234 The Goftrel ofthe Peace-Offering. abominable It is forbidden under the Penalty of utter Extermination. There might be fomething of anatural Reafon for this, becaufe theFleih might putrify in that hot Climate, if kept longer. But furely this is not all that was intended in fuch a fevere and vehement Prohibition. Therefore there be alfo two fpiritual Myfteries, that feem to be intended and aimed at by the Spirit of God in this Ceremony. i . To teach , us, That we /hould make bafie and not delay Communion with God, in the exercife of Faith and thankful Obedience. Do not delay and put off the Work of Believing ; but receive Chrift, and communi- cateof him in this our Day. This Inftruaion is clear and evident out of this Ceremony : For feeingEating lignifies our feeding upon Chrift by Faith ; and to day and to morrow denotes a fhort time Therefore this inftruûs us fpeedily to lay hold upon the Mercy of God in Chrift, and to feed upon this our Peace - Offering while, it is called to day, acr cording to that Pfal. 95. 7, 8 Heb., 3. 12, 13, r 5. So for other Duties of Obedience, we fhould not delay the Expreffi- ons of our Joy and Thankfulnefs toGod ; Pfal..119. 6o. I made haj'te anddelayed not to keep thy Commandments. ° They had a likeRule touching the Paffover ; Exod. 12.; ro. Te'hall let nothing of it remain until the Morning, and that which remainetb of it mil the Morning, ye /hall burn with Fire. One (cope whereof was,; to teach us to lay hold on prefent Opportunities. Do not protraa the time ; there is a day of Peace,. after which, when once: expired, it is too late : God will.not accept thyPeace -Offerings then. 2. It zh thought to have refpet unto Chrift's Refarreltion, which was upon the Third day.. Therefore he faith, Luke 13.32. Behold I' cedit out Devils, and I do Cures to Day and to Morrow, and the Third day l 'hall be perfeeled. Then he ended his work and ftate of Humiliation for our Redemption, and had no more to do in a way of Sacrifice and Peace -Offerings for our Sins. Inwhich refpet, the number Three wasa myftical number under the Law, as the number 'Seven : The Scripture often fets a mark upon it. Ifaac was offered the Third day, Gen.>22.4. Againft the Third day they were to be ready to receive the Law upon Mount Sinai : Exod. 19, 10, It. Sani:lify. the People to Day and to Morrow, and let them wa/h their:Clotbesand be ready againft the Thirdday; for the Thirdday the Lord will come dorm in the fight of all the People upon Mount Sinai So the Arkwent before them Three days before it reified : Numb. ro. 33. And they departed from the Mount of the Lord Three days Tourney, and the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord went before them in the Three days Yourney, to Parch out a Refting-place f or them ; And a f t er Three days to?aft over Jordan into Canaan,7o(b.1.I l .
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