The Types Unveiled, Chapter 36 – Chapter 37
CHAP. 36. Of the good land of Canaan which the people were to enter into after their forty years travels in the Wilderneſs.
THis land was by St. Paul called their reſt, Heb. 3. 11. This land was the end of all their ſore travels and weary journyings, and great temptations; a land of delights, a land full of fatneſs, abounding with all manner of eaſe and plenty, a land flowing with milk and honey, where there was not any want of any good thing, Deut. 8. 7, 8, 9. This doth St. Paul in Heb. 3 11. expreſs as a type of that Goſpel Kingdom of reſt and peace, which all the true Iſraelites ſhall certainly reſt and Centre in at laſt, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, Pſal. 58. 11. So that men ſhall ſay, Verily there is a reward for the righteous; ſo my Brethren, there is a Canaan (more glorious then Iſraels was) for believers to enter into, of which Canaan of old was the type, and as all things typical under the Law, did fall ſhort in glory of the ſubſtance of that thing which it typed forth, ſo alſo will it be in this caſe. The Canaan in the Anti-type will infinitely excel (for glory and brightneſs) the Canaan in the type. Theſe two Canaans typed out one another for theſe things, or in theſe reſpects.
Firſt, For place.
Secondly, For condition upon which the Subjects were to enter each place.
Thirdly, For the priviledges of it.
Firſt, For the place it ſelf, where this Canaan ſhall be into which all the faithful ſhall enter, which St. Paul calls the people of Gods reſt, or a reſt for the people of God; and that is, in this world upon this earth, for ſo was Canaan of old, it was in this world, upon this earth, I do not ſay that there is no other Canaan of glory for the Saints to enter, but do believe there is, and my hope is towards it; but I ſay that reſt ſpoken by St. Paul in Heb. 3. 11. which he makes to agree to Canaan of old as the Anti-type of it, muſt be a reſt in this world upon this earth, and not any where elſe: And this will appear if we conſider the conditions upon which each Canaan is promiſed or tendred, that of old, and this by the Apoſtle in Heb. 3. And that was upon a faithful following of the Lord believingly, in our Wilderneſs-condition, this was made the condition between God and the people for Canaan of old, ſo reaſons the Apoſtle, Heb. 3. 11. So I ſwear in my wrath they ſhould not enter into my reſt, ſo ver 18. And to whom ſware he that they ſhould not enter into his reſt, but to them which believed not; ſo that the condition between God and the people made Canaan of old their reward for ſticking cloſe to God in a way of dependency, during the time of all their Trials, Temptations, and Afflictions in the Wilderneſs; ſo likewiſe doth the Apoſtle make the ſame qualifications, a condition between God and his people touching this latter Canaan, and applies the matter ſo, Heb. 4. 1. Let us fear leſt a promiſe being left us any of us ſhould come ſhort through unbelief.
Now by coming ſhort of a Goſpel Canaan through a ſpirit of unbelief, the Apoſtle muſt mean (I ſay by Canaan) either the ultimate glory, or elſe a Canaan, or Kingdom of glory here below; that it cannot be the ultimate glory, for if we will maintain Election before time, then none of thoſe that were ever Elected to that Canaan can ever fall ſhort of it more: if Election be the fruit of the eternal purpoſe of God according to the counſel of his own will, ſo ſaith the ſpirit of our being Predeſtinated or Elected, Epheſ. 1. 11. In whom alſo we have obtained an Inheritance, being predeſtinated according to the purpoſe of him who worketh all things according to his own will.
Now if this will of God admits of no change, as the Scripture ſpeaketh, Malachi 3. 6. Rom. 11. 29. And that it is his will that all thoſe he elected, or choſe to glory ſhall inherit, John 6. 39. Then certainly its not of the ultimate glory which the Apoſtle intends in Heb. 4. 1. but of a reſt much of this ſide that reſt which the Apoſtle makes to agree with Canaan of old, with reſpect to the conditions of it, upon which they were to be enjoyed. But if you underſtand by the (reſt) that Chriſt will have a glorious Kingdom or Canaan in this world, which he hath onelyonly appointed for ſuch as have or ſhall follow him with faithfulneſs in this life whereſoever he goeth, as that none of all the Saints ſhall taſte of it, but ſuffering faithful ones; then according to this notion, the exhortation, in Hebrewes 4. 1. will hold with election and predeſtination, or elſe it will not; for we ſay that the Scriptures which ſpeaks of abſolute election and predeſtination to a thing; which election and predeſtination is an abſolute fruit of Gods unchangeable councel and will; and yet to ſay that the ſame thing is conditional, as that if the conditions be not performed, the thing may not be, is to me ſo great a myſtery which cannot be unridled: But if we place it nere (as it muſt be to reconcile the point) that the ultimate Canaan of glory is a fruit of Gods abſolute will which cannot be altered: (Therefore ſaith our Saviour, thoſe which are appointed unto it ſhall never periſh, Iohn 10. 28) And that there is a Canaan which the Saints (that are faithful to Chriſt) ſhall enjoy in this life, as for the promiſe of which (though the Elect cannot, any one of them fall ſhort of the promiſe of the ultimate glory) yet they may of this. This Doctrine will hold good in both ends without thwarting other foundation truths, and that this Kingdom of Canaan promiſed the ſuffering faithful Saints, muſt be (as I have ſaid) here below. I ſhall give you ſome Scriptures to prove it.
But firſt you are to note, that our Saviour gives you to underſtand that there are two Kingdoms or Canaans which he makes to be diſtinct, the one from the other, one he calls his own, that is, its his by purchaſe and promiſe, as he is a Mediator and undertook to bring about Salvation to the Elect, as you may read in Iſa. 53. 11, 12. with Pſal. 2. 6. with ver. 8. I ſay our Saviour makes this Kingdom to be diſtinct from the fathers, read that place in Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh, I will grant to ſit with me upon my Throne, even as I alſo have overcome, and am ſet down with my Father in his Throne; ſo that you ſee here is the Son of mans Throne, and the Fathers Throne, ſo Mat. 19. 28. And he ſaid, Verily I ſay unto you, that ye that have followed me in the Regeneration, when the Son of man ſhall ſit in the throne of his glory. Mark that, when the Son of man ſhall ſit in the Throne of his glory, there is the Son of mans Kingdom of glory, or Canaan of glory, as well as the Fathers: So in Rev. 20. There is by the Holy Ghoſt two Canaans or Kingdoms of glory ſpoken of in a diſtinct manner one from the other, in ver. 4. And I ſaw Thrones, and they that ſate upon them, and judgment was given to them; which anſwers to that in Matth. 19. 28. Which Canaan or Kingdom you ſee is given as the to reward the Saints for their ſufferings for Chriſt, therefore in the ſame verſe its ſaid to be the portion of thoſe which were beheaded for the witneſs of Jeſus, and for the word of God, and which had not worſhipped the beaſt or his Image, neither had received his mark upon their fore heads or in the hands, and they lived and reigned with Chriſt a thouſand years.
Now look you into the 11. ver. of the ſame Chap. And you ſhall ſee the Fathers Canaan or Kingdom very diſtinct from the former which was Chriſts, but by him given to the ſuffering Saints; And I ſaw a great white throne and him that ſate thereon, from whoſe face the Earth and the Heavens fled away.
Secondly, That this promiſed Canaan or Kingdom which is in Heb. 3. 11. is called a reſt, muſt be here on Earth and in this world, which will appear if you examine the Scriptures which ſpeak of it. To inſtance in that of Mat. 19. 28. Its ſaid there, that in that Canaan Kingdom they ſhall ſit upon twelve Thrones Judging the twelve tribes of Iſrael; now how can this be applyed to the ultimate glory; if the Saints muſt ſit upon Thrones to Judge, then it follows there muſt be ſome to be judged, but if this be meant of Heaven, pray who ſhall the Saints Judge there, or who will there be in Heaven for them to Judge, ſo Rev. 2 26, 27. He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, I will give power over the Nations, and he ſhall rule them with a rod of Iron, and as the Veſſels of a Potter ſhall they be broken to pieces.
Now pray obſerve, how can this be applyed to the ultimate glory, what Iron Rods of ſeverity will there be in Heaven, beſide the Saints ſhall rule over the Nations; what Nations will there be in Heaven for the Saints to rule over, you read in Mat. 25 31, 32. with 41. That when the Canaan of ultimate glory comes to take place, that all the Nations ſhall be gathered together before God, and the Godly taken up into Heaven, and the wicked at the ſame time ſent away into eternal darkneſs: Now if the wicked muſt go down into Hell, at the ſame time that the Godly muſt be received up into Heaven, where then will the Nations be for the Saints to Rule over with Iron Rods, ſo in Luke 11. 2. You are bid to pray for a Kingdom, ſaying, when thou prayeſt, ſay. Thy Kingdom come. Now this very Kingdom muſt be on Earth, for is not the Kingdom of grace as the Kingdom of grace is commonly underſtood, becauſe the Kingdom of grace was then in being, and had been in being all along in all ages of the world before: But this Kingdom which Chriſt bids his Diſciples to pray for, was a Kingdom yet to come. Thy Kingdom come. Neither can it be the Kingdom of glory, for that is not ſaid to come to us, but we are ſaid to be carryed up to it, 1 Theſ. 4. 17. Yea its ſo far from being the Kingdom of ultimate glory, that its a Kingdom which cometh down out of glory upon the Earth, Rev. 20. 2, 3. And I John ſaw the holy City, new Jeruſalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband, and I heard a great voice out of Heaven, ſaying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they ſhall be his people, and God himſelf will be with them, and be their God.
This you ſee how Canaan of old, and this Goſpel Canaan (which the Apoſtle calls a reſt to the people of God) do agree for matter of place.
Secondly, They are made to agree for the conditions upon which the ſubjects were to enter each place, faith was required as neceſſary to the entring of old Canaan, Heb. 3. 18, 19. The ſame is required as neceſſary to this Goſpel Canaan, Heb. 4. 1. Again, a following of God fully was required as neceſſary to enter the old Canaan, Numb. 14. 21, 22. 23, 24. The ſame is required as neceſſary to the entring of this Kingdom, Mat. 19. 28.
Thirdly, They do agree for priviledges only in the general, Canaan of old was a very pleaſant, delightful, good land, which afforded aboundance of comfort, wealth, and ſafety, a full reward for all their travels, temptations, and afflictions, which they went under for the Lord; ſo is it with this Kingdom or Canaan, much more full of glory will this be found to have.
I ſhall briefly preſent you with ſome of the glory and excellency of it in ſome few particulars. In the general it is ſet forth to you as a glorious thing, or a great piece of glory, Iſa. 60. 1. Ariſe for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee: But to be a little more particular about this Kingdom, and here we muſt take notice of theſe.
Firſt, Something done, or is to be done by Chriſt at the ſetting up of this Kingdom.
Secondly, Then the priviledges of it.
But as to the firſt, there will be a general and total deſtruction fall upon all the enemies of the Lord which ſhall be found in a way of hoſtile oppoſition againſt the ſetting of this kingdom: for if you obſerve you may ſee how excellently well Iſraels coming into Canaan doth agree to this particular, with reſpect to what the Scripture ſaith, ſhall be done upon the wicked at the ſetting up of this kingdom; for it is to be obſerved, that juſt before their entering into the good Land, the greateſt ſlaughter that ever was made of the enemies of the Lord was at that time, as you may ſee, Joſh. 10. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. This was but a type of what ſhall be the portion of the wicked, at the Saints entrance into their great Canaan priviledges: Read Iſa. 43. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. So Iſa. 63. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Iſa. 66. 15, 16. Joel 3. 2. with 14. Revelations 19. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
Secondly, when this is done, and the great battle fought, and the Lord Jeſus hath ſtrook through the loins of his enemies; then will he take their kingdoms from them, and give them unto the Saints in the whole world, made up of both Jews and gentiles, Dan. 2. 44. with Dan 7. 22. 27. Rev. 20 4. Matth. 19. 28. Rev. 2. 26, 27. In which Kingdom it is clear that the Saints ſhall rule the Nations of the earth, as the earth hath governed them for many years together in this world, Pſalm 45. 16
The Kingdom being delivered up into their hands, then are they freed from the oppreſſion and the oppreſſour, which evil will never anoy the Saints more; the Lord will ſo much reſtrain and moderate the rage of the wicked, Iſa. 11. 6, 7, 8, 9. Iſa. 35. 9. Iſa 6. 18. Iſa. 54. 14.
Secondly, the Saints ſhall then in an eminent manner be a righteous holy people, no hypocrite ſhall be there, Iſa. 35. 8. Iſa. 60 21. Zach. 14. 20, 21. Revelations 22. 15. Revelations 21. 17.
Thirdly, The Saints ſhall be then ſet wholly free from a timmerous and diſtracting fearful ſpirit in duty, Zach. 12. 8. Iſa. 35. 4.
Fourthly, Their knowledge in all divine as well as in humane things, will be wonderful, to the adminiſtration of thoſe which ſhall have to do with them; yea, ſo great ſhall the wiſdom of the Saints be at that day, that thoſe perſons who have been accounted the learned and wiſe of the times before, ſhall be aſhamed to acknowledge that ever they were ſuch men, Zach. 13. 4. 5. Iſa. 29. 24.
Fifthly, There ſhall ſo great a ſpirit of fear and dread drop from their countenances upon the wicked, as that the very majeſty of their preſence will daunt them through the whole earth, Cant. 6 10.
Sixthly, There ſhall be a mighty ſpirit of glory upon all the attempts and atchievements which the Saints ſhall bring forth at that day, though now it be clothed with ſhame and diſgrace in the eyes of the world, yet then it ſhall ſeem otherwiſe, Iſaiah 54. 11, 12. Iſaiah 16. 14, 15. Iſaiah 66. 10, 11, 12.
Seventhly, This Canaan ſhall afford the Saints all manner of riches, plenty, and peace, Iſaiah. 60. 78. with 12. 13. verſes. Zach. 14, 14. Revel. 21. 7. Revelations 22, 2. Pſalm 72. 6, 7.
Eighthly, The very heavens and the earth ſhall receive their primitive excellency and firſt purities, Ezek. 34. 27. Iſa. 65. 17. 2 Pet. 3. 13.
Ninthly, In this Canaan God will ſo bleſs the ſubſtance of it, as that he will remove out of the way all theſe thorns and prickling briars which did any way render our comforts unpleaſing to us, or did any way imbitter them to our taſte, as the ſhortneſs of life, God will take away that, Iſaiah 65. 20. with ver. 22.
As likewiſe God will remove all occaſions of loſs, either as to goods or eſtate, Iſa. 65. 21, 22, 23. Alſo all pains of body, or decrepidneſs of limbs, Iſa. 35. 5, 6. Revel. 21. 4. Revel. 22. 3.
Laſtly, And that which will crown all will be this, they ſhall be under the conſtant ſhinings of Gods face of glorious love and mercy, which will never admit of any withdrawings more, Rev. 22. 4, 5.
Object. But ſome may ſay, doth not our Saviour ſay, That my kingdom is not of this world, 1 John 18. 36. and that the kingdom of heaven cometh not with obſervation, Luke 17. 20. and that the kingdom of God is within you, ver. 21.
How is it which you ſay, the kingdom of Chriſt ſhall be on earth in this world.
To which I anſwer, That there is a three-fold kingdom which is attributed to Jeſus Chriſt.
1. A kingdom of providence, or his providential kingdom.
2. And a kingdom of grace.
3. A kingdom of glory here on earth.
As for his providential kingdom, of that I ſhall ſay but little.
But there is his kingdom of grace in the heart. This Kingdom cometh not with obſervation indeed, and this is not of this world; for nothing in the world can procure or effect it in the heart of any creature. The ſtrongeſt Caeſar, or wiſeſt Philoſopher, or richeſt Nabal in the world, ſhould they put all their ſtrength, and parts, and riches together, can do nothing in this caſe, without the mighty power of God. This kingdom of grace is within in the heart indeed, and it affords no ſigns, or fore-running tokens of it in the leaſt: but as the winde bloweth where it liſteth, ſo is the ſpirits coming upon a ſoul at the time of its converſion; you hear the ſound of it, but know not from whence it is: ſo ſaith our Saviour, John 3. 7, 8.
But thi…dly, There is his glorious Kingdom, or Kingdom of Glory, and that is what is of this world; and that which cometh with ſigns and tokens of obſervation, that Chriſt is to have a Kingdom in this world, a Kingdom of external glory, hath been the buſineſs which we have proved already: but for better ſatisfaction take this Scripture, Revel. 11. 15. And there were voices in heaven, ſaying, The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lords, and of his Chriſts.
And that the coming of this kingdom is with obſervation, that is, its attended with its fore-running ſignes and tokens, there is nothing more clear: read Mat. 24. from the 1. ver. to the 30. You ſhall meet with little elſe but matter of obſervation touching the coming of this kingdome into the world, ver. 30. So that Chriſt ſaying, My kingdom is not in this world, and my kingdom cometh not with obſervation, and my kingdom is within you, doth not in the leaſt fight againſt this truth, if we conſider the various adminiſtrations of the Kingdom: I grant all this to be properly applied to the kingdom of his Grace, but not to the Kingdom of his Glory, which he ſhall have here, as he is the Son of man.
Further, Now the Jews Canaan was an inheritance which God gave the people freely, Deut. 19. 1. So is it in this caſe, to have a right to this Kingdom, or Goſpel Canaan of reſt and peace, it is the free gift of God, without any deſert on our part at all: take the kingdom as it is of grace here in the heart, or of glory in the Nations, or of ultimate glory above, to have a portion in it, its of free gift: therefore ſaith Chriſt, Luke 12. 32. Fear not little flock, it is your fathers good pleaſure to give you the kingdome.
Likewiſe Canaan it was an inheritance which was divided to the children of Iſrael proportionably, to every one by lot, Numb. 26, 54, 55, 56. So is it in this caſe of the Goſpel Canaan, every true Iſraelite ſhall have his portion of grace and glory in this kingdom; none ſhall ſay then, that his field ſhall yield no meat, or that his flock be cut off the fold: no, no, but rather with David to cry out, Pſalm 16. 5, 6. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup, thou maintaineſt my lot, the lines are fallen in a pleaſant place; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Again, The Jews were to march in an armed ſtate to their Canaan of old: ſo ſhould all the Saints get on about them their ſpiritual armour, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks in Epheſ. 6. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Wherefore take on thr whole armour of God, that you may be able to withſtand in the evil day, and when you have done all to ſtand: ſtand therefore, having your loins girt about with …ruth, and having on the breſt plate of righteouſneſs, and your feet ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of peace; above all things take on the ſhield of faith, wherewith ye ſhall be ab…e to quench the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of ſalvation, and the ſword of the ſpirit, which is the word of God, praying alwayes with ſuppl…cation in the ſpirit, watching thereunto with all perſeverance, and ſupplication for all Saints.
Without this armour on about you, never think to march ſafe to this good Land, take it either for the kingdom of glory here on earth, or the kingdom of glory above with the Father. Your enemies are worſe then thoſe which ſtood in Iſraels way to their Canaan, ſaith Paul, Eph. 6. 12. For we wreſtle not againſt fleſh and blood, but aga…nſt principalities and powers, againſt the rulers of the darkneſs of this world, againſt ſpirital wickedneſs got into high places.
Likewiſe the Jews were to fight for the good Land; they were not onelyonly to put on their armour, but they were to uſe it, Deut. 7. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 So muſt Chriſtians, not onelyonly put on their ſpiritual armour, but they muſt uſe it againſt the Devil, ſin, and temptation: Armour ſignifies but little if a man make no uſe of it; therefore ſaith Paul to Timothy, 1 Tim. 6. 12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called.
Laſtly, They were to fight under their captain Joſhua. So this ſheweth Chriſtians under whoſe banner they ſhould fight. and who they ſhould engage with them in the quarrel, their ſpiritual Joſhua, in whoſe ſtrength alone they are more then conquerors, Rom. 8. 37. Nay in all theſe things we are more then conquerors, through him that loved us.
Saints, your enemies are great and politick, and truly they contend with you for things of a very great concernment; its for your ſouls, things of more worth then the world; and in your ſelves you are poor weak things, but Chriſt is the power of God, yea, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah: be ſure if you intend to overcome and prevail, get under the ſhadow of Chriſts wing, ſet Chriſt before you, make him the captain, and he will fight your battle for you, and make the necks of your ſtout enemies to lie under your feet.
CHAP. 37. Of their Cities of Refuge.
THeſe Cities were ſix in number; their uſe was for this purpoſe, that if any man had committed murder accedentally, yet if he did immediately repair to any one of theſe Cities (before the officer that was appointed for execution) did overtake him, then he was not to die, provided he did not get out of the City untill the death of the preſent High Prieſt, Numb. 35. 11, 12, 13, 14.
Theſe Cities, as to the uſe of them, they were all types of Jeſus Chriſt, with reſpect to the ſafety Chriſt adminiſters to poor guilty ſinners, in a way of protecting of them from the wrath of God. Look as the avenger of blood did purſue the mur…herer in open field, ſo doth the Juſtice of God the ſinner every day, Pſalm 7. 11. God is angry with the wicked every day; ſo ver. 12, 13. If he turn not he will wh…t his ſword, he hath bent his bow and made it ready, he hath alſo prepared for him the inſtruments of death; he hath ordained his arrows againſt the perſecutors.
But if the ſoul can make to Chriſt before the juſtice of God hath overtaken him, he will be ſafe; fot Chriſt is the great City of refuge; there is no kinde of evil can enter the gates of this City, ſaith Solomon, Prov. 18. 10. The name of the Lord is a ſtrong tower, and the righteous run thereat and are ſafe: therefore it is ſaid in Iſaiah where the prophet is ſpeaking of Chriſt, Iſa. 25. 4. For thou haſt been a ſtrength to the poor, a ſtrength to the needy in his diſtreſs, a refuge from the ſtorm, a ſhadow from the heat, when the blaſt of the terrible one is as a ſtorm againſt the wall.
Therefore ſoul, if thou wouldſt be protected from the blaſt of the terrible one, from the ſtroke of Gods juſtice, maſte haſte to the City of refuge, which is Chriſt, get into him and thou wilt be ſafe,