holy and most holy place And I take it it was to keep from the sight of the Worshipers the things most holy when the High Priest went in thither to accomplish the service of God Exod. 26.33 2 Chron. 3.14 Heb. 9.8 2. The Vail was a type of Two things 1. Of these visible Heavens through which Christ passed when he went to make Intercession for us And as by the Vail the Priest went out of the sight of the People when he went into the Holiest of all So Jesus Christ when he ascended was by the Heavens that great and stretched-out curtain received out of the sight of his People here Also by the same Curtain since it is become as a Tent for him to dwell in he is still received and still kept out of our sight For now we see him not nor shall until these heavens be rouled together as a Scrole and pass away like a thing rouled together Isa. 40.22 Acts 1.9 10 11. Chap. 3.19 20 21. 1 Pet. 1.8 2. This is that Vail thorow which the Apostle saith Jesus is as a Fore-runer for us entered into the presence of God. For by Vail here also must be meant the Heavens or out-spread Firmament thereof As both Mark and Peter says He is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Mark 16.19 1 Pet. 3.22 3. The Vail of the Temple was made of blew the very colour of the Heavens Of purple and crimson and scarlet also which are the colours of many of the Clouds because of the reflections of the Sun. But again 4 The Vail was also a type of the body of Christ. For as the Vail of the Temple when whole kept the view of the things of the Holiest from us but when rent gave place to Man to look in unto them Even so the Body of Christ while whole kept that of the things of the Holiest from that view we since he was pierced have of them Hence we are said to enter into the Holiest by faith thorow the Vail that is to say his flesh Heb. 10.19 20 21 22. But yet I say all is by faith and indeed the renting of the Vail that Day that Christ was crucified did loudly preach this to us For no sooner was the body of Christ pierced but the Vail of the Temple rent in twain from the top to the bottom And so a way was made for a clearer sight of what was there beyond it both in the Type and Anti-type Mat. 27.50 51 52 53. Heb. 10.19 20. Thus you see that the Vail of the Temple was a type of these visible Heavens and also of the body of Christ of the first because he passed thorow it unto the Father of the second because we by it have boldness to come to the Father I read also of two other Vails as of that spread over the face of Moses to the end the Children of Israel should not stedfastly behold and of the first Vail of the Tabernacle But of these I shall not in this place speak Upon the Vail of the Temple there was also the figures of Cherubims wrought that is of Angels to shew that as the Angels are with us here and wait upon us all the days of our Pilgrimage in this World so when we die they stand ready even at the Vail at the Door of these Heavens to come when bid to fetch us and carry us away into Abraham's bosom Luke 16.22 The Vail then thus understood teaches us first where Jesus is namely not here but gone into Heaven from whence we should wait for him It also teaches us that if we would even now discern the Glories that are in the Holiest of all we must look thorow Jesus to them even thorow the Vail that is to say his flesh Yea It teaches us that we may by faith through him attain to a kind of a Presence at least of the beauty and sweetness of them LVIII Of the Doors of the Inner Temple 1. BEsides the Vail there was a Door to the inner Temple and that Door was made of Olive-Tree And for the entering in of the Oracle he made doors of Olive-Tree The two Doors also of Olive-Tree and he carved upon them Cherubims and Palm-Trees and open Flowers and over-laid them with Gold and spread Gold upon the Cherubims and upon the Palm-Trees 1 King. 6.31 2. These Doors were a type of the gate of Heaven even of that which lets into the Eternal Mansion-house that is beyond that Vail I told you before that the Vail was a type of the visible Heavens which God has spread out as a Curtain and through which Christ went when he ascended to the right hand of the Father 3. Now beyond this Vail as I said I find a Door a Gate opening with two Leaves as afore we found at the Door of the outward Temple These are they which the Psalmist calls to when he saith Lift up your heads O ye Gates even lift them up ye everlasting Doors and the King of Glory shall come in Psal. 24.7 9. 4. The Doors of the Temple were made of Fir but these as you see were made of Olive To shew us by that fat Tree that rich type with what glory we shall be met who shall be counted worthy to enter at these Gates The Olive-Tree has its name from the Oil and fatness of its nature and the Doors that let into the Holiest were made of this Olive-Tree 5. Cherubims were also carved upon these Doors To shew that as the Angels met us at the Temple-door and as they wait upon us in the Temple and stand also ready at the Vail so even at the Gate of the Mansion-house they will be also ready to give us a welcome thither and to attend us into the Presence-Chamber 6. Palm-Trees also as they were carved upon the Temple-doors so we also find them here before the Oracle upon the Doors that let in thither To shew that as Christ gave us the Victory at our first entring into faith So he will finish that victory by giving of us Eternal Salvation Thus is he the Author and finisher of our faith For as sure as at first we received the Palm-branch by faith so surely shall we weâ—r it in our hands as a token of his faithfulness in the Heaven of Heavens for ever Revel 7.9 7. Open Flowers are also carved here To shew that Christ who is the door to glory as well as the door to grace will be precious to us at our entering in thither as well as at the first step we took thither-ward in a sinful miserable World. Christ will never lose his sweet-scent in the Nostrils of his Church He is most sweet now vvill be so at Death and sweetest of all when by him we shall enter into that Mansion-house prepared for us in Heaven 8. The Palm-trees and open Flowers may also be a type of the precious ones of God who shall be counted worthy of his Kingdom The one of
22. Jer. 32.41 Revel 21.6 Chap. 22.17 Wherefore the Oyl of Grace signified by this Oily Tree or these Olive-posts on which these Doors do hang do cause that they open glibly or frankly to the Soul. XXIX What the Doors of the Temple were made of 1. THE Doors of the Temple were made of Firr that is so sweet-scented and pleasant to the smell 1 King. 6.34 2. Mankind is also often compared to the Firr-tree as Isa. 41.19 Chap. 55.13 Chap. 60.17 and Chap. 14.8 3. Now since the Doors of the Temple were made of the same doth it not shew that the way into God's house and into his favour is by the same nature which they are of that thither enter even thorow the vail his flesh Heb. 10. For this Door I mean the Antitype doth even say of himself I am as a green Fir-tree from me is thy fruit found Hos. 14.8 4. This Fir-tree is Christ Christ as man and so as the way to the Father The Doors of the Temple are also as you see here made of the Fir-tree even of that Tree which was a type of the Humanity of Jesus Christ. Consider Heb. 2.14 5. The Fir-tree is also the house of the Stork that unclean Bird even as Christ is a harbour and shelter for Sinners As for the Stork saith the Text the FIR-TREE is her house and Christ saith to the Sinners that see their want of shelter Come unto me and I will give you rest He is a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in time of trouble Deut. 14.18 Levit. 11.19 Psal. 104.17 Psal. 84.2 3. Matt. 11.27 28. Heb. 6.17 18 19 20. He is as the Doors of Firr of the Temple the inlet to God's House to God's presence and to a partaking of his Glory Thus God did of old by similitudes teach his People his way XXX How the Doors of the Temple were adorned AND Solomon carved upon the Doors Cherubims Palm-trees and open Flowers and overlaid them all with Gold 1 King. 6.35 Ezek. 41.15 He carved Cherubims thereon These Cherubims were Figures or Types of Angels and for as much as they were carved here upon the Door it was to shew First What delight the Angels take in waiting upon the Lord and in going at his bidding at his beck They are always waiting like Servants at the Door of their Lord's house Secondly It may be also to shew how much pleased they are to be where they may see sinners come to God. For there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth and comes to God by Christ for mercy Luke 15.10 Thirdly They may be also placed here to behold with what reverence or irreverence those that come hither to worship do behave themselves Hence Solomon cautions those that come to God's House to worship that they take heed to their feet because of the Angels Paul also says Women must take heed that they behave themselves in the Church as they should and that because of the Angels Eccles. 5.1 2 6. 1 Cor. 11.10 Fourthly They may also be carved upon the Temple Doors to shew us how ready they are so soon as any poor Creature comes to Christ for life to take the care and charge of its conduct thorow this miserable World Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for those which shall be heirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 Fifthly They may also be carved here to shew that they are ready at Christ's command to take vengeance for him upon those that despise his People and hate his Person Hence he bids the world take heed what they do to his little ones for their Angels behold the face of their father which is in heaven and are ready at the Door to run at his bidding Matt. 18.10 Sixthly Or Lastly They may be carved upon these Doors to shew that Christ Jesus is the very Supporter and Upholder of Angels as well as the Saviour of sinful Man For as he is before all things so by him all things consist Angels stand by Christ Men are saved by Christ and therefore the very Cherubims themselves were carved upon these Doors to shew they are upheld and subsist by him 1 Cor. 8.6 Col. 1.17 Heb. 1.3 Secondly Again as the Cherubims are carved here so there were Palm-trees carved here also The Palm-tree is upright it twisteth not it self awry Jer. 10.5 1. Apply this to Christ and then it shews us the uprightness of his heart word and ways with sinners Good and upright is the Lord therefore will be teach sinners in the way in at the Door to Life Psal. 25.8 Psal. 92.15 2. The Palm or Palm-tree is also a token of victory and as placed here it betokeneth the conquest that Christ the Door should get over Sin Death the Devil and Hell for us Rom. 7.24 chap. 8.37 1 Cor. 15.54 55 56. Revel 7.9 10 11. 3. If we apply the Palm-tree to the Church as we may For she also is compared thereto Song 7.8 9 10. Then the Palm-tree may be carved here to shew That none but such as are upright of heart and life shall dwell in the presence of God. The hypocrite says Job shall not come before him The upright says David shall dwell in thy presence Job 13.16 Psal. 24.3 4. They are they that are clothed in white Robes which signifies uprightness of life that stand before the Lamb with Palms in their hands Revel 7.9 Thirdly There was also carved upon these Doors open Flowers And that to teach us that here is the sweet scent and fragrant smell and that the coming Soul will find it so in Christ this Door I am saith he the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Vallies And again * His Cheeks are as Beds of Spices and several Flowers his Lips like Lilies drop sweet smelling myrrhe Song 2.1 chap. 5.13 Open Flowers Open Flowers are the sweetest because full grown and because as such they yield their fragrancy most freely Wherefore when he saith upon the Doors are open Flowers he setteth Christ Jesus forth in his good favours as high as by such similitudes he could And that both in Name and Office. For open Flowers lay by their thus opening themselves before us all their beauty also most plainly before our Faces There are varieties of beauty in open Flowers the which they also commend to all observers Now upon these Doors you see are open Flowers Flowers ripe and spread before us to shew that his Name and Offices are savory to them that by him do enter his house to God his Father Song 1.1 2 3 4. All these were over-laid with fine gold Gold is most rich of all Metals and here 't is said the Doors the Cherubims the Palm trees and open Flowers were overlaid therewith And this shews that as these things are rich in themselves even so they should be to us We have a Golden Door to go to God by and golden Angels to conduct us thorow the World
we have golden Palm-trees as tokens of our victory and golden Flowers to smell on all the way to Heaven XXXI Of the Wall of the Temple THE Wall of the Temple was cieled with Firr which he over-laid with fine gold and set thereon Palm-trees and Chains 2 Chro. 3.5 6 7. The Walls were as the Body of the House unto which Christ alluded when he said Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up Joh. 2.19 21. Hence to be and worship in the Temple was a type of being in Christ and worshiping God by him For Christ as was said is the great Temple of God in the which all the Elect meet and in whom they do service to and for his Father Hence again the true Worshipers are said to be in him to speak in him to walk in him to obey in him 2 Cor. 2.14 chap. 12.19 Col. 2.6 For as of old all true Worship was to be found at the Temple To now it is only found with Christ and with them that are in him The promise of old was made to them that worshiped within these Walls I will give saith he to them in my house and within my walls to them that worship there in truth a place and a name better then that of Sons and of Daughters Isa. 5.6 5. But now in New Testament times all the promises in HIM are yea and in HIM Amen to the glory of God by us 2 Cor. â— 20 This is yet further hinted to us in that 't is said these Walls are cieled with Firr Which as was shewed before was a figure of the humanity of Jesus Christ. A Wall is for defence and so is the humanity of Jesus Christ. 'T is was and will be our defence for ever For it was that which underwent and overcame the curse of the Law and that in which our everlasting righteousness is found Had he not in that interposed we had perished for ever Hence we are said to be reconciled to God in the body of his flesh thorow death Col. 1.19 20. Rom. 5.8 9 10. Now this Wall was overlaid with fine gold Gold here is a figure of the righteousness of Christ by which we are justified in the fight of God. Therefore you read that his Church as justified is said to stand at his right hand in Cloth of Gold. Vpon thy right hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir And again her clothing is of wrought gold Psal. 45.9 13. This the Wall was overlaid with this the body of Christ was filled with Men while in the Temple were clothed with Gold even with the gold of the Temple and Men in Christ are clothed with righteousness the righteousness of Christ. Wherefore this Consideration doth yet more illustrate the matter In that the Palm-trees were SET on this Wall it may be to shew that the Elect are fixed in Jesus and so shall abide for ever Chains were also carved on these walls yea and they were golden Chains there were Chains on the Pillars and now also we finde Chains upon the Walls Philip. 1.12 13. 1. Chains were used to hold one Captive and such Paul did wear at Rome but he calls them his Bands in Christ. 2. Chains sometimes signifie great afflictions which God lays on us for our sins Psal. 107.9 10 11. Lam. 1.14 chap. 3.7 3. Chains also may be more mystically understood as of those Obligations which the love of God lays upon us to do and suffer for him Acts 20.22 4. Chains do sometimes signifie beauty and comely Ornaments Thy Neck saith Christ to his Spouse is comely with Chains of Gold And again I put Bracelets upon thy hands and a Chain about thy Neck Song 1.10 Ezek. 16.8 9 10 11. Prov. 1.9 5. Chains also do sometimes denote Greatness and Honour such as Daniel had when the King made him the Third Ruler in the Kingdom Dan. 5.7 16 29. Now all these are Temple-chains and are put upon us for good some to prevent our ruine some to dispose our minds the better and some to dignifie and to make us noble Temple-chains are brave Chains None but Temple-worshipers must wear Temple-chains XXXII Of the garnishing of the Temple with precious Stones AND he garnished the House with precious Stones for beauty 2 Chron. 3.6 7. 1. This is an other Ornament to the Temple of the Lord wherefore as he saith it was garnished with them he saith It was garnished with them for beauty The Line saith garnished the Margent saith covered 2. Wherefore I think they were fixed as Stars or as the Stars in the Firmament so they were set in the cieling of the House as in the Heaven of the holy Temple 3. And thus fixed they do the more aptly tell us of what they were a figure namely of the Ministerial Gifts and Officers in the Church For Ministers as to their Gifts and Office are called STARS of God and are said to be in the hand of Christ Revel 1.20 4. Wherefore as the Stars glitter and twinkle in the Firmament of Heaven So do true Ministers in the Firmament of his Church 1 Chro. 29.2 Joh. 5.35 Dan. 12.3 5. So that 't is said again these Gifts come down from above as signifying they distill their dew from above And hence again the Ministers are said to be set OVER us in the Lord as placed in the Firmament of his Heaven to give a light upon his Earth There is Gold and a multitude of rubies but the lips of knowledge are a precious Jewel Prov. 20 15. Verily 't is enough to make a Man in this house look always upward since the cieling above head doth thus glitter with precious Stones Precious Stones all manner of precious Stones Stones of all colours For there are divers gifts differences of administrations and diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. Thus had the cieling of this house a Pearl here and there a Diamond here a Jasper and there a Saphire here a Sardius and there a Jacinth here a Sardonix and there an Amathist For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom to another the Word of Knowledge to one the gift of healing to another faith to this man to work miracles to that a spirit of prophesie to another the discerning of spirits to another divers kinds of tongues 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10 11. He also over-laid the House Beams Posts Walls Doors c. and all with Gold. O what a beautiful House the Temple was how full of glory was it And yet all was but a shadow a shadow of things to come and which was to be answered in the Church of the living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth by better things than these XXXIII Of the Windows of the Temple AND for the House he made Windows of narrow Lights 1 King. 6.4 There was Windows for this House Windows for the Chambers and Windows round about Ezek. 4.16 22 23
24 25 29 33 36. These Windows were of several sizes but all narrow narrow without but wide within they also were finely wrought and beautified with goodly stones Isa. 54.14 1. Windows as they are to an house an ornament so also to it they are a benefit Truly the light is good and a pleasant thing it is for the eye to behold the Sun Eccles. 11.7 The Window is that which Christ looks forth at the Window is that which the Sun looks in at Song 2.9 2. By the light which shines in at the Window we also see to make and keep the House clean and also to do what business is necessary there to be done In thy light we see light light to do our duty and that both to God and Man. 3. These Windows therefore were figures of the written Word by and thorough which Christ shews himself to his and by which we also apprehend him And hence the Word of God is compared to a Glass thorough which the light doth come and by which we see not only the beams of the Sun but our own Smutches also 2 Chron. 3.18 Jam. 1.23 24 25. 4. The Lights indeed were narrow wherefore we see also thorow their anti-type but darkly and imperfectly Now we see thorow a glass darkly or as in a riddle now we know but in part 1 Cor. 13.12 5. Their Windows and their light are but of little service to those that are without The World sees but little of the beauty of the Church by the light of the written Word though the Church by that light can see the dismal state of the World and also how to avoid it XXXIV Of the Chambers of the Temple IN the Temple Solomon made Chambers 1 King. 6.5 1. The Chambers were of several sizes some little some large some higher some lower some more inward and some outward 2. These Chambers were for several services some were for rests some to hide in some to lay up treasure in and some for solace and delight 2 Chro. 3.9 Ezek. 40.7 Chap. 41.5 9 44. 2 Chro. 31.11 12. 2 King. 11.1 2 3. Ezra 8.29 1. They were for resting places Here the Priests and Porters were wont to lodge 2. They were for hiding places Here Jehoshebath hid Joash from Athaliah the term of six years 3. They were also to lay the Temple-Treasure or dedicated things in that they might be safely kept there for the Worshippers 4. And some of them were for solace and delight and I must add some for durable habitation Wherefore in some of them some dwelt always yea their Names dvvelt there vvhen they vvere dead 1. Those of them which were for rest were types of that rest which by faith we have in the Son of God Matt. 11. and of that Eternal rest which we shall have in Heaven by him Heb. 4.3 2. Those Chambers which were for hiding and security were types of that safety which we have in Christ from the rage of the World Isa. 26.20 3. Those Chambers which were for the reception of the Treasures and dedicated things were types of Christ as he is the common store-house of believers For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell and of his fulness we all receive and grace for grace John 1.16 Col. 1.19 4. Those Chambers that were for solace and delight were types of those retirements and secret meetings of Christ with the Soul where he gives it his imbraces and delights her with his bosom and ravishing delights He brought me said she into his Chambers into the Chamber of her which conceived me and there he gave her his love Song 1.4 Chap. 3.4 5. The Chambers which were for durable dwelling-places were types of those Eternal dwelling-places which are in the Heavens prepared of Christ and the Father for them that shall be saved Joh. 14.1 2 3 4. 2 Cor. 5.1 2 3 4. This it is to dwell on high and to be safe from fear of evil Here therefore you see are Chambers for rest Chambers for safety Chambers for Treasure Chambers for Solace and Chambers for durable Habitations O the rest and peace that the Chambers of God's high house will yield to its Inhabitants in another World. Here they will rest from their labours rest upon their beds rest with God rest from sin temptation and all sorrow Revel 14.13 Isa. 57.1 2. 2 Thes. 1.7 God therefore then shall wipe all tears from our eyes even when he comes out of his Chambers as a Bridegroom to fetch his Bride his Wife unto him thither to the end they may have Eternal solace together O these are far better then the Chambers of the South XXXV Of the Stairs by which they went up into the Chambers of the Temple THere was Stairs by which Men went up into these Chambers of the Temple and they were but one pair and they went from below to the first and so to the middle and thence to the highest Chambers in the Temple 1 King. 6.8 Ezek. 41.7 1. These Stairs were winding so that they turned about that did go up them So then he that assayed to go into these Chambers must turn with the Stairs or he could not go up no not into the lowest Chambers 2. These Stairs therefore were a type of a twofold repentance That by which we turn from nature to grace and that by which we turn from the imperfections which attend a state of grace to glory Hence true repentance or the right going up these turning Stairs is called repentance to salvation for true repentance stopeth not at the reception of grace for that is but a going up these Stairs to the middle Chambers 2 Cor. 7.10 Thus therefore the Soul as it goes up these Stairs turns and turns till it enters the Doors of the highest Chambers It groans though in a state of grace 'cause that 's not the state of glory I count then that from the first to the middle Chambers may be a type of turning from nature to grace but from the middle to the highest these Stairs may signifie a turning still from the imperfections and temptations that attend a state of grace to that of immortality and glory 2 Cor. 5.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. For as there are turning Stairs from the lowest to the middle Chambers so the Stairs from thence still turn and so will do till you come to the highest Chambers I do not say that they that have received grace do repent they received grace but I say they that have received grace are yet sorry that grace is not consummate in glory And hence they are for going up thither still these turning Stairs yea they cannot rest below as they would till they ascend to the highest Chambers O wretched man that I am and in this we groan earnestly is the language of gracious Souls Rom. 7.20 2 Cor. 5.1 2 3. True every one doth not do thus that comes into the Temple of God many rest below Stairs they like not
the uprightness of their hearts the other of the good savour of their lives The upright shall dwell in thy presence and to him that ordereth his conversation aright I will shew the salvation of God Psal. 140.13 Psal. 50. ult 9. Thus sweet in Earth sweet in Heaven And he that yields the fruit of the Gospel here shall find it for himself and his Eternal Comfort at the Gates of Glory 10. All these were over-laid with gold as you may say and so they were at the Door of the first House True but observe here we have an addition Here is gold upon gold Gold laid on them and then gold spread upon that He over-laid them with gold and then spread gold upon them The Lord gives grace and glory Psal. 84.11 Gold and gold Gold spread upon gold Grace is gold in the leaf and glory is gold in plates Grace is thin gold glory is gold that is thick Here is gold layed on and gold spread upon that And that both upon the Palm-trees and the Cherubims Gold upon the Palm trees that 's on the Saints Gold upon the Cherubims that 's upon the Angels For I doubt not but that the Angels themselves shall receive Additional Glory for the Service which they have served Christ and his Church on Earth 11. The Angels are GOD's Harvest-men and doubtless he will give them good Wages even Glory upon their Glory then Matt. 13.38 39. Chap. 24.31 Joh. 4.36 12. You know Harvest men use to be pay'd well for gathering in the Corn and I doubt not but so shall these when the great Ingathering is over But what an enterance into Life is here Here is gold upon gold at the Door at our first step into the Kingdom LIX Of the Golden Nails of the Inner-Temple I Shall not concern my self with all the Nails of the Temple as of those made of Iron c. 1 Chron. 22.3 but only with the Golden ones of which you read 2 Chron. 3.4 where he saith And the weight of the nails was fifty Shekels of Gold These Nails as I conceive were all fastned to the place most Holy and of form most apt to that of which they were a Figure 1. Some of them represented Christ Jesus our Lord as fixed in his Mediatory Office in the Heavens wherefore in one place when the Holy Ghost speaks of Christ as he sprang from Judah to be a Mediator saith Out of him came the Corner the Corner-stone out of him the Nails Zech. 10.4 Now since he is here compared to a Nail a golden Nail it is to shew that as a Nail by driving is fixed in his place so Christ by God's Oath is made an everlasting Priest Heb. 7.25 Therefore as he saith again The Nail the Aaronical Priesthood that was fastned in a sure place should be removed be cut down and fall So he who has the Key of David which is Christ Revel 3.7 shall by God as a Nail be fastned in a sure place and abide therefore he says again And he shall be for a glorious Throne or Mercy-seat to his Fathers House And moreover That they shall hang on him as on a Nail all the Glory of his Fathers House the Off-spring and the Issue all Vessels of small quantity from the Vessels of Cups even to the Vessels of Flagons According to that which is written And they sang a new Song to the Lamb that was slain saying Thou art worthy c. Isai. 22.20 22 23 24 25. Rev. 5.9 12. And therefore it is again that Christ under the similitude of a Nail is accounted by Saints indeed their great Pledge or Hope as he is in Heaven of their certain coming thither Hence they said of old God has given us a Nail in his holy place A Nail says the Line a Pin a constant and sure abode says the Margin Ezra 9.8 Now this Nail in his holy place as was shewed before is Christ Christ as possest of Heaven and as abiding and ever living therein for us Hence he is called as there our Head our Life and our Salvation and also we are said there to be set down together in him Ephes. 1. ult Col. 3.3 Ephes. 2.5 6. 2. Some of these Nailes were types of the holy words of God which for ever are setled in Heaven Types I say of their Yea and Amen Hence Solomon in another place compares the Words of the wise God To goads and nailes fastned by the Masters of the Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd Eccles. 12.11 They are called Goads because as such prick the Oxen on in their drawing so God's Words prick Christians on in their Holy Duties They are called Nailes to shew that as Nails when fastned well in a sure place are not easily removed So God's Words by his will stand firm for ever The Masters of the Assemblies are firstly the Apostles The one Shepherd is Jesus Christ. Hence the Gospel of Christ is said to be everlasting to abide for ever and to be more stedfast than Heaven and Earth Isa. 40.6 7 8. 1 Pet. 1.24 25. Heb. 13 20. Revel 14.6 Matt. 24.35 The Lord Jesus then and his Holy Words are the Golden Nailes of the Temple and the fixing of these Nails in the Temple was to shew that Christ is the same to day yesterday and for ever and that his words abide and remain the same for ever and ever He then that hath Christ has a Nail in the Holiest he that hath a promise of Salvation hath also a Nail in Heaven a Golden Nail in Heaven LX. Of the Floor and Walls of the inner Temple 1. THE Floor of the Oracle was overlaid with Cedar and so also was the Walls of this House He built twenty Cubits on the sides of the House both the Floor and the Walls with boards of Cedar He even built for it within for the Oracle for the most holy place 1 King. 16. 2. In that he doth tell us with what it was cieled and doth also thus repeat saying for the Oracle for it within even for the most holy place it is because he would have it noted that this only is the place that thus was done 3. Twenty Cubits that was the length and breadth and height of the House So that by his thus saying he teacheth that thus it was builded round about 4. The Cedar is if I mistake not the highest of the Trees Ezek. 31.3 4 5 6 7 8. Now in that it is said the House the Oracle was cieled round about therewith It may be to shew that in Heaven and no where else is the height of all perfections Perfection is in the Church on Earth but not such as is in Heaven 1. There is a natural perfection and so a Peny is as natural Silver as is a Shilling 2. There is a comparative perfection and so one thing may be perfect and imperfect at the same time as a half Crown is more than a Shilling yet less than a Crown 3. There is
1 Sam. 4.4 2 King 19.15 1 Chron. 13.6 Psal. 80.1 Isa. 37.16 The Church on Earth is called God's House and HE will dwell in it for ever and Heaven it self is called God's House and WE shall dwell in it for ever and that between the Cherubims This is more then Grace this is Grace and Glory Glory indeed 3. To dwell between the Cherubims may also be to shew that there we shall be equal to the Angels Mark Here 's a Palm-Tree and a Cherub a Palm-Tree and a Cherub Here we are a little lower but there we shall not be a whit behind the very Chief of them A Palm-Tree and a Cherub an Vpright One between the Cherubs will then be round about the House we shall be placed in the same rank neither can they die any more for they are equal to the Angels Luke 20.36 4. The Palm-Trees thus placed may be also to shew us that the Elect of God shall there take up the vacancies of the Fallen Angels they for sin were cast down from the holy Heavens and we by Grace shall be caught up thither and be placed between a Cherub and a Cherub When I say their places I do not mean the fickleness of that state that they for want of Electing Love did stand in while in Glory for the Heavens by the Blood of Christ is now to us become a purchased Possission wherefore as we shall have their place in the Heavenly Kingdom so by vertue of Redeeming Blood we shall there abide and go no more out for by that means that Kingdom will stand to us unshaken Heb. 9.12 Chap. 12.22 23 24 28. Revel 3.12 5. These Palm-Trees I say seem to take their places who for Sin were cast from thence The Elect therefore take that place in possession but a better Crown for ever Thus Israel possessed that of the Canaanites and David Sauls Kingdom and Mathias the place the Apostle-ship of Judas Acts 1.20 21 22 23 24 25 26. 6. Nor were the Habitations which the Fallen Angels lost excepting that which was excepted before at all inferiour to theirs that stood for their Captain and Prince is called Son of the Morning for he was the Antitype there Isa. 14.12 7. Thus you see they were placed from the ground up to above the door that is from the lowest to the highest Angel there For as there are great Saints and small ones in the Church on Earth so there are Angels of divers Degrees in Heaven some greater than some but the smallest Saint when he gets to Heaven shall have an Angels Dignity an Angels Place from the ground you find a Palm-Tree between a Cherub and a Cherub 8. And every Cherub had two Faces so here but I read in Chap. 10. that they had four Face apiece The first was the Face of a Cherubim The second the Face of a Man The third the Face of a Lyon And the fourth the Face of an Eagle 9. They had two Faces apiece not to shew that they were of a double heart for their appearance and themselves was the same and they went every one straight forward Ezek. 12.22 These two Faces then was to shew here the quickness of their apprehension and their terribleness to execute the Mind of God. The Face of a Man signifies them Masters of Reason The Face of a Lyon the terribleness of their presence 1 Cor. 13.12 Judg. 13.6 In another place I read of their Wheels yea that themselves their whole bodies their backs their hands their wings and their wheels were full of Eyes round about Ezek. 1.18 Chap. 10.12 And this is to shew us how knowing and quick-sighted they are in all Providences and dark dispensations and how nimble in apprehending the mischievous Designs of the Enemies of God's Church and so how able they are to Vndermine them and for as much also as they have the Face of a Lyon we by that are shewed how full of power they are to kill and to destroy when God says go forth and do so Now with these we must dwell and co-habit a Palm-Tree and a Cherub a Palm-Tree and a Cherub must be from the ground to above the door round about the house the Heavens So that the Face of a Man was toward the Palm-Tree on the one side and the Face of a young Lyon toward the Palm-Tree on the other side By these two Faces may be also shewed that we in the Heavens shall have Glory sufficient to Familiarize us to the Angels Their Lyon-like looks with which they used to fright the biggest Saint on Earth as you have it Gen. 32.30 Judg 13.15 22. shall then be accompanied with the Familiar Looks of a Man. Then Angels and Men shall be Fellows and have to do with each as such Thus you see something of that little that I have found in the Temple of God. FINIS * Heb. 3.5 6 7 8 9 10. Levit. 19.23 chap. 26.34 35. Exod. 12.15 Levit. 6.17 chap. 23.17 * Exod. 32.35 2 King. 17.16 17 18. Act. 7.38 39 40 41 42 43. Heb. 8.5 Chap. 9.8 9 23. Chap. 10.1