7. But it seems hardest of all, that Joseph will take their Lands and Liberties too, when both their Coin and their Cattel were gone from them, yet still all along here was a lesser good ex∣changed for a greater, and a lesser loss or evil still prevented a worser. Life is a greater good, and the loss of Life a greater evil, than Coin, Cattel, Lands or Liberties, or the loss of them all: Jacob reckon'd thus, [It is enough, Joseph is yet alive] Gen. 45.28. that's a Mercy in the midst of Misery, he rejoiced more for his Life than for his Honour. Why should the living Man complain? Lam. 3.39. So 'twas enough for this people, that Joseph preserv'd them a∣live, they perish'd not with many others, so could not complain of an hard Bargain: No doubt put their Cattel (as well as Coin) yea, their Lands and Liberties had a due value and price put upon them by mutual consent, and that Joseph gave them the full worth in Corn (accord∣ing to the Contract) for them: And though some may say, Joseph might have been more merciful to the poorer sort; it must be considered, that Joseph was but a Steward for Pharaoh, not Administring his own Goods, but his Masters; now no Man must be liberal of that which is another Mans without the Owners Consent: Yea, the Poor and the Rich.
8. And Lastly, They did all universally acknowledge, that Joseph had been truely liberal as well as merciful to them: Insomuch, that though, God was now punishing them for their Riotous and Licentious Lives in the years of plenty, by these years of extream and starving scarcity (teaching them hereby the worth of those Blessings by the want of them) yet Jo∣seph had preserv'd them from perishing (as many others did) and had saved their Lives (which was far better than all they parted with to purchase them) yea, and their Liberties too, to become Farmers to Pharaoh, upon which account he restored their Lands and all their lnstru∣ments of Husbandry (as Ploughs, Carts, &c.) they were so far from complaining, that they thank'd him for his kindness, Gen. 47.25. Thus 'tis plain, it was not Injustice in Jo∣seph, but his Equity, Fidelity and pious Prudence, whereby he saved both King and Kingdom Alive, &c.
N B. In this History of Joseph there is a manifold Mystery; 1. As he is a Type of Christ. 2. Of the Church. 3. Of a Christian. 1. As of Christ, something is said before, to which more is here to be added, as to both his states, of Humiliation and Exaltation: 1. In his Humbled Estate Joseph represents our dear Jesus thus; 1. As Jacob being sollicitous for his Sons welfare, sent his dearest Joseph as his Embassadour to bring him Tidings how it fared with them, and with their flocks, Gen. 37.13, 14. Thus God so loved the World, that he sent his only begotten Son, Job. 3.16. Christ was sent to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel (his Brethren) Mat. 15.24. not so much to know as to purchase and procure their Peace, Luk. 19.42.
2. As Joseph, so Jesus came unto his own, and his own received him not, Joh. 1.11. when he came to seek and save that which was lost, Luk. 19.10. yea and found them in Dothan too, in a state of Defection as before: They were so far from receiving this their Physician (who came to heal and help them) that they despis'd him, and call'd him Blasphemer, &c. as Jo∣seph's Brethren call'd him Dreamer, Gen. 37.19.
3. They conspir'd the Death of Joseph; So did the Jews against Jesus, ut suprà.
4. They strip Joseph, cast him into a Pit, when they had condemn'd him, Gen. 37.23, 24. Thus they dealt with Jesus, Mat. 27.28. casting him (when judg'd and strip'd) into an horrible Pit of Misery, Psal. 28.1.
5. Both were sold as above, and,
6. Joseph When Sold, was hurried to Potiphar, and Jesus to the High Priest.
7. The Jewish Synagogue as base to Jesus, as Potiphars▪ wanton Wife to Joseph.
8. Joseph 'twixt Butler Saved and Baker Hanged: So Jesus 'twixt two Thieves, one Pe∣nitent, the other Impenitent.
9. As Joseph At thirty, after three years was released, so Jesus about thirty, after three days was raised. Thus Congruous is the Type with the Antitype herein, but much more in the Exalted State, as Joseph's so Jesus's bow abode in strength, and as Joseph was raised, out of the Dungeon, seated at Pharaohs Right Hand, saved Egypt and his Brethren from perishing: So Jesus was rais'd out of Death's Dungeon, seated at his Fathers Right Hand, and saves his Church and Brethren from utter Destruction. More particularly,
1. As Joseph was, so Jesus is the grand [Zapnath Paaneach] the Revealer of Secrets, Joh. 1.18. and the Saviour of the World, Isa. 4.3.11. Act. 4.12.
2. As Joseph had fulness of all food laid up for the Hungry: So it pleaseth the Father that in our Jesus should all fulness dwell, Col. 1.19.
3. As Joseph's full Garners, invited all Lands to come to him (the Lord of the Land) for supply, yea even his very Brethren, who had been so Bruitish to him: So our Jesus his ful∣ness invites all Lands to look unto him to be saved, Isa, 45.22. He hath gifts even for the Re∣bellious, Psal. 68.18. Act. 3.20.