King. 3.1 Chap. 6.1 2 Chro. 5.1 13. Chap. 7.2 The first house namely that which we have been speaking of was a type of the Church militant and the place most holy a type of the Church triumphant I say of the Church triumphant as it is now So then The house standing of these two parts was a shadow of the Church both in Heaven and Earth And for that they are joyned together by one and the same foundation it was to shew that they above and we below are yet one and the self-same house of God. Hence they and we together are called The whole Family in Heaven and Earth Ephes. 3.14 15. And hence it is said again that we who believe on Earth are come to Mount Zion to the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an invincible company of Angels To the general Assembly and Church of the first born which are writen in Heaven and to the Spirits of just men made perfect and to God the Judge of all and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. The difference then betwixt us and them is not that we are really two but one body in Christ in divers places True we are below stairs and they above they in their holy-day and we in our working-day cloaths they in harbour but we in the storm they at rest and we in the Wilderness They singing as crowned with Joy we crying as crowned with thorns But I I say we are all of one house one family and are all the Children of one father This therefore we must not forget lest we debar our selves of much of that which otherwise while here we have a right unto Let us therefore I say remember that the Temple of God is but one though divided as one may say into Kitchin and Hall above stairs and below or holy and most holy place For it stands upon the same foundation and is called but one the Temple of God which is builded upon the Lord our Saviour I told you before that none of old could go into the most holy but by the holy place even by the Vail that made the Partition between Exod. 26.33 Levit. 16 2 12 15. Heb. 9.7 8. chap 10.19 Wherefore they are deceived that think to go into the holiest which is Heaven when they did who yet abandon and hate the holy place while they live Nay Sirs The way into the holiest is thorow the holy place the way into Heaven is thorow the Church on Earth for that Christ is there by his Word to be received by faith before he can by us in Person be received in the beatical Vision The Church on Earth is as the house of the Women spoken of in the Book of Esther where we must be dieted perfumed and made fit to go into the Bridegroom's Chamber or as Paul says made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Esth. 2. Col. 1.12 LVI Of the Holiest or Inner Temple THE most holy place was as I said a Figure of Heaven it self consequently a type of that where the most special presence of God is and where his face is most clearly seen and the gladness of his countenance most enjoyed Heb. 9.23 24. Exod. 25.22 Numb 7.89 The most holy place was dark it had no Windows in it though there was such round the Chambers the more special presence of God too on Mount Sina was in the thick Darkness there 1 King. 8.12 2 Chro. 6.1 Exod. 1â— 9 chap. 20.21 1. This Holiest therefore being thus made was to shew that God as in Heaven to us on Earth is altogether invisible and not to be reached otherwise than by Faith. For I say in that this House had no Windows nothing therein could be seen by the highest light of this World. Things there were only seen by the light of the fire of the Altar which was a type of the shinings of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 2. chap. And hence it is said notwithstanding this darkness He dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto none but the High Priest Christ 1 Tim. 6.16 1 Pet. 3.21 22. 2. The Holiest therefore was thus built to shew how different our state in Heaven will be from this our state on Earth We walk here by one light by the light of a written word For that is now a light to our feet and Lanthorn to our Path. But that place where there will be no written Word nor Ordinances as here will yet to us shine more light and clear then if all the lights that are in the World were put together to light one Man For God is light and in him is no darkness at all 1 Joh. 1.5 And in his light and in the light of the Lamb immediately we shall live and walk and rejoyce all the days of Eternity 3. This also was ordained thus to shew that we while in the first Temple should live by faith as to what there was or as to what was done in the second Hence 't is said as to that we walk by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5.6 7 8. The things that are there we are told of even of the Ark of the Testimony and Mercy-Seat and the Cherubims of glory and the presence of Christ and of God we are I say told of them by the Word and believe and are taken therewith and hope to go to them hereafter but otherwise we see them not Therefore we are said to look not at the things that are seen but at the things that are not seen for the things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 4. The People of old were not to look into the Holiest lest they died Numb 17.13 save only their High Priest he might go into it To shew that we while here must have a care of vain speculations for there is nothing to be seen by us while here in Heaven otherwise then by faith in God's eternal Testament True we may now come to the Holiest even as nigh as the first Temple will admit us to come but it must be by blood and faith not by vain imagination sence or carnal reason 5. This Holiest of all was four square every way both as to height length and breadth To be thus is a note of perfection as I have shewed elsewhere wherefore it was on purpose thus built to shew us that all fulness of blessedness is there both as to the nature degree and duration So when that which is perfect is come that which is in part shall be done away 1 Cor. 13.8 9 10. Heb. 10.19 20 21 22. LVII Of the Vail of the Temple THE Vail of the Temple was a Hanging made of blue and purple and crimson and fine linnen and there were Cherubins wrought thereon Exod. 26.31 32. 1. This Vail was one partition 'twixt the
until he that has sinned himself out of God's house shall see what danger he has incurred to himself by this his wicked going out he will not unfeignedly desire to come in thither again There is another thing as to this point to be taken notice of There is a way by which God also doth depart from this House and that also is by sin as the occasion The sin of a man will thrust him out and the sin of men will drive God out of his own house Of this you read Ezek. 11.22 23. For this he saith I have for saken mine house I have left mine heritage I have given the dearly beloved of my Soul into the hand of her Enemies Jer. 12.7 And this also is dreadful The great sentence of Christ upon the Jews lay much in these words Your house is left unto you desolate that is God has left you to bare Walls and to lifeless Traditions Consider therefore of this going out also Alas a Church a true Church is but a poor thing if God leaves if God forsakes it By a true Church I mean one that is Congregated according to outward rule that has sinned God away as she had almost quite done that was of Laodicea Revel 3. He that sins himself out can finde no geod in the World and they that have sinned God out can finde no good in the Church A Church that has sinned God away from it is a sad Lump indeed You therefore that are in God's Church take heed of sinning your selves out thence also take heed that while you keep in you sin not God away for thence-forth no good is there Yea wo unto them when I depart from them saith God Hos. 9 12. LIV. Of the Singers belonging to the Temple HAving thus far passed thorow the Temple I come now to the Singers there The Singers were many but all of the Church either Jews or Proselites Nor was there any as I know of under the Old Testament-worship admitted to sing the Songs of the Church and to celebrate that part of Worship with the Saints but they who at least in appearance were so The Song of Moses of Deborah and of those that danced before David with Others that you read of they were all performed either by Jews by nature or by such as were proselited to their Religion Exod. 15.1 Judg. 5.1 2. 1 Sam. 18 6. And such worship then was occasioned by God's great appearance for them against the power of the Gentiles their Enemies But we are confined to the Songs of the Temple a more distinct type of ours in the Church under the Gospel 1. The Singers then were many but the chief of them in the days of David were David himself Asaph Jeduthan and Heman and their Sons 2. In David's time the chief of these Singers were two hundred threescore and eight 1 Chro. 25. These Singers of old were to sing their Songs over the burnt-offering which were types of the Sacrificed Body of Christ a Memorial of which Offering we have at the Lord's Table the Consummation of which Christ and his Disciples celebrated with a Hymn Matt. 26.30 And as of old they were the Church that did sing in the Temple according to Institution to God So also they are by God's appointment to be sung by the Church in the New. Hence 1. They are said to be the redeemed that sing 2. The Songs that they sing are said to be the Songs of their Redemption Revel 5.9 10. 3. They were and are Songs that no man can learn but they But let us run a little in the Parallel 1. They were of old appointed to sing that were cunning and skilful in Songs And answerable to that 't is said That no Man could learn our New-Testament Songs but the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth 1 Chro. 15.22 Revel 14.3 2. These Songs were song with Harps Psalteries Cymbals and Trumpets a type of our singing with spiritual Joy from grace in our hearts 1 Chro. 25.6 2 Chro. 29.26 27 28. Col. 3.16 3. The Singers of old were to be clothed in fine Linnen which fine Linnen was a type of Innocency and an upright Conversation Hence the Singers under the New Testament are said to be Virgins such in whose mouth was no guile and that were without fault before the Throne of God 1 Chro. 15.27 and Revel 14.1 2 3 4 5. See also Chap 7.9 10 11 12 13 14 15. Psal 33 1. 4. The Songs sung in the Temple were new or such as were compiled after the manner of repeated mercies that the Church of God had received or were to receive and answerable to this is the Church to sing now new Songs with new hearts for new mercies Psal. 33.3 Psal. 40.3 Psal. 96. Psal. 144 9. Revel 14.3 New Songs I say are grounded on new matter new occasions new mercies new deliverances new discoveries of God to the Soul or for new frames of heart And are such as are most taking most pleasing and most refreshing to the Soul. 5. These Songs of old to distinguish them from Heathenish ones were called God's Songs the Lord's Songs because taught by him and learned of him and injoyned to them to be sung to his praise Hence David said God had put a new Song in his mouth even praises to our God 1 Chro. 25.7 Psal. 47.6 7. Psal. 137.4 Psal. 40.3 6. These Songs also were called the Songs of Sion and the Songs of the Temple Psal. 137.3 Amos 8.3 And they are so called as they were theirs to sing there I say of them of Sion and the Worshipers in the Temple I say to sing in the Church by the Church to him who is the God of the Church for the mercies benefits and blessings which she has received from him Sion-Songs Temple Songs must be sung by Sion's Sons and Temple-worshipers The redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting Joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Therefore they shall come and sing in the height or upon the Mountain of Zion and shall flow together thither to the goodness of the Lord. Break forth into singing ye Mountains and let the Inhabitants of the ROCK sing Isa. 44.23 Chap. 42.11 To sing to God is the highest Worship we are capable to perform in Heaven and 't is much if sinners on Earth without grace should be capable of performing it according to his Institution acceptably I pray God it be done by all those that now a days get into Churches in spirit and with understanding LV. Of the Vnion of the holy and most holy Temple THat commonly called the Temple of God at Jerusalem considered as standing of two parts was called the outward and inward Temple or the holy and most holy place They were builded upon one and the same foundation neither could one go into the Holiest but as thorow the holy place 1
Temple THese Pillars were also adorned with Lilie-work as well as with Pomgranates and Chains The Chapiters also which were upon the top of the Pillars were of Lilie-work so was the work of the Pillars finished See 1 King. 7.19 20. This Lilie-work is here put in on purpose even to shew us how far off those that were to be the true Apostles of the Lamb should be from seeking carnal things or of making their prevailing a stalking-horse to worldly greatness and that preferment There was Lilie-work upon them That is they lived upon the bounty and care of God and was content with that glory which he had put upon them The Lilies saith Christ they toyl not neither do they spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these Matt. 6 28 29. Luk. 12.28 29. Thus therefore these Pillars shew that as the Apostles should be fitted and qualified for their work They should be also freed from cares and worldly cumber they should be content with God's providing for them even as the goodly Lilies are And as thus prepared they were set in the front of the House for all Ministers to see and learn and take example of them how to behave themselves as to this World in the performing of their office And that which gives us further light in this is that this Lilie-work is said by divine Institution to be placed over against the belly the belly of the Pillars a type of ours 1 King. 7.20 The belly is a craving thing and these things saith the Text were placed over against the belly to teach that they should not humour but put check unto the haveings and cravings of the belly or to shew that they need not do it for that he that calls to his work will himself provide for the belly 'T is said of the Church that her belly is as a heap of Wheat set about with Lilies Song 7.2 To shew that she should without covetousness have sufficient if she would câ—st all her care upon God her great Provider This the Apostles did and this is their glory to this day So was the work of the Pillars finished To live Lilie-lives it seems is the glory of an Apostle and the compleating of their Office and Service for God. But this is directly opposite to the belly over against the belly and this makes it the harder work But yet so living is the way to make all that is done sweet-scented to those that be under this care Covetousness makes a Minister smell frowish and look more like a greedy Dog than an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Judas had none of this Lilie-work so his name stinks to this day He that grows like the Lilie shall cast forth his scent like Lebanon his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree and his smell as Lebanon Thus lived Christ first and thus the Apostles next nor can any other as to this live like or be compared to them They coveted no Man's Silver or Gold or Apparel They lived like Lilies in the World and did send forth their scent as Lebanon Thus you see of whom these Pillars were a shadow and what their height their Chapiters their Bowles their Nets their Chaines their Pomgranates and their Lilie-work did signifie and how all was most sweetly answered in the Antitipe These were Men of the first rate the Apostles I mean were such XVIII Of the fashion of the Temple 1. OF the length and breadth of the Temple I shall say nothing But as to the height thereof there methinks I see something The Temple was higher then the Pillars and so is the Church then her Officers I say consider them singly as Officers though inferiour as to gifts and office for as I said before of Ministers in general so now I say the same of the Apostles though as to office they were the highest yet the Temple is above them Gifts and Office make no Men Sons of God as so they are but Servants though these were servants of the highest form 'T is the Church as such that is the Lady a Queen the Bride the Lamb's Wife and Prophets Apostles and Ministers c. are but Servants Stewards Labourers for her good Psal. 45.9 Revel 19.7 1 Cor. 3.5 chap. 4.1 2. As therefore the Lady is above the Servant the Queen above the Steward or the Wife above all her Husband's Officers so is the Church as such above these Officers The Temple was higher than the Pillars 2. Again as the Temple was highest so it enlarged it self still upward for as it ascended in height so it still was wider and wider even from the lowest Chambers to the top The first Chambers were but five Cubits broad the middle ones were six but the highest were seven Cubits 1 King. 6.5 6. the Temple therefore was round about above some Cubits wider then it was below For there was an enlarging and ascending about still upward to the side Chambers for the winding about was still upward round about the house therefore the breadth of the House was still upward and so encreased from the lowest Chambers to the highest by the midst Ezek. 41.7 And this was to shew us that God's true Gospel-Temple which is his Church should have its enlargedness of heart still upward or most for Spiritual and Eternal things wherefore he saith Thy heart shall fear and be enlarged that is be most affected with things above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Isa. 60.5 Colos. 3.2 3. Indeed it is the nature of Grace to enlarge it self still upward and to make the heart widest for the things that are above The Temple therefore was narrowest downwards to shew that a little of Earth or this World should serve the Church of God. And having food and rayment let us be therewith content But now upwards and as to heavenly things we are commanded to be covetous as to them and after them to enlarge our selves both by the fashion of the Temple as by express words 1 King. 4.29 Isa. 60.5 Philip. 3.14 1 Cor. 12.31 1 Tim. 6.8 Psal. 119.32 Since then the Temple was widest upward let us imitate it and have our conversation in Heaven Let our eyes our ears our hands and hearts our prayers and groans be most for things above Let us open our mouths as the ground that is chapt doth for the latter rain for the things that are eternal Job 29.23 Psal. 81.10 Observe again that the lowest parts of the Temple were the narrowest parts of the Temple So those in the Church who are nearest or most concerned with earth are the most narrow spirited as to the things of God. But now let even such an one be taken up higher to above to the uppermost parts of the Temple and and there he will be enlarged and have his heart stretcht out For the Temple you see was widest upwards the higher the more it is enlarged Paul being once caught up into
to Solomon to make them by observe there was great exactness in these and need there was of this hint that Men might see that every thing will not pass for a right ordered Candlestick with GOD Exod. 25.31 32 33 34 35 36. 1 Chro. 28.15 16. These Candlesticks are said sometimes to be ten sometimes seven and sometimes one Ten here seven Revel 1. and one in Zech. 4. Ten is a note of a multitude and seven a note of perfection and one a note of unity Now as the precious stones with which the House was garnished were a type of Ministerial gifts so these Candlesticks were a type of those that were to be the Churches of the New Testament Wherefore he says The Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches Revel 1.12 13 20. 1. The Candlesticks were here in number ten to shew that Christ under the New Testament would have a many Gospel Churches And I if I be lifted up from the Earth saith he will draw all men unto me that is abundance For the Children of the desolate that is of the New Testament Church shall be many more then they of the Jews were Joh. 12.32 Gala. 4.27 2. In that the Candlesticks were set by the Lavers and stony Tables it might be to shew us that Christ's Churches should be much in considering that Christ tho' he was righteous yet died for our sins Though his Life was according to the holy Law yet our stony hearts caused him to die Yea and that the Candlesticks are placed there it is to shew us also that we should be much in looking on the sins by which we caused him to die for the Candlesticks were set by those Tables whereon they laid the Instruments with which they slew the Sacrifice 3. These Candlesticks being made according to form seems not only to be exact as to fashion but also as to work For that in Exodus with its furniture was made precisely of one Talent of Gold perhaps to shew that Christ's true Spouse is not to be a grain more nor a dram less but Just the number of God's Elect. This is Christ's compleatness his fulness one more one less would make his Body a Monster 4. The Candlestick was to hold the light and to shew it to all the House and the Church is to let her light so shine that they without may see the light Mat. 5.15 16. Luke 8.16 Chap. 11.33 Chap. 12.35 5. To this end the Candlesticks were supplied with Oil-olive a type of the supply that the Church hath that her Light may shine even of the Spirit of Grace XLII Of the Lamps belonging to the Candlesticks of the Temple TO these Candlesticks belonged several Lamps with their Flowers and their knops 2 Chro. 4.21 1. These Lamps were types of that profession that the Members of the Church do make of Christ whether such Members have saving grace or not Matt. 25.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2. These Lamps were beautified with Knops and Flowers to shew how comely and beautiful that Professor is that adorns his Profession with a suitable Life and Conversation 3. We read that the Candlestick in Zecharias had seven Lamps belonging to it and a Bowl of Golden Oil on the top and that by Golden Pipes this Golden Oil emptied it self into the Lamps and all doubtless that the Lamps might shine Zech. 4. 4. Christ therefore who is the High Priest and to whom it belongs to dress the Lamps doth dress them accordingly But now there are Lamp-Carriers of two sorts such as have only Oyl in their Lamps and such as have Oyl in their Lamps and Vessels too and both these belong to the Church and in both these Christ will be glorified And they should have their proper places at last They that have the Oyl of Grace in their hearts as well as a Profession of Christ in their hands they shall go in with him to the Wedding but they who only make a Profession and have not Oyl in their Vessels vvill surely miscarry at last Matt. 25. 5. Wherefore O thou Professor Thou Lamp-Carrier Have a care and look to thy self content not thy self with that only that will maintain thee in a Profession for that may be done without saving grace But I advise thee to go to Aaron to Christ the trimmer of our Lamps and beg thy Vessel full of Oyl of him that is grace for the seasoning of thy heart that thou mayst have wherewith not only to bear thee up now but at the day of the Bridegroom 's coming when many a Lamp vvill go out and many a Professor be left in the dark for that vvill to such be a vvoful day Levit. 24.2 Matt. 25. Some there are that are neither for Lamps nor Oyl for themselves neither are they pleased if they think they see it in others But they that have Lamps and they that have none and they vvhich vvould blovv out other folks light must shortly appear to give an account of all their doings to God. And then they shall see vvhat it is to have Oyl in their Vessels and Lamps and vvhat 't is to be vvithout it in their Vessels though 't is in their Lamps and vvhat a dismal thing 't is to be a Malignant to either but at present let this suffice XLIII Of the Shew-bread on the Golden Table in the Temple THere vvas also Shew-bread set upon a Golden Table in the Temple 1 Kings 7.48 The Shew-bread consisted of twelve Cakes made of fine Flovver Two tenth deals was to go to one Cake and they were to be set in order in two rowes upon the pure Table Exod. 29.33 Levit. 8.31 Chap. 24.5 6 7 8 9. 1. These tvvelve Loaves to me do seem to be a type of the twelve Tribes under the Law and of the Children of God under the Gospel as they present themselves before God in and by his Ordinances thorow Christ. Hence the Apostle says For we being many are one bread c. 1 Cor. 10.17 For so were the twelve Cakes though twelve and so are the Gospel Saints though many For we being many are one body in Christ Rom. 12 5. 2. But they were a type of the true Church not of the false For Ephraim who was the head of the Ten Tribes in their Apostacy is rejected as a Cake not turned Indeed he is call'd a Cake as a false Church may be called a Church but he is called a Cake not turned as a false Church is not prepared for God nor fit to be set on the Golden Table before him Hos. 7.8 3. These Cakes or Shew-bread was to have Frankincense strewed upon them as they stood upon the Golden Table which was a type of the sweet perfumes of the Sanctifications of the Holy Ghost To which I think Paul alludes when he says The offering up of the Gentiles is acceptable to God being sanctified by the Holy Ghost Rom. 15 16. 4. They were to be set upon the pure Table new and hot to