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
to Solomon to make them by observe there was great exactness in these and need there was of this hint that Men might see that every thing will not pass for a right ordered Candlestick with GOD Exod. 25.31 32 33 34 35 36. 1 Chro. 28.15 16. These Candlesticks are said sometimes to be ten sometimes seven and sometimes one Ten here seven Revel 1. and one in Zech. 4. Ten is a note of a multitude and seven a note of perfection and one a note of unity Now as the precious stones with which the House was garnished were a type of Ministerial gifts so these Candlesticks were a type of those that were to be the Churches of the New Testament Wherefore he says The Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches Revel 1.12 13 20. 1. The Candlesticks were here in number ten to shew that Christ under the New Testament would have a many Gospel Churches And I if I be lifted up from the Earth saith he will draw all men unto me that is abundance For the Children of the desolate that is of the New Testament Church shall be many more then they of the Jews were Joh. 12.32 Gala. 4.27 2. In that the Candlesticks were set by the Lavers and stony Tables it might be to shew us that Christ's Churches should be much in considering that Christ tho' he was righteous yet died for our sins Though his Life was according to the holy Law yet our stony hearts caused him to die Yea and that the Candlesticks are placed there it is to shew us also that we should be much in looking on the sins by which we caused him to die for the Candlesticks were set by those Tables whereon they laid the Instruments with which they slew the Sacrifice 3. These Candlesticks being made according to form seems not only to be exact as to fashion but also as to work For that in Exodus with its furniture was made precisely of one Talent of Gold perhaps to shew that Christ's true Spouse is not to be a grain more nor a dram less but Just the number of God's Elect. This is Christ's compleatness his fulness one more one less would make his Body a Monster 4. The Candlestick was to hold the light and to shew it to all the House and the Church is to let her light so shine that they without may see the light Mat. 5.15 16. Luke 8.16 Chap. 11.33 Chap. 12.35 5. To this end the Candlesticks were supplied with Oil-olive a type of the supply that the Church hath that her Light may shine even of the Spirit of Grace XLII Of the Lamps belonging to the Candlesticks of the Temple TO these Candlesticks belonged several Lamps with their Flowers and their knops 2 Chro. 4.21 1. These Lamps were types of that profession that the Members of the Church do make of Christ whether such Members have saving grace or not Matt. 25.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2. These Lamps were beautified with Knops and Flowers to shew how comely and beautiful that Professor is that adorns his Profession with a suitable Life and Conversation 3. We read that the Candlestick in Zecharias had seven Lamps belonging to it and a Bowl of Golden Oil on the top and that by Golden Pipes this Golden Oil emptied it self into the Lamps and all doubtless that the Lamps might shine Zech. 4. 4. Christ therefore who is the High Priest and to whom it belongs to dress the Lamps doth dress them accordingly But now there are Lamp-Carriers of two sorts such as have only Oyl in their Lamps and such as have Oyl in their Lamps and Vessels too and both these belong to the Church and in both these Christ will be glorified And they should have their proper places at last They that have the Oyl of Grace in their hearts as well as a Profession of Christ in their hands they shall go in with him to the Wedding but they who only make a Profession and have not Oyl in their Vessels vvill surely miscarry at last Matt. 25. 5. Wherefore O thou Professor Thou Lamp-Carrier Have a care and look to thy self content not thy self with that only that will maintain thee in a Profession for that may be done without saving grace But I advise thee to go to Aaron to Christ the trimmer of our Lamps and beg thy Vessel full of Oyl of him that is grace for the seasoning of thy heart that thou mayst have wherewith not only to bear thee up now but at the day of the Bridegroom 's coming when many a Lamp vvill go out and many a Professor be left in the dark for that vvill to such be a vvoful day Levit. 24.2 Matt. 25. Some there are that are neither for Lamps nor Oyl for themselves neither are they pleased if they think they see it in others But they that have Lamps and they that have none and they vvhich vvould blovv out other folks light must shortly appear to give an account of all their doings to God. And then they shall see vvhat it is to have Oyl in their Vessels and Lamps and vvhat 't is to be vvithout it in their Vessels though 't is in their Lamps and vvhat a dismal thing 't is to be a Malignant to either but at present let this suffice XLIII Of the Shew-bread on the Golden Table in the Temple THere vvas also Shew-bread set upon a Golden Table in the Temple 1 Kings 7.48 The Shew-bread consisted of twelve Cakes made of fine Flovver Two tenth deals was to go to one Cake and they were to be set in order in two rowes upon the pure Table Exod. 29.33 Levit. 8.31 Chap. 24.5 6 7 8 9. 1. These tvvelve Loaves to me do seem to be a type of the twelve Tribes under the Law and of the Children of God under the Gospel as they present themselves before God in and by his Ordinances thorow Christ. Hence the Apostle says For we being many are one bread c. 1 Cor. 10.17 For so were the twelve Cakes though twelve and so are the Gospel Saints though many For we being many are one body in Christ Rom. 12 5. 2. But they were a type of the true Church not of the false For Ephraim who was the head of the Ten Tribes in their Apostacy is rejected as a Cake not turned Indeed he is call'd a Cake as a false Church may be called a Church but he is called a Cake not turned as a false Church is not prepared for God nor fit to be set on the Golden Table before him Hos. 7.8 3. These Cakes or Shew-bread was to have Frankincense strewed upon them as they stood upon the Golden Table which was a type of the sweet perfumes of the Sanctifications of the Holy Ghost To which I think Paul alludes when he says The offering up of the Gentiles is acceptable to God being sanctified by the Holy Ghost Rom. 15 16. 4. They were to be set upon the pure Table new and hot to
a perfume in his Nose The Prayer of the Vpright is his delight David's Prayers went up like Incense and the lifting up of his hands as the Evening Sacrifice Pro. 15.8 Psal 141.2 Let them then that pretend to worship before God in his holy Temple look to it that both their Censers Fire and Incense Heart Spirit and Desires be such as the Word requires Left instead of receiving of gracious returns from the God of Heaven their Censers be laid up against them left the fire of God devours them and their Incense becomes an abomination to him as it happened to those made mention of before But 't is said the Censers of Gorah and his Company was hallowed Answer So is God's Worship which is so his by his Ordination yet even that very Worship may be spoiled by Man's transgression Prayer is GOD's Ordinance but all Prayer is not accepted of God. We must then distinguish between the thing commanded and our using of that thing The Temple was GOD's House but was abused by the irreverence of those that worshiped there even to the demolishing of it A golden Censer is a gracious heart heavenly fire is the Holy Ghost and sweet Incense the effectual fervent Prayer of Faith. Have you these These God expects and these you must have if ever your Persons or performances be of God accepted XLIX Of the golden Spoons of the Temple 1. THE Golden Spoons belonging to the Temple were in number according to Moses twelve answering to the twelve Tribes But when the Temple was builded I suppose they were more because of the number of the Basons Numb 7.14 20 26 32 38 40 50 56 62 68 74 80 86. 2. The Spoons as I suppose were for the Worshipers in the Temple to eat that broth withal wherein the Trespass-offerings were boiled For which purpose there were several Cauldrons hanged in the corners of that Court called the Priest's to boyl them in 1 Sam. 2.13 14. Ezek. 46.19 20. 3. Now in that he saith here were Spoons what is it but that there are also babes in the Temple of the Lord. There was Broth for Babes as well as Meat for Men and Spoons to eat the Broth withal 4. True the Gospel being more excellent then the Law doth change the term and instead of Broth saith there is Milk for babes But in that he saith Milk he insinuates that there are Spoons for Children in the Church 5. I could not saith Paul to them at Corinth speak to you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat for hitherto ye were not able to bear it neither yet now are ye able 1 Cor. 3.1 2. 6 See here were need of Spoons milk is Spoon-meat for here were those which could not feed themselves with Milk let them then that are Men eat the strong Meat For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness for he is a babe For strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age who by reason of use have their sences exercised to discern both good and evil Heb. 6.13 14. 7. Spoons you know are to feed us with weak and thin food even with that which best suteth with weak stomacks or with a babish temper Hence as the strong man is opposed to the weak so the milk is opposed to the strong meat 8. So then though the Babe in Christ is weaker then the Man in Christ yet is he not by Christ left unprovided for For here is milk for babes and spoons to eat it with All this is taught us by the Spoons for what need is there of Spoons where there is nothing to eat but strong Meat 9. Babes you know have not only babish stomacks but also babish tricks and must be dealt withal as Babes their Childish talk and frompered Carriages must be born withal 10. Sometimes they cry for nothing yea and count them for their foes which rebuke their childish toys and ways All which the Church must bear because they are God's Babes yea they must feed them too For if he has found them milk spoons 't is that they may be fed therewith and live Yea grown Ministers are God's Nurses wherefore they must have a Lap to lay them in and Knees to dandle them upon and Spoons to feed them with 11. Nor are the Babes but of use in the Church of God for he commands that they be brought to cry with the Congregation before the Lord for mercy for the Land Joel 2.16 12. Incense I told you was a type of Prayers and the Spoons in the time of Moses were presented at the Temple full of it Perhaps to shew that God will vvith the Milk vvhich he has provided for them give it to them as a return of their crying to him even as the Nurse gives the Child the Teat and Milk. 13. You knovv the Milk is called for vvhen the Child is crying as vve say to stop its mouth vvith it O Babes did you but cry soundly God would give you yet more Milk. 14. But what were those golden Spoons a type of I answer If the Milk is the Juice and Consolations of the Word then the Spoons must be those soft sentences and golden Conclusions with which the Ministers feed their Souls by it I have fed you said Paul with the Milk of the Word saith Peter even as you have been able to bear it Compare these two or three Texts 1 Pet. 2.1 2 3. 1 Cor. 3.2 1 Thess. 2.7 15. And this is the vvay to strengthen the weak hands and to confirm the feeble knees This is the vvay to make them grovv to be Men vvho novv are but as Infants of days Thus a little one may become a thousand and a small one a strong Nation Yea thus in time you may make a little Child to Jostle it vvith a Leopard yea to take a Lyon by the beard yea thus you may imbolden him to put his hand to the hole of the Asp and to play before the Den of the Cockatrice Isa. 11.6 7 8. Chap. 60.22 Who is most stout vvas once a Babe he that can novv eat meat vvas sometimes glad of Milk and to be fed vvith the Spoon Babes in Christ therefore must not be despised nor over look'd God has provided them Milk and Spoons to eat it vvith that they may grovv up to be Men before him L. Of the Bowles and Basons belonging to the Temple AS there were Spoons so there were Bowles and Basons belonging to the Temple Some of these were of Gold and some of Silver and when they were put together their number was four hundred and forty These you read of Ezra 1.10 The Bowles or Basons were not to wash in as was the Sea and Lavers of the Temple they were rather to hold the Messes in which the Priests at their holy Feasts did use to set before the People This being so they were