there God acts in a way of grace towards us Exod. 25.17 18 19 20 21 22. LXIV Of the Living Waters of the Inner Temple ALthough in the holy Relation of the Building of the Temple no mention is made of these Waters but only of the Mount on which and the Materials with which the King did Build it Yet it seems to me that in that Mount and there too where the Temple was Built there was a Spring of Living Water This seems more than probable by Ezek. 47.1 where he saith He brought me to the Door of the House and behold Waters issued out from under the Threshold of the House East-ward for the fore-front of the House stood toward the East and the Waters came down from under from the right side of the House at the South side of the Altar So Again Joel 3.18 And a Fountain shall come forth of the House of the Lord and shall Water the Valley of Shittim Nor was the Spring where-ever was the first appearance of these holy Waters but in the Sanctuary which is the holyest of all Ezek. 47. v. 12. where the Mercy-seat stood which in Revelations is called The Throne of God and of the Lamb Chap. 22.1 2. This also is that which the Prophet Zechariah means when he says Living Waters shall go forth from Jerusalem half of them toward the former Sea and half of them toward the hinder Sea c. Zech. 14.8 They are said to go forth from Jerusalem because they came down to the City from out of the Sanctuary which stood in Jerusalem This is that which in another place is called a River of Water of Life because it comes forth from the Throne and because it was at the head of it as I suppose used in and about Temple Worship 'T was with this I think that the Molten Sea and the Ten Lavers were filled and in which the Priests washed their Hands and Feet when they went into the Temple to do service and that also in which they washed the Sacrifices before they offered them to God Yea I presume all the washings and rinsings about their Worship was with this Water This Water is said in Ezekiel and Revelations to have the Tree of Life grow on the Banks of it Ezek. 47. Rev. 22. and was a type of the Word and Spirit of God by which both Christ himself sanctified himself in order to his Worship as high Priest And also this Water is that which Heals all those that shall be Saved and by which they being Sanctified thereby also do all their works of Worship and Service acceptably through Jesus Christ our Lord. This Water therefore is said to go forth into the Sea the World and to Heal it's Fish the Sinners therein Yea this is that Water of which Christ Jesus our Lord saith Whosoever shall drink thereof shall live fer ever Ezek. 47.8 9 10. Zech. 14.8 LXV Of the Chains which were in the Oracle or Inner Temple AS there were Chains on the Pillars that stood before the Porch of the Temple and in the first House so like unto them there was Chains in the Holiest here called the Oracle These Chains were not Chains in shew or as Carved on Wood c. but Chains indeed and that of Gold And they were prepared to make a Partition before the Oracle within 1 King. 6.21 2 Chron. 3.16 I told you before that the Holiest was called the Oracle not because in a strickt sence the whole of it was so but because such answer of God was there as was not in the outward Temple but I think that the Ark and Mercy-seat was indeed more specially that called the Oracle for there will I meet with thee said God and from above that will I commune with thee When David said I lift my Hands toward thy holy Oracle he meant not so much towards the Holiest House as toward the Mercy-seat that was therein Or as he saith in the Margin Toward the Oracle of thy Sanctuary Psal. 28 2. 1. When therefore he saith before the Oracle he means These Chains were put in the most Holy place before the Ark and Mercy-seat to give to Aaron and his Sons to understand that an Additional Glory was there For the Ark and Mercy-seat were preferred before that holy House it self even as Christ and the Grace of God is preferred before the highest Heavens The Lord is high above all Nations and his Glory is above the Heavens Psal. 113.4 So then the Partition that was made in this House by these Chains these Golden-Chains was not so much to divide the holy from the place most holy as to shew that there is in the Holiest House that which is yet more worthy then it The Holiest was a type of Heaven but the Ark and Mercy-seat were a type of Christ and of the mercy of God to us by him and I trow any man will conclude if he knows what he says that the God and Christ of Heaven are more excellent then the House they dwell in Hence David said again Whom have I in Heaven but thee For thou art more Excellent then they Psal. 73.25 For though that which is called Heaven would serve some yea though God himself was out on 't yet none but the God of Heaven will satisfie a truly Gracious Man 'T is God that the Soul of this Man thirsteth for 'T is God that is his exceeding Joy Psal. 42.2 Psal. 63.1 Psal. 143.6 Psal. 17. ult Psal. 43.4 These Chains then as they made this Partition in the most holy Plaâ—â— may teach us that when we shall be glorified in Heaven we shall yet even then and there know that there will continue an infinite Disproportion between God and us The Golden Chains that are there will then distinguish the Creator from the Creature For we even we which shall be saved shall yet retain our own Nature and shall still continue finite beings yea and shall there also see a disproportion between our Lord our Head and us for though now we are and also then shall be like him as to his Manhood yea and shall be like him also as being glorified with his glory yet he shall transcend and go beyond us as to Degree and Splendor as far as ever the highest King on Earth did shine above the meanest Subject that dwelt in his Kingdom Chains have of old been made use of as notes of Distinction to shew us who are bond men and who free Yea they shall at the Day of Judgment be a note of Distinction of bad and good even as as here they will distinguish the Heavens from God and the Creature from the Creator 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude 6. Mat. 22.13 True They are Chains of Sin and Wrath but these Chains of Gold yet these Chains even these also will keep Creatures in their place that the Creator may have his Glory and receive those acknowledgments there from them which is due unto his Majesty Rev. 4. and Chap. 5.11 12
Solomon's Temple Spiritualiz'd OR GOSPEL-LIGHT Fetcht out of the TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM To let us more easily into The GLORY of New-Testament-Truths By John Bunyan Ezek. 43.10 11. Thou Son of Man shew the House to the House of Israel shew them the Form of the House and the Fashion thereof and the Goings out thereof and the Comings in thereof and all the Forms thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and aâ—l the Forms thereof and all the Laws thereof LONDON Printed for and Sold by George Larkin at the Two Swans without Bishopgate 1688. TO THE Christian READER Courteous Christian Reader I Have as thou by this Little Book mayst see adventured at this time to do my endeavour to shew thee something of the Gospel-Glory of Solomon's Temple That is of what it with its Utensils was a Type of and as such how instructing it was to our Fathers and also is to us their Children The which that I might do the more distinctly I have handled Particulars one by one to the number of threescore and ten namely all that of them I could call to mind because as I believe there was not one of them but had its signification and so something profitable for us to know For though we are not now to worship God in those Methods or by such Ordinances as once the Old Church did Yet to know their Methods and to understand the Nature and Signification of their Ordinances when compared with the Gospel may even now when themselves as to what they once enjoyned on others are dead may minister Light to us And hence the New-Testament Ministers as the Apostles made much use of Old Testament-Language and Ceremonial Institutions as to their signification to help the Faith of the Godly in their preaching of the Gospel of Christ. I may say that God did in a manner tie up the Church of the Jews to Types Figures and Similitudes I mean to be butted and bounded by them in all external parts of Worship Yea not only the Levitical Law and Temple but as it seems to me the whole Land of Canaan the Place of their Lot to dwell in was to them as Ceremonial or a Figure Their Land was a Type of Heaven their passage over Jordan into it a similitude of our going to Heaven by death The Fruit of their Land was said to be uncircumcised as being at their first entrance thither unclean in which their Land was also a Figure of another thing even as Heaven was a Type of Sin and Grace Again The very Land it self was said to keep Sabbath and so to rest a holy rest even then when she lay desolate and not possessed of those to whom she was given for them to dwell in Yea many of the Features of the then Church of God were set forth as in Figures and Shadows so by Places and things in that Land. 1. In general she is said to be beautiful as Tirzah Song 6.4 and to be comely as Jerusalem 2. In particular Her Neck is compared to the Tower of David builded for an Armory Song 4.4 Her Eyes to the Fishpools of Heshbon by the Gate of Bethrabbim chap. 7.4 Her Nose is compared to the Tower of Lebanon which looketh towards Damascus chap. 4.1 Yea the Hair of her Head is compared to a flock of Goats which come up from Mount Gilead And the Smell of her Garments to the smell of Lebanon vers 11. Nor was this Land altogether void of Shadows even of her Lord and Saviour Hence He saies of Himself I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lilie of the Valleys Song 2.1 Also She his Beloved saith of him His Countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars chap. 5.15 What shall I say The two Cities Sion and Jerusalem were such as sometimes set forth the two Churches Gal. 4. the True and the False and their Seed Isaac and Ishmael I might also here shew you that even the Gifts and Graces of the True Church were set forth by the Spices Nuts Grapes and Pomgranates that the Land of Canaan brought forth Yea that Hell it self was set forth by the Valley of the Sons of Hinnom and Tophet places in this Country Indeed the whole in a manner was a Typical and a Figurative Thing But I have in the ensuing Discourse confined my self to the Temple that immediate place of God's Worship of whose Utensils in particular as I have said I have spoken though to each with what brevity I could For that none of them are without a Spiritual and so a Profitable Signification to us And here we may behold much of the Richness of the Wisdom and Grace of God namely That he even in the very place of Worship of old should Ordain Visible Forms and Representations for the Worshippers to learn to Worship him by Yea the Temple it self was as to this to them a good Instruction But in my thus saying I give no encouragement to any now to fetch out of their own fancies Figures or Similitudes to worship God by What God provided to be an help to the weakness of his People of Old was one thing and what they invented without his Commandment was another For though they had his Blessing when they Worshipped him with such Types Shadows and Figures which he had injoyned on them for that purpose yet he sorely punished and plagued them when they would add to these Inventions of their own Yea he in the very act of instituting their way of Worshipping him forbad their giving in any thing way to their own Humours or Fancies and bound them strictly to the Orders of Heaven Look saith God to Moses their first great Legislator That thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the Mount Exod. 25.40 Heb. 8.5 Nor doth our Apostle but take the same measures when he saith If any man thinketh himself a Prophet or Spiritual Let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the Commandments of the Lord 1 Cor. 14.37 When Solomon also was to build this Temple for the Worship of God though he was wiser than all men yet God neither trusted to his Wisdom nor Memory nor to any immediate Dictates from Heaven to him as to how he would have him build it No he was to receive the whole Platform thereof in writing by the Inspiration of God. Nor would God give this Platform of the Temple and of its Utensils immediately to this Wise Man lest perhaps by others his Wisdom should be idolized or that some should object that the whole Fashion thereof proceeded of his Fancie only he made pretentions of Divine Revelation as a cover for his doings Therefore I say not to him but to his Father David was the whole Pattern of it given from Heaven and so by David to Solomon his Son in writing Then David saies the Text gave to Solomon his Son the Pattern of the Porch and of the Houses thereof and of the Treasuries thereof and of
this Man's snuff defile that Man's fingers as it doth Nor would the Temple of God be so besmeered with these snuffs and be-daubed as it is Ah Snuffs pull'd off lie still in the Temple-floor and there stink and defile both feet and fingers both the callings and conversations of Temple-worshipers to the disparaging of Religion and the making of religious worship but of low esteem with men And all I say for want of the due use of these Snuffers and these Snuff-dishes there Nay are not whole Churches now defiled with those very Snuffs that long since vvere plucked off and all for vvant of the use of these Snuff-dishes according to the Lord's Commandment For you must know that reproofs and admonitions are but of small use where repentance or Church censures are not thereto annexed When Ministers use the Snuffers the People should hold the Snuff-dishes Round reproofs for sin when they light upon penitent hearts then brave work is in the Church Then the Snuff is not only pulled away but carried out of the Temple of God aright c. And now the worship and worshipers shine like gold As an ear-ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Pro. 25.12 Ministers it appertains to you to use the Snuffers and to teach the People to hold the Snuff-dishes right Acts 20.20 21. 1 Tim. 4.2 We must often be snuffed vvith these Snuffers or our light vvill burn but dimly our Candle vvill also vvaste Pray therefore O men of God look diligently to your People Snuff them as you see there is need but touch not their Snuff vvith your WHITE Fingers a little Smutch on you vvill be seen a great vvay Remember also that you leave them no vvhere but vvith these Snuff-dishes that the Temple may be cleared of them Do vvith the Snuff as the neat House-wife doth vvith the Toad vvhich she finds in her Garden She takes the Fork or a pair of Tongs and therewith doth throw it over the Pales Cast them avvay I say vvith fear zeal care revenge and vvith great indignation 2 Cor. 7.11 And then your Church your Conversation your Fingers and all vvill be kept vvhite and clean XLVI Of the Golden Tongs belonging to the Temple THere vvas also Tongs of Gold used in the Temple of old 1 King. 7.49 1. These Tongs vvas used about the Altar to order the fire there 2. They vvere used too about the Candlestick and are therefore called HIS Tongs 3. Perhaps there vvas Tongs for both these Services but of that the Word is silent But what were they used about the Candlestick to do Answ. To take holy fire from off the Altar to light the Lamps vvithal For the fire of the Temple vvas holy fire such as at first vvas kindled from Heaven and vvhen kindled maintained by the Priests and of that the Lamps were lighted Levit. 9.24 2 Chro. 7.1 Nor vvas there upon pain of death any other fire to be used there Levit. 10.1 These Tongs therefore was used to take fire from off the Altar to light the Lamps and Candlesticks withal For to trim the Lights and dress the Lamps was Aaron's vvork day by day Exod. 40.24 25. Levit. 24.2 3. Numb 8.3 He shall light and order the Lamps upon the pure Candlestick before the Lord and Aaron did so he lighted the seven Lamps thereof as the Lord commanded Moses What is a Lamp or Candlestick to us if there be not light thereon and hovv lighted vvithout fire and hovv shall vve take up Coals to light the Lamps withal if vve have not Tongs prepared for that purpose With these Tongs fire also vvas taken from off the Altar and put into the Censers to burn svveet Incense vvith before the Lord. The Tongs then vvere of great use in the Temple of the Lord. But what were the Tongs a type of The Altar vvas a type of Christ the fire of the Holy Ghost and these Tongs vvere a type of that holy hand of God's grace by vvhich the COALS or several dispensations and gifts of this Holy Ghost are taken and given to the Church and to her Members for her vvork and profit in this World. Tongs vve knovv are used instead of fingers vvherefore Aaron's golden Tongs vvere a type of Christ's golden fingers Song 5.14 Isaiah saith That one of the Seraphims flew to him with a live Coal in his hand which he had taken with the Tongs from off the Altar Here the type and antitype to wit Tongs and hand are put together Isa. 6. But the Prophet Ezekiel treating of like matters quite waves the type the Tongs and speaketh only of this holy hand And he spake to the man cloathed with linnen and said go in between the wheels under the cherub where the mercy-feat stood where God dwelt Exod. 2. Psal. 80.1 and fill thy Hand with Coals of fire from between the Cherubims Ezek. 10.2 Thus you see our golden Tongs are now turned into a golden hand into the golden hand of the man clothed in linnen which is Jesus Christ who at his ascension received of God the Father the Spirit in all fulness to give as his Divine wisdom knew was best the several Coals or Dispensations thereof unto his Church for his praise and her edification Matt. 3.11 Acts 2. 'T is by this hand also that this holy fire is put into our Censers 'T is this hand also that takes this Coal therewith to touch the Lips of Ministers that their Words may warm like fire And 't is by this hand that the Spirit is given to the Churches as returns of their holy prayers Luke 11.1 2. Rom. 8.26 Rev. 8.5 'T was convenient that the fire in the Temple should be disposed of by golden Tongs but the Holy Ghost by the golden hand of Christ's grace for that can wittingly dispose of it according as Men and things are placed and to do and be done in the Churches Wherefore he adds And one Cherub stretched forth his hand from between the Cherubims unto the fire that was between the Cherubims and took thereof and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with Linnen who took it and went out Ezek. 10.7 By this hand then by this man's hand the Coals of the Altar are disposed of both to the Lamps the Candlesticks the Censers and the Lips of Ministers according to his own good pleasure And of all this was the Tongs in the Temple a Type XLVII Of the Altar of Incense in the Temple THE Altar of Incense was made first for the Tabernacle and that of Shittim Wood but it was made for the Temple of Cedar and it was to be set before the Vail that is by the Ark of the Testimony before the Mercy-Seat that is at the entring of the Holiest but not within And the Priest was to approach it every Morning which as to the holiest he might not do Besides when he went in to make an Atonement he
was to take fire from off that Altar to burn his Incense within the Holy Place Exod. 30.4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Levit. 16.18 1. It was called the golden Altar because 't was over-laid with pure gold This Altar was not for burnt-offering as the brazen Altar was nor for the meat offering nor the drink-offering but to burn Incense thereon ver 7. which sweet Incense was a type of the grace of prayer Psal. 141.2 2. Incense or that called Incense here was not a Simple but a Compound made up of sweet Spices called Stacte Onycha and Galbanum These three and may answer to these three parts of this duty to wit Prayer Supplication and Intercession Exod. 30.34 35 36 37. Chap. 37.29 1 Tim. 2.1 3. This Incense was to be burned upon the Altar every Morning upon that Altar which was called the Altar of Incense which was before the Vail to shew that it is our duty every Morning to make our Prayer to God by Jesus Christ before the Vail that is before the Door of Heaven and there to seek knock and ask for what we need according to the word Luke 11 9 10 11 12. 4. This Incense was to be kindled every Morning to shew how he continueth interceeding for us and also that all true praise of Men to God is by the work the renewed work of the Holy Ghost upon our hearts Rom. 8.26 5. Incense as you see was made of sweet Spices such as were gumme and so apt to burn with a smoke to shew that not cold and flat but hot and fervent is the Prayer that flows from the spirit of faith and grace Zech. 12.10 Jam. 5.16 6. The smoak of this Incense was very sweet and savoury like pleasant perfume to shew how delightful and acceptable the very sound and noise of right Prayer is unto the Nostrils of the living God because it comes from a broken heart Psal. 51.17 Song 2.14 7. This Incense was to be offered upon the golden Altar to shew us that no Prayer is accepted but what is directed to God in the Name of his Holy and Blessed Son our Saviour 1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 13.15 8. They were commanded to burn Incense every Morning upon this Altar to shew that God is never weary of the godly Prayers of his People It also sheweth that we need every day to go to God for fresh Supplies of grace to carry us through this evil World. 9. This Altar though it stood without the Vail to teach us to live by faith and to make use of the Name of Christ as we find it recorded in the first Temple yet was placed so nigh unto the Holiest that the smell of the smoke might go in thither to shew that it is not distance of place that can keep the voice of true Prayer from our God the God of Heaven but that he will be taken with what we ask for according to his Word It stood I say nigh the Vail nigh the Holiest and he that burnt Incense there did make his approach to God. Hence the Psalmist when he speaks of praying saith 'T is good for me to draw nigh unto God Psal. 73.20 Heb. 10.22 10. This Altar thus placed did front the Ark within the Vail To put us in mind that the Law is kept therein from hurting us To let us know also that the Mercy-Seat is above upon the Ark and that God doth sit thereon with his Pardon in his hand to save us O! What speaking things are types shadows and parables had we but eyes to see had we but ears to hear He that did approach the Altar with Incense of old aright and then he did so when he approached it by Aaron his High Priest pleased God how much more shall we have both Person and Prayers accepted and a grant of what we need if indeed we come as we should to God by Jesus Christ. But take heed you approach not to a wrong Altar take heed also that you come not with strange fire for they are dangerous things and cause the Worshipers to miss of what they would enjoy But more of this in the next particular XLVIII Of the golden Censers belonging to the Temple THere were also golden Censers belonging to the Temple and they were either such as belonged to the Sons of Levi in general or that were for Aaron and his Sons in special as Numbers 16.6 17 18. The Censers of the Levites were a type of ours but the Censer of Aaron was a type of Christ's The Censers as was hinted before were for this use in the Temple namely to hold the holy fire in on which Incense was to be burned before the Lord Levit. 10.1 These Censers then were types of hearts Aaron's golden one was a type of Christ's golden heart and the Censers of the Levites were types of other Worshipers hearts The fire also which was put therein was a type of that Spirit by which we pray and the Incense that burnt thereon a type of our desires Of Christ's Censer we read Revelations the viii which is always filled with much Incense that is with continual Intercessions which he offereth to God for us and from whence also there always goes a cloud of sweet savour covering the Mercie-seat Levit. 16 13. Heb. 7.25 Revel 8.3 4. But to speak of the Censers and fire and Incense of the Worshipers For albeit they were all put under one rule that is to be according to Law yet often times as were the Worshipers such was the Censers Fire and Incense 1. Hence the two hundred and fifty Censers with which Corah and his Company offered are called the Censers of sinners For they came with wicked hearts then to burn Incense before the Lord Numb 16.17 37. 2. Again as the Censers of these Men were called the Censers of sinners shewing they came at that time to God with naughty hearts so the fire that was in Nadab Abihu's Censers is called strange fire which the Lord commanded them not Levit. 10.1 3. This strange fire was a type of that strange spirit opposed to the spirit of God in and by which notwithstanding some adventure to perform Worship to God. 4. Again as these Censers are called the Censers of sinners and this fire called strange fire so the Incense of such is also called strange and is said to be an abomination unto God Exod. 30.9 Isa. 1.13 Chap. 66.3 Thus you see that both the Censers Fire and Incense of some is rejected even as the heart spirit and prayer of sinners are an abomination unto God Hos. 7.14 Chap. 4.12 Chap. 5.4 Prov. 28.9 But there was besides these true Censers holy fire and sweet Incense among the Worshipers in the Temple and their service was accepted by Aaron their High Priest For that was done thorough the faith of Christ and these were a type of our true Gospel-Worshipers who come with holy hearts the holy spirit and holy desires before their God by their Redeemer These are
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
13 14. LXVI Of the High Priest and of his Office in the inner Temple WHen things were thus Ordained in the House most Holy then went the high Priest in thither according as he was appointed to do his Office which was to burn Incence in his Golden Censer and to sprinkle with his Finger the blood of his Sacrifice for the People upon and above the Mercy-seat Exo. 30.7 8 9 10. Levit. 16.11 12 13 14. Now for this special work of his he had peculiar preparations 1. He was to be washed in Water 2. Then he was to put on his holy Garments 3. After that he was to be Anointed with holy Oil. 4. Then an Offering was to be Offered for him for the further sitting of him for his Office. 5. The Blood of this Sacrifice must be put some of it up on his right Ear some on the Thumb of his right Hand and some on the great Toe of his right Foot. This done some more of the Blood with the Anointing Oil must be sprinkled upon him and upon his Garment for after this manner must he be Consecrated to his work as high Priest. Exo. 29. Chap. His being washed in Water was to shew the Purity of Christ's Humanity His Curious Robes was a type of all the Perfections of Christ's Righteousness The holy Oil that was poured on his Head was to shew how Christ was Anointed with the holy Ghost unto his work as Priest. The Sacrifice of his Consecration was a type of that Offering Christ Offered in the Garden when he mixed his Sweat with his own Blood and Tears and Cries when he prayed to him that was able to save him and was heard in that he feared for with his Blood as was Aaron with the Blood of the Bullock that was slain for him was this Blessed One besmeared from Head to Foot when his Sweat as great drops or clodders of Blood fell down from his Head and Face and whole Body to the ground Luk. 22.44 Heb. 10.20 When Aaron was thus prepared then he Offered his Offering for the People and carried the Blood within the Vail Levit. 16. The which Christ Jesus also answered when he Offered his own Body without the Gate and then carried his Blood into the Heavens and sprinkled it before the Mercy-seat Heb. 13.11 12. Chap. 9.11 12 24. For Aaron was a type of Christ his Offering a type of Christ's Offering his Body the Blood of the Sacrifice a type of the Blood of Christ his Garments a type of Christ's Righteousness the Mercy-seat a type of the Throne of Grace the Incense a type of Christ's Praise and the sprinkling of the Blood of Christ upon the Mercy-seat a type of Christ's pleading the vertue of his Sufferings for us in the presence of God in Heaven Wherefore holy Brethren partakers of the Heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus And seeing we have a great high Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our Profession for we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted as we are yet without Sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need For every high Priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things partaining to God that he may offer both Gifts and Sacrifices for Sin who can have Compassion on the Ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity This then is our high Priest and this was made so not after the Law of a Carnal Commandment but after the Power of an Endless Life For Aaron and his Sons were made Priests without an Oath but this with an Oath by him that said unto him The Lord Sware and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec By so much was Jesus made the surety of a better Testament and they truly were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death but this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood Wherefore he is able to save them to the utter most that come to God by him seeing he ever-liveth to make intercession for them For such an High-Priest became us who is Holy Harmless Vndefiled Separate from Sinners and made higher than the Hâ—avens who needeth not daily as those High-Priests to offer up Sacrifice first for his own Sins and then for the Sins of the People for this he did once when he offered up himself For the Law maketh men High-Priests which have Infirmities but the word of an Oath which was since the Law maketh the Son who is consecrated for evermore Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum We have such an High-Priest who is set down on the right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens A Minister of the Sanctuary and of the New Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man. For every High Priest is ordained to offer Sacrifices wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer For if he were on Earth he should not be a High Priest seeing that there are Priests that offer Gifts according to the Law. Who serve unto the Example and Shadow of Heavenly Things as Moses was admonished when he was about to make the Tabernacle For see saith he that thou make all things according to the Pattern shewed to thee in the Mount. But Christ being come an High-Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle that is to say not of this Building Neither by the blood of Bulls and Calves but by his own Blood he entred in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us For if the Blood of Bulls and Goats and Ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the Vnclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the Flesh How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God. For Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with hands which are the figures of the true But into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Nor yet that he should offer himself often 〈◊〉 the High-Priest entered into the Holiest every year with the blood of others for then must be often have suffered since the foundation of the World. But now once in the end of the World hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself And as it is appointed unto men once to die and after this the Judgement So Christ was once offered to hear the sins of many And to them that look for him shall be appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 3.1 2. Chap. 4.14 15. Chap. 5.1