrifice and satisfaction, maketh heavenly melody before his Father;Heb. 12. 24.Heb 12:24 Jesus the mediator of the new Covenant and the blood of sprinking, which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel. And these Pomegranates may well resemble the sweet savour of Christs sacrifice. Again, Aarons bells were heard to sound, not only when he went in to the holy place, but also when he came out. Now although the Lord Christ as he is man continueth within the most holy place not made with hands, and doth not come out again, yet he sent down his spirit upon his Apostles soon after, and caused these golden bells to give a most pleasant p. 134sound throughout the several Quarters of the world, publishing the glad tidings of pardon and salvation through Christ to the comfort and refreshing of many thousand souls, and the precious promises of the Gospel published in the name of Christ, were as Pomegranats that yeilded a pleasant smell to the reviving of many fainting hearts and drooping spirits. Had we circumcised hearts and ears, gracious spirits, heavenly affections, how pleasant would the sound of the Gospel preached, how sweet would the promises of it be unto us?

Fourthly,4. Ornaments of the High-Priest. The Lord gave this Command, Thou shalt make a plate of pure Gold, and grave upon it like the engravings of a fignet, Holiness to the Lord, Exod. 28. 36, 37, 38.Exod 28:36Exod 28:37Exod 28:38and this golden plate was put on the forefront of the Mitre, and so to be worne on the forehead of the High-priest that he might bear the iniquity of the holy things which the Children of Israel should hallow in all their holy gifts, and it was to be always upon his forehead, that they might be accepted before the Lord. The Inscription I suppose may be read, either Holiness to the Lord, or, the Holiness of the Lord.

1. Here see how the Lord Christ whose holiness and righteousness is of infinite worth and value, Its signification▪the holiness and righteousness of Iehovah, of him who is very God, taketh away the iniquities and pollutions of the duties, services, spiritual sacrifices offered by his people. Aaron did bear these but in a figure and in a way of representation, Christ p. 135did really bear them, and his holiness and righteousness of Jehovah is imputed to them, and is alone sufficient to take away all their uncleanness, and to procure acceptance for them. How should Christians be humbled, that such is the corruption of their natures and imperfection of their graces, that the best of their services, the holiest of their offerings, have such iniquity cleaving to them, that they need the imputation of Christs righteousness to cover them. And again, this may comfort them that are in Christ, and are sincere in their services, and stir them up to thankfulness, that such a precious remedy is provided them in this case, even the Holiness of Jehovah.

2. This golden plate with this Inscription on the forehead of the High-priest,2. Signification: may intimate unto us, that God the Father in the forehead and face of his beloved Son, readeth such an inscription of perfect holiness and righteousness that beholding his people in him, he accepteth them as perfectly righteous through him: that as this golden plate with this inscription was placed so eminently on Aarons forehead, that it was visible and obvious to the bodily eyes and sight of the people of Israel: so the perfect righteousness and holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ is eminently visible to the spiritual eye of his peoples faith, that they may receive sweet comfort in the assurance that their iniquities are taken away through him, and may behold the Fatherly love and kindness of the Father towards p. 136them, and his gracious acceptance of their sevices in the face of Jesus Christ. One thing more was to be added before,5. Ornaments, &c. Urim and Thummim. as belonging to the breast-plate of Judgement, scil. Exod. 28. 30.Exod 28:30Vrim and Thummim▪ concerning which there is a great question What it was? Wherein it seemeth that neither Iewish nor Christian writers are yet agreed, Whether it were these words engraven upon a golden plate and put upon a breast-plate, or whether the twelve precious stones upon the breast-plate were so called, or what other thing it might be? Howsoever the meaning of the words is plain, which being both of the plural number, signifie Lights and Perfections.their meaning. These may point out unto us the fulness of heavenly Light, wisdom▪ and knowledge, and perfection of grace that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Saith he, I am the light of the World: again,Joh. 8. 12▪ & 14. ….John 8:12John 8:14 I am the Truth. And the Apostle saith, In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2. 3, 9.Col 2:3Col 2:9for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bedily. This may shew that all by nature are darkness and imperfection, and therefore needing such a Saviour who is fullness of Lights and Perfections, Ye were sometimes darkness▪ but now are Light in the Lord. Eph. 5. 8. & 2. 4, 5.Eph 5:8Eph 2:4Eph 2:5God who is rich in mercy, for his great Love wherewith …e loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses and sins, Col. 2, 10.Col 2:10hath quickned us together with Christ. And ye are compleat in him, who is the head of all principality and power. They that are natur…lly full of spiritual death, darkness, imperfection, receive p. 137spiritual life, light and grace from Christ, when once they are truly united to him, and so are compleat not in themselves but in him, upon whose breast are Vrim and Thummim, in whom is fullness of Lights and Perfections. And Malachy who seemeth to be one of the last Prophets before Christs coming, to raise up the hearts of the godly in expectation of Christs appearing in the flesh, told them, or rather God speaking by him, assured them thus, But unto you that fear my Name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing under his wings, Mat. 4. 2.Matt 4:2with light to deliver you from darkness, and with healing graces; the influences of his heavenly perfections to cure the diseases, defects, distempers, of your souls.

Sixthly,6. High-Priest appointed, &c. for men, &c. The High priest was appointed for men in things pertaining to God, to offer gifts and Sacrifices for sins: Heb. 5. 1.Heb 5:1so the Lord Christ was ordained for men in things pertaining to God to offer Sacrifice for sins.Eph. 5 2.Eph 5:2 Christ hath loved us and given himself for us, Heb. 9. 14.Heb 9:14an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? Where it is manifest that he is both the High-Priest and the Sacrifice, both the offerer and the offering; as he is the offering or sacrifice, so he was figured by such sacrifices as those formerly spoken of. As he is the offerer or High-priest, so he is figured by the High-Priest p. 138of the old Testament. None was worthy to offer this sacrifice of infinite value but Christ himself; and the infinite worth of Christ, God and man, who as the High-Priest or Sacrificer presented this offering to God the Father, and the infinite worth of the same Christ presented as an offering, may assure the greatest sinners which truly turn to the Lord and come to him, that there is enough done to make atonement and reconciliation between God and them; only take heed least by neglecting so great salvation, the infinite worth of the High Priest and sacrifice prove in the Issue an aggravation of your guilt and condemnation.

Seventhly, The High-Priest having killed the Bullock of the sin-offering, 7. What the High-Priest did, &c. How it signified what Christ should do.was to take a Censer full of burning coals of fire from off the Altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the Vail, Lev. 16 12.Lev 16:12scil. into the holy of holies, and then fire the Incense, that the cloud of the Incense might cover the mercy-seat, and then to sprinkle of the blood of the bullock upon the mercy-seat, and before the mercy-seat seven times…:…eb. 9. 7, 11, 12 so first the Lord Christ having sacrificed himself entred with his own blood, scil. with the merit and virtue of his blood, into the most holy place within the vail, that is, into Heaven it self; into the second, sci. the most holy place, went the High priest once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errours of the people, but Christ being p. 139being become an High-Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building, neither by the blood of Goats and Calves, but by his own blood, he entred once into the holy place having obtained eternal Redemption: so that the merit and virtue of Christ his most precious blood is always presented before God in Heaven, in behalf of those that truly lay hold on Christ. Also the sweet incense put upon the fire in the Golden Censer, and resting as a cloud upon the mercy-seat, may teach us that the sweet incense of Christ his sacrifice and offering make way for the Persons, Prayers, and services of Gods people, that so they may approach to the mercy-seat or gracious presence of God in Heaven. The blood also sprinkled upon and before the Mercy-seat, may note unto us, that the blood of Christ procures mercy with God for repenting and believing sinners, and maketh way for them to draw nigh unto God. And so much for this eminent Type of Christ. The High-Priest of the old Testament figuring Christ the eternal High-Priest.

In the next place, somewhat might be spoken of the inferiour Priests which were of the posterity of Aaron. These I take to have been Types of the Members of Christ, of whom it is said, that Christ hath loved them,Rev. 1. 5, 6.Rev 1:5Rev 1:6 and washed them from their sins in his own blood,1 Pet. 2. 9.1 Pet 2:9 and made them Kings and Priests unto God and his Father:Rom. 12. 1.Rom 12:1 to whom also p. 140Peter saith, Ye are are a chosen generation a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar people. And these are first to offer themselves as sacrifices to God; I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies, that is I conceive, taking a part for the whole, their bodies and souls, their whole selves, a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable unto God. And therefore all that will approve themselves unto God, must look upon themselves as under a double consecration, as dedicated to God under a twofold Notion and Respect, both as Priests and as Sacrifices; How then should they study, labour, and follow after holiness? Both Priests and sacrifices under the old Testament were consecrated to God as holy. He that was unclean was not fit as a Priest to sacrifice. How should they strive to be holy as the Lord is holy, who should be both Priests and Sacrifices? And therefore it is said, Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, ver. 2.that ye may prove what is that good, that perfect and acceptable will of God. As the Priests were chosen out and separated from other men, and consecrated as holy to the Lord, and the sacrifices were chosen out and severed from the common herds and flocks, to be offered up to God: so Christians must not be conformed to this world, nor follow the common throngs and herds according to the course of the world, but be transformed, new framed in conformity to Christ, that they may be both Priests and sacrifices acceptable p. 141to the Lord. Secondly, as Priests of the new Testament, they must offer holy services and duties of obedience as spiritual sacrifices to the Lord.Psal. 4. 5.Ps 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise. Psal. 51. 17.Ps 51:17So the Apostle speaking of that contribution which the Philippians sent unto him, being a Prisoner for the Gospel of Christ, said, I have all and abound, Phil. 4. 18.Phil 4:18I am full having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to the Lord. It might also be noted how the Priests and Levites were teachers in Israel, as Christ is the great Preacher and Prophet of the Church: but I know not whether herein he be not more lively represented by the Prophets of the old Testament, this belonging to his Prophetical office. But here by the way, I think it seasonable to put you in mind that in all the new Testament, I am confident it cannot be found that the Ministers of the Gospel are called Priests in respect of their particular calling or office. The extraordinary Ministers are called Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists: the ordinary are termed Pastors, Teachers, sometimes Bishops or Overseers, Elders or Presbyters, never Priests; for a Priest by office is one that offereth sacrifice for Propitiation, for appeasing the wrath of God: and so there is no Priest of the new Testament but the Lord Jesus Christ: and therefore when p. 142prophane persons do in scorn call the Preachers of the Gospel Priests, they commit a double sin, and shew double prophaneness: 1. Attributing that name to them which i… proper to Christ. 2. Accounting that Title of Christ a word of reproach. And therefore I find not, that Ministers of the new Testament are any where called Priests in Scripture, but only as all other true believers are, which Christ hath made Kings and Priests to off… spiritual sacrifices. If the Popish shavelings will take upon them that Title, as pretending to offer the very body of Christ to God i… the Mass, What is that to the Ministers of the Gospel who detest that abomina… on?

Sixthly, Sect. 6. Sacred things &c.Take notice of some sacred thing… that were subservient to sacred or holy … ses. And,

First,As 1. Tabernacle and Temple. The Tabernacle, which the Lord directed Moses to raise, instead whereof afterwards Solomon erected a Temple. In some things these two agreed, in some they differed.

1. Both of them were framed by the Lords appointment:1. Agreeing. For the Tabernacle th… Lord gave command to Moses, Exod. the 25 and the 26. And David shews that the Lord made choice of Solomon his Son to build hi… house and his Courts,1 Chron. 28. 6, 11, 12, 19.1 Chr 28:61 Chr 28:111 Chr 28:121 Chr 28:19 and David gave to Solomon the pattern of the Temple, and th… things belonging to it by the spirit: all th… said David the Lord made me to understand by his hand upon me, even all the works … this pattern.

p. 1432. Both were dedicated to God as places designed for his special presence, 2. In writing.and therefore each of them was called his house, both were places appointed for special ordinances of God,Yet they differed. not to be used elsewhere. They differed in that the Tabernacle was a slight frame of boards and Curtains, the Temple a substantial building. The Tabernacle was a moveable Tent that might be carried from place to place: The Temple fixt upon its foundation in one certain place. I conceive both of them did,

1. Primarily signifie the precious body, 1. And chiefly signified Christ dwelling in our nature.the flesh, the humane nature of Christ: the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, foreign, as in a Tabernacle, in a mortal weak body,Joh. 1. 14.John 1:14 exposed to sufferings and death. Christ being come a High-Priest of good things to come, Heb. 9. 11.Heb 9:11by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands, &c. So the Lord Christ calleth his body a Temple,Joh. 2. 19, 21.John 2:19John 2:21 destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up: The Iews seemed to take it of the Temple of Hierusalem, but he spake of the Temple of his body. As God is said to dwell in the Tabernacle and Temple made with hands, because there he vouchsafed his special presence, there he setteth up his worship and ordinances: so God dwelleth in a peculiar manner, in the humane nature of Christ; in him dwelleth all the fullness of the god-head bodily, or substantially. The godhead is united personally to the humane nature of Christ, for verily he took not on him the Nature of Angels, p. 144Col. 2. 9. Heb. 2. 16.Col 2:9Heb 2:16but he took on him the seed of Abraham. The Lord Christ made choice of the Nature of Man for his Tabernacle,2 Tim. 3. 16.2 Tim 3:16 rather than of the Nature of glorious Angels. Hence that part of the great mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh; the invisible God taking the humane Nature into the unity of his person became not only visible but actually seen and manifest in the flesh. This sheweth,

1. His wonderful condescension and voluntary abasement of himself, that he who filleth Heaven and Earth, was pleased to dwell as it were in a Cottage, in the flesh, in the Nature of man. The Creator became a creature, yet still remaining the Creator: The Son of God became also the Son of man. He who made all things as he is God, was made of a woman as he is man.

2. Herein appeareth his unconceivable love to mankind, that he was pleased to become bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh, their kinsman of the same blood;A&. 17. 26. for all Nations of men are made of one blood: so that there is a consanguinity between Christ and other men;Heb. 2… 11.Heb 2:11 he was pleased to become their Brother, he is not ashamed to call them Brethren.

3. Let all be stirred up to turn to the Lord and lay hold of Christ, that they may be united to him, as he is united to their Nature, though not by the same kind of union; but as he is personally joyned to the nature of man, so they may be spiritually p. 145united to him, receiving his spirit, embracing him, by faith that through union with him, they may be united to God, for the Father is in the Son. In as much as Christ hath made so near an approach to us, as to become one person with our Nature, let us take heed lest we become guilty of despising his love, in suffering sin or the world to keep us at a distance from him,2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4 to withhold us from closing with him; for he partaking of our Nature, hath made way for us to partake of his divine Nature, by participation of his spirit and graces: for by the exceeding great and pretious promises of the Gospel, men may be partakers of the divine Nature, that is, by Christ partaking of the humane Nature, who is the substance of the Promises,Heb. 1. 6.Heb 1:6 and in whom they are all, Yea and Amen.

4. How should Christians abhor to defile themselves by sin, to pollute that Nature of man in their own persons, which Christ in his person hath exalted to the right hand of God, far above Angels, Principalities and Powers. When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the Angels of God worship him, all the holy Angels worship man in the person of Christ. Take heed then of abaseing the Nature of man in your own persons to the service of sin; and abase your selves exceedingly before the Lord, for abaseing your Nature in this kind.

Again in a secondary consideration, I take the Tabernacle and Temple,2. They signified the Church of Christ. for a representation of the Church of Christ, the multitude of Believers. p. 146Iohn saw the new Hierusalem, and heard a voice saying, Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men,Rom. 21. 2, 3. and he will dwell with them. So the Church of God is called the house of God, for (saith the Apostle) Ye are the Temple of the living God, as God hath said,1 Tim. 3. 15.1 Tim 3:15 I will dwell in them and walk in them.2 Cor. 6. 16.2 Cor 6:16

1. How should all that live within the Church, Vse 1.professing themselves Christians, take heed of defileing the Lords Tabernacle, and polluting his Temple by sin? How highly is God dishonoured when his Temple is polluted; when any live in a course of sin, or commit gross acts of sin where his Gospel is preached or professed?Lev. 16. 15, 16.Lev 16:15Lev 16:16 The Priest was commanded to bring the blood of the Goat of the sin-offering within the Vail, and there to sprinkle it: then it followeth, he shall make an attonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness of the Children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins; and so shall he do for the Tabernacle of the congregation that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. See the cursed … nature of sin, it defileth the Tabernacle and Temple of the Lord it polluteth his Sanctuary, his Church, when it is committed within his Church, that is among those that profess themselves Christians, attend upon his Ordinances, believe his Gospel: Ye that harden your hearts in any evil ways, and make light of continuing in sin, though ye live in the visible Church, humble and p. 147judge your selves before the Lord, depart from iniquity, otherwise assure your selves your sin will find you out.

Secondly, Vse 2.It is a great height of wickedness when any rejoyce in scandalous sins committed within the Church, and make a sport of them: Do not these shew themselves prophane graceless wretches? If thou hadst any sincere love and respect to his glory, thou wouldst not take pleasure in such things as tend highly to his dishonour, but rather bewail and lament them. I conceive the Apostle in the 2. of Corinth. mentioneth his former Epistle written to the same Church, and there he saith,2 Cor. 2▪ ….2 Cor 2 Out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears, for in that Epistle he had reproved divers disorders and scandalous sins committed in that Primitive Church which was of his planting, and it was such a matter of grief unto him, that he wrote about these things out of much affliction and anguish of heart, with many tears: With what a spirit are they led, who make a sport of such things? Scandalous sins i… the Church are to be reproved and lamented as things that defile the Sanctuary of Christ, and dishonour him: but who can find in their hearts to rejoyce in them but they that are Enemies to Christ?

Again,3. Tabernacle &c. noted particular believers, The Tabernacle and Temple represented particular Christians, each true believer being a spiritual Temple to the Lord. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Cor. 3. 16, 17.1 Cor 3:161 Cor 3:17If any p. 148man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy. Flee fornication: Every sin that a man doth is without the body:chap. 6. 18, 19. but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What! know ye not that the body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you? Both body and soul is to be consecrated and dedicated to God as his Temple for him to dwell in by his spirit. The body is as it were the outward Court; The inferiour faculties of the soul may be compared to the inner Court within the first Vail: The superiour faculties, the Understanding, Judgement, Conscience, Will, may be likened to the inmost Court within the second Vail, the principal and most holy place of the Temple. Now as all the Courts of the Temple and Tabernacle were holy being consecrated and dedicated to the most holy God, and sanctified to his holy services and ordinances, and were to be kept holy free from profanations and defilements: so the souls and bodies of Christians are to be consecrated and sanctified as holy Temples to the Lord, and to be kept from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and to be cleansed dayly; and when they are defiled by sin, the Lord is dishonoured and his wrath is provoked, he accounteth it a defiling of his Temple; whereas the Apostle s…emeth to say that every sin except fornication is without the body, &c. I conceive it is to be understood comparatively, that Fornication. Adultery, Whoredom, and sins of that kind, do in more special p. 149manner defile the body than other sins; other sins defile the body also, scil. outward acts of sin wherein the body or any of the members of the body act sinfully. And when the body is defiled with sin, the heart and soul is first defiled, for sin beginneth there, For out of the heart proceed evil … murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, … witness, Mat. 15. 18, 19.Matt 15:18Matt 15:19blasphemies, these are the things which defile a man: these and all other sins are the things which first defile the heart and soul, where they are conceived and bred, and then so many of them as are brought forth into outward act defile the body also, some of them more some less, according to their natures and degrees. Now there is a severe threatning formerly mentioned, If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy. As ye desire the salvation of your souls and bodies, to prevent the destruction of both, take heed of defiling these Temples of God, make a through search, and cast out all the filth which ye find there, by sincere repentance and reformation; watch against all future defilements: and as atonement was made for the Tabernacle by the blood of the sin-offering, so seek to clear your selves from the guilt of your sins by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus applied by faith.

Seventhly, S…ct. 7.Next to the Tabernacle or Temple,Altar and its Import. ye may take notice of the Altar of burnt-offering, Heb. 13. 10.Heb 13:10and as the sacrifices offered up on this Altar, and High-priest who was the principal officer, were Types of Chirst, so p. 150it seemeth was the Altar, We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat that serve the Tabernacle.

1. It was commanded to be made of Shittim Wood which is thought to have been a choice kind of wood that would not rot,Made of Shittim wood, what is meant. and so fit to resemble the precious body of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it is said, He whom God raised again, Exod. 27. 1.Exod 27:1saw no corruption. The Lord Christ though he freely laid down his life for his people,Act. 13. 37.Acts 13:37 and suffered death, yet He rose again in so short a time as to prevent all putrefaction and rottenness, He saw no corruption, and as he preserved his own natural body from corruption, so he shall deliver his mystical body, his Church, and the members of it out of corruption, and raise them incorruptible. But,

2. The Altar was to be over-laid with Brass, 2. Over laid with Brass.for though the wood might be free from rotting and corrupting, yet I conceive it could not endure the force of that fire which was to burn upon it, and therefore it was to have a brazen covering.Exod. 27. 2. Its import.Exod 27:2 This seemeth to note unto us the Godhead of Christ united to his manhood, or that strength which the Godhead thus united gave to the manhood, whereby it was so mightily for…ified, that the wrath of God due to the Sons of men did not consume it, as the wood of the Alta… was not consumed by the fire wherewith the Sacrifices were burnt.

p. 1513. This Altar was placed by the door of the Tabernacle, 3. The place of Altar, and its meaning.of the Tent of the congregation; it seemeth this was set in the open Court that all the people might see it,Exod. 40. 29Exod 40:29 and behold the Sacrifices offered upon it, that their hearts might be raised in expectation of that great and all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ which alone satisfieth for sins: so now Christ in the preaching of the Gospel, is set forth as it were crucified before the eyes of believers. The Altar upon which the sacrifices were offered was set by the door of the Tabernacle at the entrance into it: whosoever will have a place in the Courts of the Lord, and abide in his house for ever, must get entrance by Christ and his sacrifice; sin shutteth the door against all, only Christ makes way for those that truly come to him and by him to God. Saith the Lord Christ, I am the door, Joh. 10. 9. 14. 6.John 10:9John 10:14John 10:6by me if any man enter in he shall be saved. And again, I am the way, &c. No man cometh unto the Father but by me: whosoever will come to God, enjoy his favour, enter into Covenant, and have communion with him, must come to him by Christ.

4. There was an Altar to burn Incense upon of the same wood with the former, 4. Altar of Incense.but overlaid with pure Gold: Exod. 30. 3.Exod 30:3Christ is the Golden Altar upon whom the prayers and other services of his people are offered up as sweet Incense unto God, by whose merit and intercession they find acceptance.Exod. 30. 9.Exod 30:9 2. No strange Incense was to be offered thereon: so no strange worship must be offered to God in p. 152the Name of Christ of mans deviseing, only such services are to be presented to him as the Lord himself hath appointed in his word. In vain do they worship me, Mat. 15. 9.Matt 15:9teaching for doctrine the traditions of men. The Lord alloweth not any strange Incense to be offered up to him.

Eighthly,Sect. 8. There was the Ark overlaid with pure Gold, Ark overlaid, &c.into which was put the Testimony: by which I understand the Tables of stone wherein the Law was written by the finger of God.Exod. 25. 10, 11, 16, 17, 21.Exod 25:10Exod 25:11Exod 25:16Exod 25:17Exod 25:21 This Ark was a special token of God his presence with his people, and upon the Ark was placed a mercy-seat of pure Gold, and the mercy seat was put above upon the Ark. As the mercy seat was set above upon the Ark wherein the Law was, so the Lord in dealing with repenting and believing sinners in Christ, exalteth and magnifieth his mercy, and covereth their sins whereby they have transgressed his holy Law: He sitteth upon a mercy-seat to receive poor sinners that fly from the curse of the Law for refuge to the riches of his grace in Christ. Let all poor souls without strive and hasten to escape from the severity of Gods dreadful justice to his mercy-seat through Christ, whose blood hath opened a way unto it. They that are sincerely willing to renounce their dearest sins, and to yeild subjection unto Christ, may have free access to the mercy-seat, and receive an answer of peace in Christ. This Ark wherein the Tables of the Law were written, and the mercy-seat was of p. 153the same measure for breadth and length:Ex. 25. 10, 17.Exod 25:10Exod 25:17 so they that will have their hearts assured of the saving mercy of God in Christ, must have the Law of God written by the finger of God in their hearts; they must be regenerate and renewed by the spirit of Christ, and conformed to his holy Law. Poor souls pursued with the guilt of their Consciences and curse of the Law, must flee to the mercy-seat of God in Christ; though as yet they do not find any such work in themselves; but they cannot have their hearts established in the assurance of this priviledge that their sins are forgiven,Heb. 8. 10, 12.Heb 8:10Heb 8:12 until they find this gracious work wrought in them, and therefore the Lord in d…c…aring his Covenant joyneth these two together, This is the Covenant, &c. I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. The Lord promiseth to the same pr…sons to pardon their sins, and to write his Laws in their hearts: As for those that go on securely in sin and yet rely upon the mercy of God in Christ for pardon of sin, they deceive themselves. The Ark wherein the Law was put and the mercy-seat were just of the same size:Act. 5. 31.Acts 5:31 and repentance which is a change of heart and life, is always joyned with forgiveness of sins. There were two Cherubims of beaten Gold at the two ends of the mercy-seat with their faces one to another looking towards the mercy-seat:Exod. 25. 18 19, 20.Exod 25:18 so the holy Angels attend upon p. 154God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, for the service of his Church ministring for them who shall be heirs of salvation.Heb. 1. 14.Heb 1:14 They are ready with their wings stretched out to execute the will of Christ, and do his pleasure for the protection and good of his people. 2. The holy Angels look into the mysteries of Christ in his Gospel, as the Cherubims toward the Ark and mercy-seat, which thing the Angels defire to look into.1 Pet. 1. 12.1 Pet 1:12 And the Apostle having spoken of the glorious Mysteries of Christ in the Gospel,Eph. 3. 10.Eph 3:10 made known to him by revelation, and made known by him in his Ministery, who preached among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, addeth this, to the intent that now unto the Principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God. How inexcusable is the negligence of those that will not take pains to be acquainted with the mysteries of Christ which the glorious Angels did search into.

Ninthly, Sect. 9.The fire that was used in the sacrifices of the Law,The fire on the Altar, Its meaning. may be considered,

1. As the fire burned the Sacrifices which were offered to the Lord: 1. It consumed the Sacrifice.so the fire of Gods wrath fell upon Christ for the sins of the world, when he offered himself in sacrifice to his Father to satisfie his justice; and therefore he was in a grievous agony,Luk. …2. 44.Luke 2:44 and his sweat was it as were great drops of blood falling down to the ground,Mat. 26. 38.Matt 26:38 and he complained my soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death. p. 155And when he was upon the Cross, he cried out with a loud voice saying,ch. 27. 46. My God My God why hast thou forsaken me?

1. See here the Love of Christ toward sinners, Use of this. 1.interposing himself between the burning wrath of God and them; that which was of such a scorching heat to him, would have been a consuming fire to them.

2. How should the hearts of believers be inflamed with love to Christ, who endured the flames of divine wrath to save them from everlasting burnings?

3. How restless should all be until they are sound in Christ, that his righteousness may shelter them from the fire of Gods wrath? How unsufferable will that be to them which was so grievous to him.

Secondly,2. Came from Heaven. This fire came from Heaven, there came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt-offering,Lev. 9. 24.Lev 9:24 &c. And so in the Temple built by Solomon, 2 Chron. 7. 1.2 Chr 7:1fire came down from Heaven and consumed the burnt-offering and sacrifices: so the Lord sends down that heavenly fire of his spirit upon his people to consume their dross, warm their hearts with holy flames of love and zeal,Mat. 3. 11.Matt 3:11 refine their spirits. So Christ is said to Baptize his people with the holy Ghost and fire.

Thirdly,3. Kept always burning. This fire was to be kept burning upon the Altar continually and never to go out: Lev. 6. 13.Lev 6:13Christians having once the heavenly fire of grace and holy affections kindled in their hearts by the spirit of Christ should p. 156labour to keep it continually burning, take heed of quenching the Spirit.

Tenthly,Sect. 10. The Vail may be taken notice of: Exod. 26. 31.Exod 26:31The Apostle intimateth a twofold va…l,Heb. 9. 3.Heb 9:3 for he speaketh of a second Vail:Exod. 26. 36.Exod 26:36 I conceive then this second and inward Vail was that which was hanged before the most holy place, and the first was that hanging mentioned; there being three Courts in the Tabernacle, the first and outermost where the people were: the second where the Priests were, between the which two was the first Vail: the third which was the most holy place, into which went none but the High-priest, and this was divided from the middle Court by the second Vail. So the Mysteries of the Gospel were hidden in a great measure before Christ his coming in the flesh, by a Vail of Ceremonies which are now revealed in Christ, at whose death the Vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to th… bottom.Mat. 27. 51.Matt 27:51