SERM. betoken the miferable confequence of fin, IV. introduced into the world by the malice of the Devil, and the fight of the lifeless figure of a ferpent healing the effects of that deadly venom, should betoken our recovery from the dominion and punishment of fin, by the all-fufficient merit and facrifice of Christ.

But perhaps our wonder will abate, when it is confider'd that the ferpent, in the account of the ancients, is an emblem of wisdom, and that separately confider'd from any noxious quality; as well therefore of fuch as is beneficial and fit to be imitated (for we are exhorted to be wife as ferpents) as of that craft and subtilty which is hurtful and malicious. As then the rod of Mofes converted to a ferpent devoured those of the Magicians, to teach us that the wifdom of God is fuperior to that of men or devils, fo the brazen ferpent made by God's command, and healing with its afpect those who were annoy'd by the biting of the venemous ferpents, may farther instruct us, how the fame Divine wisdom is more powerful to fave, than all the malice and fubtilty of Satan is to hurt or annoy. Now Christ crucified, however to the Jews a ftumbling-block, and to the Gentiles foolishness, is yet acknowledg'd among us that believe, to be Chrift the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God, that Wifdom of God

IV.

which bringeth falvation unto men, and SER M. knows how to convert even the malice of Satan to our gain and benefit: and this may fuffice to justify his being represented under the emblem or figure of a ferpent, fet up for healing and falvation.

Withal it may be added, that the facrifice of Christ was offer'd in the human nature, in that nature which had fuftained damage by the old ferpent's fubtilty, and which for our fakes the Son of God had condescended to put on, that he who undertook for finners might himself appear in the likeness of finful flesh, and might fo far come under the power of the ferpent as to have his heel bruised by him, and tafte death for every man. So that the lifelefs figure of a ferpent, may feem in this respect to be no improper emblem of Christ our Saviour, in this lowest state of humiliation, and seeming captivity under the power of Satan. And fince it was by that very fubmiffion and fuffering of death, that he has redeemed us from all iniquity as well as from the punishment due to it; This fhews us yet a farther reafon, why the benefit of our Redemption should be prefigured and set forth by the healing of the Ifraelites bitten by ferpents, upon their looking to that brazen figure, which by God's appointment was erected for that purpose.

SERM. It may juft deferve to be mention'd, that IV. this brazen ferpent was erected on a wooden pole, and that too (as fome ancient Writers have deliver'd) made in the form of a crofs, and fo a proper emblem of Chrift's facred body extended on the tree of the crofs, and lifted up (as himself expreffes it) to draw all men unto him. It was obferv'd to be foretold by Isaiah, that he should erect or fet up an enfign for the nations as well as for the outcafts of Ifrael, and to it fhould the Gentiles feek. The whole race of Mankind, being hurt by the malice of the old ferpent, should direct their eyes and hearts to this most powerful Saviour, as the Ifraelites of old, when they received corporal damage from the ferpents in the wilderness, were exhorted to look up to this inanimate emblem or type of him. The ferpent was not more certainly lifted up by Mofes for cure of the people in the wilderness, than he himself was lifted up as an ensign for the nations, to draw all men unto him for their spiritual healing, that (as he speaks in the text) whofoever believeth in him Should not perish (or die the fecond death) but have eternal life. To encourage our truft in him for fo great falvation, he remain'd not long under the power of that death in which the ferpent of Mofes did prefigure him; but when he had once

tasted

tafted death for every man, he then con- SERM. quer'd him that had the power of death, IV. i. e. the Devil, and getting free from the prison of the grave, has weaken'd those fetters which would have otherwife detain'd us, and has restored us to a state of immortality. His Refurrection from the dead, and visible Afcenfion into Glory, gave an undoubted atteftation to the acceptance of his facrifice and to the truth of his whole doctrine, and affords therefore a rational foundation for our hopes of everlafting felicity in and thro'

him.

And let it be remember'd 'tis on this condition (viz. that we look up to him by faith, and repofe our trust and confidence in him) that our receiving the benefits of this Redemption are entirely fufpended. That whofoever believeth in him (says the Text) fhould not perish but have eternal life. If any of the people that were bitten by ferpents, did refufe to lift their eyes to that figure God had ordained for their recovery, muft we not fuppose them utterly unworthy of fo great a benefit, and their exclufion from it no more than the fit reward of their ingratitude? So if we look not to that Saviour who was fet up for an enfign of the people, if we believe not the efficacy of his merits who gave himself for our redemption, can we complain VOL. III.

K

that

SERM. that fuch ingratitude fhould be punished IV. with an utter rejection from the flighted favour, and that they should be left to perifh in their fins, who will not be perfuaded to accept and apply the only means of their recovery?

And O! that this matter were but ferioufly weigh'd and laid to heart as it deferves! that the great importance of our eternal welfare might be made a motive to ftrengthen and confirm our faith! that our frequent meditations on the mystery of our redemption might help to fortify us against those wiles of infidelity, which in these licentious days have attempted to burlesque and ridicule it, and to expose the whole hiftory of our Saviour's life and miracles to the impious fcoffs and derifion of his enemies! That we would make this the occafion of looking well to ourselves, and taking heed that there be not in any of us this evil heart of unbelief, that no root of bitterness be suffer'd to spring up or lie conceal'd within, which may tempt us in any measure to join with fuch horrible impieties in departing from the living God!

Withal let us not fail to offer up our prayers for the affiftance of Divine illumination; let us humbly fue with the disciples in the Gospel for a continual increase of faith, and join in the petition of the tender parent, Lord we believe, help thou

our