Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 1
Sermon, I. The Brazen Serpent, A Type of CHRIST.
Numbers XXI. 8.
And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Make thee a firy Serpent and ſet it upon a Pole: and it ſhall come to paſs, that every one that is bitten, when be looketh upon it ſhall live.
WE find in the 4th v. of our Context, that Iſrael Journeyed from Mount Hor, by the way of the Red-Sea, to compaſs the Land of Edom; and the Soul of the People was much diſcourag'd becauſe of the way. They were fatigu'd and tir'd with this tedious Journey, and we find, v. 5. They ſpake againſt God, and againſt Moſes. Often before this, when they met with difficulties, they murmured againſt God, and againſt his faithful Servants, Moſes & Aaron; and this vile practice they renew and repeat upon this new difficulty they met with. And for this their Sin, God plagues them. v. 6. And the Lord ſent firy Serpents among the People; and they bit the People, and much People of Iſrael dyed. It's likely theſe Serpents were called firy, either becauſe their colour ſomewhat reſembled that of fire; or rather, becauſe thoſe bitten with them were tormented with a Scortching burning heat in their Bodies, being greatly Inflam'd, ſcortch'd with thirſt which nothing could quench. Theſe Sinners were ſerv'd in their kind, were fill'd with their own ways; their Tongues had been Influenc'd by the old Serpent the Devil, they were ſet on fire of Hell in ſpeaking againſt God and Moſes, and now firy Serpents are ſent to puniſh them. Under this Plague, the People confeſs their Sin, deſire Moſes to Pray to God for them, which he did, v. 7. We don't find, that God preſently deſtroy'd or remov'd theſe Serpents; but our Text tells us, God order'd a remedy for thoſe bitten and wounded with the Serpents. He orders Moſes to make a brazen Serpent, and ſet it on a Pole, that the bitten Iſraelites looking to it might be heal'd and live. Now this brazen Serpent, which was thus ſet up on a Pole to heal the wounded Iſraelites; was a Type of Jeſus Chriſt, who was lifted up and dyed on the Croſs, to ſave Sinners. Our Saviour Himſelf ſo expounds and applies it. Joh. 3.14, 15. And as Moſes lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderneſs, even ſo muſt the Son of Man be lifted up. That whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh but have everlaſting Life. As every Iſraelite ſtung with the firy Serpents, liv'd, if he did but look on the brazen Serpent; ſo, every Sinner that believes in Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall live for ever. The Hebrew word, NES, which in our Text is rendred a Pole; is tranſlated an Engſign, and plainly refers to Chriſt. Iſai. 11.10. And in that day, there ſhall be a root of Jeſſe, which ſhall ſtand for an Enſign of the People; to it ſhall the Gentiles ſeek, and his rest ſhall be glorious. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is that Enſign of the People, to which many of the Gentiles ſeek and are Saved.
From the words we may obſerve this
DOCTRINE. As thoſe Iſraelites bitten with the firy Serpents, who look'd to the brazen Serpent, were ſav'd Alive; ſo, thoſe Sinners who believe in Chriſt ſhall be ſav'd for ever.
This Doctrine is to be handled, by ſhowing in ſundry particulars ſome Parallel or Similitude, between the Malady and Remedy of thoſe Iſraelites mention'd in our Text; and the Malady which Perſons have by Sin, and their Remedy thro' Chriſt.
1. Thoſe bitten by the firy Serpents, were grievouſly wounded. Doubtleſs thoſe bitings, occaſion'd extream pain and anguiſh: many dy'd of their wounds, and we don't find that any recover'd of them (and tis likely none did) but thoſe who look'd to the brazen Serpent. So, all Men are grievouſly wounded by Sin, they are ſtung by the old Serpent, the Devil. The Devil made uſe of a Serpent, to draw our firſt Parents into Sin. Gen. 3.1. The Serpent beguiled Eve thro' his ſubtlety, 2 Cor. 11.3. This Dragon, this old Serpent was the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole World, Rev. 12 9. The old Serpent the Devil, drew our Firſt Parents into Sin, and ſo all their Poſterity with them. For by one man ſin entred into the World, and death by ſin; and ſo death hath paſſed upon all men for that all have ſinned — by one man's diſobedience many were made ſinners, Rom. 5.12, 19 All have Sinned and come ſhort of the Glory of God. All meer Men ſince the fall of Adam, are ſhapen in Iniquity and conceiv'd in Sin; and ſo they are Children of wrath by nature. Indeed they are all Sinners, and Sin is a grievous terrible wound. Sin is a Mortal wound, the wages of it is Death, Rom 6.23 Every Sin in its own nature tends to eternal Death and Miſery; it deſerves ſuch Death. Curſed is every one that continues not in all things written in the book of the Law to do them, Gal. 3.10 Yea, Sin is a wound very grievous, diſtreſſing, tormenting to the awakened Conſciences of thoſe, who are not at preſent ſenſible of their Intereſt in the healing blood of Chriſt. Diſtreſs of Soul for Sin, is ſometimes compar'd to broken bones, Pſal. 51.8. To a being weary and heavy laden, Mat. 11.28. To an Inſupportable Burthen, Pſal. 38.4. Mine iniquities are gone over mine head, as an heavy Burthen, they are too heavy for me. Senſe of Sin, made David's bones wax old, he roared all the day long — his moiſture was turned into the drought of Summer, Pſal. 32 3, 4. Our Tongues can't expreſs the Grief and Horror, the Anguiſh, Pain, amazing Trouble and Diſquietment, which Perſons often feel in their own Souls by reaſon of their Sins. All the Wounds which a Man's Body can receive, are not ſo hurtful to him, as the Wounds which Sin gives to his Soul. Sin is ſuch a mortal Stab, ſuch a poyſonous Wound, as will certainly Kill and Damn a Perſon for ever, unleſs the healing Blood of Chriſt be applyed to it. Surely, Sin is a moſt grievous Wound. If any ask, Why don't Men complain more of this wound? If all are thus wounded, why don't they expreſs their trouble, danger, concern more frequently than they do? I anſwer, they are not duely ſenſible of their wounds. Many that are Mortally wounded by Sin, are yet ſtupid; they are in a ſort of Spiritual Lethargy. Perſons are never reckon…d more dangerous in bodily diſtempers, than when they're moſt ſtupid, ſenſeleſs, and make no complaint at all: thoſe are moſt dangerous that are in ſuch a condition. So, thoſe that are leaſt ſenſible of their danger by Sin, leaſt concern'd about it; are indeed in moſt danger by it. Their Souls ſeem ſtupid and benum'd, they ſeem haſtening to hell, without thinking or conſidering where they are going. They are not ſenſible of their wounds, that's the reaſon they don't complain. They're ſo much taken up about their bodies, that they utterly neglect their Souls. Sin is a wound, and a dreadful dangerous one too; this is the firſt thing.
2. Theſe bitten Iſraelites could not be heal'd or cur'd, by any art or skill of their own. Writers ſay, that when perſons were bitten by theſe poyſonous Serpents, Phyſicians were wont to give them over as uncurable, irrecoverable: No art or skill of men could ſave them. If they appli'd never ſo many Medicines of their own contriving, yet they could not be cured thereby. So, Men can't by any skill, art or power of their own, ſave themſelves from that eternal death which their Sins have juſtly deſerved. Fallen men, Sinners, are without ſtrength, Rom. 5.6. Their deſtruction is of themſelves, they are the guilty Authors of it; but they have no ſtrength to deliver themſelves from the power, guilt or puniſhment of Sin.
1. Not from the power of Sin. Men are naturally, Dead in treſpaſſes and in ſins, Eph. 2.1. And they can't create new Life in their own Souls: no man can come to the Son, except the Father draws him. True believers are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the freſh, nor of the will of man, but of God, Joh. 1.13. 'Tis God of his own will that does beget them; that creates them in Chriſt Jeſus, according to the exceeding greatneſs of his power, the working of his Mighty Power, Eph. 1.19, Faith is Gods Gift, Eph. 208. So is Repentance too, Acts 5.31. Alas, without Chriſt Sinners can do nothing: 'tis God that works in them to will and to do of his own good pleaſure. So that Men can't ſave or deliver themſelves from the filth, the power, the prevailing efficacy of Sin.
2. Nor from the guilt or puniſhment of Sin. They cannot by all their doings or ſufferings, ſatisfie Gods juſtice, and purchaſe their own deliverance. When they have done their beſt, they are unprofitable Servants. If they ſhould offer thouſands of Rams, or ten thouſands of Rivers of oyl; give their firſt-born for their tranſgreſſion, and the fruit of their bodies for the ſin of their Souls, yet it would not be a ſufficient Sacrifice. They are not redeemed with corruptable things, ſuch as ſilver and gold, 1 Pet. 1.18. They can by no means redeem their Brother (nor themſelves neither) nor give to God a ranſome for him, Pſal. 49.7. The redemption of the Soul, is too precious to be wrought by them. They can't buy off eternal plagues and puniſhments. There is Salvation in none but Chriſt; Neither is there any other name given under heaven among men, whereby they can be ſaved, Act. 4.12. As theſe bitten Iſraelites, could not heal nor cure themſelves; ſo neither can Sinners deliver themſelves from the power, guilt or puniſhment of Sin, by any art, skill or power of their own. If they have no help but of their own procuring, they muſt neceſſarily periſh for ever.
3. It was God that appointed this brazen Serpent, for the healing of the people. 'Twas not any device or contrivance of their own, 'twas not man's Wiſdom that propos'd this method. So, 'twas God that appointed Jeſus Chriſt to be the Saviour of Sinners. The Way of ſaving Sinners thro' Chriſt, was not the reſult of the Wiſdom or Contrivance neither of Men nor Angels; 'twas originally and wholly from God. God did elect and chuſe Chriſt, to the Office and Work of a Redeemer. Hence Chriſt is called, God's Servant, and His Elect, Iſai. 42.1. 'Tis ſaid of Chriſt, He was faithful to Him that appointed Him, Heb. 3.2. God choſe, call'd, appointed Him to His Mediatorial Work and Service. Tho' Mans Miſery is of his own procuring, yet his Salvation is of God's contriving and procuring.
4. 'Twas of God's meer undeſerved Mercy and Grace, that He provided a Remedy for the bitten Iſraelites. They had provoked God, ſpoken againſt Him, and againſt His faithful Servant Moſes; God was juſtly angry with them. He had ſent Serpents to bite and wound them, many dyed of their Wounds; and if all had dyed that were bitten, 'twas no more than what they had juſtly deſerved. Now for ſuch unworthy, provoking Sinners as theſe, God provided a Remedy; ſurely 'twas nothing but meer, ſovereign, undeſerved Mercy and Grace that could move him thus to do. So, 'twas meer, ſovereign, undeſerved Mercy and Grace and nothing elſe, that mov'd God to provide a Saviour for poor, miſerable, ſelf-undoing Sinners. God did not give his Son to ſave Sinners on the account of any Merit, Worthineſs, or good Deſerving in them, for they were unworthy of any Favour. They juſtly deſerv'd Eternal Wrath and Vengeance: God might have glorify'd His Juſtice in their everlaſting Ruin and Deſtruction. God's Happineſs does not depend on the Sinners Salvation. God ſtood in no need of their Happineſs; He had no neceſſity of their Recovery. If He had pleas'd to have ſinleſs Men to ſerve and praiſe Him; He might have created a new, holy Stock, and have given them Grace to be eternally Obedient to Him, if He had ſeen meet ſo to do. Or if He had deſir'd to glorify His Grace in the Redemption of Sinners, He might have done it (if he had ſeen meet) in the Salvation of fallen Angels, who were originally of a Rank and Order ſuperior to Man. Indeed ſinful Men did no way deſerve God's Favour, nor had He any need of their Salvation; 'twas therefore of His moſt free and ſovereign Grace, that He gave His Son to be their Redeemer. So we read, Joh. 3.16. God ſo loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but ſhould have everlaſting Life. Rom. 5.8. God commendeth his love to us, in that while we were yet ſinners, Christ dyed for us. Thus we ſee, that Gods ſending His Son to ſave Sinners, is aſcribed to His Love: 'Tis mentioned (and that very juſtly) as an admirable Effect of His amazing, unparallel Love. 'Twas (as the Apoſtle tells us, Eph. 2.4.) His great Love wherewith he loved us. 'Twas great Love, if we conſider the Author of it, the infinitely Great GOD; Great, as to the long ſtanding of it, from Everlaſting to Everlaſting. Great, as to the Objects of it, who were vile Sinners, greatly Unworthy of it. 'Twas great Love, elſe He would never have given His only begotten Son, to dye for the ſaving of thoſe whom He thus Loved. 'Twas Great as to the Fruits of it, delivering from great and everlaſting Miſery, and bringing poor unworthy Sinners to great and everlaſting Glory. Indeed 'twas great Love, free, ſovereign, undeſerved Grace and Mercy, that moved God to provide ſuch a Saviour as He has done for poor Sinners. Therefore Believers ſhould learn,
1. Not to aſcribe any of the praiſe of their Salvation to any thing of their own. Oh Man, haſt thou a ſaving Change wrought in thy Soul? Art thou become a New Creature? Art thou indeed Intituled to Eternal Life and Glory? Is it thus with thee, while others are haſtening on in their Ways of Sin to Eternal Miſery? Whence came this difference between thee and them? Is it to be aſcribed to any Worthineſs or Merit of thine own; or to any Power which thou hadſt to ſave thy ſelf, more than what others have? No indeed, nothing of the praiſe of thy Salvation is to be aſcribed to thy ſelf. If thou ſhouldſt be dealt with according to thy Deſervings, Hell would be thy Portion for ever. If no Power but thine own were employed for thy Deliverance, thou wouldſt never be delivered at all.
2. To aſcribe the praiſe of their Deliverance and Salvation wholly to God. O Sinner, 'twas the free, ſovereign Grace of God, that provided a Saviour for ſuch as thou art, even for vile Sinners. 'Twas ſovereign Mercy that ordered thy being born under the Goſpel, or at leaſt thy being brought under the Goſpel: 'Twas free Grace that ſet home Divine Truths on thy Soul, and made thee a New Creature. 'Twas free Gra…, that in the Blood of Chriſt blotted out thy Sins, and that gave thee a new and firm Title to Eternal Bleſſedneſs. The whole of thy Deliverance and Salvation, is to be aſcribed to free, ſovereign Grace: 'Tis the fruit and effect of ſovereign divine Mercy. Therefore the whole praiſe is due to God, to Chriſt. In this manner we ſhould ſay, as Pſal. 115.1. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but to thy name give Glory, for thy mercy and thy truths ſake. I'm ſure, the bitten Iſraelites were indebted to free, ſovereign, divine Favour, for providing a Remedy for them. So, Sinners are inconceivably indebted to ſovereign, divine Grace, for providing a Saviour, an holy, powerful Redeemer for them.
5. If the bitten Iſraelites had done nothing but pore and ponder on their Wounds, this would not, could not have cured them. Though they were ſenſible of their Wounds, did ſee them, feel them, complain of them, ſmart under their Pain, grieve and mourn for them; yet if they did no more, this could not cure them. They muſt not only conſider their own Wounds, but alſo look on the Brazen Serpent, elſe they were not healed. So, if Sinners only keep looking and poring on their own Sins, this can never ſave them. Indeed a ſight and ſenſe of Sin is proper for them, but this is not ſufficient. Men ſhould ſo conſider their ſickneſs and wounds, as to ſee their need of a Phyſician, a Surgeon; ſo, Men ſhould ſo conſider their Sin and Miſery, as to ſee their need of a Saviour, and truſt in Him for Salvation. But if they only keep poring on their Sins, this won't ſave them. They may poſſibly ſee themſelves very vile and ſinful, be very much diſtreſſed and perplexed for their Sins, have ſome Legal Convictions and Humiliations for them, and yet periſh for ever. Ahab humbled himſelf, and put on Sackcloth; yet there is no Evidence of his true Repentance. Judas Repeated, brought back the Price of his Treaſon; ſaid, he had ſinned in betraying innocent Blood, Mat. 27.3, 4. He had great Convictions and Horrors for Sin, yet he was the Son of Perdition, and periſhed for ever, becauſe he did not heartily Believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Be inſtructed then, 'tis not a meer ſight and ſenſe of Sin, horror and diſtreſs of Conſcience for it, that can bring Perſons to Heaven. Perſons may have great Awakenings and Horrors for Sin in this World, and yet be Damn'd Eternally in the next. 'Tis not enough that Perſons be frighted with their Sins, but they muſt abhor and forſake them, and truſt in Chriſt alone for the Pardon of them, if ever they would be ſaved. Men muſt not only ſee their Malady, but alſo apply the Remedy, if they would obtain the Relief they need.
6. This piece of Braſs, though made in the Figure of a Serpent, yet had not the Poyſon of a Serpent in it; but was for the healing of thoſe that were poyſoned. So, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, tho' made in the likeneſs of ſinful Fleſh, Rom. 8 3. Yet he knew no Sin (that is, he had none) a Cor. 5.21. He did no Sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, 1 Pet. 2.22. He had no Sin, but came to ſave thoſe that had ruined themſelves by Sin.
7. 'Twas the Duty of the bitten Iſraelites to look to the brazen Serpent for Cure, though to an Eye of Senſe, there was little if any likelihood of Cure by it. The brazen Serpent had no innate Vertue to communicate from it ſelf to thoſe that were bitten, for the healing of them. There was no natural Efficacy in that piece of Braſs, to heal wounded Spectators, as there is in the Sun to warm the Earth it ſhines on. Nay, Writers ſay, that when Perſons were bitten with thoſe poyſonous Serpents, 'twas very hurtful for them to look upon bright ſhining Braſs. Carnal Reaſon in a bitten Iſraelite might ſay, What ſhould I look upon that piece of Braſs in the Figure of a Serpent for, what good can it do me? And yet 'twas the Duty of ſuch bitten Perſons to look on it for healing. The healing did proceed from Gods Appointment and Inſtitution; and from His own efficacious Power exerted in that His own Way. So, the Way of Salvation through Chriſt, is very unlikely, if nothing but Mans carnal Reaſon makes the Judgment of it. Carnal Men were apt to think concerning Chriſt, that He had no form, comlineſs or beauty for which He ſhould be deſired, Iſal ▪ 53.2. The Preaching of Salvation through a Crucified Chriſt, was to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks fooliſhneſs, 1 Cor. 1.23. Thus carnal Reaſon often rejects and diſapproves the Means appointed by God, even by infinite Wiſdom and Goodneſs. Yet tis the Duty of all that live under the Goſpel, to believe in Chriſt for Salvation. 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his commandment, that we … believe in the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. This is the Way of Gods chuſing and appointing, therefore all ſhould walk in it, though never ſo contrary to carnal Reaſon. They alſo ſhould expect the Bleſſing from God in His own Way, and not from any Worthineſs in themſelves or Actions. When a bitten Iſraelite looked on the brazen Serpent, twas not any Vertue or Merit in his Act of looking, that obtained the Cure; but the whole Benefit did proceed from Gods Inſtitution and Bleſſing. So, when we truſt in Chriſt for Salvation, tis not our Act of truſting that really merits or deſerves the Benefit; but this truſting is appointed by God, as the Way in which we are to expect His Favour. We ſhould expect Gods Bleſſing in His own Way, and not give heed to any contrary Arguings. This might teach us, diligently to attend on all Ordinances of Gods appointment. Let us not ſay, What good ſhall I get by theſe and thoſe Ordinances; what ſpiritual good can I get by Baptiſm and the Lords Supper? How can theſe convey any Benefit to my Soul? No, this is carnal Arguing and Reaſoning; for theſe are Means of Gods appointing, therefore we ought heartily and obediently to attend on them, depending on God alone for the Bleſſings repreſented and exhibited thereby. If the bitten Iſraelites had inſiſted on this, We wont look on the brazen Serpent, it can do us no good; then they might all have dyed of their Wounds. So, if we will do nothing for the good of our own Souls, but juſt what carnal Reaſon ſuggeſts, we muſt then periſh for ever. Gods Bleſſing is to be ſought and expected in His own Way.
8. The brazen Serpent was ſet on High, ſet on a Pole, that all bitten Iſraelites might ſee it for their own good. Indeed the Lord Jeſus Chriſt was lifted up on the Croſs, He was hanged on a Tree, He ſuffered that accurſed Death to redeem and ſave Sinners, Gal. 3.13. And Miniſters of the Goſpel, in their Preaching, ſhould lift up, or hold and ſhew forth Chriſt Jeſus to Sinners, that they may ſee Him by Faith, and live. The brazen Serpent was ſet on an high Pole, that bitten Iſraelites might ſee it from all Quarters of the Camp; ſo, Chriſt ſhould be Preached and offered to all Sinners, wherever the Goſpel comes. Miniſters ſhould ſpread the Name, and Fame, and Glory of Jeſus Chriſt, as much as poſſibly they can, inviting all Sinners to look to Him and be ſaved. Mark 16.15, 16. Go, preach the Goſpel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized ſhall be ſaved, he that believeth not ſhall be damned.
9. If the bitten Iſraelites were never ſo near the brazen Serpent, yet they had no Benefit thereby, if they did not Look upon it. What if a bitten Iſraelite lay almoſt under the very Pole where the Serpent was? What if his bitten Parents, Children, or other Friends were heal'd by looking to it? What of all this, yet if he did not perſonally look upon it, then he died of his wounds. So, tho' a perſon lives under the Goſpel, and hears a Multitude of excellent Sermons, tho' he's much urg'd and ſollicited to believe in Jeſus Chriſt; yet if he does not believe in him, he ſhall not be ſaved by him. It may be his Father and Mother, and many of his near Relatives and Friends believ'd in Chriſt for the ſaving of their Souls; yet he will be never the better for this, if he himſelf does not believe in Chriſt he muſt be damned for ever. If a ſtung Iſraelite heard never ſo much about the brazen Serpent, or ſpake never ſo much about it; yet if he perſonally did not look on it, he was not benefitted by it. So, tho' a perſon hears never ſo much about Chriſt, ſpeaks or preaches never ſo much about him; yet if he perſonally does not believe in him, he muſt periſh for ever. If he has ten thouſand offers of Chriſt, yet if he does not accept of him by heart-purifying Faith, he muſt be Eternally Damned. He that believeth not on the Son, ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath God abideth on him, Joh. 3.36.
10. All bitten Iſraelites, were equally welcome to look on the brazen Serpent; and all were healed that did ſo. Looking on the brazen Serpent, was not a Privilege limited only to the Rich or Great, or only to thoſe of ſuch or ſuch Orders and Degrees; No, All might look on it. Whoever was bitten, whether Male or Female, Young or Old, High or Low, Rich or Poor, Bond or Free; whether he had been bitten a longer or ſhorter Time, whether he had received one Wound or many, whether his Anguiſh and Pain had been great or ſmall, yet he might look on the brazen Serpent. None were forbidden to look, all bitten Perſons were equally welcome; and all that looked on it lived. So, All Sinners under the Goſpel, are equally welcome to come to Chriſt; all that will come ſhall be welcome. He has ſaid, Joh. 6.37. Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wiſe caſt out. All that hear of Jeſus Chriſt, whether they are Younger or Old, Rich or Poor, or however circumſtanced in the World; yet they are invited to come to Chriſt. Iſai. 45.22. Look unto me and be ye ſaved, all ye ends of the earth. Their own Sins, their own Unworthineſs ſhall never Ruin them, if they will but heartily ſubmit to Jeſus Chriſt. Whoſoever believeth in him ſhall not periſh, but ſhall have everlaſting life, Joh. 3.16. If a poor Iſraelite that had been ſtung for ſome conſiderable time, that was much ſwell'd, greatly tormented, juſt ready to die, did but look on the brazen Serpent, he as ſurely liv'd as he that had look'd on it as ſoon as he was bitten. So, if the greateſt, vileſt Sinner in the World ſhould come to Jeſus Chriſt, he would be as welcome as any; and he ſhould never be rejected for his Unworthineſs, but ſhould be ſav'd for ever. Oh conſider the gracious Invitations of the Scripture. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavey laden, and I will give you reſt, Mat. 11.28. He that is a thirſt, let him come; and whoſoever will, let him take of the water of life freely, Rev. 22.17. Theſe things ſhould abundantly Incourage Poor Sinners, to truſt in Chriſt for Salvation.
11. After many had been cured by Looking on the brazen Serpent, yet this way of healing was not at all abated, but as efficacions as ever. Indeed the healing power came from God, and this was not at all abated by healing of Multitudes. The laſt bitten Iſraelite that look'd on the brazen Serpent, was as truly and really benefitted thereby, as the firſt that look'd on it. So, the Lord Jeſus is now as able to ſave Sinners, as ever he was. Tho' he has healed and ſaved Multitudes already, all the believers of the Old Teſtament, and all thoſe of the New Teſtament heitherto; yet his ſufficiency to ſave is in no meaſure abated. No, He's able to ſave to the uttermoſt them that come unto God by him, Heb. 7.25. He's fit to be truſted in, for he has Everlasting Strength, Iſai. 26.4. He is an inexhauſtible fountain of Good and Grace, able for ever to ſupply all that come to him for help and relief. This ſhould greatly incourage all of us, to truſt in Chriſt continually, for all that Pardon of Sin, for all thoſe ſupplies of Grace which we need. Pſal. 55.22. Caſt thy burden on the Lord, he ſhall ſuſtain thee. Caſting all your cares upon him, for he careth for you. Pſal. 27.14. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he ſha…l ſtrengthen thine heart: wait I ſay on the LORD.