The Types Unveiled, Chapter 26
CHAP. 26. Of the anointing of the Tabernacle with with the Veſſels therein.
THus having ended with the ſeveral particulars in the Tabernacle, I now come to ſpeak of the anointing of the Tabernacle:
For we find that when Moſes had finiſhed the Tabernacle with the ſeveral Veſſels thereof, all this was to be anointed all over with Oil, Exod. 40. 9, 10. Now the Veſſels that were in the Tabernacle, as they had reference to Chriſt (as hath been ſhewed you) ſo alſo do they refer to the Individuals of the Church of God; this you may ſee in Zach. 14. 20, 21. In that day ſhall there be upon the Bells of the Horſes holineſs to the Lord, and the Pots in the Lords houſe ſhall be like the bouls before the Altar, for every Pot in Jeruſalem and in Judah ſhall be holineſs to the Lord: That is, every true ſervant of the Lord ſhall be under a great ſpirit of holineſs in the latter Ages of the world.
Uſe 1.
It ſerves to inform us of theſe two things: Firſt that the leaſt member in the Church of God is appointed for ſome uſe, you know there were ſeveral Veſſels and Inſtruments in the Tabernacle, as the Pots, the Caldrons, the Fleſh-hooks, the Fire-pans, the Snuffers, and the like; now though theſe did differ in glory the one from the other (for all had not alike meaſure of glory upon them, neither were they all alike employed in the ſame kind of work) yet the leaſt Inſtrument or Veſſel in the Tabernacle was employed, and was of uſe, even to the Tongs and Fire-pan, both which were to right up the Coals on the Altar, and to carry forth the Aſhes of the Sacrifice. Oh ſo it is in the Church of God, there is not one there in that Body or Tabernacle but was appointed for uſe in the Church, though their work may differ and their gifts may differ, yet there is work to employ all; ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 12. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Where the Apoſtle tells you that there be given to the Church a diverſity of gifts and operations for every man to profit withall, in Verſe 10. To one is given the working of Miracles, to another divers kinds of Prophecy, to another diſcerning of Spirits, to another divers kinds of Tongues, to another the Interpretation of Tongues; but all theſe worketh that one and the ſelf ſame Spirit, dividing to every man ſeverally as he will: So that you ſee every one in the Church of God is of ſome uſe or other, for every one hath his proper gift, every Chriſtian in his place muſt do ſomething in his Generation to help forward the glory of God.
Object. But ſome will ſay their gifts are ſmall, and their graces ſmall, and they can do but little?
Anſw. Its true, where God giveth but little he doth not require much, but yet requireth the well-improvement of that little; the unjuſt Steward, though he had but one tallent, yet he was caſt into hell for the non-improvement of that; what ſoul, though thou canſt not preach for Chriſt, yet canſt not pray to Chriſt for the Church, and Goſpel, and Miniſters, and Ordinances of Chriſt: what if thou wanteſt gifts to pray, canſt not ſhed ſome tears for a ſlain Chriſt, a dying Goſpel, a ſtarving, periſhing Miniſtry, and an impriſoned company of Saints, and baniſhed Saints; and what if thou haſt no tears, haſt thou no ſighs and inward groans for theſe things? what if thou haſt none of all this for Chriſt in his people, what haſt not a good word for them; and what if thou durſt not afford them a good word what haſt thou not a piece of bread to ſend them, or ſecretly …o convey to them in their ſufferings: and what if thou wanteſt that to give them, haſt thou not a little diſh to dip up a little water as thou paſſeſt by a priſon door for them, Matt. 25. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. Oh let not the weakeſt Chriſtian ſet himſelf aſide to ſay I can do no work for God, I want theſe gifts and parts which ſome have, and therefore I can do little. O ſoul, though thou art but the fire-pan in the Church, yet here is work to be done for thee, though it be but to rid out the dung of the Sanctuary. I mean by thy crying, and ſighing, and praying to God, that he would caſt out that filth and dung out of his Church and Sanctuary that is of late crept into it.
Secondly, It may inform us what the Children of God are and ought to be, the holy ſanctified ones of the times: You read what God commanded Moſes to do to the veſſels in the Tabernacle; when they were framed and fi…ted, he was to anoint them all with holy oyl. Oh ſo hath the Father anointed every true Believer with the oyl of Grace which came down from Chriſt: ſo ſaith John 1. 16. And of his fulneſs have we all received, and grace for grace. Hence is that of Peter ſpeaking of the Saints, 1 Pet. 1. 2. Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God through ſanctification of the Spirit unto obedience., and ſprinkling of the blood of Jeſus Chriſt. There is not one in the body of Chriſt but is ſanctified and fitted by grace for the work God appoints him to do, 1 Pet 2. 5. You are built up a ſpiritual ſacrifice to God, and ſet apart for holy uſes to God as the things of the tabernacle were: Pſalm 4. 3. The Lord ſetteth apart the man that is godly for himſelf. O therefore Sirs, ye that are the Tabernacle veſſels, O labour to anſwer the end for which you were dedicated to God at the time of your Converſion and Calling, remember the reaſon why you were caught out of the power of darkneſs, it was for this purpoſe, that you might be a holy people to God, and might bring him home the fruits of righteouſneſs in your lives for ever, Titus 2. 14.