Numbers 19

Numbers 19:3

THe Priest] Who was the next to the high Priest, and as it were his chief deputy, Numb. 3. 32. whence one may gather, that in ensuing times also this office of preparing this water for purification, was given to the second person; for the high Priest could not be ceremonially polluted: Leviticus 21:12. as this man was, who was chief in this action of the heifer, vers. 7 Without the camp] Which was singular in this sacrifice: to shew that Christ was to die without the City: Hebrews 13:11-12.

Numbers 19:4

Shall take] After he hath carried it into the camp in some vessell.

Numbers 19:5

And one shall] The Priest being returned from without the campe, as it appeareth by v. 7 Her bloud] The remainder which hath not been used in the former sprinkling.

Numbers 19:6

Cedar wood] See Leviticus 4:4.

Numbers 19:7

Uncleane] Shall be severed from common conversation, especially in holy places, and shall pollute by touching and comming neere any. A figure of Christ, to shew that he, for to cleanse us, hath burthened himselfe with the guilt of our pollutions, in the sight of God, Isaiah 53:12 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Numbers 19:9

That is cleane] Not defiled by any ceremoniall pollution A cleane place] Not a receptacle of filth, sweepings, offals, and other uncleane things: see upon Leviticus 4:12, For a water] the Italian hath it, To make a water] Mixing of those ashes with running water, v. 17 Of separation] the Italian hath it, Of purification] From diverse legall, and deadly impurities. A figure of Christs bloud, which purifieth the consciences of the faithfull, from dead works: Heb. 9. 14. and 10. 22 A purification] The Italian hath it, A sacrifice] This slaying and burning of the heifer, is a kind of sacrifice for sinne, and therefore those ceremonies ought to be observed herein, as were accustomed in the like sacrifices, excepting the ashes: see Leviticus 4:11. 〈◊〉.

Numbers 19:10

Unto the stranger] that is a proselite. Othershold that all strangers which dwelt among the people, were comprehended herein, by reason of the frequent & unavoidable contaminations of the one with the other.

Numbers 19:12

Purisie himself] With the sprinkling of that water, v. 18 The third day] a document for the faithfull to begin and continue, purifying of themselvs whilest they are in this world, for to be so in the everlasting Sabbath: see 2 Corinthians 5:3.

Numbers 19:13

Defileth] Comming neere it rashly whilest he was yet uncleane; for by the Law holy things were polluted, by the touch of uncleane ones: Haggai 2:13. see upon Levit. 15. 31. and 1616 Cut off] See Genesis 17:14 His uncleannesse] Having contemptuously been carelesse of the meanes of cleansing himselfe, he shall not now be admitted thereunto. Yea as uncleane he shall be cut off from the communion of the Church, and be put to death, if the thing be known: or if it be unknowne to men, God will punish it.

Numbers 19:17

Of the burnt heifer, &c.] The Italian hath it, Of that sacrifice, &c.] See v. 9.Running water] Of some spring or running streame, as Leviticus 14:5.

Numbers 19:21

That sprinkleth] To shew that, as it is in bodily uncleannesses, he that maketh another cleane, defileth himselfe: so the Ministers of Gods grace, draw much impurity upon themselves, from the infection of sinners: Isaiah 6:5 That toucheth] Either by sprinkling of it, or being sprinkled therewith. Another document to teach us, that the faithfull man, even after he hath received the gift of forgiventsse of sins, hath yet many reliques thereof remaining: and that his perfect purification is fulfilled at his death: see John 13:10.