Moses and Aaron, Treatise · Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
Manna, a type of Christ.
THere were among the Jewes two extraordinary Sacraments, which sealed up unto believers their continual nourishment and preservation in grace, by the free Covenant of God in the Messiah. The former was Manna from heaven; the latter, the water out of the Rock: Both of them most lively setting forth Jesus Christ, the true bread and water of life to ancient and present believers. In which sense the Apostle (1 Cor. 10. 3, 4.) calleth them spirituall meat, and spirituall drink.
The Story of Manna is recorded, Exod. 16. 14. The proper application of which is in Joh. 6. 32. 48. where our Saviour Manna a type of Christ.shewes that he is the true Manna, of which the other in the wildernesse was but a shadow and dark resemblance. Now for opening this type we shall fruitfully consider two things.
I. Christ prefigured by it; where we shall see an admirable and pleasant correspondence of the type with the truth; and how Christ was (not obscurely) preached even in this one shadow to old believers.
II. Christ far preferred before this figure, as became the truth to be set above the type.
I. For the resemblance Matters of resemblance.consider Manna
1. in it self, in
1. Quality.
2. Quantity.
2. in the Jews, in their
1. Gathering.
2. Use.
Sect. I.
I. The qualities of Manna considered in it self were six, many of them miraculous.Six qualities of Manna.
1. The Manna came down from heaven. God in heaven Dominus Jesus ipse conviva & convivium … ipse comedens & qui comeditur, Jeron, Ep. ad Hedibiam.prepared this food to satisfie the Jewes hunger: so Jesus Christ is the true bread that came down from heaven, all other bread is from earth, but Christ is from heaven; he hath God for his Father, from whose bosome he is sent into the wildernesse of this world to satisfie the spiritual hunger of his people. And as that was an admirable gift prepared by God for them, and therefore they called it Manna: so nothing was more freely prepared and given by God than Jesus Christ for the life of the world; he came without the worlds seeking, without merit and deserving, yea, or accepting; for he came to his own, and his own received him not: And was not this miraculous above that, that he which sent the Manna, was the Manna which he sent?
2. The taste of Manna was sweet, and tasted like fresh oyle, Numb. 11. 8. or wafers baked with honey, Exod. 16. 31. So nothing is so sweet as Jesus Christ to an afflicted and hungry heart, The sweet promises of grace are sweeter than honey, Psal. 19. 10. No fresh and sweet oyle can so cherish the face, as they doe the heart, which is able to apprehend the sweet consolations and joyes of the Spirit. And as Manna tasted alike to all tastes, and every whit of it was sweet, and every mouth tasted the same sweetnesse, as it never was in any other food in the world: So onelyonly Christ is the same to all that taste him, and every whit of him is sweet, even his yoak, his Crosse, and every mouth that tastes him, can confesse him so to be.
3. The figure of it was round, a figure of perfection: signifying Jesus Christ without beginning or end, the first and the last, most simple and sincere, without any guileful corner or foreign.angle; most infinite, most perfect, and fit to contain all perfections of grace, meet for the head of the Church.
4. The colour was white, Exod. 16. 31. signifying the most holy and immaculate purity of Jesus Christ in his nature, person, and actions: The holy One of God, fairer than all the sonnes of men, Psal. 45. 2.
5. The generality: It was common to all the Israelites of what state soever: So Jesus Christ is the common Saviour, to rich and poor, to master and servant, bond and free, and to all believing in his Name, without respect of persons, Acts 10. 34. There is neither male nor female, but all are one in Christ, Gal. 3. 28.
6. The continuance of it: This was all the while they were in the wildernesse: So Christ continues alwayes with his Church, to the end of the world, Mat. 28. 20. But when they came into Canaan it ceased; for where ordinary bread was, was no need of miraculous: So when we come to our Canaan, we shall gather no more Manna by the meanes of the Word and Sacraments: neither yet shall we lose our Manna, but mmediately enjoy Christ, and see him face to face, which the Apostle calls an open face, 1 Cor. 13. 12.
II. The quantity of Manna considered in itself, resembled 2. Quantity of Manna, figurative in 4. things.Christ in four particulars.
1. It was a small grain, as a little seed of Coriander, verse 14. but full of yeald, sweetnesse, and nourishment: So Jesus Christ was little and humble in his own eyes, and in other mens eyes, liker a worm than a man. Little in his birth, in his life, in his death, in his followers. Very weak in shew and appearance; but full of power, strength and grace to sustain and uphold his Church; full of nourishment, sweetnesse, and comfort to refresh his Church to eternal life.
2. It was freely and abundantly given to Israel as the rain, and fell down with the dew: So Jesus Christ is freely given to the Church, and in him abundant grace and plentiful redemption. God never expressed such bounty, nor ever opened the treasury of his rich grace in any thing so much as in giving his Christ, who never comes any where without the sweet dewes of comfort, joy, and happy graces, which distil from him into every believing heart.
3. Manna fell every morning round about the campe, and no where else; and so much every morning as was sufficient for six hundred thousand men, besides women and children: signifying, that Jesus Christ is no where to be found without the campe and bounds of the Church; and that of his fulnesse all believers receive grace for grace; and that in Christ is sufficiency of merit for all his Church; and there need other supply for health and safety of soule, but out of this heap.
4. It fell on the evening of the Sabbath in double quantity, because they must not break the Sabbath in gathering any: signifying the double diligence that we must use to get Christ while we are in this life, which is as the Even of our eternal Sabbath; and the incessant labour after a farther degree of grace, giving all diligence to make our election sure before we goe hence; for when that eternal rest cometh, there is no more gathering, but a ceasing from all labours. And upon condition of our diligence and care here below, we shall have supply enough of all grace without labour and gathering, when Christ shall be all in all to all Israel gathered unto him.
Sect. II.
Now we are to consider this miraculous food, both in the Jewes gathering of it, as also in their use of it.
I. In their gathering are three things; the place, the time, 1. Three things in the Jewes gathering.the measure.
1. The place where: It was about the campe and tents of the Jewes in the wildernesse: signifying, that Christ the heavenly Manna is given to us in this our wildernesse, and while we are in this world, we must procure him to our selves, or never: And farther, that his grace is rained down in the Church; and no where else is saving grace ordinarily to be found. OnelyOnly the Israel of God enjoy Christ in the meanes; his abode is among the tents of shepherds.
2. The time of gathering is: 1. The week day; the six dayes, not the Sabbath, for it came not on the Sabbath; but as knowing and distinguishing times it would, as feed them, so teach them; namely, to rest on the Sabbath day, as it did: and signified, that in that eternal Sabbath we shall enjoy Manna without meanes; and shall eat our fill of that hidden Manna, laid up and prepared for the Saints, Rev. 2. 17.
2. Every day in the week: to signifie, that we must daily feed on Christ and his grace, and that we must daily renew the care of the salvation and sustenance of our soules.
3. Every morning of every day; early must they gather it, the first thing they did: To signifie, that we must embrace Christ speedily, while the meanes last and offer themselves. Christ is worth our first care; and his commandement is, first to seek the kingdome of God. The foolish Virgins sought Oyle and Manna too late.
3. The measure: 1. Every man hath a measure out of the common heap: signifying, that Christ is the same treasury to poor and rich, small and great; and every believer and Israelite hath his portion and measure measured out unto him, (for he must live by his own faith) and a severed measure Hab. 2. 4.of knowledge and sanctification from others.
2. Every man hath the same measure. There was one measure for all, a Gomer for every person: So every Christian hath his Gomer, and the same measure. For although there is difference in the graces of sanctification (some being in the higher formes of knowledge, some in lower; some of little faith, some of great faith; some whose zeal is as a smoaking flax, in some a bright flame) yet justification by Christ is equall to all, and doth not admit a more or a lesse. The Non suscipit magis & minus.youngling in grace is as truly and fully justified as the ancient believer, though not so fully sanctified.
3. Every man hath a full Gomer, a full measure: to signifie, that in Christ is no want, but we are compleat in him, Col. 2. 10. And as the gathering Israelite (though he gathered lesse than some other) had his Gomer full: so he that hath …he weakest grace, and weakest faith (if true and sound) shall attain the same salvation which the stronger believer attaines. For the same precious faith attaines the same common salvation.
II. We must consider this Manna in the Jewes use of it.2. Their use of it.
1. In respect of the dressing. It must be ground and baked before it could be fit food for the Israelites: signifying. that Jesus Christ must first be ground and broken upon the Crosse, and pounded with passion before he could become a fit food and Saviour of his Church. Every grain of Manna must be ground and broken: so must Christ be broken and bruised in the winepresse of Gods wrath Every grain of Manna must be baked in the Oven: so must Christ be parched and baked, yea, and dryed up in the Oven of his Fathers displeasure. And this was extraordinary and above nature in it, that one heat (namely of the Sunne) melted it; another heat (namely of fire) baked it; very strange; but significative of the same in Christ. The heat of his love to mankind melted him; but the heat of his Fathers wrath (as hot as fire) baked him, and fitted him for our spirituall food.
2. The Manna being dressed must be eaten, that is, applied to their substance, and digested for their nourishment; signifying Jesus Christ, who although (like the Manna) he must be gathered in common, and must be received whole (as Manna must be gathered whole) yet he must be eaten in several, that is, specially applied to every believer for his food and strength; by which application he becomes food in our hunger, and physick in our weaknesse, as the Manna was to them, and other had they none.
3. They must use it all, and reserve none till the morning; for if they did, it putrified, and wormes grew in it, verse 19. 20. To signifie, that not the profession of Christ profits any thing without faithful applying of him. Yea, and as Manna reserved, putrified: so Christ becomes a scandall and a rock of offence to the unbelieving of the world, that content themselves to hear of Christ, and have the Word among them, but apply it not to their hearts and lives. The sweetest Manna becomes a rottennesse, and a savour of death to carnall professours.
Quest. But why did the Lord cause the Manna daily to Why Manna putrified, if reserved.putrifie, if kept?
Answ. 1. He will have them daily depend upon his hands and provision; that was no time nor place to shift covetously for themselves, neither was there any need, seeing every day supplied them with a new harvest.
2. To signifie to them, that man lived not by bread onelyonly, but by every word of God, Mat. 4. 4. How could they think, that such corruptible food could preserve them, that it self could not be preserved above a few houres but by Gods institution?
3. That they might acknowledge God a free and extraordinary worker in all his administration with them. For even this Manna (which kept an hour beyond a day, suddenly rotted) if God command to keep it two dayes every week for his worship sake, it shall be miraculously preserved sweet and savoury. Yea, if for a monument of his mercy he shall command to lay a sample of it in the Ark; it shall last and be kept in the Holy of holies many ages, yea, many hundreds of yeares sweet and savoury as at first. And all this not without signification: that although Jesus Christ was in his flesh and humane nature subject to sorrow, death, and passion, yet even in that humanity (now glorified) he is set in the Holy of holies (as the Manna in the golden pot) before the Lord for ever, Exod. 16. 33. and abides for ever in the heavens for all eternity, not subject to corruption any more, as that golden pot of Manna was.
Sect. III.
II. Now let us see how Christ is infinitely preferred before 2. Christ infinitely better than Mannathis type or figure, in six severall advancements.
1. That Manna had no life in it self, but this hath, Joh, 5. 26. As the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Sonne to have life in himself. Joh. 6. 35. I am that bread of life.
2. That Manna not having life in it self, cannot give to others what it self hath not; it could onelyonly preserve life given of God: But this can convey and give life to others: John 6. 33. The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
3. That Manna preserved onelyonly natural and temporal life, as other bread: but this preserves spiritual and eternal life in the soul and inward man.
4. That Manna could not preserve this temporal life for ever, Joh. 6. 49. Your fathers did eat Manna in the wildernesse, and are dead; nay it could not keep them from hunger above one day to an end: But this bread once tasted makes a man live for ever, he shall not die, ver. 50. yea, he shall never hunger more, verse 35.
5. If a man were dead, that Manna could not raise him again to life: but this raiseth dead to life, as Lazarus; which all the food, physick and meanes on earth cannot doe, Joh. 11. 25. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
6. That Manna did corrupt, it melted daily when the Sun arose; it lasted not beyond a day, it continued not beyond the wildernesse; and that small portion which the Lord reserved in the Holies of holies, perished and was lost after the captivity: But this Manna is not subject to corruption, but abideth sweet and precious to every hungry heart; nor subject to violence, but abides in the Holy of holies without all change or fear of danger; nor onelyonly lasts in this journey through our wildernesse, but is the sweetest and most delicious in our Canaan; when he shall be food, physick, raiment, delight, and all in all to all the Saints and sonnes of God.
Sect. IV.
Now to Application.
I. To note God in four things:Use in respect of God.
1. Patience and love.
2. Watchfulnesse and care.
3. Bountifulnesse and beneficence,
4. Wisedome and judgement. And all these to his Church, both Jewish and Christian, and to all the Israel of God, Legal and Evangelical. Every one of these affordeth us special matter of instruction.
I. His grace and patience appears in the time of his giving 1.both the typical and the true Manna from heaven. Then he pleased to give the Manna to Israel.
1. When Israel had great need of Gods help, and had no Gods patience and love to be noted.power to help themselves, when they were even ready to starve: Even so when the Church was in extream need of Christ, and altogether helplesse in her self, it pleased God to give his Sonne from heaven to save and refresh her. Which the Apostle notes, Rom. 5. 6. For Christ, when we were yet of no strength, at his time died for the ungodly,
2. Then God gave Israel Manna, when Israel (murmuring) had deserved nothing but wrath and vengeance; when they could look for nothing but fire from heaven, he gives them food from heaven, and such food as was Angels food, sweet as honey: Oh what a tender Nurse is the Lord become to a froward people? he will still the frowardnesse of his firstborn rather with the breast than with the rod: Even so when by our hateful sinnes of many sorts we could neither deserve nor expect any thing but revenge from heaven, God sent his Sonne from heaven, the true Manna and bread of life, who hath more sweetnesse in him than the honey comb; which one gift sweetneth all blessings, which else had been so many curses. For what had the Israelites deliverance, victory, lives been worth in the wildernesse without food and Manna, which kept them in life and strength? Even so had all our outward blessings been to us (without Jesus Christ) onelyonly a lingring death and misery. Oh who would deal thus with his enemy, but he that hath an Ocean of mercy? Which the same Apostle (in the same Chapter, ver. 8.) leadeth us unto; where he magnifieth and heightneth Gods love unto us; that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, yea, while we were yet enemies (ver. 10.) he sent us this Manna, by whom he reconciled himself unto us.
Let this consideration be of use: 1. To stir up in us a fervent love of God, who loved us with a pittifull love when we were in so pitifull a case; as also with so seasonable love, And how it should work in us-when our extream need urged us; yea, with such effectuall love, as spared us the greatest gift of love, and the richest mercy that heaven and earth can contain to relieve our want.
2. To labour to love our enemies, as God did us being his enemies. For naturall men and hypocrites can love those that love them, Mat. 5. 45. but if we love them that hate us, we shall be the sonnes of our heavenly Father.
3. To move us to cease from our sinnes; for who would goe on to provoke so good a God, that still prevents us with love and mercy? And if he please to reserve love for us while we are yet in our sinnes, and in love with them; how sweet will his love be, when we cease to love them? How strong will it be, and how constant? For, doth he not cast us off when we are enemies, and deserve hatred, and will he ever cast off those whom he thus loveth? This love shall be stronger than death, for that shall not quench it.
II. See the watchfulnesse and care of God over his 2. Gods watchfulnes, and care over his Church, to▪ be noted.Church. The Manna fell with the dew; and while the people of Israel slept, the Lord watched to spread a table for them: because, 1. He that keepeth Israel slumbreth not nor sleepeth. The eye of the Lord (saith Basil) is without all sleep, ever watchfull: 2. Because he is a tender father, and Israel is his son and first born. A carefull father is waking for his childes good while it sleeps and takes no care: In like manner hath this watchful eye kept it self waking, from the beginning of the world till this day. How did it watch over Abraham and all his believing posterity; whilest he and we were all in the night of sin and death? And whilest we were in a dead sleep, how carefully did he provide this heavenly Manna, and spread it about the tents of the Church in all ages?
1. In the promise of the blessed seed.
2. In the types and shadowes signifying and exhibiting Jesus Christ.
3. In the holy Ministery of Prophets and Apostles, in which it was plentifully showred.
4. In the spirituall worship of believers both in the old and new Testament.
5. In the blessed Incarnation and appearance of the truth it self, who rose as a glorious sun of righteousnesse, but as it were at midnight, when the world lay in such palpable darknesse, as was thicker than the darknesse of Egypt: as Manna fell in the night, and was readier for them every morning than they were for it.
Apply this observation for thy particular comfort. If thou Comfort thereby.beest an Israelite, no night shall befall thee, nor sleep in any night, but this carefull eye of God shall watch to supply thee. As in three instances.
1. The godly passing through this wildernesse of this world, although they be in Covenant with God (as Israel Instances. 1.was) yet often are cast into the night of sin, and in this night they often nod and slip into a sounder sleep of sinne sometimes than they think of: but then this eye watcheth them that they sleep not in death, and so fall into extream ruine. For they being written on the palm of the Lords hand, being as a signet upon his finger, as a jewel on his heart, and (which is nearer) as the apple of his eye, he watcheth a season to waken them, to raise them, and erect them in faith to watchfulnesse and salvation.
2. Many times the godly fall into the night of affliction, and are cast into the dark of many deadly dangers which they should never (by themselves) be won'd out of. Now while they are thus surprised with a dead and dangerous sleep, the Lord watcheth to prepare some meanes of evasion, which they never dream of. How did the Lord watch over Jonah while he slept under hatches, not dreaming of so present a danger? Nay, when he seemes dead and buried in the Whales belly (as in a grave of silence) how miraculously did the Lord watch to bring him to dry land, as sound and safe as if he had been kept in a strong Castle? How did the Lord watch Mordecai while he slept, Hest. 6. 1. he slept, but the King shall not sleep till he have advanced Mordecai? How did he warth over Peter (Acts 12. 7.) whilst he slept so fast in the night, as scarce an Angel could waken him, and brought him through the sleepie watch? Our experience can tell us every morning how the Lord keepes our houses, our selves without fear against robbers, fires, dangers, in the night he makes us sleep in safety, and while we are helplesse, naked, sencelesse, becomes a wall of protection round about us.
3. In the night of death he gives not over his watch, but watcheth the very bones of the Saints, that in the morning of the resurrection they may more fully enjoy Christ the true Manna, and attain a full measure and Gomer, and a perfect satiety and fulnesse of this sweet bread of life, Psal. 17. 15. David calls it, a satisfying with Gods Image, when he shall awake.
Sect. V.
III. See in this gift, Gods bountifulnesse and freenesse to Gods bounty towards his Church, to be noted.his Church in three things.
1. He offers Israel Manna without the asking, seeking, or buying; it costs them nothing but gathering: even so he offers us salvation by Jesus Christ while we ask not after him. He is found of them that seek him not. The first Adam runs away from Gods presence: the second Adam runs after him to seek and recall him out of his bushes. Now what desert or merit could there be in the first Adam to be followed with grace in his flying from it? And if there be none in him; how come we his posterity to more possibility to merit any thing but death, more than he? No, here is no merit, no buying of Manna, but onelyonly a faithfull and thankful acceptance of it.
2. He raines it down in abundance, his hand is not short; he opened the windows of heaven, and rained down Manna to eat, Psal. 78. 14. For 1. It is for the honour of God to be bountiful and rich in mercies, and to pour down his blessings upon his people. 2. Israel needed daily abundance and store of Manna, which need he is careful to supply. But oh what great goodnesse hath God stored for them that love him! In his Son Jesus Christ he hath rained down bread of life, the greatest arme and stream that ever flowed from that Ocean. A mercy covering all the tents of believers. A mercy that lets the true Manna fall enough for a whole world of believers, not on one Nation of Israel onelyonly, but on all the Nations of the world. For he did not so then to any other Nation, but now to all. Nay, in this Manna is a mercy not onelyonly covering the earth, but a mountain of mercy reaching to heaven.
3. His hand is not weary, but every morning lets fall enough to feed and fill so many hundred thousands of mouths and bellies: so the grace of God in Christ is an unweariable grace. As he gave more Manna than all the Israelites were able to gather… so he is more infinitely able to give, than all believers are able to receive. Hence we may (with David) stir up our selves to blesse the Lord that loadeth us with blessings daily.
IV. The wisdome of God in administring his mercy to Gods wisdome in ministring to his Church, to be noted.his Church.
1. In that he gives them Manna from heaven not from earth, they cannot now expect an annuall harvest of corne from the earth, but must expect every day an heavenly showre to be fed by; because the Lord will not have them fix their eyes and sences on earth, but know they were now to live of Gods allowance, and for their whole means depend on his hand. Let it teach us Christians to lift up our eyes and sences from earth and earthly desires, and affect that Manna which is from heaven: every day desire to be fed with some heavenly shower for the nourishment of the soul, and preserving the life of grace in it. Let it teach us to acknowledge the hand of our heavenly father in the gathering of the Manna, and good things for our temporall life. He is the Father of lights, from whom descendeth every good and perfect gift. The Israelite must look to heaven for every morsell of bread that he puts in his mouth: & shall the Christian (like swine) eat up the mast, and never look up to the Tree from whence it falls.
II. In that he gives them Manna every day. He might Manna, why given daily.have given them an harvest of it once a year; or he might have rained it once a monethmonth, but he gives it daily; To shew 1. that he had undertaken for their daily maintenance, whose continuall supplies challenged the continuall dependance upon his providence. 2. that they must be content with daily bread. 3. that it should be a part of their calling and exercise in the wilderness, where other temporall business had they none. Let us hence learn, 1. To acknowledge Gods wisdome; if he give us earthly Manna and meanes but from hand to mouth, he knows how to supply it with true Manna. He allowes us to pray but for daily bread; and if we have food and rayment we must be content, 1 Tim. 6. 8. 2. To confine our cares within the day, not so solicitous to lay up for many yeares, as the rich glutton. Care not for tomorrow, that is, inordinately, distrustfully. 3. To take notice of our daily need of the true Manna, whereof seeing God hath given us daily meanes, we must not crosse Gods wisdome, to think the reading of Gods Word once in a year, or monethmonth, or week enough; but be daily gathering, and answering the daily meanes afforded by Gods gracious wisdome, as did the Jews.
III. His wisdome is seen, in that he giveth them no Manna on the Sabbath; but for the Sabbath a double portion on the day before.
For 1. The Sabbath day is not to seek temporal food and Why not on the Sabbath day.Manna, but spirituall and eternal.
2. He will not have his Sabbath and service interrupted, therefore he gives them a double portion on the day before.
3. He will not have them losers by being intent in his service; but as a liberal pay-master, allowes them as largely as any other day.
Let this teach us, 1. To nourish the care of Gods worship above the care of our life, and more intend the businesse of the soul than of the body. So our Saviour, first seek the Kingdome of God, and then other things. 2. To become more conscionable in the keeping of the Sabbath, not seeking this day after earthly but heavenly things alone.
For consider, 1. The Lords liberality in giving thee (not a sixth day, but) six whole dayes wherein to gather earthly Manna; and wilt thou encroach his day too?
2. His liberality in giving thee Manna for the seventh day, blessing the labour of the six dayes, and thereby binding thy hands from labour on the seventh.
IV. His wisdome is seen in giving to every man his Gomer; Measure thy desires in naturall things.and every man hath his measure. 1. To measure their desires by Gods measure. 2. That no man should have just cause of discontent; for he had a sufficient measure for necessity, and God was not bound to provide for their wantonnesse. 3. That no man might envy another mans disproportion; seeing no man had want, no man might have superfluity.
Let us learn hence, 1. To gather no more of this earthly Manna than God would have us to gather.
Quest. How shall I know Gods measure for me?
Answ. 1. That which his blessing by good and warrantable How to know Gods measure.meanes affordeth, is his measure; and to transgresse Gods Word in seeking or getting wealth, is to goe beyond Gods measure.
2. Neither to lay up, nor to keep any of this Manna without or against God. Goods well gotten shall stand and prosper (as Manna gathered in the six dayes:) But gather this Manna on the seventh day, or lay up without and against Gods Commandement, that is to say, that which thou gettest falsly, or well gotten which thou shouldst expend for Gods glory, and the charitable relief of the poor Members of Jesus Christ, but doest not, all that shall rot and stink; as stollen Manna did.
Sect. VI.
II. In respect of our selves also, we learn sundry instructions Use in respect of our selves.from the consideration of both the Mannas, the typical, and the true Manna. These instructions concern, 1. Our Estate. 2. Our Duty.
1. Concerning our Estate: To note how senselesse and Man of himself senselesse of the things of Jesus Crist.void of understanding every man is by nature in the things of God and Jesus Christ, Exod. 16. 15. None of the Jewes knew what the Manna was: No more doth any man know by nature the things of the Spirit of God. 1. Cor. 2 14. The naturall man perceiveth not the things of God. If he perceive them not in his understanding, much lesse can he receive them in his affection. Tell the Jew of Christ, or let the Jew hear Christ himself speaking of himself (the Manna and bread of life) they conceive he is bread for the belly, they must eat him up straight, Joh. 6. 52. Tell Nicodemus of the new birth, he can conceive no second nativity, but of going into his mothers womb again being old, Joh. 3. 4. Tell the Samaritan of the water of life, she cannot conceive whence to have it, if not out of Jacobs Well, which he and his cattel drank, Joh. 4. 12. Nay such is our palpable blindnesse in spiritual things, as we cannot onelyonly not find them, but even offered unto us (as the Manna to them) we cannot apprehend them, nay, we cannot but reject them, as that woman of Samaria; Jesus Christ offers himself unto her, she scornes him, and will not make nor meddle with him, Joh. 4. 9.
The reason whereof is partly in the things themselves, and partly in ourselves.
1. The things are things of Gods Spirit, and cannot be Reason 1.reached or judged by any rule in nature. For the things of Creation, the heathen knew them in part from God as God, Rom. 1. 19 But for the things of Sanctification (as that God the Father by his Sonne made the world, or that God the Sonne by his Spirit made a new world) here they are blind as moles. Nay even in this part of knowledge, the natural man asketh what engines or tooles could God get to rear such a frame, and will not believe it could be made with a word. It will ask, of what prejacent matter, and will not believe that so great a thing could be made of nothing: whereas we by faith understand, that the world was framed by the Word of God, Heb. 11. 3. How blind then must they needs be in spiritual things, that are blind in things natural?
2. The reason in our selves is, that we are wedded to our own apprehensions, and not easily led out of our conceits; as vessels hardly let goe the savour of the first liquour; we will measure all by the standard of natural reason, and by the scantling of our own senses.
Apply this observation, 1. To see our impotency, nay Application.the contrariety of our nature to Gods grace. Where is our free will to good? In what disposition stands darknesse to entertain light, which fights against it? But yee were darknesse (saith the Apostle) Eph. 5. 8. not dark or darkned, but darknesse it self. Nay, yee were dead in trespasses and sinnes (Eph. 2. 5.) not half dead (as the Samaritan) but whole dead. Now let all the Papists in the world teach us, how a dead man can dispose and prepare himself to life. And let us know how a privation of it self can regresse to an habit.
2. To see what need we have of the Ministery to help us unto the true Manna. Moses must tell the people (Exod. 16. 15.) This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat: So must the Ministers of the Gospel acquaint all the Israel of God with Christ (the true Manna) by the Word preached; and say, This is the bread of life which came down from heaven, in whom alone is full nourishment to eternal life. Nothing is good to salvation, but by Gods revelation. If the Word preached doe not teach thee Christ (the true Manna) thou never knowest him of thy self. Let us pitty and pray for the lamentable blindnesse, not of Popish recusants onelyonly, but of wilful and carelesse absenters of themselves from the House of God; whose Judgement is just, if they never come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
3. Hath Christ been made known to thee, that thou hast tasted the sweetnesse of him in the Gospel? As Christ said to Peter so I say to thee, Happy art thou, for flesh and bloud hath not revealed him to thee, but the Father which is in heaven.
Sect. VII.
2. Concerning our Duty we learn sundry instructions, which may be reduced to six heads.Our duties in respect of this Manna. 1. Hunger and thirst for Christ. Motives.
I. To get in us an hunger and thirst after Jesus Christ; in whom alone is full nourishment, and without whom we are far more miserable than Israel had been without Manna.
For 1. OnelyOnly this hunger makes us value him, and see our need of him. It is hunger that is the best sauce that makes Manna sweet; and without hunger a full belly despiseth an honey comb. It is hunger that makes the prodigal sonne look towards home.
2. It is the note of a blessed man, to hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, Mat. 5. 6. And this man will not rest till he be satisfied. David was an happy man in such hungry desires, when he desired after God, as the chased Hart after the waters. This thirst would eat out and thrust out the thirst after the world; that dropsie-thirst after gold and silver, which is never satisfied: As also the thirst after the puddle water of earthly pleasures: And this thirst would devoure and consume the thirst after revenge, as Moses his rod consumed the rods of the Sorcerers.
II. To goe out of our tents, and take paines to gather our 2. Take pains for him. Motives.Manna daily, as Israel did theirs.
For 1. Christ enjoynes labour for this unperishing food, Joh. 4. 14. and 2 Pet. 1. 10. give all diligence to make your election sure.
2. It is worth much paines and cost to procure Christ to our selves and others. In bodily famine how farre will men run and ride for Corn? Jacob sends all his sonnes out of Canaan into AEgypt for food, Gen. 42. 2.
3. Idlenesse is every where blame-worthy, especially in matters of greatest importance. God might have rained Manna into their laps or mouthes, as well as about their tents, if he had pleased; but would not for the tryal of their diligence: besides he is well acquainted with our corruptions, who think that worth nothing which costs us nothing. Give me leave to apply this to many idle Christians among us, who have this sweet Manna round about their tents, but will not stirre out of doores for it. If it rain not down within their own tents, though it doe …ound about, they will not stirre out of their tents: Like idle husbandmen that would have a harvest, but will not stirre out into the fields to plow, nor sow, nor reap, unlesse it grew at their own doores, or in their own streets. Alas how lamentable and unanswerable to God is our high unthankfulnesse; who with lesse labour than the Jewes may gather better food, and have as expresse a commandement as they; gather every man of this Manna according to his eating. But in stead of gathering, we ingratefully reject it, yea, thrust it off with both hands, as the Jewes did, Act. 13. 46. Take heed in time, lest the doom come out against us, as did against them: Because you have made your selves unworthy of eternall life, we turn from you to the Gentiles.
III. As Israel, so must we daily and diligently observe the times and places of gathering Manna.3. Observe times and places to meet with Christ.
1. The place is the wildernesse, not Canaan; and all the while that they are in the wildernesse, they must gather Manna: So we, so long as we are in this world, must gather this true Manna. Many seem to gather when they be young, but are weary and give up when they are elder: But even the oldest man of the Israelites must gather if he would eat; he must starve here that ceaseth to gather. Many have gathered enough, know as much as the best Preacher of them all, have strong faith, are sound Christians; and so was the Church of Laodicea: But be it known to thee, thou canst scarce gather enough of this Manna for the day; and he that sees his daily weaknesse will conclude with me, that his faith, hope, love, knowledge, and all his graces need daily repairing; and that he hath got but a little of Christ, that feares to get too much. Again, the place of seeking true Manna is about the tents of the Israelites; it is confined to the Camps of the true Church; where two or three are gathered, there is Christ to be found: his parents found him in the Temple. Therefore 1. It is no marvel if Christ be not to be met with among Antichristan Synagogues. If men had learning to admiration, and above the Angels▪ they should not find the truth of Christ but among the tents and congregations of Christ. No marvel if an Egyptian misse of Manna be he never so learned. 2. Let us learn to wait in the Temple (as the antient beleivers Anna and Elizabeth) if we would meet with the consolation of Israel.
2. The time and season of gathering Manna was while it lay on the ground. We must apprehend the season of grace, that is, while the Church hath peace make use of the peace of the Gospel; as the Churches did, Acts 9. 31. Little know we how soon the sunne of persecution may arise, and melt away our Manna. But Christ may make as pittiful a complaint over us, (and with weeping eyes) as that over Jerusalem, O Jerusalem! Oh England! if in this thy day thou knewest the time of thy visitation! Oh how rich in grace hadst thou been by knowing this season? but it hath been (in great part) hid from our eyes.
IV. As Israel must bring home the Manna, and bake, and 4. Apply and feed on Christ.grinde it, and feed upon it; for else what had it been better for them that Manna had lain about their tents in never so great abundance, had they not brought it home and sustained their lives with it? so must every Christian specially apply to himself Christ crucified, and by the faithful application of Christ and all his merits become one with him, as the meat or bread we eat becomes one with our bodies; thus will an hungry Christian doe. An hungry man is not content with onelyonly comming to a Cooks shop where meat is; it is not the sight, smell, or handling of meat which contents him; he must eat and fill his belly: So it is not a bare coming to the place of the Word and Sacraments (which yet many doe not) to see, and hear, and taste; but thou must feed by faith, or starve to death eternal, Heb. 4. 2. The word they heard was unprofitable, because not mingled with faith.
Quest. How may I know if I apply Christ crucified to my self?
Answ. 1. The right application of Christ crucified, is And how this may be.not to know that Christ was crucified; but when we are crucified with him, Gal. 2. 19 as Elisha (2 Kings 4) applyed his eyes, face, and hands to the dead child that it might quicken.
2. So much as thou truly beleevest, so much thou eatest of Christ, saith August. Look how much strength thou gettest by the Word, so much nourishment thou receivest from Christ. And so much as thou refusest, contemnest, or neglectest that, so much thou refusest Christ himself.
V. We must beware of being weary of this Manna. The 5. Be never weary of this Manna.Jewes esteemed Manna sweet at first, and went out cheerfully to gather it, yea the Sabbath and all (which was a prohibited time) so greedy were they of it: but within a little while (although it retained the sweetnesse) they waxed weary of it. We must take heed of this ficklenesse in goodnesse, which hath ever bewrayed it self in most forward people. At the first building of the Tabernacle men brought too much, but after took it away as fast again, John was a burning and shining light, Joh. 5. 35. and they rejoyced in his light, but it was but for a season: and few shining lights but find it so. The Galatians at first received Paul as an Angel, but soon revolted from him. What flocking and thronging was there after Christs doctrine and miracles, that the kingdome of God suffered violence, but soon they had enough of him, and in short time did tumult as fast against him? The like was observed in our own land; at the first falling of this Manna, and beginnings of the Gospel: men were earnest, glad, joyful, forward: then was a sweet time of the happy welcome of this Manna, happy was he could get his Gomer first and fullest: But now what voices hear we other than of the ungracious Israelites? Oh our soules are dryed up with this Manna, here is nothing but Manna: so much preaching, so many Sermons, and it was better with the world in Egypt, before all this preaching! And whereas our fathers would have ridden far to a Sermon, we, their lazie off-spring, will scarce step over our thresholds.
Let us consider here for our incitement, 1. How hard it Motives.is to begin well, but harder to hold out; and not holding out we lose all our labour. 2. That Manna is a sweet as ever, though we see not our own need; which if we did see, we would be no more weary of Gods Word were it daily preached, then we are of our bread we daily eat.
VI. We must be so farre from wearinesse, as that we must 6. Prize and magnifie this Manna.highly esteem this true Manna, as the sweetest gift that ever God gave from heaven, and never forget so miraculous a mercy. That Israel might not forget Gods extraordinary mercy in this type, they must for ever keep a pot of Manna; which was preserved so long as the Temple stood for many hundred yeares. And that we might not forget this mercy in the true Manna, he hath and doth for ever preserve his Word preached, and instituted Sacraments, in which he perpetually holdeth this mercy before the eyes of the Church. Let us raise monuments of Gods mercies to our selves, and not forget lesser favours if we would not forfeit them: But such a mercy as this is in Jesus Christ the true Manna, let it live in our hearts, in our memories, sences, affections, actions, in walking worthy of it; for thus it becometh the just to be thankfull.