Christ and the Covenant, Sermons · Sermon 6
The Blood of Sprinkling. SERM. VI.
Hebr. 12.24.
And to the Blood of Sprinkling, that ſpeaketh better things, than that of Abel.
VVHen I made entrance into theſe Words, I took up four Obſervations from them: And having gone through three of them, I now come unto the fourth; which more largely runs thus.
Obſerv. 4. That it is a very great priviledge which in theſe Goſpel times we are partakers of, To come unto the Blood of Sprinkling, that ſpeaketh better things, than that of Abel.— For the clearing and proſecuting whereof,
Firſt, I ſhall ſhew you what this Blood of Sprinkling is, what are the grounds and uſe of this Sprinkling.
2. That this Blood of Sprinkling, is a ſpeaking-Blood, and ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel.
3. That we are now come unto this blood of Sprinkling.
4. What are the priviledges of coming to this Blood of ſprinkling, and of being ſprinkled with this Blood of Sprinkling. And then,
5. What we muſt do that we may get our hearts ſprinkled with this Blood of Sprinkling.
Firſt, If you ask, what this Blood of Sprinkling is.
I anſwer, That it is no other than the blood of Jeſus, the Mediator of the New Covenant — called the Blood of Sprinkling; Becauſe it was, and is, the thing ſpecified by all the Sprinkings of Water and Blood, in the Old Teſtament. In the dayes of the Old Teſtament, it was their way and manner then, to mix water and blood together, and to ſprinkle it upon Perſons and Things: which was a Pattern and Type of this Blood of Jeſus; as you read from the 13. verſe, unto the 24. of the 9. of the Heb.— When our Lord and Saviour Chriſt died upon the Croſs, there came water and blood out of his ſide, ſaith John. And if you look into the 1 of John, c. 5. you ſhall ſee that John, his beloved Diſciple, inſiſts much upon it, at the 6. v. This is he that came by Water and Blood, even Jeſus Chriſt; not by Water onelyonly, but by Water and Blood. Again, This is he, even Jeſus Chriſt, that came by water and blood: which blood of Sprinkling, is the blood of Jeſus, ſaith Peter expreſly, in his 1 Epiſt. 1.2. Elect according to the foreknowledge …f God the Father, through ſanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and ſprinkling of the blood of Ieſus Chriſt: So that plainly then, and briefly, this B…ood of Sprinkling, is the blood of Ieſus. Called the Bl…od of Sprinkling, in reference unto thoſe Types and Ceremonies of ſprinkling blood, in the time of the Old Teſtament.
For our better underſtanding whereof, I ſhall labour to ſhew you briefly, what were the grounds and reaſons of their ſprinkling blood, in the times of the Old Teſtament, and how that is appliable to the blood of Jeſus.
If you look therefore into the Old Teſtament, you ſhall find that they ſprinkled blood upon a fourfold account.
To confirm and ratifie the Covenant between God and them.
To make an Attonement for their ſin.
For the ſanctification, and purification of their Perſons and things.
And for the preſervation of their Perſons.
Accordingly therefore, ſaith the Apoſtle, Heb. 9.19. the Book was ſprinkled: ſo in the 24. of Exod. the meaning of it is given, v. 7. And he took the Book of the Covenant, and read in the audience of the people, and they ſaid, all that the Lord hath ſaid, we will do, and be obedient; and Moſes took the blood, and ſprinkled it on the people, and ſaid, behold the blood of the Covenant: and the 9th of the Heb. tells us, That he ſprinkled the Book it ſelf; — And why ſo? — But to ſhew thus much, That it is the Blood of Jeſus that doth ratifie and confirm the Covenant now made, between God and us; as at large in that 9th of the Hebrews.
2. Then alſo in thoſe times of the Old Teſtament, they ſprinkled blood, to make an Attonement for the ſins of the people; as you have it in the 4th of Levit. 6, and the 20. verſes. And the Prieſt ſhall dip his finger in the blood, and ſprinkle of the blood ſeven times before the Lord, before the Vail of the Sanctuary. The Mercy Seat, and the Altar, were ſprinkled;—the reaſon is given at the 20 v. And he ſhall do with the Bullock, as he did with the Bullock for a fin offering, ſo ſhall he do with this: And, The Prieſt ſhall make an Attonement for them; and it ſhall be forgiven them. And why ſo? But to ſhew that it is the blood of Jeſus, whereby we have Attonement, as in Rom. 5.11.
3. Again, In the times of the Old Teſtament, they did ſprinkle blood for the purification of mens Perſons, and of Things. As you have it in Levit. 14. v. 7. And he ſhall ſprinkle upon him that is to be cleanſed from the Leproſie ſeven times, and ſhall pronounce him clean. And why ſo? But to ſhew that it is the blood of Jeſus that doth cleanſe us from all Iniquity, as in the firſt Epiſt. of John, Chap. 1.
4. Then in thoſe times, they did ſprinkle mens perſons, for preſervation from the deſtroying Angel: when the deſtroying Angel came to deſtroy the Aegyptians, the poſts of the Iſraelites were ſprinkled, that they might be preſerved. — And why? But to ſhew that it is by the blood of Jeſus, that we are preſerved from the deſtroyer. In the 1. v. of the 1. of Jude, its ſaid, Jude the ſervant of Jeſus Chriſt, and Brother of James, to them that are ſanctified by God the Father, and preſerved in Jeſus Chriſt; or preſerved by Jeſus Chriſt: and Chriſt our paſsover is ſacrificed for us, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Corinthians. So that thus now you ſee briefly, what were the grounds and reaſons of their ſprinkling blood, in the times of the Old Teſtament, and how all this is applicable to the Blood of Jeſus.
And if you look wiſhly into the Scripture, and compare things with things, you ſhall find that Moſes in the times of the Old Teſtament, did divide the blood of the Covenant, part whereof was ſprinkled upon the Altar, poured down at the foot of the Altar, to oblige God to the Covenant. — And part of it was ſprinkled upon the people, to confirm their ſouls in the certainty of the Covenant, and to oblige them to obſerve and keep Covenant with God. So, with the blood of Chriſt. And therefore when our Lord and Saviour Chriſt ſpeaks at the Lords Supper, he ſaith, This Cup is the New Teſtament in my blood, ſhed for many, for the Remiſſion of ſins. The firſt part part of the words: This Cup is the New Teſtament in my blood, hath regard to us, ſhewing that our ſouls are to be confirmed in this, that we are in covenant with God.— The ſecond part of the words, ſhed for many, for the remiſſion of ſins, relates unto God, ſhewing the uſe of Chriſts blood, to ſatisfie God for our ſins, and to obtain our Remiſſion.
And if you would know, What is the uſe of this Sprinkling; I ſay, Sprinkling of the Blood; notes Application: What are we the better for the Blood of Chriſt, if it be not applyed to us, and ſprinkled on us. There are two great Attributes of God, that we have to deal withal, in the great matter of our Redemption.— The Juſtice of God— and the Mercy of God. That the Juſtice of God might be be ſatisfied; Chriſt was made a ſacrifice on the Croſs, and his blood ſhed on Earth, that the favour of God might be obtained: Chriſt carries (as our great High-prieſt) his Blood, (the vertue of it) into Heaven, and ſprinkles the Mercy-ſeat ſeven times.
And that we might be ſanctified, and reconcil'd to God, this Blood is ſprinkled upon us too. As it's ſprinkled upon the Altar, and the Mercy-ſeat, that God might be reconciled to us; ſo 'tis ſprinkled upon us, that we might be ſanctified & reconciled to God: And that thereby we might be aſſur'd that God is in covenant with us. As when the Jews were ſprinkled with blood, the Prieſt ſaying, This is the Blood of the covenant, they were aſſured thereby, that they were in covenant with God: So when we are ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus, we are, or may be, aſſured that we are in the covenant of Grace with God. And thus now you ſee, what this Blood of Sprinkling is,— upon what account 'tis ſprinkled,— and what is the uſe of the ſprinkling thereof. And ſo I have done with the firſt General.
Secondly, This Blood of Sprinkling (which is the blood of Ieſus) is a ſpeaking Blood, and ſpeaketh better things than that of A…el, or than Abel.
It ſpeaketh, in regard of its continual, and perpetual Virtue, and Operation: But here are two things,
Firſt, What this Blood of Sprinkling ſpeaketh.
2. How, and in what ſenſe, it ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel.
Firſt, What this Blood of Sprinkling ſpeaketh.
1. It ſpeaketh a neceſſity of ſatisfaction, for, Without blood there is no Remiſſion.
2. It ſpeaketh the Righteouſneſs of God: If God have burnt down ſuch a City as this, to declare his Righteouſneſs; how much more doth the ſhedding of the blood of Ieſus, declare the Righteouſneſs of God: To declare, I ſay, his Righteouſneſs, ſaith the Apoſtle, in Rom. 3.
3. It ſpeaketh the higheſt Obedience, that ever the Sun ſaw. That the Son of God ſhould be obedient unto death, laying down his blood, is the higheſt Obedience. As the diſobedience of the firſt Adam, was in the matter of the Tree; ſo the obedience of the ſecond Adam, was in the matter of the Tree: Who his own ſelf bare our ſins in his own body, on the Tree, ſaith the Apoſtle.— As the diſobedience of the firſt Adam, was in the tranſgreſſing a poſitive commandment, which was the ſymbol of obedience to the whole Moral Law: So the obedience of the ſecond Adam, doth conſiſt in being obedient unto a poſitive commandment, which was the ſymbol of his obedience to the whole Law of God: This c…mmandment received I of my Father, ſaith he.— And as Moſes the Head of that Covenant, was faithful in all his houſe; in ſo much as its ſaid of him, As the L…rd Commanded, ſo did he: ſo Jeſus the head of this ſecond Covenant was faithful in all his truſt, and as the Lord Commanded ſo did he, As the Father gave me commandment, ſaith he, even ſo I do, John. 14. laſt. So that the blood of ſprinkling, ſpeaks the higheſt obedience in the World,
4. It ſpeaketh alſo the worth of ſouls, If a Phyſitian have a Patient ready to die, and nothing will work his cure but the heart-blood of the Phyſitian, and the Phyſitian ſhould vouchſafe thereto, and let him have his heart-blood to drink; Would it not argue that the Phyſitian thinks this mans life is of great concernment and of great worth, ſo 'tis here. And what doth this argue but that Jeſus did look upon the ſouls of men, as of Infinite worth and Concernment.
5. This blood of Jeſus, and the blood of ſprinkling ſpeaketh the evill of ſin: The hainouſneſs, the ſinfulneſs, the evill, of ſin. There are many things that do ſpeak the evill of ſin, but of all things methinks the blood of ſprinkling, the blood of Jeſus, ſpeaks the evill of ſin loudeſt; Give me leave to name ſome, that ſo you may compare them and this together.
Firſt, The ſeparation from God, and union with Satan, ſpeakes the evill of ſin. As by Grace we are united unto God, made One with God, and ſeparated from the Devil: ſo by ſin we are ſeparated from God, and united unto Satan, and made one with him.
2. The Condemnation of the whole World by the ſin of Adam, ſpeaks the evill of ſin: If the eating of the Apple, committing that one ſin, brought Condemnation upon all the World, how g eat muſt the evil of ſin be!
3. The fire of Hell ſpeaks the evil of ſin, for what is the fewel that the fire of hell feeds upon, but ſin; take ſin away, and the fire of Hell will die, it will be quencht.
4. The ſpoyl of Dutyes ſpeaks it: One ſinful thought, is enough to ſpoyl a prayer, to ſpoyl a Duty, to ſpoyl a Sermon: And if one drop of Inke ſhall black a whole Glaſs of milk, how black is that Inke!
5. The horror of Conſcience ſpeaks it; for, If but one ſin ſet on upon the ſoul by God, doth put a man into ſuch horror of Conſcience, how great is the evil of ſin!
6. The troubleſomneſs of the relicks of ſin in the Saints ſpeaks it: Sins in the Saints are but waſps without their ſting, And if the waſps without their ſting be ſo troubleſom, how troubleſom are the waſps that have their ſtings in them; how troubleſom is ſin in it ſelf!
But ſeventhly, and above all, The Blood of ſprinkling ſpeaks the evill of ſin. For if the guilt of ſin be ſo great that nothing can ſatisfie for it, but the Blood of Jeſus, and the Filth of ſin be ſo great that nothing can fetch out the ſtain thereof, but the blood of Jeſus, How great, How hainous, How ſinfull muſt the evil of ſin be? The Blood of ſprinkling ſpeakes the evil of ſin: And then
6ly As the Blood of ſprinkling ſpeaks the evil of ſin, ſo it ſpeakes the riches and the freeneſs of the Love of God. 'Twas love in Jonathan to part with his Garment for David, What love is it in Chriſt, to part with his Blood for us? It was love that made Chriſt weep over Lazarus, They ſaid, Behold how he loved him! And if his Tears ſpeak his love, what doth his Blood? 'Tis love to give a cup of cold water to a Diſciple, what is it then to give ones warm Blood unto Enemies,
Three things there are that do make a gift greatly free. 1. The greatneſs of the gift given,
— 2. The unworthineſs of the Perſon given unto
3. And the greatneſs of the perſon that gives.
1. As for the gift it ſelf, What greater than the Blood of Jeſus?
2. As for the Perſons given unto, who more unworthy then ſinfull men?
3. As for the Perſon that doth give, who greater then God in the three Perſons? The Father gives Chriſt to die: The Son dies and gives his Blood: And the Holy-Ghoſt comes and ſprinkles it; for it is the work of the Holy-Ghoſt to ſprinkle: this is another thing that the Blood of Jeſus ſpeaks; It ſpeakes the Riches and the freeneſs of the love of God: theſe are the things that this blood of ſprinkling ſpeaketh.
And now if you ask, How, and in what reſpects it ſpeaketh better things than Abel, or then that of Abel: (For it may be tranſlated both ways according to the ſeveral copies, But take it according to our tranſlation: better than that of Abel, or then the blood of Abel.) How and in what reſpects doth the blood of Jeſus ſpeak better things than the blood of Abel?
Why it ſpeaks better things than the Perſonal blood of Abel — And it ſpeakes better things than the Sacrificed blood of Abel.
It ſpeakes better then the Perſonal blood of Abel: for the blood of Abel cryed for vengeance againſt his own Brother, But the blood of Jeſus cries for mercy and for remiſſion for his Enemyes: Father forgive them they know not what they do, ſaid Chriſt when their hands were imbrewed in his blood:
But others think rather that theſe words are to be underſtood of the ſacrificed blood of Abel. And becauſe Abel is the firſt that ſtands upon record in Scripture for offering a ſacrifice with blood, It is as if the Apoſtle ſhould ſay, The ſacrifice of Jeſus on the Croſs, and the blood of Jeſus, ſpeaketh better things than the ſacrifice of Abel, or of all the ſacrifices in the Old-Teſtament. And Indeed, This is more ſutable to the ſcope of the Apoſtle here; For the deſign of the Apoſtle here, is, to ſhew the excellencie of New-Teſtament ſacrifice, and of the way of the New-Teſtament, above the Old. And if you look into the Scripture you find, that though in the Fourth of Geneſis, it …s ſaid, Abels blood cryed, yet notwithſtanding i… is not ſaid that Abel or his blood ſpeaketh: bu… …n the Eleventh of the Hebrews 'tis ſaid that, in point of ſacrifice, By faith, Abel ſpeaketh: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellen… ſacrifice then Cain, and by it he, being dead, yet ſpe…keth. In point of ſacrifice by faith, he yet ſpeaketh.
And would you know how the blood of Jeſus ſpeaketh better things than the ſacrificed blood of Abel, or than all the ſacrifices of the old Teſtament. Thus.
1. The blood of Jeſus, and the ſacrifice of Chriſt on the Croſs, doth give efficacie unto all thoſe ſacrifices: What a…e all the Types and Ceremonies, but dead things without the thing Typified?
2. And though Abel offered an excellent ſacrifice, he did not offer his own Blood: But Jeſus did; he offered up himſelf by the Eternal Spirit, as in the 9th of the Heb.
3. And though Abel, and the Fathers of the Old Teſtament offered excellent ſacrifices, yet they offered often, and ſo thoſe ſacrifices could not make the Commers thereunto perfect, ſaith the Apoſtle, But Chriſt offered himſelf once for all. And ſo he hath for ever perfected them that are ſanctified. Heb. 10.
4. Though Abel and the Fathers in the Old Teſtament did offer excellent ſacrifices, yet their ſacrifice was after their ſin committed; when they had commited a ſin, then they were to get a ſacrifice, and poſſibly they might have died before the ſacrifice; was offered: but the ſacrifice of Chriſt is, before our ſin is committed; we cannot die between the ſin and the ſacrifice.
5. And though Abel and the Fathers of the Old Teſtament offered excellent ſacrifices, the blood whereof was ſprinkled on the people, yet that was but to the purifying of the fleſh, for ſaith the Apoſtle at the 13th v. of the 9th Chap. If the Blood of Bulls and of Goats, and the aſhes of an Heifer ſprinkling the unclean, ſanctifieth to the purifying of the fleſh &c. But the ſprinkling of the blood of Jeſus, purgeth our Conſciences from dead works. How much more ſhall the blood of Chriſt, who through the Eternal Spirit offered himſelf without ſpot to God, purge your Conſcience from dead works, to ſerve the living God. Upon which words ſaith Capellus, you have here the excellencie of this offering above all other offerings in the World: above the offerings of the Heathen, above the offerings of the Jews, above the offerings of the Chriſtians. Above the offerings of the Heathens; for they ſacrificed to Devills, but he offered himſelf without ſpot to God. — Above the ſacrifice of the Jews; for their blood of ſprinkling ſanctifyed to the purifying of the Fleſh, but this to the purging of your Conſcience from dead works. — Above the offering of the Chriſtians; for though Chriſtians offer up ſpiritual ſacrifices to God, as prayers, and thankſgivings, yet not without ſpot; but he offered himſelf through the Eternal ſpirit without ſpot to God.
6. And then, Though A…el offered an excellent ſacrifice, and ſo the Fathers of the Old Teſtament; yet notwithſtanding thoſe were for themſelves, and for thoſe times. Abel offered for himſelf, and the Jews for themſelves, for that time onelyonly; but Chriſt offered a ſacrifice for all the World, He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the ſin of the World, and a Lamb ſlain from the beginning of the W…rld.
7. Again though Abel offered an excellent ſacrifice, and the Fathers of the Old Teſtament offe…ed excellent ſacrifices, and the blood thereof was ſprinkled; yet it was not ſprinkled upon all things, but in the 9th Heb: 'tis ſaid, Moreover he ſprinkled with blood both the Tabernacle, and all the Veſſels of the Miniſtry, and almoſt all things are by the Law purged with blood; It was but almoſt, but now by the blood of Jeſus all things are purged and cleanſed, not almoſt, but all things are purged and cleanſed. Thus now you ſee what this blood of ſprinkling ſpeaketh, and how it ſpeaketh better things then the blood of Abel; better than his Perſonal blood, and better than his ſacrificed blood, and that's the ſecond General.
3. Now 3, unto this blood of ſprinkling are we come in theſe Goſpel-t…mes. We are not come unto the blood of Bulls and Goats, and heifers, but we are come unto the blood of Jeſus the blood of ſprinkling.
For what is the diſpenſation that we are now under, but the diſpenſation of a cruc…fied Chriſt? There are two Comings of Chriſt mention'd in the Scripture A coming in a way of meanneſs, riding upon an Aſs: his firſt coming is in a way of humiliat…on, riding upon an Aſs, and accordingly his Kingdom is a Kingdom of Patience. And there is a coming ſecond Coming of Chriſt, when he comes riding upon the Clouds in power and Great Glory, and accordingly his Kingdom then ſhall be a Kingdom of power and Glory. When Chriſt comes the ſecond time we ſhall be under Glorious diſpenſations, but now we are under the firſt Coming of Chriſt, and therefore what is the Diſpenſation that now we are under, but the diſpenſation of a crucified Chriſt?—What doth a Preaching ſignifie and hold forth, but Chriſt crucified? We Preach Chriſt crucified, ſaith, the Apoſtle— What do the Sacraments hold forth, why: This Cup is the New Teſtament in my Blood, ſaith he. So that now we are under the Diſpenſation of a crucified Chriſt. In the times of the Old Covenant, they did believe in God, and God himſelf was the firſt object of their Faith, and ſo they came to Chriſt: now, in theſe times of the New Teſtament, the firſt and immediat object of our Faith, is the blood of Chriſt, Faith in the Blood of Chriſt, Rom: 3. So that (I ſay) It is the blood of Jeſus that now we are come unto.
Well but though in theſe Goſpel-times we are now come to the blood of Jeſus, the blood of ſprinkling; yet, it may be, this blood of ſprinkling may not be ſprinkled upon my ſoul. When may the blood of ſprinkling be ſaid to be ſprinkled upon a mans ſoul? How ſhall I know, whether this blood of ſprinkling be ſprinkled upon my ſoul in particular; that's a Queſtion of great Concernment: Thus therefore,
1. If it be your great work in all your Temptations, and upon all Occaſions to apply your ſelves unto the blood of Jeſus, then is the blood of Jeſus applyed to you, and ſo ſprinkled on you: The blood of Jeſus is ſprinkled on us by the Spirit of God, and when it's ſprinkled by the Spirit of God, it is applyed. If you do make applications of your ſelves to Chriſt, certainly Chriſt hath made applications of Himſelf to you: for all our grace is but a reflexion of his Grace; we love him, becauſe he loved us firſt, and we chooſe him becauſe he choſe us firſt, and we apply our ſelves to him, becauſe he hath applyed himſelf unto us firſt. If therefore in all Temptations, and upon all occaſions, it be your great work to make an application of your ſelves unto the blood of Jeſus, then hath the blood of Jeſus been applyed to you, and ſprinkled upon you.
2. If you ever have had ſuch a ſight of the blood of Chriſt, as that thereby you are purged from an evil Conſcience, Then hath this blood been applyed to, and ſprinkled on you; They go together. In the 10th Heb. 22, its ſaid, Let us draw neer with a true heart, in full aſſurance of Faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil Conſcience, or purged: (the 9th of the Hebrews, calls it purged;) having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil Conſcience. What is that? why an evil Conſcience is an evil Conſcience two wayes — either becauſe it is a ſluggiſh Conſcience, and don't ſtirr us up unto our duty, and accuſe for ſin; — or elſe becauſe it is a clamorous and deſpondent Conſcience. Now if you have had ſuch a ſight of the blood of Jeſus as hath quickned your Conſcience, and wakened your Conſcience, and yet pacified your Conſcience at the ſame time, Then have you been ſprinkled with this blood of Jeſus. You ſee how they go together, in the 10th Chap. 1.2, 3. v. But,
3. If you have a continual ſight and remembrance of the blood of Ieſus in all your goings out, and your comings in, Then hath the blood of Ieſus, been ſprinkled upon you: When the deſtroying Angel paſſed over the houſes of the Iſraelites, the Poſts were ſprinkled with the blood of the Lamb: The Poſts; And why their Poſts? But that in all their goings out, and their comings in, they might have an eye thereunto: So now, how is it with me? Do I, not onelyonly find the virtue of the Lord Chriſt within me? But that in all my goings out, and comings in, I have an eye unto his blood; then is his blood ſprinkled upon my poſts, and applied unto me.
4. If that you do walk in the Light, as God is in the Light; then the blood of Ieſus hath been, and is, ſprinkled upon you, and applied to you: 1 John 1.7. But if we walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, we have fellowſhip one with another, and the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all ſin.— If we walk in the Light, as he is in the Light?— What's that?— How is God and Chriſt in the Light;— why he is in the Light certainly, in regard of Grace and Holineſs. So he is in the Light, and to that purpoſe the Apoſtle ſpeaks here: So then, Although you cannot walk in the Light of Comfort, but as a child of Light walking in darkneſs; yet if you do walk in the Light of Holineſs, walk in the Light, as God is in the Light; then certainly, the blood of Ieſus Chriſt hath cleanſed you, and ſo hath been ſprinkled upon you.
5. If you are indeed ſeparated and ſet apart for God, and for the Work and Service of God, then is the blood of Ieſus ſprinkled upon you: He that is dipt in this bloud of ſprinkling, is ſeparated. You ſhall obſerve, that when the Prieſts were Conſecrated, the tip of the right Ear was ſprinkled with bloud, and the Thumb of the right hand, and the Toe of the right Foot:— And not onelyonly the Prieſts, when they were conſecrated were ſo ſprinkled: But when a man was cleanſed from his Leproſie, he was ſo ſprinkled alſo. You have them both in Levi…. concerning Aaron, Levit. 8.23. He ſlew the Ram, and Moſes took of the bloud of it, and put it upon the tip of Aarons right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great Toe of his right foot: This in regard of Aaron.— In regard of the Leproſie, you have it in the 14 of Levit. And of the reſt of the Oyl that is in his hand, ſhall the Prieſt put upon the tip of the right Ear of him that is to be cleanſed, and upon the Thumb of his right hand, and upon the great Toe of his right Foot, upon the blood of the Treſpaſs-offering: And ſo in regard of Blood, as well as of Oyl — what's the meaning of this, that the tip of the right ear was to be toucht with bloud, and the thumb of the right hand was to be touched with bloud; and the toe of the right foot with bloud, both when the Prieſt was conſecrated, and when the Leproſie was cleanſed? But to ſhew thus much, That the whole man is to be ſet a part for God.— The Ear of his underſtanding and knowing part, is to be ſet aſide for God. — The Thumb of his hand, the believing part, (by Faith we lay hold) is to be ſet apart for God.— And the great Toe of the right foot, the Practical part of life and converſation: The whole man is to be ſet apart for God, where this ſprinkling comes: So that look therefore, when a man is ſet apart for the Worſhip and Service of God, Ear, and Hand, and Foot, ſet a part for the Worſhip and Service of God; then he is ſaid to be ſprinkled with this blood of Sprinkling.
6. Once more, If that you have had ſuch a proſpect of Chriſt crucified, and have ſeen what great and wonderful things Chriſt hath done and ſuffered, inſomuch as your hearts have been aſtonied therewithal; then have your ſouls been ſprinkled with this blood: See how they go together, Iſa. 52.13, 14, 15. Behold, My Servant ſhall deal prudently, he ſhall be exalted and extolled, and be very high, (ſpeaking of Chriſt). As many were aſtonied at him, (his Viſage was ſo marred, more than any mans, and his Form, more than the Sons of men) ſo ſhall he ſprinkle many Nations; the Kings ſhall ſhut their mouths at him, for that which had n…t been to…d them, ſhall they ſee, and that which they had not heard, ſhall they conſider. Where this bloud is ſprinkled, there comes Aſtoniſhment at the Mirror, and Wiſdom and Myſtery of a crucified Chriſt. So that thus now you ſee, that we are come unto this bloud of Sprinkling; and how a man ſhall know whether his own ſoul be ſprinkled with this bloud of ſprinkling in particular. And is this a ſmall matter?
4. The fourth thing tells us, It is a priviledge, and a very great priviledge to come unto the bloud of ſprinkling; it is a very great priviledge, to be ſprinkled with this bloud of Sprinkling.
It was a very great priviledge for the Jews, to have a ſacrifice by them at hand, when they had committed ſin, to have the bloud of ſprinkling by them.— But alas, what's that to this, what was that ſacrifice to this of Chriſt, and what was that bloud to this of Chriſt; and what was that ſprinkling unto this ſprinkling of the bloud of Jeſus? Look what difference is between the Type, and the thing Typified.— Look what difference there is between the bloud of Bulls and Goats, and the bloud of Jeſus.— Look what difference between Carnal, and Spiritual things; ſo great a difference is there between the coming to the blood of Bulls and Goats, and the coming to, and being ſprinkled with the bloud of Jeſus.
Let me open this a little to you, if you be indeed come unto this blood of ſprinkling, and be ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus;
Then look whatſoever benefits do flow from the blood of Jeſus, all thoſe doe belong to you: And do you well conſider what are the benefits that do flow from the blood of Jeſus? Let me name ſome to you.
1. Thereby (in the General) we have redemption: In whom we have Redemption through his Blood. ſaith Paul, Epheſ. 1.
2. Thereby the Covenant of Grace, is ratified and confirmed, Heb. 9. at large.
3. Thereby the Church of God is purchaſed, Acts 20. purchaſed by his bloud; By the bloud of God.
4. Thereby the Wall of Partition, made between Jew and Gentile, God and us, is broken down, Epheſ. 2.13.
5. Thereby all things in Heaven and Earth, are reconciled, Col. 1.20.
6. Thereby are your ſouls juſtified, and your ſins pardoned; In whom we have Redemption through his bloud, The forgiveneſs of our ſins, Epheſ. 1.
7. Thereby are you waſhed, and cleanſed, and ſanctified; The blood of Jeſus cleanſeth from all iniquity, 1 Iohn 1.
8. Thereby is your great adverſary Satan routed, and overcome, and ſpoyled; Rev. 12. They overcame him by the bloud of the Lamb.
9. Thereby Chriſt is made welcome by his Father, when he comes into Heaven in your name, to intercede for you. In the times of the Old Teſtament, the high Prieſt went into the Holy of holieſt, and carried bloud, and ſprinkled the Mercy-Seat ſeven times: But the high Prieſt did not ſit down. Now in the 10. of Heb. 11. it's ſaid: And every high Prieſt ſtandeth dayly miniſtring, and offering often times the ſame ſacrifices, which can never take away ſins: But this man, after he had offered one ſacrifice for ſins for ever, ſat down at the right Hand of God the Father. The high Prieſt did not then ſit down, but now when Chriſt comes into Heaven with your names upon his Heart, to ſprinkle the Mercy-Seat with his bloud; Come my Son, ſaith the Father, ſit down and welcome, upon this account.
10. And thereby alſo have you entrance into the Holy of holieſt, as in the 10th. of the Heb.
11. And if indeed you be ſprinkled with this bloud of ſprinkling, then are you at one with the Mercy-Seat: 'Tis the ſame blood that's ſprinkled upon the Mercy-Seat in Heaven, and that's ſprinkled upon your ſouls here on Earth: The ſame bloud in the time of the Old Teſtament, that was ſprinkled upon the people, was ſprinkled upon the Altar, and the Mercy-ſeat; ſo the ſame bloud that's now in Heaven, ſprinkled upon the Mercy-ſeat, is ſprinkled upon your hearts.
12. If you are ſprinkled with this bloud of ſprinkling, then all the Promiſes are yours; for all the Promiſes are, Yea, and Amen in Chriſt: And if Chriſts bloud be ſprinkled on you, and applied to you, then may you apply the Promiſes to your ſelves.
13. And if indeed, you be ſprinkled with this bloud of ſprinkling, then are all things clean unto you; for as the bloud of ſprinkling, is ſprinkled upon your ſouls, ſo are all your Injoyments be ſprinkled with it.
14. And if you be indeed ſprinkled with the bloud of Jeſus, then may you go away, and ſay; Now are all the bleſſings of the Covenant mine: The day that you are ſprinkled with the bloud of Ieſus, you may ſay; now know I, that my ſins are pardoned: Mercy is mine, and Pardon is mine, and Adoption is mine. As, when the Pſalmiſt had a ſight of God, he cried out, and ſaid: Gilead is mine, and Manaſſeh is mine; So the day that you have this ſight of God, in being ſprinkled with the bloud of Ieſus, you may cry out and ſay: Not, Gilead is mine, and Manaſſeh is mine; But, Pardon is mine, and Adoption is mine, and Heaven is mine, and God is mine for ever: Oh! Who would not labour to get his ſoul ſprinkled now with the bloud of ſprinkling?
5. You will ſay (in the fifth and laſt place) 'Tis a great priviledge to be ſprinkled with the bloud of ſprinkling: We grant it. But what ſhall we do, that even we may get our ſouls ſprinkled with the bloud of Ieſus, the bloud of ſprinkling?
Firſt of all you muſt know, That there is a two-fold ſprinkling, with the bloud of Sprinkling.— There is an Initial ſprinkling,— and a Renewed ſprinkling: As there is an Initial Repentance, and a Renewed Repentance; ſo there is an Initial Sprinkling, and a Renewed Sprinkling.
An Initial ſprinkling, and that's a mans firſt Converſion, when he is juſtified, according to that in the 1 Cor. 6.11. Such were ſome of you, but you are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified, in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God. Here's the Initial ſprinkling.
The Renewed ſprinkling, is upon a two-fold account,— 1. Upon the account of ſome great ſin committed,— and 2. Upon the account of ſome ſpecial duty to be performed.
A freſh ſprinkling there muſt be upon ſome great ſin committed: So in the 51 Pſalm, ſaith David, Waſh me throughly from mine iniquity: He had ſin'd a great ſin, but his ſin was pardoned, Pſal. 51. Title, A Pſal… of David, when Nathan the Prophet came unto him that was, after Nathan came to him.— And what di… Nathan ſay, he told him his ſin was pardoned, yet ſaith David, v. 7. Purge me with Hyſop, I muſt have a freſh ſprinkling; after ſome great ſin committed there muſt be a freſh ſprinkling with the blood of Jeſus.
And upon duty to be performed, eſpecially ſome great duty to be performed, there muſt alſo be a freſh ſprinkling. In the 10th Heb. 22. Paul ſaith, Let us draw neer with a true heart, in full aſſurance of Faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with pure water:—why our bodies waſhed with pure water? It relates to the waſhings in the Old Teſtament: when the Prieſts were to come to offer a ſacrifice, there was a Laver, and they were then to waſh themſelves; ſo, ſaith the Apoſtle, let us draw neer to God, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with pure water; becauſe upon a new addreſs to God, a freſh ſprinkling with the blood of Jeſus is to be had. 'Tis not enough to have an old ſprinkling with the blood of Jeſus, but upon all our approaches to God, eſpecially after ſome great ſin committed, or ſome ſpecial duty to be performed, we muſt come and get a freſh ſprinkling with the blood of Jeſus.
2. You muſt know alſo, that though you have bin very great ſinners, yet you are not uncapable of this ſprinkling with the blood of Jeſus. The Apoſtle ſaith in that place of the Corinthians: Such were ſome of you;— what ſuch? v. 9. Know ye not that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the Kingdome of God. Be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor Abuſers of themſelves with man-kind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, ſhall inherit the Kingdom of God. And ſuch were ſome of you; but ye are waſhed, —how?— why ye are juſtified in the name of our Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God, which ſprinkles, which applies the blood of Chriſt: So then, though ye have bin great ſinners, yet you are not uncapable of being ſprinkled with this blood of ſprinkling.
3. You muſt know this alſo, that there is nothing on this ſide the blood of Jeſus, this blood of ſprinkling, that can cleanſe you: If any thing ſhould bid for our cleanſing, methinks it ſhould be our ſufferings and perſecutions for the name of God; but look into the 7th Rev. 14th it's ſaid, Theſe are they which came out of great Tribulations, and have waſhed their Robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. — They have waſhed their Robes, —how? what, with their great Tribulations? — No, They came out of great Tribulations, but their Tribulations dont waſh them: theſe are they that came out of great Tribulation, and have waſhed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Nothing on this ſide Chriſt, and this blood of ſprinkling, can cleanſe your ſouls. But,
4. Though there be nothing on this ſide Chriſt that can cleanſe your ſouls, but the blood of Jeſus, yet it is the Spirit of Chriſt that muſt ſprinkle it. The blood of Jeſus is then ſprinkled, when it is applied: now this is the work of the Holy Ghoſt, I will ſprinkle you with clean water, I le waſh you with water? As it is a derogation to the blood of Chriſt to go to any elſe for cleanſing; So 'tis a derogation to the Spirit of Chriſt to go to any elſe for ſprinkling, or to go to any elſe for that application of the Blood of Chriſt. 'Tis onelyonly the Spirit of Chriſt that muſt ſprinkle this blood upon your and my ſoul.
5. Though this ſprinkling muſt be done only by the Spirit; Yet notwithſtanding this blood of Jeſus is ſprinkled by the ordinance in the hand of the Spirit; by the preaching of the Goſpel. He preaches not that ſprinkles not the blood of Chriſt in preaching; and eſpecially by that great ordinance of the Lords Supper. You may obſerve therefore, that the ſame words that were uſed in the Old Teſtament when they ſprinkled the blood, This is the blood of the Covenant, as in the 9th of the Hebrews, are uſed by our Saviour Chriſt at the Lords Supper: This Cup is the New Teſtament in my blood, &c. Why ſo? but to ſhew thus much, that this ordinance of the Lords Supper, is the Hyſop in the hand of the Spirit, whereby the ſouls of believers are ſprinkled with a freſh ſprinkling: Oh therefore who would not come to this ordinance of the Lords ſupper in a right way and manner.
6. But then again, you muſt kn…w …lſo that you muſt come for ſprinkling with the great'ſt ſenſe of unworthines that may be. I… you look into the 19th of Numb. you ſhall find that he that ſprink…d the blood, was to be unclean until the evening, v. 7. Then the Prieſt ſhall waſh his cloaths, and he ſh…l b… t…e his fleſh in W…ter, and afterward he ſhall come into the Camp, And the Prieſt ſhall be unclean until the evening. At v. 6. The Prieſt ſhall take Cedar-wood, and Hyſop, and Scarlet, and caſt it into the midſt of the burning or the Heifer; and then the Prieſt ſhall waſh his cloaths, and come into the Camp, and ſhall be unclean until the evening. And at the 8th v. He that burneth her ſh…ll waſh his cloathes in Water, and bathe his fleſh in Water, and ſhall be unclean until the evening. And a man that is clean ſhall gather up the Aſhes of the Heifer, and lay them up without the Camp in a clean place, and it ſhall be kept for the Congregation of the children of Iſrael for a Water of ſeparation: It is a purification for ſin, and he that gathereth the Aſhes of the Heifer, ſhall waſh his cloaths, and be unclean until the evening. — What's all this, but to ſhew thus much; That they might not come to this ſacred Expiation, but with the greateſt ſenſe of their unworthineſs; Plainly ſhewing thus much, That there is no medling with this blood of ſprinkling, but with the greateſt ſenſe of our unworthineſs of the blood of Jeſus. Now therefore, do you deſire that you may be ſprinkled with this blood of ſprinkling? then, whenſoever you go to the blood of Jeſus, and look upon it, go with the greateſt ſenſe of your unworthineſs of this blood; then go to the Spirit of God (whoſe work alone it is) to apply and ſprinkle, and then ſtand and wait where the Spirit ſtands with his Hyſop to ſprinkle the ſouls of men: and ſo ſhall you be made partakers of this great priviledge.
But ſuppoſe that I be ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus, and that this blood of ſprinkling hath indeed fallen upon my ſoul, what is my duty then?
1. Then, Go away and doubt no more. When the ſinning Jew was ſprinkled, do you think he doubted whether he were pardoned or no? No ſurely, he did believe that he was pardoned, and that he was in Covenant with God. For thoſe words were uſed, This is the Blood of the Covenant. And ſhall you be ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus, and will you doubt whether you be in Covenant with the Lord by Grace or no? &c.
This blood of ſprinkling ſpeaketh, and you have heard what it ſpeaks; — now then I pray take heed that you don't refuſe him that ſpeaketh from Heaven; mark how it follows, in the very next words to the Text, We are come to the Blood of ſprinkling that ſpeaketh better things then that of Abel. See that ye refuſe not him that ſpeaketh, for if they eſcaped not who refuſed him that ſpoke on Earth, much more ſhall not we eſcape, if we turn away from him that ſpeaketh from Heaven. Why man or woman! 'tis Jeſus that ſpeaketh to thee, Jeſus the Mediator of the Covenant that ſpeakes un…o you to believe: What, are you ſprinkled? go away then and doubt no more: but take heed that ye refuſe not him that ſpeaketh from Heaven.
And ſecondly; Then alſo conclude and ſay; Now know I that I ſhall be preſerved from the deſtroyer. When the Iſralites poſts were ſprinkled with the blood of the Lamb, They could ſay; Now know I that I ſhall not be deſtroyed by this deſtroying Angel? Art thou ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus, ſay then: Now know I that I ſhall not be deſtroyed, but that the Angel ſhall paſs over me in the deſtroying day.
3. Then alſo go away and be Contented with your Condition what ever it be: And well you may, if you be ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus you are made partakers of the greateſt priveledg that can be, and will you not then be contented with your Condition? Go away and be contented with your Conditions, ſaying I have now received the greateſt privelege, for I am ſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus. therefore will I be contented with my Condition? What ever it be.
4. And then go away and praiſe God, and be very thankful; Be very thankful to God the Father, and to the Lamb with whoſe blood you are ſprinkled. Look into the 5th Rev. and you ſhall find, there are 3 quires of Praiſers, and all praiſing upon the account of this blood: And when he had opened the book, v. 9. the 24. Elders fell down before the Lamb, and they ſung a new ſong: The four and twenty Elders (theſe are men) ſaying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof, for thou waſt ſlain, and haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood: By thy bloud, here's the foot of the Song.
Then comes in the Angels, another Quire, praiſing God, v. 11. And I beheld, and I heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne, and the Beaſts, and the Elders, and the number of them was ten thouſand times ten thouſand, and thouſands of thouſands, ſaying with a loud voices; Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain; ſee the foot of the ſong ſtill, Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain. Men praiſe upon this account, Angels praiſe upon this account alſo.
There's a third Quire, and thoſe are other Creatures, verſ. 13. And every Creature which is in Heaven, and on the Earth, and under the Earth, and ſuch as are in the Sea, and all that are in them, heard I, ſaying; Bleſſing, Honour, Glory, and Power, be unto him that ſitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb: The word ſlain is not there, but to the Lamb, that's all one: Now ſhall there be ſuch praiſing God upon that account, for the Lambs being ſlain. And are you indeed moſt concerned, and ſprinkled with this blood of Jeſus, this Lamb, and will not you praiſe God? O! Go away, and be for ever thankful!
5. Go away and ſin no more: Be not defiled with ſin, for you ſee it coſt dear to cleanſe you. The bloud of Sprinkling, the bloud of Jeſus.
6. And go away and honour God, yet more in believing. It may be there are ſome here, that never honoured God to this day, with a believing ſmile: Man, Woman, art thou ſprinkled, indeed ſprinkled with the bloud of Jeſus? Go away then, and honour the Lord, with one ſmile of Faith this day.
7. And to conclude all, Art thou indeed ſprinkled with the bloud of Jeſus; then go away, and be ſure that you never ſell your Birth-right, for a meſs of Pottage: Mark, how this Text comes in. In this 12 of the Heb. the Apoſtle ſpeaking of prophane Eſau: Take heed, ſaith he, leſt there be any Fornicator, or Prophane perſon, as Eſau, who for one morſel of meat, ſold his Birth-right: For ye know how that afterwards, when he would have inherited the bleſſing, he was rejected, for he found no place of Repentance, though he ſought it carefully with tears; for ye are not come to Mount Sinai, but ye are come to Mount Sion, and ye are come to Jeſus, the Mediator of the Covenant, and to the bloud of Sprinkling. What then? O! Take heed you do not ſell your Birth-right, for a meſs of Pottage!— What is your Birth-right? The Goſpel is your Birth-right, you are born there-to (through Grace:) And, What is your little eſtate, but a meſs of Pottage; and what is your great eſtate, but a great boul of Pottage. O! Do not ſell your birth-right for a meſs of Pottage. You are ſprinkled, and the bloud of ſprinkling is upon you. Then hold faſt, keep your birth right, and never ſell it for a meſs of Pottage; for ye are come unto Jeſus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the Blood of Sprinkling: That ſpeaketh better things, than the bloud of Abel. And thus now I have done with the fourth Argument, and with this Text.
Think on theſe things, and the Lord bleſs them to you.