LECTURE III.
Vers. 4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and fourty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5. Of the tribe of Iuda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Neph∣thali were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Ioseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
THe fourth Verse containeth the particular number of these that were sealed, a cer∣tain number in both the reckonings for an uncertain: The scope of it, is the more effectually to bear out the consolation for strengthening the Faith of Gods People by such a particular numeration. 1. It is summed, vers 4. whereof is spoken before. 2. It is distributed amongst the Tribes, vers. 5, •, 7, 8.
The scope of the distribution, beside what is said, is, by continuing the manner of speach, used under the Old Testament, of Israel, Tribes, Ierusalem, &c. to hold forth the Gen∣tiles priviledge of being ingrafted in the Iews room, and that God keeped the same way with them as with Israel, having admitted them to that same Covenant.
It will not be meet nor needfull to enquire after mysteries in the number or names; it is like, the Lord, giving His Church the title of Israel, followeth the reckoning of twelve Tribes, and multiplieth that by twelves, which cometh in whole to that number one hundred fourty and four thousand. We shall only touch these things as considerable,
1. That in the order, the age is not keeped, and children of the bound and free-woman are promiscuously named; to let us see, that in Christ Jesus there are neither Iew nor Greek, bond nor free; and that externall priviledges are of no value, Gal. 3.28. 2. Iudah is preferred and first named, and Reuben, though the first-born, passed by, 1. To shew that relation to Christ, who was of the Tribe of Iudah, and of whom David was, casteth the balance and is the main priviledge. 2. Reuben lost his birth-right by defiling his fathers bed; and Simeon, by his killing the Sichemits: whence it is clear, that guiltinesse cuteth men off from priviledges, and hath a broad and long tail of curses for a long continuance, Gen. 49.3, 4. 3. Neither Dan nor Ephraim are mentioned; but, for Ephraim, Ioseph is named; Dan is also omitted, (1 Chron. 1.3, 4.) when all the other Tribes are reckoned in their genealogies; so also Ephraim and Manasseh, in Deut. 33. It would seem for these reasons, (for, that conceit of omitting Dan here, because Antichrist is to come of him, is a groundlesse fable, and rejected by Bellar. lib. 3. de Pontif. cap. 12. who expoundeth the Scriptures ordinarily alleged, for proving that in a different sense,) 1. To shew, Gods Soveraignty, manifesting it self especially in His passing-by of some and reckoning others in His roll, no lesse guilty. 2. To conform the number to the ordinary reckoning of Israel by twelve Tribes and no more, wherefore still one is omitted in the former reckonings. This number had not been keeped, if Dan had been numbred when Levi also is mentioned. 3. Dan was soon overtaken with Idolatry, so was Ephraim, Iudges 1.18. therefore not meet to be mentioned among these, or as types of these who were to be keeped clean from that sin. 4. Levi is mentioned here, though not in the dividing of the land of Canaan; to shew, that though God allow not much temporall estate on His Ministers, yet will He not prejudge them of His protection under straits either spirituall or temporall; nor of the victory over them.
Page 390These are all who are sealed of the numberless multitude; and this equal number amongst the Tribes, is not to be understood, as if all were equal in respect of the effect; But, 1. to shew it is indifferent to God to take of this or that Nation now, as there was to Him no difference amongst the Tribes of Israel. 2. That there is need of a speciall and particular care, and that He conformeth His care so, not in grosse and common, but particularly taking notice of them to a definit sum. Hence Observe,
1. From the complexnesse of this sealing and number, and from the name that these sealed ones getteth, to wit, that they are called the Tribes of Israel, That Believers, under the New Testament, are Gods Israel, ingrasted in their room and served Heirs to all their essen•tiall priviledges and promises, and Heirs of Abraham, as Believers were under the Old Testament; whatever typicall promises were peculiar to that people, we are not to claim, yet, certainly these priviledges or promises that belonged to their eternall well-being, or were necessary to their spirituall growth and happinesse here, Believers under the New Testament are served Heirs thereunto, Gal. 3.29. If ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise. Obs. 2. Folks may be partakers of many outward priviledges, and yet these not secure them from an approaching plague, if they be not par∣takers of Spirituall priviledges beside. Israel were all Gods people and children; to them pertained the Adoption and Covenants in respect of externall administration; and so it was with the Church of the Gentiles which succeeded: but, Rom. 9.6. They are not all Israel, who are of Israel; neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children, nei∣ther is he a Iew who is one outwardly. Obs. 3. That Christs care is very speciall of His Elect, where-ever they are He taketh notice of them, in all their difficulties He hath a spe∣ciall and peculiar eye over them, He doth not gather them by heaps, but one by one, Isai. 27.12. not by guesse, but by speciall designation, He seeth to their preservation, Ioh. 10.3. He calleth His sheep by name, and leadeth them out: the most inconsiderable of them are provided-for, and sheltered from this storm. This is much for the consolation of Believers, and it is the very end why this numbering and sealing is set down here, to tell, that not only Christ hath a care of all Believers in generall, but of every one of them in particular. Obs. 4. That sealing and defending against declining or defection in Error, is no common pri∣viledge; they are marked, here one and there one, who are made partakers of it, a few of some Tribes, and of some none, to shew the singularity of this mercy, and to point, as at our Lords care, so also at His Soveraignty who pitcheth upon whom He will, to preserve from the trials of the time: it is not because they are better than others, but their through-bearing lieth in His purpose about them, and His sealing, discerning and differencing of them from others. Lastly, There are but very few, considering the multitude that perisheth, that shall be keeped free and saved in such a trial; it will be a rare thing to stand, when the storm of Error bloweth; many shall follow the pernicious wayes of false Teachers, 2 Pet. 2.1, &c. If it were possible, the Elect should be seduced. Revel. 13. The world won∣dereth after the beast, So that it concerneth us to be humble, watchfull and on our guard, that we be not led away with the Error of the wicked.
