SERM. So far then as the fcriptures have made IV. the application to our hands, it is not to be doubted but we must admit of types and Allegories, and the secondary fense will in this case have the fame authority with the primary or literal. Nor can it be maintain'd, that we are never at liberty to affign fuch a myftical or figurative expofition of fcripture, except where fome facred Writer has exprefly done it before. It is rather reasonable to believe that the facred Writers have only given us a specimen in fome particulars, and pointed out that way or method of interpreting, which we are allow'd to imitate in other inftances.

Accordingly the ancient Writers of the church have paid a great regard to this allegorical method of expounding scripture; and tho' it cannot be denied that fome have run into an excess this way, by indulging too much to fancy and opinion, yet it must withal be allow'd that there is a found and fober use of it, greatly tending to illuftrate fcripture, and edify the church of God, when kept within its proper limits and reftrictions.

The first of these restrictions without doubt must be, that nothing be advanced contrary to found doctrine, but all fuch expofitions be regulated by the proportion and analogy of faith. For it would be most unreasonable that that teftimony of fcrip

ture which is confefs'd to be obfcure and SER M. typical, fhould be alledg'd to overthrow IV. that which is deliver'd in plain and unexceptionable terms, or that fuch interpretation as is known but to a few should be judg'd of greater weight than what is manifeft to all. But when it is urged only to fupport and illuftrate truths already known, or to fome farther circumstances which reopen late to them, this may be piously receiv'd with humble deference, and usefully applied to our fpiritual edification and improvement.

For which reafon, in the next place it should also be remember'd, that the Allegory ought to have nothing in it low and frivolous, nothing unworthy of the dignity of fcripture, nor the circumstances to be ftrain'd and wrefted fo as to force an allufion which is not eafy and natural; as if we aim'd rather to fqueeze out fuch meaning as we like, than modeftly to search for what is real and genuine.

Laftly, it is once more to be noted, that in matters deliver'd with the circumftance of history, the mystical fenfe must ever be fuccedaneous to the literal and built upon it, and cannot rationally be alledg'd to fuperfede or thrust it out: it being to little purpose to search after the fecret meaning of any Fact, if the Fact itself be falfe or infufficiently attefted. Which may fhew

SERM. us the abfurdity of a late blafphemous atIV. tempt to destroy the edit of our Saviour's miracles, confider'd as Facts really done, and convert all that is faid concerning them to meer fable and Allegory*. We have feen, it may be lawful, and has been usual, to allegorize things that are hiftorically related. But take away the truth of history, and you really lofe the foundation of the Allegory, which fubfifts upon the suppofition of Facts truly perform'd. And then especially in thofe facts which are the very fupports and evidences of the Gospel, it must be 'as impious as it is abfurd, to disallow the literal truth of the narration, and yet pretend a fondness for the mystical meaning which cannot poffibly ftand without it.

The late barefaced attempts of Infidelity to this purpofe, have led me into this enlargement upon the head of Types and Allegories. But I haften in the

II. SECOND place to give the history of that Fact which is mention'd by our bleffed Saviour in the Text, concerning Mofes lifting up the ferpent in the Wilderness.

Tho' the diftance between Egypt and the land of Canaan were but small and inconfiderable, yet the diftruft and difcontent which was difcover'd by the people of

See Woolafton's Difcourfes.

Ifrael,

Ifrael, provoked God to detain them forty SER M years in the Wildernefs, till the whole ge- IV. neration of murmurers became extinct, and two perfons only diftinguish'd for their faith and integrity, were fuffer'd to enter into that delightful country. Their fons, as they grew up, were not entirely free from the fault imputed to the Fathers. For in the fortieth year of their pilgrimage, when they were now as it were in fight of the promised inheritance, finding themfelves not allow'd to march directly into Canaan, but obliged to go backwards by the way of the Red Sea, and fetch a compafs round Idumea, it is faid the foul of the people was much difcouraged because of the way. Their grief and impatience broke out in profane murmurings against God and against Mofes. Wherefore have ye brought us up (fay they) out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water, and our foul lotheth this light bread*. Tho' they had Manna every day fupplied from heaven, and water plenteously flowing from the rock, yet as the one was deem'd too light to fatisfy their luxury, and the other had been lately feen to fail upon the death of Miriam, fo their faith was too weak to truft to the continuance of miracles, whilft the counabout them was barren and uncultivat*Numb. xxi. 4, 5. + Chap. xx. 1, 2. ed,

try

I 4

SERM. ed, and not fit to produce a stock of proIV. vifions for the time to come in the way of other nations.

This ungrateful impatience and infidelity was feverely punished with the biting of those Bafilifks or fiery ferpents (fo call'd either from the brightness of their colour, or elfe from the malignancy of their venom) wherewith that Wilderness abounded * tho' God had hitherto reftrain'd them from doing hurt to his people, but fuffer'd now to prey upon them as their natural food, who had fo perverfely afk'd natural and ordinary food for themselves, and despised the richness of miraculous provifions. Withal it might remind them how they had imitated the firft Author of lying and flander, who under the form of a serpent deceived our firft Parents, and is ftill induftrious in deceiving the whole world. The fame old ferpent who was the origin of fin, will hereafter be the inftrument to punish it, and in both refpects was fitly reprefented by the venom of these fiery ferpents.

The death of many of the people by this difafter, foon brought the furvivors to a fenfe of their fin, and induced them to apply to Mofes for his interceffion - with God, in order to obtain the removal of this deadly evil.

* Vide Buxtorf. Exercit. 6. de Serpente Æneo.

The