A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 5.

VPon that occasion he descendeth to the description of their office: this he doth illustrate by the scope, and end of the Priest-hood in the time of the Law.

1. For the manner of their service.

2. Then of the matter or thing which they served.

They were to shadow out our Saviour Christ: ergo, these sha∣dowes must vanish when the body is come: and Christ could not performe the office of a Priest, till those Priests had played their parts, and were off the stage: therefore he must needs be a Priest in heaven, not in the earth.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 performe divine Service, or which serve with great reverence: of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a particle that increaseth the signification in com∣position, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tremo: much more should we serve in the Gos∣pell, 1 Cor. 2.3.

To the patterne or sampler: or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being understood, which serve in the patterne. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is subostensio, obscura repraesentatio. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Col. 2.17. which was but a type or shadow of heavenly things. All that was in the ceremoniall Law, were types of our Saviour Christ, and of the kingdome of heaven. The Sanctuary a shadow of heaven, the Tabernacle of Christ's body, the High-Priests of Christ: their sa∣crifices types of his, the brasen Serpent a figure of him: they had the shadow, and we the substance.

This he proveth by the testimony of God Himselfe.

Divinitùs admonitus. Moses did not make it of his owne head, but by Gods appointment and direction.

When hee was about the making and finishing of the Taber∣nacle: for it was begun, that it might be finished. Syriac. dum con∣deret tabernaculum.

Supply 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is not in the Hebrew Text: yet it may bee derived out of Exodus 25.9.

The Lord in a vision shewed heaven, our Saviour Christ, and all things appertaining to him, to Moses. Now according to that pat∣terne were the Tabernacle and Temple to bee framed, that might praefigurate and shadow out those heavenly things to the Iewes.

In earthly buildings, the patterne of the house is not so glorious as the house: the patterne is drawne in paper in darke lineaments, but this patterne farre exceeded the whole beauty of the ceremoni∣all Law: it might draw a little neere to it, but it could not expresse it to the full.

The Ministers of the New Testament are more glorious, than the Priests of the Old Testament. In this wee agree: wee are both servants, the servants of God and of the Church; but here is the dif∣ference; they served the patterne, we the thing patterned: they served the shadow; wee the truth and substance shadowed by them: they

shadowed CHRIST to come to the people; wee preach Christ already come. Iohn Baptist was greater than all the Prophets; but we (in a one sense) are greater than Iohn Baptist: the least in the king∣dome of heaven is greater than he. In this respect our Ministery should be more highly esteemed of: the which notwithstanding is little regarded by many. The Devill in the maide spake honourably of Paul and Silas: some of us will speake contemptibly of Christ's Ambassadours. They were the moone light; we are the Sunne∣light: we serve to shew you the way to heaven plainly and perspi∣cuously: therefore honour our service and Ministery.

Where had they this patterne? from Moses, and hee from GOD.

Moses might not swerue from his patterne. All things must bee squared according to that patterne which God hath left to us in his word.

The Magistrate must rule the common-wealth according to the patterne that God hath set downe in his word. The Governours of the Church must order it according to the patterne, that God hath appointed: the disposers of the Mysteries of God must preach ac∣cording to the patterne of Christ and his Apostles: not in the entising words of mans wisedome, but in the plaine evidence of the spirit and with power. The father must so governe his Children, the Master his servants, the Husband his Wife, according to the patterne prescri∣bed by God. This patterne of the most wise God must be observed by us all. If wee follow the devices of our owne braine, and leave this patterne of God Almighty, wee justly incurre his wrath and dis∣pleasure. Vriah the Priest must make the Altar in all points like the fashion that King Ahaz sent from Damascus, 2 Reg. 16.11. A Carpenter and Mason must make the house according to the pat∣terne received from him that is the Author of the house: he must frame the house to the will of him, that sets him on worke, and not after his owne will. A Sempster must sow according to the Sampler: A Scholler must write according to his Coppy. Wee are angry with a Barber, if he doe not trimme us as we would have him: and displeased with a Taylor, if hee make not the Coate, as we wished him: and must not the high and eternall God bee justly incensed against us, if we follow our owne patterne and forsake his? therefore let that patterne so neere as we can, bee carefully observed by us all.

Neither must we follow it in one or two things alone, but in all. See that thou make all things according, &c. In some things peradven∣ture, which like us well, we can be contented to be directed by Gods patterne, but in all things wee will not. In some things wee will bee carryed by our owne will and affection. Herod did many things that Iohn Baptist bade him, he followed the patterne in some things: but he would not doe all. Let Iohn preach his heart out, he will keepe his sweet sinne of incest still. Saul followed Gods patterne awhile in his government, but at length he departed from it. As Zachary

and Elizabeth walked in all Gods Commandements: so wee must ob∣serve Gods patterne in all things: hee that keepeth the whole Law, and offendeth in one point, is guilty of all: and if ye breake Gods patterne but in one thing, especially, wittingly and willingly, he will require it at your hands. A Scholler must not write two or three letters ac∣cording to his coppie, but all: if he make one awry, his Master will be offended with him. Therefore in all things, so farre, as it is pos∣sible, let us follow the patterne, that God hath set before our eyes, that yeelding not a lame and halting, but a full and complete obe∣dience to him, we may have a full weight of eternall glory in the life to come.

But what and if we have not all things according to this pat∣terne, shall wee in a pelting chafe hurle all away? God forbid. If thy garment be not made in all points according to thy minde, wilt thou cast it away, and not rather have that amended, which is de∣fective? If thine house, be not in all respects built as thou desirest, wilt thou pull all down? Though there should be some men in the Church and common-wealth, that draw not so neere the celestiall patterne, as were to bee wished: yet let us not in a rage fling out of hose Churches and common-wealths. Such is the infirmitie of man, and the malice and subtilty of the Devill, that no Church in the world can bee found, wherein there are not some imper∣fections comming short of the patterne delivered to us: yet let us not separate our selves, but hold the unity of faith in the bond of love.