Vol 01 - HOMILY 21. An allegorical explanation of things done under the lain,

HOMILY 21. An allegorical explanation of things done under the lain,
1. THE glory of Moses, which he had upon his face, was a type of the true glory. For whereas the Jews were not able to fix their eyes upon the face of Moses; so do Christians receive that glory of light within their souls; and the darkness bcares not the splendor of it.
2. They were manifested by circumcision, that they were the people of GOD: but here the peculiar people of GOD receive the sign of circumcision within, in their heart. For the heavenly sword cutteth off the unclean foreskin of sin.
3. Among them baptism sanctified the flesh; but with us is the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and of fire.
4. There was an outward tabernacle and an inward; and into the first the priests went at all times, accomplishing the service of God. Into the second, once a year, " went the high-priest only, with blood; the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest." But we all enter into the " tabernacle not made with hands, whither the Forerunner is entered for us, CHRIST."
5. It is written in the law, that " the priest shall take two pigeons, and kill the one," but sprinkle the living one with her blood, and let it go, that it mayfly away free. This was a type and shadow of the truth. For CHRIST was slain, and his blood having sprinkled its, has made us to bear wings. He has " given us of his Holy Spirit," that we might fly without impediment into the Godhead.
6. To them was given the law written upon " tables of stone;" but to us, that "written upon the tables of the heart." For, says he, " I will put my laws into their heart, and in their mind will I write them." And in deed all those things were abolishable and temporary. But they are now accomplished in the inward man.
7. The Lord spoke to Moses, a to take a lamb without spot, and kill it, and with the blood of it to anoint the thresholds and the doors, that he that destroyed the firstborn of the Egyptians, should not touch them." For the angel that was sent, beheld the sign of the blood from afar, and withdrew. But he went into the houses which had not the sign, and " slew every first-born. He also commanded that leaven should be put away out of every house." Moreover, he commanded them to eat it a with their loins girt, and with their feet shod with sandals, and having staves in their hands."
Thus does he command them with all haste to eat the passover of the Lordd at even, and not to break a bone of it before the Lord. They came out of Egypt, as the Egyptians were burying their first-born. And they had joy upon their freedom from the hard bondage. But these had grief and wailing for the destruction of their children. All these things are the mystery of the soul, redeemed by the coming of CHRIST. If the soul groan and cry to GOD, he sends the spiritual Moses to deliver her from the bondage of the Egyptians. First, it cries and groans, and then does it obtain the beginning of its redemption. But then does he command that all the old leaven be purged out of every house, to cast out as much as possible all the actions and " devices of the old man, which is corrupt;" his wicked thoughts, and sordid conceptions.
The lamb ought to be slain and sacrificed, and the blood of it to stain the doors. For CHRIST, the true and immaculate Lamb, was slain, and with his blood are the thresholds of the heart anointed; that the blood of CHRIST, which Was shed upon the cross, might become life and redemption to the soul. Then, after the anointing is over, he commandeth them at even to eat the lamb, being girt about with girdles, and shQd with sandals, having staves in their hands, For unless the soul be prepared as much as in her lies, she is not allowed to eat of the Lamb. He brings the souls out of Egypt, and out of bondage, her first-born being slain in their coming out. For some part of the power of the spiritual Pharaoh is already fallen. Grief possesses the Egyptians; for they groan with grief at the salvation of the captives. Blessed is that soul which is redeemed from darkness! And wo be to that soul which does not cry and groan to him who is able to deliver her from those hard and bitter exactors. The children of Israel having kept the passover, depart. The soul advances forwards, having once received the life of the Holy Spirit, and tasted of the Lamb, and been anointed with his blood, and fed upon the true bread, the Living Word.
8. The pillar of fire and the pillar of the cloud go before, protecting them. The Holy Spirit supports these, cherishing them, and directing their souls in a sensible manner. Pharaoh, having knowledge that the people were fled, had the confidence, even after the slaughter of the first-born, to pursue after them, with the whole body of his people. How exact is the resemblance! when the soul has first made its escape, the power of GOD succors her, leading her into truth. But when the spiritual Pharaoh has notice that the soul is revolted, he pursues her hard with afflictions and temptations.
Here is she tried; here is she tempted; here is her love towards him that brought her our of Egypt made manifest. She beholds the forces of the enemy coming upon her, and yet not having her in their power. For in the very midst, between: her and the Egyptians, does the Lord stand. Withal, she beholds before her the sea of affliction, and is unable to retire backward, having on that side also enemies ready prepared; nor yet can she advance forwards. She has therefore the sentence of death in her, by reason of the throng of the wicked spirits that surrounds her. Such is the way which GOD has appointed to lead to life, viz. To be in affliction, and in straits, and temptations; that thence the soul may afterwards make her way to the true land of the glory of the sons of God.
When therefore the soul has no hope in herself, through the overbearing affliction, and the death before her eyes in that very juncture does she, with a strong hand; an high arm, through the shining forth of the Holy Spirit, break through the power of darkness; and passes through, escaping out of the frightful places, and having shot through the sea of darkness, and the all-devouring fire. These are the mysteries of the soul, which are brought to pass in the man who is industrious to come to the promise of life, and who is redeemed out of the kingdom of death, and made partaker of the Holy Spirit.