The Types Unveiled, Chapter 31

The Types Unveiled · Chapter 31

p. 257CHAP. 31. I next come to ſpeak of theſe Myſterious things which belonged to the Robe or Garment which the High Prieſt did wear about him when he was to adminiſter (for the people) before the Lord,

FIrſt there was a breſt-plate made for the Robe, made of a plate of Gold four-ſquare, in breadth and length about a ſpan every way, Exod. 39. 9.

In this breſt-plate of Gold there was engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Iſrael, in Letters ſet in rows, with precious ſtones, Exod. 39. 10, 11, 12, 13. 14. There was likewiſe ſet in this breſt-place the Urim and Thummim, Exod. 28 30.

This plate was tied about the High Prieſts long Robe with chains of Gold, that ſo the plate (which had the names of the twelve tribes written in it) might ſet ſtrait upon the High Prieſts heart, Exod 39 19, 20, 21. with Exod 28 29, 30.

The uſe and purpoſe of this breſt-plate, was to ſhew all believers (for their great Conſolation) theſe things.

Firſt, Concerning the deep ſenſe that Chriſt hath of the ſeveral conditions, that his people are liable unto in this world; for you ſee that the names of the twelve tribes were written upon this breſt-plate, which was placed upon the High Prieſts heart.

Now by the names of the twelve tribes in Exod. 28. 29. We are not to underſtand preciſely of the Iſraelites, but more p. 258generally of the whole body of the Elect, both of Jews and Gentiles, as elſewhere it is ſo underſtood, Rev. 7. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Now all the names of the body of the Elect, was the High Preiſt to carry upon his heart, Exod. 28. 29. And Aaron ſhall bear the names of the Children of Iſrael in the breſt-plate of judgement upon his heart, when he goeth into the holy place for a memorial before the Lord continually.

I ſay it ſhews us how deeply the ſeveral conditions of the Elect are ſtamped upon the heart of Chriſt, he bears them all upon his heart, he keeps to this day (though in glory) a naked place in his heart to affect himſelf with his peoples conditions, ſaith David, Pſal. 40. 5. Many O Lord are thy wonderous works which thou haſt done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee, I would declare and ſpeak of them, they are more then can be numbred, ſo Jer. 29 11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, ſaith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end, ſo that you may perceive how the Scripture doth make the High Prieſts carrying the names of the Children of Iſrael upon his breſt-plate, and Chriſt our great High Prieſt carrying the whole of the conditions of his Church upon his heart now in heaven, to agree and ſimbolize.

Uſe. 1.

Then comfort thy ſelf O poor dejected ſoul, remember what ever thy condition be in this life, it hangs upon the heart of Chriſt in heaven, what is it ſoul that troubles thee, is it ſpiritual troubles, is it the weight of thy ſins, look up, this hangs upon the heart of Chriſt in heaven, art thou violently tempted to blaſpheme God and Chriſt, or to make away with thy own life, look up to Chriſt thy High Prieſt, he bears this upon his heart in heaven; art tempted to deny the faith and quit thy profeſſion, this is upon Chriſts heart too; doth luſt and corrupion preſs thee low, and oftentimes carry thee away from God, look up, this is upon the heart p. 259of Chriſt too; art thou complaining for the want of the comfortable ſhinings forth of the preſence of God, doſt thou with David, feel the want of the ſpirit of God, the ſtrength of it, the light of it, the life and comfort of it, Pſal. 51. 10, 11, 12. Look up, this condition likewiſe is upon the heart of Chriſt.

Doth duty ſeem burthenſome, and Ordinances ſeem dry, and barren, and ſapleſs to thee, O look up, this is upon Chriſts heart too.

Is thy condition a condition of outward trouble or diſtreſs, all hangs on Chriſts heart, art thou weark and ſickly, much under pain, this hangs on the heart of Chriſt likewiſe; Is thy family ſmitten, is thy Husband, or Wife, or Children, or Parents, or Servants ſmitten under the hand of God, this hangs on the heart of Chriſt; art thou afflicted under the loſs of Relations, art thou Wifeleſs, Childleſs, Friendleſs, is thy Husband taken from thee by Death or Baniſhment, and thou left with five or ſix ſmall Children to the wide world, and hardly bread to put into their mouths, all theſe conditions Chriſt bears upon his heart: art thou a Priſoner or baniſhed from thy All, dear Wife, Husband, Children, Eſtate, and all for thy Conſcience ſake. Aſſure thy ſelf all this lives upon the heart of Chriſt now in glory, that he might be deeply affected with theſe conditions which this world affords his people, O read that bleſſed place in Heb. 2. 17. Wherefore it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a merciful High Prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the ſins of the people, for in that himſelf hath ſuffered being tempted, he is able to ſuccour thoſe that are tem…ed.

This leads me to a ſecond thing about the breſt-place upon the High Prieſts heart, which was this, The Prieſt was to carry the names of the Children of Iſrael (written upon the breſt-plate) before the Lord; which ſhews us that Chriſt doth not (as he is our High Prieſt) only carry the ſenſe of Believers conditions upon his heart, but it ſeems it is to p. 260good purpoſe, for he carrieth them in before the Lord, Exod. 28. 29. And Aaron ſhall bear the names of the Children of Iſrael in the breſt-plate of judgment upon his heart when he goeth into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.

But ſome may ask me, what comfort will that afford a Believer that Chriſt was to carry their conditions before the Lord?

Anſwer, O there is much in this Myſtery, and that in point of prevalency with God, who is the great Lord of all the bleſſings that Believers do enjoy, for there is not any ſpecial favour which comes from Chriſt to a Believer, but Chriſt firſt draws it forth from the Father, Iames 1. 17. Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights.

Now all this in the Type is to aſſure the Believer, that without doubt (if he hath hung up his condition upon the heart of Chriſt) it muſt go well with it in heaven, for God the Father is merciful enough in himſelf (for he is called the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort and conſolation, and one in whom the fatherleſs findeth mercy, ſo that there is an aptneſs and readineſs in God himſelf upon the knowledge of his peoples conditions, to give out relief and ſupply to them; O but when the wants, neceſſities, miſeries and afflctions, trials and temptationss, ſhall be brought in before God by a High Prieſt, one who was conſtituted and appointed by the Father for this very end, this muſt needs be effectual, otherwiſe God will render his work in the High Prieſt of no effect, but God never made or ſet up any thing in vain, but the ſitting of the High Prieſt was Gods own act and ancient contrivance, Exod. 28. 1.

And the Prieſt was appointed on purpoſe by the Lord for this piece of work (amongſt the reſt) to produce the ſeveral conditions of his people before him in order to a ſupply; ſurely this muſt amount to ſomething on which Believers may depend for comfort; but beſides, if we do but mind p. 261what the High Prieſt was to do when he was to carry the ſeveral conditions of the people before the Lord, it will ſtill add to our comfort; and that was this, he was in the ſame place to pour out ſtrong cries to God, that he would both look upon and take into deep conſideration the Eſtates of the people, now brought into his preſence, and that by a High Prieſt, a man in office, choſen by himſelf for the purpoſe to bear the names of the whole Iſrael of God before the Lord in order to ſupply.

Surely this muſt prevail in heaven, for if the Lord was ſo ready to be moved with compaſſion at the cries of an Iſhmael, Gen. 21. 17. Surely much more will God hear the cries of a High Prieſt, who hath the anointings upon him, to make him every way prevailing upon the heart of God, Exod. 29. 7.

Surely methinks this ſhould very much encourage Believers to wait upon God in dark times for ſupplies; beſides, when this High Prieſt ſhall be the Son of God, yea his only Son, brought up with him from eternity, Prov. 8 23.

And when the Father ſhall ſee that Jeſus Chriſt his Son brings in the wants, diſtreſſes, temptations, afflictions of his people upon his heart, giving aſſurance thereby that he hath made their conditions, all of them his own, for they live upon and in, the heart of Jeſus Chriſt, as that their wants are his wants, their pains are his pains, and temptations his temptations, for he ſympathyzeth with them in all reſpects, Iſa. 63 9. In all their afflictions he is afflicted.

And when he ſhall add to it, his ſtrong cries and tears poured forth with deep ſighs and groans, crying out, O Father theſe are all of my body for whom I intercede, if thou loveſt me, have regard to their conditions, they are my own fleſh and bones, in helping them and relieving them, and eaſing them out of pain, thou relieveſt me, and helpeſt me, and eaſeſt me out of pain, for in all their afflictions I am afflicted; Therefore I pray thee let the Angel of thy preſence ſave them; Lord look upon my heart, and here thou ſhalt ſee the names of the twelve tribes (even all my Iſrael) engraven p. 262in the Letters of my own blood, thou ſhalt never ſee thy Son but with their conditions engraven upon his heart: And what think you ſouls, will not this prevail, may not Believers ſafely adventure their all upon the work of this Prieſthood; Oh ſtudy this more, and your comfort will be infinite.

Obj. But ſome may ſay, it may be thought the High Prieſt under the Law did do ſo for the people, I mean, carry their names upon his heart before the Lord, yet its a queſtion whether Chriſt doth do this always now he is in heaven; Is always, for ſo much as this lieth in the Type, Exod. 28 29. The Prieſt was to bear the names of the people upon his heart for a Memorial before the Lord continually, which ſheweth that this Prieſthood piece of ſervice, of bearing the names of the people before the Lord, was to continue for ever; for it was to be a Memorial before the Lord continually; not only was this work of the High Prieſt in the Type to remain for a for ever, ſo long as there will be any need of Chriſts Interceſſion, but always for ever, for ſo the word continually) doth likewiſe import, therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Heb. 7. 24. But this man, becauſe he continueth ever, hath a… unchangeable Priesthood, ver. 24. He ever livet… to make Interceſſion for them; ſo that we may ſafely ſay that Chriſt our High Prieſt is always in heaven lifting up holy hands (as it were) to God for Believers, in a way of preſenting their conditions before him; whether thou ſleepeſt or wakeeſt, whether thou art able to pray or not, yet Chriſt is at prayer for thee, he intercedes night at day for thy welfare, He ever liveth to make Interceſſion for thee.

Hence it is that David could ſo comfortably lie down in his bed and take his reſt ſo ſecurely by night, he knew that Chriſt had his condition upon his heart, Pſalm 4. 8. I will both lay me down to ſleep, for the Lord only maketh me rest in ſafety.

Laſtly, We may learn this from it, that the High Prieſts going into the preſence of the Lord with the names of the p. 263twelve tribes upon his heart, it ſhews u… that Chriſt enters he preſence of the Father in the names of all true Believers Chriſt doth it for them, and intercedes for them in their name, as well as for their ſake; As the High Prieſt under the Law was choſen for the people, ſo Chriſt was ſent forth to agitate for Believers, and tells the Father▪ as it were that he is come to him in the form of a ſervant, to diſcharge his duty to God for Believers. If I pray, Petition, intercede, for any ſpiritual mercy for them, it is but to fulfil thy will (in this caſe) from eternity, for this was the great deſign that thou hadſt before the world was, that I ſhould come down from glory, and take upon me the form of a ſervant, and die the bitter death of the Croſs, that the Elect might be ſaved, and then to go up to glory again on purpoſe to make Interceſſion for them; and therefore if I ask any ſpiritual favour for them, its no more then I was appointed to do by thee from everlaſting.

Oh what a deal of comfort may a poor ſoul draw from this conſideration, of the breſt-plates being upon the High Prieſts heart, wherein the names of the Elect of God are engraven.

Oh methinks if a ſoul were aſſured he were upon no bodies heart in the world, either Husbands heart, Wives heart, Fathers heart, Mothers heart, Brothers heart, Siſters heart, Friends or Neighbours heart, yet to be in ſo eminent a manner upon Chriſts heart, this is enough to bear up the ſoul in the worſt of times.

There was likewiſe placed in the breſt-plate the Urim and Thummim, Exod. 28. 30. This of the Urim and Thummim was to be underſtood two ways.

Firſt, As it had relation to the Type it ſelf.

2. As it related to the Anti-type, which was Chriſt.

Firſt, As it related to the Type it ſelf, which was the High Prieſt called to office, a principal part of whoſe office it was to teach and inſtruct the people in the Doctrine of God, as to the Worſhip and Service of him; its true, there were others p. 264of the inferiour Prieſts did this work of expounding to, and teaching the people alſo, but the High Prieſt was not exempted from this great duty, Mal. 2. 7. The Prieſts lips ſhould keep knowledge, and they ſhould ſeek the Law at his mouth, for he is the meſſenger of the Lord of hoſts.

Now the Urim and Thummim did ſignifie thoſe two qualifications to be in the Prieſt, was which the ſoundneſs of his Doctrine which he was to deliver to the people, and the holineſs of his life as a pattern and example amongſt them; the Prieſt was to preach to or preſs upon the Conſciences of the people, nothing elſe but the ſound ſubſtantial truths of God, not his own novels or brainiſh fancies or dreams, but the wholſome Doctrine of God, Ezek. 3. 17. (ſaith God) Son of man, I have made thee a watch-man unto the houſe of Iſrael, therefore hear the word of my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Oh what care ſhould the Miniſters of the Lord take in this matter, that they feed the flock of God with ſound and wholſome food, therefore is the exhortation from St. Peter to all the Miniſters of the word in the world, 1 Pet. 4. 11. If any man ſpeak, let him ſpeak as the Oracles of God.

Its true, there are many men paſſing under the name of Miniſters of Chriſt now a days in the world, but how few of them make it their faithful and painful labours in their ſtudies to bring forth pure truth; but on the contrary, wreſt it and ſtretch it, and puts it upon a rack to make it bend every way to ſerve their ungodly wicked ends and purpoſes; And ſo inſtead of feeding the flock of God (which was purchaſed with his own blood) with ſound wholſome food, they feed them with Gall and Wormwood, who rather pervert then convert any they have to do withall.

Take the moſt ſober ſort of them, I mean, the moſt Idle and Laze ſort, ſuch who love neither to feed the fold of Chriſt either with Gall, or Honey, that is, as the Prophet ſpeaks, they are dumb dogs, ſuch as will not bark, lying down, loving to ſlumber, yet they can feed themſelves with the fat p. 265and the ſweet, and cloth themſelves with the wooll: But for the fatneſs of ſound Doctrine and the ſweetneſs of truth, the Church of God may periſh, and rot, and die, for any thing they eare or are thoughtful about, ſurely the Urim and Thummim was never upon the breaſts of theſe ſacred Prieſts, as they would be owned.

Secondly, As for the other qualification which is holineſs of life and converſation, this ought to be in and upon the Miniſters of the Lord; They ought to be exemplary in their lives and converſations for others to imitate them, that ſo they might not build for God with one hand, and throw it down again with the other hand, this is our Saviours exhortation to all Miniſters of the Goſpel, Math. 5. 16. Let your light ſo ſhine before men, that they ſeeing your good works, might glorifie your Father which is in heaven, therefore ſaith St. Peter, 1 Pet. 2. 5, 3. Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage, but being enſamples to the flock.

Uſe 2.

O Then how unhappy are the people of ſome Countries in the World, with reſpect to the want of this great qualification in their Miniſters, or pretended ſuch how; hard a thing is it to find the Urim and Thummim upon their Prieſts, methinks to ſee men and meet men with their loins girt ſo ſeemingly devout, and yet to ſee theſe casks ſo empty either of ſound Doctrine or a holy Converſation, it is to me a piece of unparallel'd hypocriſie.

Its known to all that know any thing, that the generallity of the world, are apter to walk by examples then by precept; the Authority of precepts depends very much upon the good lives of thoſe which preach them; alas Brethren, what is it if a man go into a Pulpit and preach a very good Learned Sermon, and as ſoon as he is come forth of the place to ſpend the reſt of the Sabbath with his Pariſhioners in an Alchouſe, it may be untill they are all drunk in the place, or p. 266to ſome ungodly ſport or other, to the very ſhame of nature it ſelf, if their be any Bull-baiting or Bear-baiting, any Hurling, Wreſtling, or Cudgel-playing, any Crowding, Dancing, May-pole, or Church Ale-gaming, who more fritcher and forwarder in the work then the Parſon of the Pariſh.

Thus the poor people are made Sermon proof, and ſhut up againſt all convictions of truth, through the ſcandalous converſations of their idle profane Prieſts, which they have amongſt them; how far are ſuch from being the Prieſts of the Lord, bearing the Urim and Thummim upon their breſts, let the world Judge.

Laſtly, Where as its ſaid that the Urim and Thummim was written in the breſt-plate, and placed upon his heart; it ſhews us how much the work ſhould be upon his ſpirit that the Prieſt doth for God, and how near he ſhould ſet it to his heart, ſo ſhould it be with all the Miniſters of the Goſpel, they ought to ſet thoſe truths which they preach very near their hearts, yea, ſuch as are true Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, they do ſet thoſe truths which they preach to others neareſt their hearts of any thing in the world, God hath ordered it that it ſhall be ſo, he gives them (that he ſends forth as Miniſters) the little Book of truth to eat into their bowels, that it might live in their hearts, Rev. 10. 9

Hence it is that Jeremiah tells you that the word of God lived in his heart, Jer. 20 9.

And David a Prophet of the Lord, alſo could tell you that the word of God and the truths he was to deliver, were dearer to him then thouſands of Gold or Silver, Pſal. 119 72. The Lord makes it ſo to them, that they may take delight in the preaching of it.

2. That they may be careful of corrupting of it, you know things that are dear and near our hearts we are very apt to keep pure, but ſuch things as we regard not we throw into any hole, ſo that it eaſily corrupts and ruſts.

3. That if need be they may lay down their lives in defence of it; this it was made St. Paul cry out he was not only p. 267ready to be bound, but to die in the defence of truth, Acts 21. 13. It was the nearneſs of truth to his heart, but how few of them are there in the world that call themſelves Miniſters, that in any ſenſe wears the Urim and Thummim upon their hearts.

2. As this qualification did relate to the Type which was the High Prieſt, and ſo in him all the ſucceeding Miniſters of the Goſpel, ſo it relates to Chriſt who was the Anti-type of it: And ſo the Urim and Thummim ſhews us theſe two great things (for our comfort) which are infinitely to be conſidered in Jeſus Chriſt.

Firſt, The infinite perfection of holineſs and ſanctification which is in Chriſt, John 1. 14. He was full of grace and truth, Col. 1. 19. For it pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell; This teacheth us theſe two things.

1. What believers are in the ſight of God through Chriſt, a people full of holineſs, for Chriſt is the Vine, and believers the Branches; now by vertue of this union God looks upon all alike, God in the wiſe diſpenſations of his grace hath ſo ordered it, that believers and his Son ſhall make up but one body, that ſo God might account for the Heads ſake all the members holy, not that they are ſo in themſelves, but I ſay God is pleaſed to account it ſo, that believers are as holy as his Son, they being of him and in him, 2 Cor. 5. 21. For he was made ſin for us who knew no ſin, that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him.

And God would have us to reckon ſo too for our comfort, mark that place in Rom. 6. 11. Likewiſe reckon your ſelves to be alſo dead indeed unto ſin, but alive unto God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord: There is not any man in the world dead to ſin or perfectly alive towards God; its true, the Saints are a dying to ſin daily, and a labouring out after life towards God, ſaith St. Paul, I preſs hard after the mark, Phil 3. 14. But for any to ſay he is perfectly dead to ſin, and perfectly alive to God, in himſelf, he ſaith not the truth, I ſpeak of perfection in the degree; yet you ſee God would have believers look upon p. 268themſelves ſo, reckon it to be ſo ſaith God, that is, as they are in Chriſt and by the Father there apprehended, for Chriſt was ſo in himſelf fully, yet not for himſelf but for believers, read 1 Cor. 1. 30. He was made of God Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, and Sanctification for us.

2. It informs the Saints from whom they do derive their holineſs and ſanctification, and to whom they ſhould go for it.

O friends, you drive it all from Jeſus Chriſt, he is the fountain of all your grace of holineſs and ſanctification, John 1. 14, 16, 17. The word was made fleſh, and it dwelt amongst us, and we beheld his glory, as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and of his fullneſs have we all received, and grace for grace, ver. 17. For the Law was given by Moſes, but grace and truth came by Jeſus Chriſt.

Chriſt is called the head of the body, Eph 5 Whoſe Office it is to give down his ſupplies to the ſeveral members of the ſame, for the mutual benefit of the whole body.

There was a ſtock of grace and holineſs laid into Chriſt for this very purpoſe, therefore is Chriſt called the Saints treaſury or ſtore-houſe, Col. 2. 3. So ſaith our Saviour himſelf, Iohn 17. 19. For their ſakes I ſanctifie my ſelf, that they all might be ſanctified through the truth.

O therefore ſouls! make to Chriſt for grace and holineſs, remember the Urim and Thimmim of all; perfection both of Doctrine and holineſs of life, lieth in Jeſus Chriſt, on purpoſe to be given out to thoſe that come for it.

Here it was David fled for ſanctification under the decays of grace, Pſal. 51. 7, 10. Purge me with hyſop and I ſhall be clean, waſh me and I ſhall be whiter then ſnow, Pſal. 36. 9. For with thee is the Fonntain of life, and in thy light ſhall we ſee light.

Soul, doſt thou want grace, purging grace, ſanctifying grace, wouldſt thou be more holy in thy life and converſation, then thou heareſt where the fountain is, make out to him, its his deſire to have thee come, thou canſt not pleaſe p. 269him in any thing better, then to ſue to him for grace and holineſs; therefore ſaith Chriſt, If any man thirſt, let him come to me and drink, John 7. 37. Therefore come with boldneſs to the throne of grace to ask grace and mercy to help in time of need, Heb. 4. 16.

Laſtly, We may draw out this (from the Urim and Thummim upon the Prieſts heart) for our comfort to help us in dark erronious times.

When the Doctrines of the Scripture are by men corrupted, as that we cannot drink them any where, ſhould we travel from Sea to Sea, there is not a Prieſt or Miniſter that ſtands up in the defence of truth, but every one perverts and corrupts it; I ſay, ſhould we fall into ſuch a ſeaſon, that we cannot find a Miniſter with the Urim or Thummim upon his breaſt; yet we may comfort our ſelves in this, that our High Prieſt in heaven is not corrupted, he hath the Urim and Thummim ſtill as much upon his heart as ever, who taketh care to feed his people with ſound Doctrine and with wholeſome food; however it goes amongſt the Prieſts here below, yet this Prieſts lips ſhall preſerve knowledge, if you will ſeek the Law at his mouth, Mal. 2. 7. In the greateſt darkneſs that over-ſpread Egypt, yet he provided a light for his people in Goſhen, Exod. 10. 23. So when the Anti-chriſtian darkneſs ſpread the Roman Empire all over, yet Chriſt took care that his people ſhould have a place of nouriſhment provided for them, Rev. 12. 14. So in the times of Iſraels Apoſtaſie, when all the ſhepherds were corrupted in Iſrael, when they had trodden down the good paſture of truth and juſtice both in Church and State, and had fould the remainders of it with their feet, Ezek. 34. 18, 19. Yet then ſee the care of this Goſpel High Prieſt in thoſe times, that although others did periſh for want of ſound wholſome ſoul-food, yet his people ſhould be fed from himſelf with the fineſt of Wheat and Oil, read Ezek. 34. 11, 12, 13, 14

O therefore make uſe of Chriſt upon this account, let him be your ſtay, let errour fill all the publick places in the p. 270world, yet thy High Prieſt will provide for the ſincere though in holes and corners, I will ſend you the Comforter (ſaith Chriſt) and he ſhall teach you all things, John 14. 26.

Men may ſhut up all thy ſound Miniſters from thy ſoul, ſuch who have fed thee with knowledge and underſtanding, but be of good comfort, they can never ſhut up from thee this Goſpel teaching Spirit, this will give thy heart a viſit in the moſt ſecret places of the earth, this was with the Spouſe in the ſecret places of the ſtairs, and in the clefts of the Rocks, Cant. 2. 14. This ſoul teaching Agent is not ſtraitned, ſaith our Saviour its like the wind it bloweth where it liſteth, men may hear the ſonnd of it, but cannot tell from whence it comes, Iohn 3. 8.

There was likewiſe at the hem of this glorious Robe tied ſeveral Bells and Pomgranates, a Bell and a Pomgranate, a Bell and a Pomgranate, round about the hem of the Robe, Exod. 39. 25, 26, with Exod. 28. 35.

The Uſe of this may be ſeveral ways conſidered.

Firſt, It was for noiſe or ſound, when the Prieſt was to enter before the Lord, for this purpoſe was the Bells, for it would have coſt the Prieſt his life, if he ſhould have gone in to the preſence of the Lord without theſe Bells ringing at the hem of his Robe, Exod. 28. 35.

Here we ſee what little regard God hath to theſe ſilent Meetings in Worſhip, as the Quakers and others dream of; God loves a laudable ſound in his Worſhip, Aarons Bells were to make a ſound in the Woſhip of God: But ſome may ſay is God taken with Words and Voices?

I anſwer, would not the ſame Objection have quarrelled with Aarons Bells; would one think God ſhould be taken with the ringing of a company of Bells in his Worſhip; friends, have a care you be not ſuch as would be wiſer then God, let us keep cloſe to the known rule of Worſhip, if we cannot give a reaſon why we ſhould do this, or that, or the other thing in the Worſhip of God; let us remember God can.

And for the Saints meeting together, in Scripture I find p. 271it was to ſpeak often one to another, Mal. 3. 16. And another private Meeting, Iohn 20. 19. But our Saviour comes and ſpeaks or preacheth a word of peace to them, and in ver. 26. Another private Meeting, but our Saviour by his ſpeaking keeps it from being a ſilent one; Another private meeting held in Acts 1. 13, 14. Where they continued in breaking of bread and in prayer, but never read of any ſuch ſilent meetings as the Quakers keep, ſo likewiſe if we conſider the exhortations which the Scripture gives to the Saints about their meeting together, we find it was to provoke one another to love and good works, Heb. 10 24 25.

And that ſhould ſpend the time away in their building up of one another in their moſt holy faith, and praying together in the holy Ghoſt, Iude 20.

Now can this be done where there is nothing but ſilence, will ſitting an hour or two together, only looking in the ground in our meetings, fulfil theſe exhortations.

Alas Brethren, God will be ſerved with whole man, ſoul and body, the body as well as the ſoul, for God made both for his glory, and Chriſt Redeemed both for the Worſhip of God; And upon this account we are bid to glorifie God with our bodies as well as with our ſouls, 1 Cor. 6. 20. And we are exhorted to preſent God with our whole bodies as well as our ſouls in the Worſhip of God, as living ſacrifices, which is but our reſonable ſervice, Rom. 12. 1.

Therefore ſaith David, My tongue ſhall be as the Pen of a ready Writer, Pſ. 45. 1. He would make uſe of his tongue in the Worſhip of God to praiſe him withall: So Pſal. 71. 24. My tongue ſhall talk of thy righteouſneſs all the day long, Pſal. 27. 7. Pſ 28 2.

Obj. But ſome will ſay, the Scripture ſaith that bodily exerciſe profiteth little.

I anſwer, not bodily exerciſe uſed in the worſhip of God excluded; but bodily exerciſe when the ſoul is excluded out of the worſhip of God, this ſigniſies but little in Gods account, elſe why did the Apoſtle exhort the Romans to give up the body as well as the ſoul to God in his ſervice, Romans 12. 1.

p. 272But ſecondly, the gingling of Aarons Bells did ſignifie the laudable ſound that the Prieſts Doctrine was to make in the ears of the people, he was not to be a dumb ſilent Miniſter, but to make his Doctrine to ring (for God) in the ears of the people, you may ſee the Charge which is given in this caſe to Miniſters, Iſa 58. 1. Cry aloud, ſpare not, lift up thy voice like a Trumpet, and ſhew my people their tranſgreſſions, and the houſe of Iacob their ſins.

Uſe 3.

O how few Aaronites can we ſee or hear now in the world, how ſeldom can the poor people hear the ringing of the Bells of ſound Doctrine in their ears, in ſome Pariſhes not above once a monethmonth, in ſo much, that the poor people have almoſt forgot that kind of Muſick; and as for others when they do ring the Aaronite Bells of Doctrine to the people, its ſo much confounded with the ſound of other mixt Bells which they have added to them, that when the Miniſter rings them, the people can hardly tell whether they be rung in England or in Rome.

Laſtly, The Bells of Aarons garment did ſignifie the readineſs, forwardneſs, and aptneſs which there ſhould be in the Prieſt to the work which God called him unto, he was not to be hauld and dragged to his work, he was to act readily from a principle of willingneſs, you may conceive the Bells at the end of the long Robe, would gingle with every little motion of the body, ſo ſhould Miniſters readily, freely, and willingly give out the mind of God to the dark blind world; this is ſo in a great meaſure found upon the Miniſters of Chriſt, that have the Aaronite Bells upon their garments, read that noble paſſage of the Apoſtle in Acts 3. 6. Silver and Gold have I none, but ſuch as I have give I thee, in the name of Ieſus Chriſt of Nazareth riſe up and walk.

Therefore ſaith our Saviour to his Diſciples when he ſent them forth to preach the Goſpel to the world, Math. 10. 8. p. 273Freely have you received, therefore freely give.

God abhors a lazie idle Preacher, they are the worſt plants that ſtands in his Vineyard; an idle Miniſter will quickly grow an ignorant Miniſter, for ſo the Lord puts them together, Iſa 56. 10. His watch-men are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark ſleeping, lying down, loving to ſlumber.

Therefore when the Apoſtle would give a true Character of an Aaronite indeed, one that carryeth the Aaronite Bells to the hem of his garment, he tells you in 2 Tim. 2 24. He ſhould be apt to teach, that is, ready, willing, or forward in his work, one that need not be puld to it with Cart-ropes, that acts from a principle of love to, and delight in his work, ſaith St. Paul, A Diſpenſation is committed to me, and wo…am I if I preach not the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 9 16.

Our Saviour tells you, that the Goſpel ſhall flow ſo freely from them that are his Miniſters, as water from a fountain, Iohn 7 38.

Uſe 4.

Of Lamentation, O how few of ſuch Miniſters do the Earth abound with at this time, that are apt to teach the Goſpel to the poor world, yea they are ſo far from being apt to this work themſelves, that they labour to ſtop up the way againſt others, who out of Conſcience to their duty (though at a low rate) would do the work themſelves, but muſt ſtand by as uſeleſs and can do nothing: The good Lord Judge between party and party in this matter, if it be thy bleſſed will; how many poor ſouls lies now a periſhing through this dreadful evil, is notorious known to many Countries, though not ſo much laid to heart, and bewailed before the Lord as the matter requireth.

Again, There were Pomgranates likewiſe mixed with the Bells at the hem of the long Robe. Now the Pomgranates with the Bells, did ſet forth the glory of the doctrine of the p. 274Goſpel; for the colour of the Pomgranates was very glorious, as you may ſee, if you read their complexion in Exo. 28. 33. for they were to be made of sky colour Purple, and of Scarlet: but the Pomgranate alone did ſet forth to us the fatneſs and nouriſhment which the Goſpel doth afford the ſouls of Believers that live upon the Goſpel; for ſo is the Pomgranate ſet forth in the Scripture to be a very pleaſant feeding fruit, Canticles 4 13. O ſo is the Goſpel, its fatneſs it ſelf is called a feaſt of marrow, and fat things, of Wine well refined upon the Lees, as you have it in Iſa 25. 6.

O this is the refreſhing, ſatisfying, fatning, good in the world. O the Goſpel, what a choice thing is it to the ſouls of the Lords people, which makes them cry out, bread and the Goſpel is good fare. A gracious ſoul knows no ſuch feaſting as preaching; no ſuch fatneſs as the word of God brings forth to them: the love of which have made ſome to throw up all their Eſtates and good things in this life to purchaſe it.

This made the Apoſtle kick up their fiſhing Trade, and this made Matthew to leave his great place in the Cuſtom-Office, and Zacheus to throw up the half of his Eſtate to the poor; O they ſaw by an eye of faith a better glory in the colour of the Pomgranate, truth of the Tabernacle, they had heard better Muſick in the Bells of the Prieſthood, and had taſted more fatneſs in the juice of the Pomgranate Doctrine of grace and Reconciliation with the Father by the blood of Chriſt, then in all the pleaſant Muſicks, glories, or rareſt feeding dainties which this world could afford them, could it give me ten thouſand times as much again as its able.

O ſaith David (whoſe Court abounded with all worldly pleaſures and delights) the greateſt fatneſs lieth in the houſe of God, Pſal 36. 8. They ſhall be abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſs of thy houſe, and thou ſhalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy pleaſures.

And for all his Kingdom-glory here below in all the plenty p. 275and fatneſs of it, yet upon the account of theſe taſtes which he had had of the far exceeding fatneſs, and richneſs, and ſweetneſs he found in the Pomgranate truths of the houſe of God, he doth proteſt in the Pſal. 84. 10. That one day in the Courts of the Lord were better then a thouſand, and that he had rather be a Door-keeper in the houſe of God, then to dwell in the tents of wickedneſs.

There was likewiſe a glorious girdle made for the Prieſt, which was wrought with Purple Blue and Scarlet, fine twined Linen, this the Prieſt was to wear about his loins, Exod. 39. 5. with Exod. 29. 5. This girdle of the High Prieſt doth hold forth theſe things to our conſideration; the girding up of the loins doth import theſe things to us.

1. It denotes the reſolution of the will to action, Jer. 1. 17. Thou therefore gird up thy loins and ariſe, and speak unto them all that I command thee, be not diſmayed at their faces, least I confound thee before them.

2. Sometimes it denotes the ſtrength which God gives to his ſervants, by which means they are enabled to perform that work he imploys them about, Pſal. 18. 39. For thou girdeſt me with ſtrength unto the battel, thou ſubdueſt under me thoſe that roſe up againſt me.

3. Sometimes its put down in Scripture to denote the ſincerity and faithfulneſs of the mind in the work a man ſets about, Eph. 6. 14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.

Now all theſe conſiderations (about the girding of the loins) do all agree unto and meet together in the Golden girdle of our Goſpel High Prieſt.

But firſt, let me ſhew you that Jeſus Chriſt, our Goſpel High Prieſt, is ſet forth to you as the Anti type of the legal High Prieſt, with reſpect to the garments which the High Prieſt was to wear, and amongſt which this of the Golden girdle is not omitted, in Dan. 10. 5. 6. Then I lifted up mine eyes and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whoſe loins were girded about with a Golden girdle, his body alſo was like the p. 276Beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to poliſhed Braſs, and the voice of his words like unto the voice of a multude: So Rev 1. 13. And in the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a Golden girdle.

Now both Daniel and John had their Revelation from Jeſus Chriſt, and they both ſpeak of him, as the perſon who with his own hands gave it out to them; And that it was he appears by the garb and dreſs in which they ſet him forth to you, he was clothed in linen ſaith Daniel, and clothed with a garment down to the foot ſaith Iohn, which was as the High Prieſt did uſe to wear, of which Chriſt was the Anti-type: Now it can be none but Chriſt can be intended here by theſe two Prophets, and that it was Chriſt it farther appears by Iohn, who gives him the Title of the Son of man, which Title was proper to Jeſus Chriſt.

Beſides, both Daniel and Iohn tells you that the ſame perſon w_ch gave out the propheſie to them (which was clothed in linen, and a garment down to the foot) he was girt about the loins with a golden girdle. Thus you ſee that Chriſt is ſet forth to you as a High Prieſt, with reſpect to the garments which the High Prieſt did wear, of w^ch the girdle (as you ſee) was a part.

2. I am to ſhew you that all the former conſiderations about the girding about of the Prieſts loins, did all meet together in the Golden girdle of our Goſpel High Prieſt.

Firſt of all it denotes the reſolution which was in Chriſt to the work of mans Salvation and Redemption, Oh nothing could hinder the Lord Jeſus from undertaking the thing, although ſin, Satan, the Curſe of the Law, the wrath of God, Grave, Death and Hell, ſtood in the way; yet he goes through all, and makes his way thorow the higheſt difficulties, that he might accompliſh the thing, he adventures ſoul and body, glory, happineſs, and all that was near and dear to him, in order to the effecting it, Luke 12. 50. I have a Baptiſm to be baptized with, and oh how am I ſtraitned untill it be p. 277accompliſhed; which Baptiſm was not the Baptiſm with Water, for in that ſenſe he was baptized before, Math. 3. 16. But it was the Baptiſm of his ſufferings, which he had ſo much a deſire to finiſh, and a reſolution to go through.

Secondly, He hath as great a reſolution to bring forth ſanctifying grace in the Saints by his Spirit, as he had to bring forth juſtifying grace by his Death, Zack. 3. 4. And he anſwered and ſaid unto thoſe that stood before him, take away the filthy garments from him; and unto him he ſaid, behold I have cauſed thine iniquity to paſs away from thee, and I will cloth thee with change of garments; This was ſpoken by Chriſt concerning his Church, ver. 1, 2. But mark the reſolution of Chriſt to the procuring of ſanctifying garments (which is that inward grace and holineſs he fills them with) which he ſees his people ſtands in need of, ſaith Chriſt, I will do it.

It muſt and ſhall be ſo, I am reſolved, as I have procured juſtifying grace for them, ſo they ſhall be made holy, I will give them ſanctifying grace, nothing ſhall croſs my will in this matter, Ezek. 36. 25, 26, 27. Then will I ſprinkle you with clean water, and ye ſhall be clean from all your filthineſs, and from all your idols will I cleanſe you; a new heart will I give you, and a new ſpirit will I put within you, and I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſhall keep my judgments and do them.

Mark the reſolution of Chriſt to the ſanctifying of his people, he will do it, take notice of the many Repetitions of his will, there are in this place.

Thirdly, So for the ſaying of his Church out of danger, when begirt about with trouble, Chriſt is reſolved upon the buſineſs (though ſometimes the Devil and wicked men may think to make their Market upon the Saints) that the gates of Hell ſhall never prevail againſt his Church and people, ſaith Chriſt, Pſal. 12. 5. For the oppreſſion of the poor, and for the ſighing of the needy, now will I ariſe, ſaith Chriſt, and I will ſet him in ſafety from him that puffeth at him.

p. 278Mark how much the will and reſolution of Chriſt lieth in this work of ſaving and delivering his Church out of the hands of men and Devils.

Uſe 5.

O then how ſhould this comfort and encourage the people of God; O Sirs ſtudy the girdle of your High Prieſt Jeſus Chriſt, do you doubt of Juſtification, do you doubt of Sanctification, do you doubt of deliverance from Sin, Satan, the wrath of God, the malice of Devils and wicked men; O look up to the girdle of reſolution about the High Prieſts loins, and wait patiently upon him, for he is reſolved to get all this for you in a time of need

Secondly, As the girding of the loins do imply the ſtrength which God doth afford his ſervants in the work he imploys them in or about, ſo is this abundantly made good in Chriſt our great High Prieſt; our Saviour had a very great work to do, and a weighty burthen to bear, therefore it was neceſſary he ſhould be filled with infinite ſtrength.

Firſt, The work he was to do would have diſcouraged all the men in the world and Angels in heaven, had they been put together to have engaged in it, for he was to conflict with four enemies, the leaſt of which hath driven the whole world before it.

Theſe are Satan, Sin, the World, with all its temptations, and the juſtice of God for the breach of his royal Law; what power, force, or ſtrength, was there ever in the world that could bear up againſt one of theſe enemies; beſides, Chriſt was to deal with death it ſelf; what ſtrong Samſon, or valiant Alexander, in the world could grable with this one enemy, yet did our Saviour bring this enemy at his feet with caſe, therefore ſaith the Apoſtle ſpeaking of Chriſt, Acts 2. 24. He hath looſed the bands of death, becauſe it was not poſſible he ſhould be holden by it.

Secondly, There muſt needs be infinite ſtrength in Chriſt, p. 279if we conſider the weight of that burthen he was to bear upon his ſhoulders; And that was all the ſins of all the Elect in the world, a weight which makes the whole earth to groan under the burthen of it, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks in Rom 8. 22. For all our ſins were laid upon and charged on Jeſus Chriſt, Iſa. 53. 6. The Lord hath laid the iniquities of us all upon him, ſo St. Peter ſpeaking of Chriſt, ſaith 1 Pet. 2 24. Who his ow… ſelf bear our ſins in his own body on the tree.

Samſon did never carry away the gates of the City with more eaſe, then Chriſt did our ſins upon his ſhoulders; Therefore is Chriſt called a Rock, Deut. 32. 31. And the Rock of ſtrength and refuge, Pſal. 62 7.

Now all this was Chriſt, as he was and is our High Prieſt, for this lieth in the girdle of Chriſt, which girdle he weared as our High Prieſt; therefore you are to look upon all this as yours upon believing, Chriſt needed not this himſelf, but this ſtrength was put into him for believers.

1. To do the great work of ſaving of them out of the hands of their enemies.

2. That as their Head he might give it down to them to help them out in all their duties, whether they be Active or Paſſive.

Uſe 6.

This ſhould inform us then where our ſtrength lieth, its not in our ſelves but in our High Prieſt, he is our Treaſury and Store-houſe of it, and to him we muſt come for it, and in coming we ſhall have it ſaith David, Pſal. 18. 2. The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortneſs, and my Deliverer, my God, my S…rength, in whom I will truſt, my buckler, and the horn of my ſalvation, and my high tower.

In this Uſe I would commend two things to thee for thy peace and comfort, wouldſt thou ſee all thy ſpiritual enemies conquered and brought down at thy feet, then look to Chriſt and he hath done it for thee and in thy room, and the p. 280glory of the conqueſt he imputes to thee, as Ioſhua in the wilderneſs did, who was a Type of Chriſt in this thing; he fought Iſraels battels for them, and conquered all their enemies for them, and when done gives the glory of the conqueſt to the Iſraelites, for he cauſeth the chief of the enemies to be brought before him, and makes them lie down, and bids the Jews to ſet their feet upon their necks, Ioſhua 10. 24. So hath Chriſt done for believers.

2. If thou wouldſt get the maſtery over the remainders of corruption within thee, and the Devil and World without thee, then look up to Chriſt thy High Prieſt, and draw out ſtrength from him, for he is girded about with ſtrength on purpoſe to give it out to thee; ſaith S. Paul, I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengthens me, Phil. 4. 13.

3. Laſtly, the girdle in the High Prieſt denotes his faithfulneſs and ſincerity in the work he undertakes to do, for ſo we ſhewed you did the girding of the loins implyed ſo much as this is applied to Jeſus Chriſt who is our Goſpel High Prieſt, Iſa. 11. 5. And righteouſneſs ſhall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulneſs the girdle of his reins, ſo ſaith the Apoſtle ſpeaking of the faithfulneſs of Chriſt, ſaith, Heb. 3. 5, 6. And Moſes was faithful in all his houſe as a ſervant, for a teſtimony of thoſe things which were to be ſpoken afterward, but Chriſt as a Son in his own houſe, whoſe houſe we are if we hold faſt the confidence, and the rejoycing of the hope firm to the end.

Obſerve theſe two things in the words.

Firſt, Moſes his faithfulneſs was a teſtimony of thoſe things which ſhould be ſpoken hereafter.

Now what were theſe things which ſhould be ſpoken after Moſes his time, it is what all the Prophets and Apoſtles have written about, the faithfulneſs of Chriſt to his Church and people, as he is their High Prieſt.

1. That he would certainly become bond to the juſtice of God as their ſurety, to give full ſatisfaction for all the wrong they have done the juſtice of God, ſo ſaith David, Pſal. 40 6, 7, 8.

p. 2812. That he would ſtand in the room of his people, and take upon him every part and parcel of their guilt, this wrote Iſa. of him, Iſa. 53. 6.

3. That he would as certainly bear every part of that puniſhment (which juſtice would have elſe poured forth upon the Elect) I ſay he would bear this himſelf as really as he did their guilts, ſo writes Iſa. alſo, ver. 5.

4. That he would certainly call home to himſelf, by the means of the Miniſtry of the word and ſpirit, every elected ſoul to the embracement of him, this writes Luke of him, Luke 14. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 So Iohn writes, Iohn 10. 16.

5. And that there ſhall never be wanting to the ages of man, a ſufficiency of means in order to the bringing in the Elect of God in every age, Mat. 28. 19, 20.

6. That as by his bloud and righteouſneſs he hath taken care to get them juſtified before God, ſo as certainly will he give out with his ſanctifying grace, the teſtimony of this (in his time) into their conſciences, ſo writes St. Paul of him, Rom. 5. 1. Iſa. 26. 3.

7. And that if he hath begun any thing of the work of grace upon the heart of any poor ſoul (they ſhould not doubt of the ſucceſs) for he will as certainly finiſh and complete it, Phil. 1. 6.

8. And that in the mean while, what corruptions ſhall remain in the ſoul (although he will not promiſe wholly to out them of the ſoul here in this life) yet the ſoul may aſſure himſelf of this, they ſhall not Rule and Reign over the ſoul as before, ſo writes St. Paul of him, Rom. 6. 14.

9. And as for the power of temptation which may ſo violently ſeize the ſoul, as that the ſoul may think it will at laſt for ever undoe him; Chriſt will certainly bear up the ſoul under them as that they ſhall not totally ſink the ſoul, and will as undoubtedly deliver the ſoul at laſt out of the hands of them all, ſo writes St. Paul, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

10. And for what duty he ſhall require and expect at his p. 282peoples hands, he will look for no more, nor require of them any farther ſervice, then he ſhall give them ſtrength to perform it, ſo ſaith St. Paul of him, Rom. 8. 26. 27. So 2 Cor. 8. 12.

11. And that what infirmities and weakneſſes your duties ſhall be clothed withall, Chriſt will certainly over-look them upon the ſouls hearty and humble acknowledgment of them to him, ſo writes the Apoſtle, Heb. 8, 12. with Chapter 9. 14.

12. And what ever the ſin be which may be acted and committed by any of his people (they ſhould not deſpair at the matter) for upon their hearty acknowledgment of it and endeavour to amend about it, he would certainly pardon it and it ſhall be no breach about it, ſo writes …oel and Micha of him, Ioel 2. 13, 14. Mich. 7. 18, 19.

13. You may aſſure your ſelves if ever you have carefully endeavoured to get into a covenanted condition with him, he will take that care that nothing in heaven, earth, or hell ſhall ever work you out again, ſo writes St. Paul, Rom. 34. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. Ier. 31. 35, 36.

14. And at any time if any of his people be called by him to adventure upon hard and difficult ſervice, they ſhall certainly have his company with them (to aſſiſt, comfort, and refreſh them) foot by foot all along their work, Matthew 28. 20

15. And if they ſhall be put upon ſufferings at any time for him, he will certainly be with them to help them and relieve them in that condition, if it be with the three Children to march through the fire, they ſhall not go one foot in the flames beyond or without Chriſt in their hand, Iſa 43 2.

16. And what charge they ſhall leave behind them in the ſtorm to be cared for, as Husband, Wife, Children, Parents, we need not doubt, Chriſt will certainly take care for them in our room, and better then we could, had we ſtaid amongſt them, ſo ſaith David, Pſal. 37. …5.

The other conſideration in the words to be obſerved, is p. 283this, Moſes was faithful as a ſervant, but Chriſt as ſon in his own houſe, I ſhall ſay but little as to this, you know what obligations (with reſpect to intereſt) do lay upon a Son beyond a ſervant to be faithful in his place. Now if Moſes a ſervant were faithful to the houſe, and in the houſe, then much more may this be expected from Chriſt.

I have only this to ſtart about, the High Prieſt girdle, and I have done with it.

The laſt Uſe of the girdle, it was to gird the Robes ſo ſecurely about him, as that they might not fall off his body, no nor ſo much as hang looſe to the body.

Thus do our Goſpel High Prieſt deal by and with his Church, he girds them all faſt to himſelf by a girdle of Covenant that will never admit of their falling from him, nor long hanging looſe to Chriſt, the people of God are very apt to hang looſe to him, and when they are awakened to it, then they in the next place fear of falling wholly away from him, for the one doth make way for the other; if Satan can but get a ſoul a little looſe from Chriſt, he will quickly make the ſoul to call in queſtion the whole of his condition, and to think that now he is falling quite off from Jeſus Chriſt; but ſoul, againſt ſuch doubts look up to Chriſt thy High Prieſt, and there thou ſhalt ſee thy ſelf ſo faſt bound to his loins by the girdle of an indiſolvable covenant, that thou canſt never drop from him more, thou maiſt be looſe to him, but fear not, thou canſt never fall finally unleſs Chriſt fall, for thou art girded about his loins, read theſe Scriptures for thy comfort, Iſa. 11. 5. Ezek. 16. 8. Jer. 31. 3, 4. Iohn 13. 1. Iſa. 54. 89, 10. Rom. 8. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 Rom. 11. 29. John 10. 28, 29. And aſſure thy ſelf if thou doſt hang looſe to Chriſt, he will quickly be ſenſible of it, and will tuck thee up and gird thee cloſe to himſelf again as he did David and Peter.

But beware of that, it may be ſuch a gird as you may feel it in your bones many days after, as David did in the like caſe, read Pſal. 51. 8.

I now come to ſpeak of the Miter and the plate of Gold p. 284which was to be faſtned on it before, near upon the forehead.

As for the Miter it was to be put upon the Prieſts head when the holy garments were to be put on, Exod. 39. 28 with Exod. 29. 6.

Now this part of the Prieſts atire is what reſpected Chriſt as the Head of the body; we have ſhewed you already how that the Robe it ſelf, with the things belonging to them were what did reſpect the Church, the body of Chriſt.

And this atire (viz.) the Miter and Crown, did more properly belong to Chriſt as the Head of the Church.

I ſhall begin with the Miter, which was the Crown and glory (if I may ſo expreſs it) of all the other attributes of Chriſt; for if you look into the two firſt Chapters of the Revelations, you ſhall find what ever comfort did run down upon the Saints thorow any Title given to God, yet it did all Centre in the Prieſtly office of Chriſt, to which the Miter belonged, in Rev. 2, 1. You have this Title given of Christ, He h…ldeth the ſeven ſtars in his right hand, ver. 8. Theſe things ſaith the firſt and laſt, ver. 12. The ſword with two edges, ſo Chap. 1. 5. The faithful and true witneſs, the firſt begotten of the dead, the Prince of the Kings of the earth, ver. 8. The Alpka and Omega.

Now do you but look into the 13. ver you may ſee the fountain of all theſe ſtreams in the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſticks. I ſaw one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a Golden girdle; ſo that here it is from whence the Titles (which are given to Chriſt) do ariſe, they all flow from the Prieſtly office of Chriſt, who wears the Prieſtly Miter; the truth is, its from the Miter upon Chriſts Head that we draw all our comfort. Alas Brethren, what comfort could we take in God himſelf but through Chriſt, and what comfort could we take in Chriſt, but as he wears the Miter upon his Head as our High Prieſt, whatſoever comfort we have in any other office of Chriſt, namely, as a King or Prophet, it all originated in the Prieſtly office of Chriſt, the truth is, the Prieſtly office p. 285of Chriſt is an office of meer love and tender compaſſion, ſet up on purpoſe for the ſuccour and relief of poor ſinners, there is no mixture of terrour in this office of Chriſt, there is a mixture of terrour in the other offices of Chriſt, the Lord Chriſt is King, and hath a Kingly office, and by it Rules over his Church, and Rules over all the world, but all do not obtain mercy that he Rules over; As for thoſe mine enemies that would not that I ſhould Rule over them, bring them forth and ſlay them before me, Luke 19 27.

But there is not the leaſt mixture of terrour in this of his Prieſtly office, the Miter ſhews nothing but grace, and love, and wonderful compaſſion, infinite bowels of tender love to the ſinner, a God reconciled in Chriſt by the ſacrifice of himſelf, which was ſlain for ſinners; the bloud of which ſpeaks to you better things then the bloud of Abel, for the bloud of Abel beſpoke ſin committed, and a guilty ſoul, and an angry God, but Chriſts bloud beſpeaks ſin remitted and pardoned, and a God recorcied again, the bloud of Abel ſpakes for vengeance from under the ground, but the bloud of Chriſt ſpeaks for grace, mercy, pardon and reconciliation again from under the Altar; Abels bloud beſpake the ſinner under the Curſe, but Chriſts bloud ſpeaks him into the bleſſing again, Acts 3. 26. Abels bloud ſpake the ſoul at a great diſtance with God, but the bloud of Chriſt ſpeaks him very nigh God again, Eph. 2. 13. But now in Chriſt Jeſus ye that were ſometimes afar off, are made nigh by the bloud of Chriſt.

Uſe 7.

Then ſoul when ever thou haſt to do with Chriſt view him in his Prieſtly atire, having his Miter upon his Head; O thou canſt not look upon Chriſt under a more bleſſed conſideration then this, that can afford thee like ſuccour as this will do, for this will yield the ſoul bleſſed relief againſt all thy fears and temptations whatſoever; the Miter was put upon the Head of Chriſt on purpoſe to be looked unto for relief and p. 286ſuccour in a time of doubt and danger, what was the great relief amongſt the Jews againſt their ſins, the Jews you may obſerve they had many reliefs when they were in the wilderneſs, if at any time they were ſtung with the fiery Serpents, then they had their brazen Serpent to look unto as a relief againſt that diſtreſs, when they wanted water they had their Rock to make at as a relief againſt that diſtreſs; when they wanted bread they had their Manna from heaven as a relief againſt that diſtreſs, and if they ſinned whether they did go, then they took a ſacrifice and went unto the Prieſt and he was to offer for them, ſo that the Prieſtly office then was the only relief they had againſt ſin

So now the Prieſtly office of Chriſt is the only relief and ſuccour the people of God have againſt all temptations, doubts, and fears under heaven; O make much uſe of the Miter in times of fear, look unto it as the Jews were to look to their brazen Serpent upon the pole when ſtung with Serpents, ſo when ever thou art ſtung with the Serpent of temptation, and guilt, and horour, and terrour about guilt, look up with an eye of faith to this Miter, the Crown (as I may call it) of his Prieſtly office and thou ſhalt be healed and cured of all thy ſtingings, ſo ſaith Chriſt himſelf, Iſa. 45. 22. Look unto me and be ye ſaved all ye ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none elſe.

Mark, look unto me, he doth not bid you to look to that unhollowed Bear the Pope, who to deceive the poor miſerable world of their Eſtates and Wealth, hath feigned a Miter and puts him upon his Head, and Bug-bears the world with it, as if he were ſome great one, which by the pretended power of his conjuring State and Croſs-keys of hell afrights the poor ignorant world into an opinion of ſome more then ordinary Authority muſt reſide in this Beaſt for his Cap ſake; when alas he nothing but Cheats the world by it, both of their ſouls and treaſure, he is a Limb of the Devil to Cheat men of their ſouls, becauſe he keeps them in ignorance about the Prieſthood of Chriſt, and arrogates and aſſumes p. 287that Authority as proper to himſelf, he ſaith he hath the Miter upon his Head, and he is in the Prieſtly Chair, and he can procure pardon with God for ſins, and he hath the keys of Hell and Death (which the holy Ghoſt only attributes to Chriſt, Rev. 1. 18.) And he can open Purgatory and let out of torment, and he hath the key of David (which the holy Ghoſt gives only to Chriſt, Rev. 3 7.) And he can open heaven and let into glory: O horrid Blaſphemy! What a beaſt is this, and how much to be abandoned by all thoſe that love Chriſt and their ſouls, how doth he diſ-throne and ſhut out Chriſt of his great office as a Prieſt and Saviour.

2. He Cheats poor ſouls of their Eſtates here, becauſe he takes their money of them to ſave them from ſin, and to diſcharge them of ſome torment, and to let them into heaven when he himſelf ſhall not eſcape the vengeance of Chriſt, but ſhall be for his juggling and deceit tormented in fire and brimſtone for ever and ever, Rev. 19. 20, 21 Where the whole Rabble of that gang ſhall eternally dwell together.

And as for others (viz.) the leſſer ſort of Popes, that imitates the High Prieſt in his garments with reſpect to his Cap and Linen Ephod, its a clear denying of Chriſt to be come in the fleſh, and John ſaith theſe are Anti-chriſt, 1 John 4. 3. For if theſe garments were Types of Chriſt, then they were only to continue untill the coming of Chriſt, ſo reaſons the Apoſtle, Heb. 10. 1. Who ſaith that theſe things were ſhadows of good things to come, but not the very Image; and therefore when theſe good things were come which was the ſubſtance, then the ſhadow muſt give place as no longer of uſe, ſo ſaith St. Paul, to the Coloſſians, chap. 2. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 23. Well then if theſe Ceremonies were only the ſigns of Chriſt to come and to give place to him when he did come, then what does their preſent uſe ſignifie, but that he is not yet come, and ſo as John ſpeaks, denyed to be come in the fleſh, who is the Anti-Chriſt then think you.

The next thing we are to take notice of, is the plate of Gold which was placed upon the fore-head of the High p. 288Prieſt faſtned to the Mitre, wherein was engraven in Letters theſe words, Holineſs to the Lord, Exod. 28. 36, 37.

The purpoſe of this very plate with the Letters written in it, was for the High Prieſt to take upon him all the failings, imperfections, and weakneſſes of the peoples duties in the Worſhip of God.

The Plate was to bear upon it the peoples ſins which they would contract in the Worſhip of God, and the Letters engraven upon the Plate was to bear out the Prieſt before the Lord that he died not, Exod. 28. 36. 37, 38. And thou ſhalt make a plate of pure Gold, and grave upon it the engravenings of a ſignet, Holineſs to the Lord; and thou ſhalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the Mitre, upon the fore-front of the Mitre it ſhall be, and it ſhall be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Iſrael ſhall hollow in all their holy gifts: and it ſhall alwayes be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. This ſtill looks to Jeſus Chriſt our Goſpel High Prieſt, and tells us what he is to do, and doth do for Believers, he takes upon him all the failings and infirmities of his peoples duties. O what a bleſſed ground of comfort is this to a doubting ſoul: I know ſome poor ſouls have had their backs bowed down with this kinde of guilt, who when they have been in the Worſhip of God, as in Prayer, hearing of the Word, or breaking of Bread: when they have conſidered with what ſad frames they have been in the Worſhip: how hath that troubled them, when they have minded the hypocriſie that appeared in their hearts while in the work; thoſe vain wandering thoughts, that deadneſs and dull, drowſie, tiredneſs of ſpirit, with which their work was mixed withal: beſides when they have conſidered with how much ignorance, and little ſaith, and want of love to God, and his work in hand, they were attended with, O how hath this perplexed ſome poor ſouls, and how deeply hath this ſunk others into the pit of deſpair, putting them upon reſolving never more to hear the Word, or Pray, or receive the Sacrament: O they p. 289never Worſhip God, but they ſin againſt him, and make their caſe worſe then it was before.

All this hath been for want of knowledge in this bleſſed myſtery of the plate faſtened upon the fore-front of the High Prieſts Mitre. The Devil keeps them in ſuſpence about this thing, ſhews the ſoul his guilt, but will not ſuffer him to ſee the plate upon the fore-front of the Prieſts Mytre, which was appointed on purpoſe for them to lay up their gilt upon. O therefore for thy comfort poor ſoul, when ever thou comeſt into the Worſhip of God, thou mayeſt come boldly without fear as to that: what guilts thou either haſt, or ſhall contract upon thy ſoul in the Worſhip of God, (provided they are not wilful guilts) there is a plate of Gold prepared to bear all, thou ſhalt bear none of them thy ſelf. O bleſs God for this great mercy to thy ſoul, and rejoyce in it as thy great favour; make much uſe of it as thy beſt of priviledges: ſtudy it as the higheſt of comforts, and live up to the God of this mercy, with the greateſt of faithfulneſs, and to the higheſt pitch of holineſs.

Secondly, This was to be a ſtanding priviledge at all times, for all Believers to ſuch a continual ſweetneſs and comfort from in point of acceptation with God; for Aaron the Prieſt was to wear it alwayes upon the fore-front of the Mitre, that they might be accepted before the Lord.

This was not to be worn once or twice, but alwayes, before the Lord; ſo that until Chriſt puts off his Mitre, and layes aſide his prieſtly work, thou mayſt aſſure thy ſelf until then, thoſe ſins of infirmity which will cleave to thy duties, ſhall not render them or thee diſacceptable before God, if thou relieſt faithfully upon this High Prieſt in this caſe.

We now come to ſpeak of the Crown which this High Prieſt was to wear, as well as this Mitre, and the Crown was to be ſet upon the Mitre on the Prieſts head, Exod. 29 6. And thou ſhalt put the Mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the Mitre.

The Crown upon the Prieſts head ſet forth to you the p. 290Kingly Office of Jeſus Chriſt, which ſprings from the Prieſtly office of Chriſt; he is a King to rule in and over his Church, becauſe he is a High Prieſt to the Church; therefore the Crown muſt ſtand upon the Mitre; the Mitre doth keep up the Crown, not the Crown the Mitre. The Mitre being under the Crown, ſhews you that the Kingly Office of Chriſt hath its foundation in the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt, as was ſhewed you before from the firſt of the Revelations.

This ſhews firſt, that Chriſt hath power to give out what Laws, Rules, Cuſtomes, and Ordinances he pleaſe for his Church and people to walk by; for he hath a Crown upon his head as well as a Mitre.

Secondly, That all duty, and ſubjection, and obedience ought to be given to him both in ſoul and body, for he is a King, Pſalm 2. 6. I have ſet my king upon my holy hill Sion.

We do not read that any of the Prieſts beſides the High Prieſt did wear a Crown: we read that they did wear Bonnets, but not a Crown, Exod. 28. 40. The Crown was only for the High Prieſt, ſhewing us, as the Prieſt was a Type of Chriſt, that all Rule and chief Authority belongs to Chriſt: its Chriſt onelyonly can make or impoſe any Laws upon the conſciences of his people: ſo ſaith the Spirit, Rev. 4. 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour, and power, for thou haſt created all things, and for thy pleaſure they are and were created.

And yet how common is it to ſee the inferiour ſort of Prieſts, that ſhould content themſelves with wearing the Bonnet, to catch the High Prieſts Crown from off his head, and to leave the High Prieſt nothing to wear but their Bonnets; and given him to underſtand, if he will not wear them he muſt ſit bare headed before them. I mean how do men who pretend to be the Miniſters and Vicars of Chriſt, pull his prieſtly Diadem from off his head, and ſo rob him of his principle glory, in arrogating a power to themſelves of making and impoſing ſpiritual Laws upon the conſciences of his poor people, as rules for them to walk by, which cuſtoms p. 291and traditions the word of Chriſt never knew or ſpake of in the leaſt. O what greater indignity can there be offered to the Crown of Chriſt then this: not onelyonly ſo, but if the poor Lambs of Chriſt (who are as dear to him as his own blood) will not comply with their Canons; they violently run upon them with ruine and deſtruction both to them and theirs, without the leaſt dram of mercy ſhewed them: Should a Subject deal thus with his Prince, who would advocate ſuch a ones caſe at the Bar; but how much Chriſt thinks himſelf bound to theſe men for this piece of ſervice both to himſelf and his people, let the world judge.

Again, whereas 'tis ſaid that the Crown was ſet upon the Mitre, it is to ſhew Believers how ſweet the Kingly Office, Power, and Authority of Chriſt is ſweetned to them by the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt: Its the Prieſtly Mitre makes the Kingly Crown ſo ſweet and lovely to men. The grace which flows from Chriſt as Prieſt, makes the Law which flows from Chriſt as King ſo delightful and precious.

What ſtrange prejudicated opinions have men of the Law, of the Crown of Chriſt, when they look on it apart from the Mitre of Chriſts Prieſt-hood: how formidable and cruel doth the Law look to them; how do men ſhun it and avoid it as death it ſelf: its an unreaſonable Law, it requires impoſſibilities, ſuch things as can never be obtained or performed by me: it affords me no aſſiſtance, no ſtrength, let me do what I can it damns me at laſt. This the ſoul inſtead of ſubjecting to it, fights with it as his worſt of enemies: ſo ſaith Paul, Rom. 8 7. The carnal minded man is not ſubject to the Law of God, neither inde…d can be.

But when the ſoul is brought in to cloſe with Jeſus Chriſt, as his High Prieſt, and hath taſted of the grace of the Prieſthood, and is made to ſee the Mitre under the Crown, which it did not ſee before, and underſtands, that all the terrour of the Crowns Law is ſuckt in by the Mitres grace. O then the ſoul comes to have other thoughts of the Law of God p. 292then ever it had before. O ſaith the ſoul; how miſerably was my underſtanding darkened, that I ſhould ſo wickedly conclude of it, as an unreaſonable Law, and a cruel Law; a Law which required brick to be made without ſtraw. O but now I ſee it was my miſtake and great ignorance. O it requires no more then it will help in the doing: its a Law which hath the ſpirit of life in it, Rom. 8. 2. That will quicken to its own performances; a Law flowing from the Crown, but its a Crown upon the Mitre, which is ſo far from killing of me, that it giveth me ſpiritual life, and frees me from the Law of ſin and death, Rom. 8. 2. Therefore ſaith Paul, Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of God after the inner man: ſo ſaith David, Pſalm 119. 72. The Law of thy mouth is better then ten thouſands of gold or ſilver. So Pſalm 19. 10. More to be deſired is thy law then gold, yea then much fine gold, ſweeter alſo then the honey, and the honey comb.

O every part of the work and worſhip of Chriſt is ſweet now, when the ſoul ſees its the Law of a reconciler; the work of an advocate, the worſhip of a bleſſed High Prieſt, which he is imployed in and about. O its the Law of one who hath ſhed his deareſt blood for me, to ſatisfie Juſtice, its the work of a High Prieſt which preſents me in himſelf without ſpot to God, and hath clothed me with the Robe of his Righteouſneſs, and made me an heir of Glory, a childe of God; a citizen of the new Jeruſalem. O this makes the work of Chriſts Kingdom delightful work to the ſoul now.