as the hearts of the Jews were with hypocrisie But alas they were stone still that is hard and cruel else they could not have been an Anvil for Satan to forge such horrid Barbarism upon The Tables were in number the same with the Lavers and were set by them to shew what are the fruits of being devoted to the Law as the Jews were in opposition to Christ and his holy Gospel there flows nothing but hardness and a stony heart from thence This was shewed in its first writing it was writ on Tables of stone figures of the heart of Man and on the same Tables or hearts was the death of Jesus Christ compassed One would think that the meekness gentleness or good deeds of Jesus Christ might have procured in them some relentings when they were about to take away his life but alas their hearts were Tables of Stone What feeling or compassion can a Stone be sensible of Here were stony hearts stony thoughts stonâ— counsels stony contrivances a stony Law and stony hands and what could be expected hence but barbarous cruelty indeed If I ask you said Christ you will not answer me neither will you let me see Luk. 22.68 In that these stony Tables were placed about the Temple it supposeth that they were Temple-men Priests Scribes Rulers Lawyers c. that were to be the Chief on whose hearts this murder was to be designed and by them inacted to their own Damnation without Repentance XL. Of the Instruments wherewith this Sacrifice was slain and of the four Tables they were laid on in the Temple THE Instruments that were laid upon the Tables in the Temple were not Instruments of Musick but those with which the burnt-offering was slain And the four Tables were of hewen Stone for the burnt-offering whereon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt-offering and the Sacrifice Ezek. 40.42 43. 1. Here we are to take notice that the Tables are the same and some of them of which we spake before 2. That the Instruments with which they slew the Sacrifice was laid upon these Tables The Instruments with which they slew the Sacrifices what were they but a bloody Ax bloody Knives bloody Hooks and bloody Hands For these we need no proof matter of fact declares it But what were those Instruments a type of Answer Doubtless they were a type of our sins They were the bloody Ax the Knife and bloody Hands that shed his precious blood They were the meritorious ones without which he could not have died When I say ours I mean the sins of the World. Though then the hearts of the Jews were the immediate Contrivers yet they were our sins that were the bloody Tools or Instruments which slew the Son of God. He was wounded for our transgressions he died for our sins Isa. 53. 1 Cor. 15. Gal. 1. Oh these Instruments of us Churls by which this poor Man was taken from off the Earth Isa. 32.7 Prov. 30.14 The Whip the Buffetings the Crown of Thorns the Nails the Cross the Spear with the Vinegar and Gall were all nothing in comparison of our sins For the transgressions of my people was he stricken Isa. 53. Nor were the flouts taunts mocks scorns derisions c. with vvhich they follovved him from the Garden to the Cross such cruel Instruments as these They vvere our sins then our cursed sins by vvith and for the sake of vvhich the Lord Jesus became a bloody Sacrifice But why must the Instruments be laid upon the Tables 1. Take the Tables for the hearts of the murderers and the Instruments for their sins and vvhat place more fit for such Instruments to be laid upon 'T is God's command that these things should be laid to heart and he complains of those that do not do it Isa. 42.25 chap. 57.11 2. Nor are Men ever like to come to good until these Instruments vvith which the Son of God vvas slain indeed be laid to heart And they vvere eminently laid to heart even by them soon after the effect of vvhich vvas the conversion of thousands of them Acts 2.36 37. 3. Wherefore vvhen it says these Instruments must be laid upon the stony Tables he insinuates that God vvould take a time to charge the murder of his Son home upon the Consciences of them that did that murder either to their conversion or condemnation And is it not reason that they vvho did this horrid villany should have their doings laid before their faces upon the Tables of their heart That they may look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn Zech. 12.10 Revel 1.7 4. But these Instruments vvere laid but upon some of the Tables and not upon all the Ten to shevv that not all but some of those so horrid should find mercy of the Lord. 5. But vve must not confine these Tables only to the hearts of the bloody Jevvs they vvere our sins for the vvhich he died Wherefore these Instruments should be laid upon our Tables too and the Lord lay them there for good that we also may see our horrid doings and come bending to him for forgiveness 6. These Instruments thus lying on the Tables in the Temple became a continual Motive to God's People to Repentance for so oft as they saw these bloody and cruel Instruments they were put in mind how their sins should be the cause of the death of Christ. 7. It would be well also if these Instruments were at all times laid upon our Tables for our more humbling for our sins in every thing we do especially upon the Lord's Table when we come to eat and drink before him I am sure the Lord Jesus doth more than intimate that he expects that we should do so where he saith When ye eat that Bread and drink that Cup Do this in remembrance of me In remembrance that I died for your sins and consequently that they were the meritorious cause of the sheding of my blood To conclude Let all Men remember that these cruel Instruments are laid upon the Table of their hearts whether they see them there or no. The sin of Judah is written with a pen of Iron and with the point of a Diamond upon the Tables of their heart Jer. 17.1 A Pen of Iron will make Letters upon a Table made of Stone and the Point of a Diamond will make Letters upon Glass Wherefore in this saying God informs us that if we shall forbear to read these Lines to our Conversion God will one day read them against us unto our Condemnation XLI Of the Candlesticks of the Temple AND he made ten Candlesticks of gold according to the form and he set them in the Temple five on the right hand and five on the left 2 Chro. 4.7 1. These Candlesticks were made of Gold to shew the worth and value of them 2. They were made after the form or exâ—ct according to rule like those that were made in the Tabernacle or according to the Pattern which David gave
the Vpper Chambers thereof and of the Inner Parlors thereof and of the place of the Mercy-Seat 1 Chron. 28.11 And the Pattern of all that he had by the Spirit of the Courts of the House of the Lord and of all the Chambers round about and of the Treasuries of the House of God and of the Treasures of the Dedicated Things ver 12. Also for the Courses of the Priests and Levites and for all the work of the service of the House of the Lord and for all the Vessels of service in the House of the Lord. ver 13. Yea moreover he had from Heaven or by Divine Revelation what the Candlesticks must be made of and also how much was to go to each the same Order and Commandment he also gave for the making of the Tables Flesh-hooks Cups Basons Altar of Incense with the Pattern for the Chariot of the Cherubims c. ver 14 15 16 17 18 19. All this said David the Lord made me understand by writing by his Hand upon me even all the Work of this Pattern Ver. 20. So I say He gave David the Pattern of the Temple so David gave Solomon the Pattern of the Temple and according to that Pattern did Solomon build the Temple and no otherwise True all these were but Figures Patterns and Shadows of things in the Heavens and not the very image of the things But as was said afore if God was so circumspect and exact in these as not to leave any thing to the dictates of the godly and wisest of men what Can we suppose he will now admit of the Wit and Contrivance of men in those things that are in comparison to them the Heavenly things themselves It is also to be concluded That since those Shadows of things in the Heavens are already committed by God to Sacred Story and since that Sacred Story is said to be able to make the man of God perfect in all things 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. It is duty to us to leave off to lean to common understandings and to enquire and search out by that very Holy Writ and nought else by what and how we should worship God. David was for enquiring in his Temple Psal. 27.4 And although the old Church way of worship is laid aside as to us in New-Yestament-times Yet since those very Ordinances were Figures of Things and Methods of Worship now we may yea we ought to search out the spiritual meaning of them because they serve to confirm and illustrate matters to our understandings Yea they shew us the more exactly how the New and Old Testament as to the spiritualness of the worship was as one and the same only the Old was clouded with Shadows but ours is with more open Face Features to the life as we say set out by a Picture does excellently shew the skill of the Artist The Old Testament had the shadow nor have we but the very Image both then are but Emblems of what is yet behind We may find our Gospel clouded in their Ceremonies and our Spiritual Worship set out somewhat by their Carnal Ordidinances Now because as I said there lies as wrapt up in a Mantle much of the Glory of our Gospel-matters in this Temple which Solomon builded therefore I have made as well as I could by comparing Spiritual Things with Spiritual this Book upon this Subject I dare not presume to say That I know I have hit right in every thing but this I can say I have endeavoured so to do True I have not for these things fished in other mens Waters my Bible and Concordance are my only Library in my writings Wherefore Courteous Reader if thou findest any thing either in word or matter that thou shalt judge doth vary from God's truth let it be counted no mans else but mine Pray God also to pardon my fault do thou also lovingly pass it by and receive what thou findest will do thee good And for thy easier finding of any particular in the Book I have in the leaves following set before thee the chief Heads one by one and also in what page of the Book thou mayst find them Thy Servant in the Gospel John Bunyan THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK 1. WHen the Temple was builded Page 1 2. Who Built the Temple 2 3. How the Temple was built 3 4. Of what the Temple was built 5 5. Who was to fell the Trees and to dig the Stones with which the Temple was built 6 6. In what Condition the Timber and Stones were when brought to be laid in the building of the Temple 9 7. Of the Foundation of the Temple 12 8. Of the richness of the Stones which were laid for the Foundation of the Temple 14 9. Which way the Face of the Front of the Temple stood 16 10. Of the Courts of the Temple 19 11. Of the great Brazen Altar that stood in the Inner Court of the Temple 23 12. Of the Pillars which were before the Porch of the Temple 26 13. Of the height of these Pillars that thus stood before the Porch of the Door of the Temple 29 14. Of the Chapiters of the Pillars of the Temple 31 15. Of the Pomgranates adjoyning to the Nets on the Chapiters 33 16. Of the Chains that were upon these Pillars that stood before the Temple 35 17. Of the Lilie-work which was upon the Chapiters that were upon these Pillars of the Temple 35 18. Of the Fashion of Temple 40 19. Of the outward Glory of the Temple 44 20. Of the Porch of the Temple 46 21. Of the Ornaments of the Porch of the Temple 49 22. Of the Ascent by which they went up into the Porch of the Temple 52 23. Of the Gate of the Porch of the Temple 54 24. Of the Pinacles of the Temple 57 25. Of the Porters of the Temple 59 26. Of the Charge of the Porters of the Temple more particularly 61 27. Of the Doors of the Temple 64 28. Of the Leaves of this Gate of the Temple 66 29. What the Doors of the Temple were made of 69 30. How the Doors of the Temple were adorned 70 31. Of the Wall of the Temple 75 32. Of the Garnishing of the Temple with Precious Stones 78 33. Of the Windows of the Temple 81 34. Of the Chambers of the Temple 83 35. Of the Stairs by which they wâ—nt up into the Chambers of the Temple 86 36. Of the Molten Sea which was in the Temple 89 37. Vpon what the Molten-Sea stood in the Temple 92 38. Of the Lavers of the Temple 96 39. Of the Tables in the Temple 99 40. Of the Instruments wherewith the Sacrifices were slain and of the Four Tables they were laid on in the Temple 102 41. Of the Candlesticks of the Temple 106 42. Of the Lamps belonging to the Candlesticks of the Temple 109 43. Of the Shew-Bread on the Golden Table in the Temple 111 44. Of the Snuffers belonging to the Candlesticks and Lamps of the Temple 114
him Psal. 23.5 Luk. 15.22 23 24. Song 5.1 chap. 7.11 12. Joh. 14.23 Revel 3.20 This is that to which the Apostle alludeth when he saith Be not drunk with Wine wherein is excess but be ye filled with the Spirit speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing and making melody in your hearts unto the Lord. For the Cups as to their use in the general understand them as of the Bowls made mention of before For assurances are the blooms and flowers of Faith not always on it though usually on Feasting days 't is so So the degree of the one is still according to the measure of the other Ephes. 5.18 Jam. 5. Rom. 15.13 LII Of the Chargers of the Temple IN the Tabernacle they had but twelve of them and they were made of Silver but in the Temple they had in all a thousand and thirty The thirty were made of Gold the rest were made of Silver Numb 7.84 These Chargers were not for uses common or profane but as I take it they were those in which the Passover and other Meat-offerings were drest up when the People came to eat before God in his holy Temple The meat you know I told you was opposite to milk and so are these Chargers to the Bowls and Cups and Flaggons of the Temple The Meat was of two sorts rost or boyl'd Of that which was rost was the Passover and of that which was boyl'd was the Trespass offerings Wherefore concerning the Passover he saith Eat not of it raw nor sodden at all in Water but rost with fire his head with his legs and with the purtenance thereof Exod. 12. This rost meat was a type of the body of Christ as suffering for our sins the which when it was rost was and is as drest up in Chargers and set before the Congregations of the Saints But what were the Chargers a type of I also ask in what Charger our Gospel-Passover is now drest up and set before the People Is it not in the four Evangelists the Prophets and Epistles of the Apostles They therefore are the Chargers and the Ordinance of the Supper in these also is the Trespass-Offerings with what is fried in Pans mystically prepared for the Children of the highest And why might they not be a type of Gospel-Sermons I answer I think not so fitly for alas the best of Sermons in the World are but as thin slices cut out of those large dishes Our Ministers are the Carvers good Doctrine is the meat and the Chargers in which this meat is found are the holy Canonical Scriptures c. Though as I said most properly the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In these is Christ most truly lively and amply set before us as crucified or rost at the fire of God's Law for our sins that we might live by him through faith feeding upon him 2 Cor. 3.12 Gal. 3.1 2. Acts 3.18 19 20 21. Chap 13.4 Chap 26.22 1 Pet. 1.10 Acts 7.42 Chap. 15.15 Chap. 28.23 Rom. 16.26 Revel 10.7 There is in these Chargers not only meat but sawce if you like it to eat the meat withal For the Passover there is bitter herbs or sound repentance and for other as the thank-offerings there is holy chearfulness and prayers to God for grace All these are set forth before us in the holy Scriptures and presented to us thereby as in the golden Chargers of the Temple He that will scoff at this let him scoff The Chargers were a type of some thing and he that can shew a fitter Antitype then is here proposed to consideration let him do it and I 'l be thankful to him Christians here is your Meat before you get your Carvers to slice it out for you and this know the deeper you dip it in the sawce the better it will relish But let not unbelief teach you such manners as to make you leave the best bits behind you For your liberty is to eat freely of the best of the fat and of the sweet LIII Of the goings out of the Temple AS to the comings into the Temple of them we have spoken already namely of the outer and inner Court as also of the Doors of the Porch and Temple The coming in was but one strait course and that a type of Jesus Christ but the goings out were many Joh. 10.9 Chap. 14.6 Now as I said it is insinuated that the goings out are many answerable to the many ways which the Children of Men have invented to Apostatize in from God. Christ is the way into but sin the way out of the Temple of God. True I read not of a description of the goings out of this House as I read of the comings in Only when they had Athalia out thence She is said To go out by the way by which the Horses come into the King's Stables and there she was slain as it were upon the Horse-dunghil 2 King. 11.16 2 Chron. 24.15 When Vzziah also went out of this House for his transgression he was cast out of all Society and made to dwell in a kind of a Pest-house even to the day of his death 2 Chro. 26.20 21. Thus therefore though these goings out are not particularly described the Judgments that followed them that have for their transgressions been thrust out thence have been both remarkable and tremendous For for to die upon a dunghil or in a Pest-house and that for wicked actions is a shameful a disgraceful thing And God will still be spreading dung upon the faces of such no greatness shall prevent it Yea and will take them away with it Mal. 2. I will drive them out of my house says he I will love them no more Hos. 9.15 But what are we to understand in Gospel-days by going out of the house of the Lord for or by sin I answer If it be done voluntarily then sin leads you out if it be done by the holy compulsion of the Church then 't is done by the Judicial Judgment of God That is they are cut off and cast out from thence as a Just reward for their transgressions Levit. 20.18 Chap. 22.3 Ezek. 14.8 1 Cor. 5.13 Well but whether do they go that are thus gone out of the Temple or Church of God I answer Not to the Dunghil with Athalia nor to the Pest house with Vzziah but to the Devil that 's the first step and so to Hell without repentance But if their sin be not unpardonable they may by repentance be recovered and in mercy tread these Courts again Now the way to this recovery is to think seriously what they have done or by what way they went out from the House of God. Hence the Prophet is bid to shew to the rebellious house first the goings out of the house and then the comings in But I say first he bids shew them the goings out thereof Ezek. 43.10 11. And this is of absolute necessity for the recovering of the sinner For