length of the Temple-courts c. make 100. Cubits as Haffenrefferus exactly demonstrates Of the signification of this Temple Some make the Court belonging to it to represent the World and the Temple to represent Heaven It may be considered whether the Porch do not point out the common Professor the Temple true Saints who are Temples of the Spirit and the Sanctum Sanctorum the Saints in glory the condition of those made perfect The true representation of this Temple I take it is the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ both his Body Natural and his Body Mystical viz. the Church 1. It 's a representation of his Natural Body Solomons Temple and Zorobabells or the 2d Temple was so Joh. 2.19 saith Christ Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up And why Ezekiels Temple should not type out Christ I see no cause There be many things wherein it fitly doth so 1. This Temple was holy vers 3. This is the most holy place hence it 's evident the other part of the Temple was holy The Hecal was holy though not so holy as the Devir and the body of Christ was holy Luk. 1.35 That holy thing c. Act. 13.35 Thou shall not suffer thine Hâ—ly one c. 1 Pet. 2.22 Chap. 1.19 Heb. 7.26 He was holy harmless undâ—filed separate from sinners 2. It was very lightsome and beautiful within it was adorned with Cherubims and Palm-trees vers 18.19 so the Lord Christ was full of light Col. 2.3 In him were hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge He was adorned with all the graces of the Spirit He was full of grace and truth Joh. 1.14 Cant. 5.10 Psal 45.2 Thou art fairer then the children of men 3. By the Temple they came to know the mind of God one part of it was call'd Devir the Word or Oracle there God spake so by Christ we come to know the mind of God Joh. 1.1 He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word He brought the mind of God to us and declared it to the world Heb. 1.2 God hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son Christ was an Embassador sent from God to acquaint us with the mind of the King of Nations and he did it faithfully Joh. 15.15 All things which I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you 4. The Temple was God's delight it 's call'd an House for God dwelt in it and manifested his glory there Ezek. 43.4 5. The glory of the Lord came into the house yea the glory of the Lord filled the house And Psal 29.9 In the Temple doth every one speak of his glory There God's glory is seen Is not Christ such a Temple Did not God come into the Temple of his Body 1 Tim. 3.16 Col. 2.9 There the glory of God was seen fully Joh. 1.14 The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Fathâ—r full of grace and truth The glory of God never appeared so evidently as in this Temple and God delighted therein Mat 3.17 This is my belâ—ved Son in whom I am well pleased See Rev. 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out And I will write upon him the Name of my God and the Name of the City of my Gâ—d which is New Jerusalem God is establishing and will establish New Jerusalem with Pillars daily more and more and therein is strength to be found not in the World or in Babylon 1 Tim. 3.15 5. There were Cherubims and Palm-trees in the Visional Temple vers 18 19 20 25 26. and in the Church of Christ there are Cherubims and Palm-trees These Cherubims may note the presence of the Angel in the Church 1 Cor. 11.10 There were Angels in the Church of Corinth And so in the Temple John speaks of Rev. 14.15 17. Each Cherubim had two faces one of a Man another of a Young Lion to signifie the wisdome strength and zeal of the Angels which are imploy'd for the good of the Church Or by Cherubims understand those Christians who were wise stout and zealous for the truth and cause of God such as loved not their lives to the death Rev. 12.11 But were beheaded for the Witness of Jesus and for the Word of God Rev. 20.4 These Cherubims looked to the Palm-trees they were patient under all crosses afflictions in hope of certain victory Rom 8.35 36 37. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword c. Nay in all these things we are more then Conquerors c. Their eyes were upon the Palm-trees And Rev. 9.7 they had Palms in their hands they were certain of victory whereof Palms and Palm-trees are emblems There be several things wherein the Saints do resemble Palm-trees 1. They are always green and growing so are the Saints Psal 92.12 14. The righteous shall flourish like the Palm-tree They shall still bring forth fruit in old age 2 Palm-trees cannot endure dung Magnopere abhorrent à fimo they hate it So the Saints they hate Superstition Idolatry and all sin as dung they will dye rather then worship the Beast or his Image rather then receive his Mark in their foreheads or their hands Rev. 20.4 they watch and keep their garments undefiled 3. The Palm-tree bears up against all weight laid upon it and the Saints do the like in all their troubles and afflictions Paul met with sharp tryal's yet he fainted not but found more strength 2 Cor. 4.16 And Chap. 7.4 He saith I am filled with comfort I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation And Rom. 5.3 We glory in tribulation 4. These Cherubims and Palm-trees were the ornament of the Temple and Christians who are wise couragious and patient under all tryals are the ornaments of the Church of Christ 5. This Temple with the Porch and Buildings belonging to it was great and large vers 12 13 14 and 15. 100. Cubits in breadth 100. Cubits in length So the Church of Christ is great and large In the Apostles times there were thousands of the Jews believed Act. 21.20 It was Prophesied in Isays days that all Nations should flow unto the Mountain of the Lord that is the Church Isa 2.2 And in Daniels days Chap. 7.14 That all people languages and nations should serve Christ And John in the vision saw it made good Rev. 7.9 I beheld a great multitude which no man could number of all nations kindred people and tongues which stood before the Throne and the Lamb. 2. It 's the representation of Christs Body Mystical and that in several things 1. All things in this Temple were measured as in the 40. also the 41 42 43 and 47. Chapters appears So in the Church the Mystical Body of Christ Ephes 2.21 Paul tells the Ephesians that the Saints are a
Rocks Thieves and Robbers in this way all which the Church of God meets with sooner or later Rev. 7.14 These are they came out of great tribulation these suffered heavy and many things for Christs sake they were in the one-Cubit-way Vers 5. The Galleries were higher then these The Hebrew is did eat up or prevaill that is as Montanus renders the word Capiebant angulos ex ipsis they took away some room from the uppermost Chambers There is difference between particular Churches some are higher some are larger then others Vers 6. Had not Pillars The strength of this Temple was not every where a like some parts had Pillars some had none or not equal to others the Chambers had not Pillars as the Pillars of the Court. So in the Church of Christ some parts of it have strong Pillars eminent Teachers whereas other parts are destitute wholly or have such as are weak the Church at Jerusalem had strong Pillars in it all the Apostles who were full of the Spirit and taugh infallibility Other Churches had not such Pillars Those in Macedonia wanted help and therefore Paul had a vision of a Macedonian in the night begging of him to come thether and help them Act. 16.9 The Primitive Churches had able gratious and wise Officers such as were Pillars of a truth in them and sometimes since have been strong Pillars in some parts of the Church Pillars of Marble Brass yea Gold but in others none or weak ones The Building was straitned more then the lowest and the middlemost from the ground Some Buildings are broadest at the top this was not so but more strait upwrtds It 's harder with some parts of the Church then others Those are highest in the Church meet with more storms troubles temptations then those are lower the upper parts of the house are more obnoxious to winds and weather Paul was high in the Church and what hardships what tempests did he meet with See 1 Cor. 4.11 12 13. 2 Cor. 4.8 9. Chap. 11.23 24 25 26 27. These Chambers were some greater some lesser vers 5 6. plainly intimating that in the Church of Christ from what part soever men came there should be entertainment and suitable accommodation for them If the Kings of the East come in Rev. 16.12 there shall be Chambers for them Let men come from North South or West there be Gates to let them in and Chambers to receive them when they are in Isa 60 8. Men shall come flying from all parts as Doves to a Dove-house in which are many Lookers Holes or Chambers for all the Doves So in the Church of Christ when men come thither they shall find Chambers good accommodation Vers 7. The Wall over against the Chambers the length thereof was fifty Cubits This Wall was answerable to the Chambers which were fifty Cubits in length vers 8. The Wall of God's protection extends as far as the Church doth or any part thereof Vers 8. Before the Temple were an hundred Cubits Fifty Cubits in the inner Court and fifty in the outer Court saith Junius Vers 9. The entry on the East-side Some read the words thus When he that brought me from the East The Prophet was led by a Divine hand from one place to another Chap. 40.3 Vers 10 11 12. There Chambers towards the East North and South are mentioned These Chambers were some greater c. Vers 13 14. 13. Then said he unto me The North-chambers and the South-chambers which are before the separate place they be Holy chambers where the Priests that approach unto the Lord shall eat the most Holy things there shall they lay the most Holy things and the Meat-offering and the Sin-offering and the Trespass-offering for the place is Holy 14. When the Priests enter therein then shall they not go out of the Holy place into the outward Court but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister for they are holy and shall put on other garments and shall approach to those things which are for the people Of the Chambers and the Priests in the 13 14. verses The Chambers and the Priests are the two principal things in these verses 1. For the Chambers they are described 1. From their situation they were North South and before the separate place 2. From their Holiness they were Holy Chambers 3. From their use which was 1. For eating of Holy things 2. For custody of Holy things 2. For the Priests here is 1. Their duty which is 1. To approach unto God 2. To lay up the Holy things 2. A direction what garments they are to Minister in how to dispose of them and what they must use at other times The building where these Chambers were was very large as appeareth from Chap. 41.12 it was seventy Cubits broad and the Wall of the Building five Cubits thick round about and the length thereof ninety Cubits and it was before the separate place Some make the separate place the Temple but it 's better understood of the space of ground at the West-end of the Temple and lay next to the Chambers joyned to the Temple or between those Chambers and the Priests-chambers In time of the Gospel great numbers in the Western parts from Jerusalem have come in to Christ and imbraced the Gospel which was prefigured by the great Building and the separate place which were at the West-end of Ezek. Temple and ever since the Gospel came into these Western parts and Christ hath had a Church here there hath been a thick wall of protection about it so that neither Heathenish nor Anti-Christian Powers could destroy it Here be many things considerable about the Ministers of the Gospel who are represented by the Priests what they did and had The Priests did approach unto the Lord it was their office to do so and to minister unto him Ezek. 43.19 Aaron and his Sons ministered unto God in the Priests office Exod. 28.1 41 43. And it 's the office of the Ministers under the Gospel to approach unto the Lord to offer up prayers unto him for the people 1 Tim. 2.1 They are so near unto God that they are call'd his Stewards Tit. 1.7 H s Servants Act. 16.17 They approach unto God as Stewards and Servants to their Lords and Masters The Elders were near the Lamb and had golden vials full of odours which are the prayers of the Saints Rev. 5.8 they presented the requests of the Saints unto the Lord In all administrations of the Gospel the Ministers approâ—ch near unto God and in all their approaches he looks to be sanctified by them The Priests who were in God's service had good accommodations they had Chambers and were to eat of the most holy things this signified the care God would have of the Ministers in the days of Christ and the good provision he would make for them they should not be without accommodations and means Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that
unto the Jews and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days put for years are drawing to an end and God is about some great things to be done in the world and will ere long break forth That by this City is represented the Church some Rabbins themselves do acknowledge for though they deny our Christ to be the Messiah because he never built them such a Temple and City as Ezekiel describes yet they acknowledge this City and Temple to be understood not corporally or literally but mystically and spiritually And the Talmudists affirm That by Jerusalem we are to understand the gathering of the Gentiles to Christ or the whole body of Christians There be several things observable concerning this City or Church of Christ 1. That it is well and strongly founded usually Cities are built upon hills and mountains which are the strongest parts of the earth and so was this City chap. 40.2 Ezekiel saw the frame of this City upon a very high mountain and on such a mountain is the Christian Cfiurch built on the mountain of Gods Decree and Power on the mountain of Righteousness and Truth it s built upon Christ the rock of ages such a rock as the gates of hell cannot shake or shatter John tells us of this City the new Jerusalem that it had twelve foundations three on every square which were sure firm and would never fail The Lord Christ the holy Scriptures and the Doctrine of the holy Prophets and Apostles must fall to the ground before the Church shall be ruined 2 Tim. 2.19 2. It is comely and beautiful Cities which are built four square especially are so and such was this City it had four thousand and five hundred measures on each quarter there was nothing unfightly on any of the four quarters they were all parallel and had gates alike in them which presented it very delightful to the eye the Church of Christ is comely and beautiful its built not of unhewen stones or timber but such as are well hewen and orderly laid together Hence the Church of Corinth is called Gods building 1 Cor. 3.9 and the Church in general the City of the living God Heb. 12.22 The Church is such a building such a City as is full uf comeliness and beauty it s a congregation of Saints Psal 149.1 It s the garden of Christ Cant. 4.12 his Kingdom Matth. 13.41 his Spouse whom himself saith is fair yea the fairest among women Cant. 1.8 pleasant verse 16. and beautiful 7.1 the Church is Christs body Eph. 1.23 the Spirits Temple 1 Cor. 3.16 and therefore hath curious work in it very glorious and beautiful What David said of Sion Psal 50.2 that it was the perfection of beauty is most true of the Church under Christ and in Christ it s the perfection of beauty Heb. 10.14 By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified 3. The greatness and amplitude of this City it had four thousand and five hundred measures Eastward West North and Southward it was eighteen thousand measures in compass which sets out the greatness and vast extent of the Church of Christ Zach. 10.10 God saith he will bring the Jews from Egypt and Assyria and so multiply them that place shall not be found for them Isa 49.20 The children shall say in thine ears that is in the ears of the Church the place is too strait for me give place that I may dwell The Christian Church is spoken of which should multiply so that their habitation must be enlarged as it is Isa 54.1 2 3. Now the tents and curtains of Sions habitation are stretched to the ends of the earth Psal 2.8 Mal. 1.11 From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof 4. The City hath access unto it from all parts great Cities have many gates East gates West gates North gates and South gates so had this City twelve gates in every quarter three which signifies unto us the great access should be unto the Church of Christ from all parts not onely Jews should come out of the twelve Tribes to enter and dwell in this City and be under the Government of it but multitudes of Gentiles out of all nations and quarters of the world should do so Rev. 7. John saw not onely twelve thousand Jews enter in at each gate but a great multitude also which no man could number of all Nations kindreds peoples Tongues The Jews were numerable forty four thousand but the Gentiles were above so many millions the number of them which entered by the gates was innumerable 5. The happiness of this City which is from the Lords inhabiting there and giving it its denomination the name of it shall be Jehovah Shammah The Lord is there Alexandria was not so happy in Alexander nor Constantinople so happy in Constantine nor Jerusalem in Solomon as this City shall be in Jehovah We read in sacred Scripture of a golden City Isa 14.4 of a Royal City 1 Sam. 27.5 of a renowned City Ezek. 26.17 But their glory and happiness was a shadow to the glory and happiness of this City they were cities without God Jehovah was not there but here will the Lord himself be These words Jehovah Shammah import 1. The presence of God in the Church and that is a happiness to have his presence when God left the Temple and City of Jerusalem that was their great misery Hos 9.12 His presence in Heaven makes it Heaven and his presence in the Church makes it happy Thus saith the Lord I am returned unto Sion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and Jerusalem shall be called a City of truth and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts the holy mountain Gods presence makes it a City of Truth and an holy mountain and that City is happy which hath truth and holiness in it Zech. 8.3 2. His continuance in it he will not be ut hospes in diversorio sed ut haeres in patrimonio he will dwell there he will not leave this city nor depart from it as he did from Jerusalem of old and as he did from the Jews after their captivity Jer. 32.40 I will not turn away from them to do them good Ezek. 37.26 I will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore Rev. 7.15 He that sitteth upon the throne shall dwell with them It is the happiness of a Saint to have the Comforter and his great happiness to have the same abide with him and that for ever Joh. 14.16 So it s the happiness of the Christian to have Christs presence and exceeding happiness to have it for ever 3. His upholding and preserving of it the Church is Gods building 1 Cor. 3.9 He said in Isaiahs days I will lay thy stones with fair colours and lay thy foundations with Saphires I will make thy windâ—ws of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles and all thy border of pleasant stones Isa 54.11 12. and when the Lord shall do this he will
watchman nor the people set him to be one 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healing helps government diversitie of tongues In the Political state men may make what Offices and Officers they please but in the Ecclesiastick State it s not so Man must not meddle God only is the Authour of all Offices in the Church extraordinary or ordinary and no man ought to come into any of them without Commission and Direction from God true Ministers are to be call'd by the Church according to Gods will and not by the will of a State The making of Ministers is Church-work and not State-work Fourthly Observe Those that are called to office by men or God in State or Church they are watchmen They must have eyes in their heads lift up their eyes and look about them most diligently and conscientiously least any mischief come to the one or the other They are to be men of understanding especially the spiritual watchman his lips must preserve knowledge Mal. 2.7 He is set to watch sleepinesse and drowsinesse do not become him there is great danger therein Math 13.25 While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares Whilest the watchmen slept the Devill and his Instruments took the opportunity and advantage to sow Tares Errour Heresies and Damnable Doctrines Isa 56.10 you may see what watchmen the Lord had in Isaiahs time His watchmen are blind they are all ignorant they are all dumb Dogs they cannot bark sleeping lying down loving to sâ—umber The State and Church watchmen were such therefore idolatry murder oppression and profanesse abounded amongst them they sought themselves and their ease not the State or Churches good Watchmen should not be for themselves but for the publique good enduring any hardship rather then the Publique should be endangered they must not shrink at wind or weather but bare the cold of the night and the heat of the day watching alwayes Isa 21.11 Watchman what of the night watchman what of the night The watchman was at his work in the night as well as in the day Fifthly Observe God hath a special care of his Church and People being exposed to many dangers I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel Where watchmen are dangers are supposed There be Church-Robbers abroad that would rob it of the Scriptures of Ordinances Officers of Christ and of Heaven it selfe There be those who would bring in damnable Heresies as of old 2 Pet. 1.1 Yea the Church is apt of it self to breed Vipers Acts 20.30 Thorns Bryars Weeds Nettles do grow up in Gods Gardens What Errours Heresies Blasphemies are not revived in our dayes Are they not grown up to that height and strength as to threaten and indanger the foundation If ever the Church is as a Lilly among Thorns as a Lamb among Wolves and Lyons that seek to tare in peices and devoure it is now Truth goeth with a scratch't face every where and is so scratched and disfigured that many know her not she hath many enemies few friends and cannot dwell quiet in Sion it self erroneous Opinions are ready to assault her in her own house there is need therefore of watchmen to discover and prevent dangers and God hath manifested his care of his Church and Truth that he hath given watchmen for the preservation of them and left it upon Record that himself is the watchman of his Vineyard Isa 27.3 Least any hurt it I will keep it night and day The fire of Contention the floods of Iniquity and winds of strange Doctrine cannot harm Gods Vineyard he is the Keeper thereof Sixthly Observe What Gifts or Graces soever Prophets and men in Ecclesiastical places have they must depend upon God for more and receive from him before they give out to others No Prophet no Apostle ever had such a sufficiency of light knowledge or grace as to stand in need of no more God had set Ezekiel to be a watchman to the house of Israel he had heard much from God the Spirit entred into him he had eaten the rowle and yet he must attend the Lord therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth even therefore because he was Gods Prophet he was to hear the word at his mouth not to trust to what he had not to give out of his own but constantly to look unto the Lord to hearken what he would say and then what he said to make that known unto others Gods Prophets Gods Ministers must speak his words deliver his message There is a Majesty an Efficacy in his words which are not in the words of men Heb. 4.12 The words of false Prophets were chaffe without virtue but the words of true Prophets were wheat full of vertue for they were the words of God Jer 23.28 Seventhly Observe That as its the duty of watchmen to foresee danger so to forewarn the people of it The State-watchman ought to do both and so the Church-watchman The one when he sees the sword to come is to blow the Trumpet and warn the people that they secure their lives the other when he sees mens lives are wicked tending to the destruction of their souls when he sees Errour Heresies coming to infect and indanger the souls of men he is to blow the Trumpet of the Lord and to warn them that they take heed of the one and desist from the other Isa 58.1 Cry aloud spare not lift up thy voyce like a Trumpet and shew my people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins Isaiah was a watchman to the house of Jacob and he fore-saw they were in danger of being ruin'd and carryed into captivity and what must he do in this case be silent no Cry aloud make them to hear spare not thy lungs thy strength lift up thy voice like a Trumpet louder and louder make all the house of Jacob to hear it and shew my people their transgressions present unto them the Nature and danger of them let them not rest or sleep but tell them of their sins in publique in private sollicit importune them to cease from their evil wayes and to secure their souls It 's not enough for a spiritual watchman to warn his people once or twice in a year of the dangerous evils their sins will bring upon them but he must do it frequently constantly this warning must be dayly let the persons be of what rank soever if they live in wayes of wickednesse which may hazard their souls the watchman must tell them of their sins and danger admonish them seriously reprove them sharply and threaten them with death eternal if they persevere in their wayes Eightly Observe That Prophets Ministers and Watchmen in Sion are to act in the name and authority of God Thou shalt warn them from me They must let them know that God hath sent them that they speak from him not from themselves not their own words and this
heart is a grievous plague so an heart of flesh is a great blessing its sensible of sin even secret sins it trembles at thoughts of God his Attributes and Word it understands divine things its teachable and obediential its compassionate and full of bowels towards all such an heart is rare to find but where-ever it is it 's a mercy of mercies a superlative mercy Secondly Observe It s a gift even the gift of God I will give you an heart of flesh None but he who can fetch water out of a Rock and turn stones into flesh Mat. 3.9 can give this tender heart we can make our hearts stony by sinning but we cannot soften them again It s Gods prerogative to make and give an heart of flesh he can make the hardest heart exceeding tender beg such an heart of him and presse him with his promise For faithfull is he who hath promised who also will do it Vers 27. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them IN the 35. verse remission of sins was promised in the 36. regeneration and in this infusion of the spirit is promised In the words are 1. The mercy promised viz the spirit 2. The parties recipient you 3. The effects of this reception walking in c. I will put my spirit within you By spirit here I understand not the new heart or new spirit mentioned in the verse before viz. the gifts and graces of the spirit but the spirit it self so Aecolampad Lavater Junius and Polonius and however it be a great dispute among School-men Whether the spirit it self be given unto men and dwell in them some conclude That the person of the spirit is not given but dwells in us only Mediantibus donis yet the Scripture is cleer That the spirit it self is given and dwells in the sons of men Rom 5.5 The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit which is given unto us Here is a distinction made between the grace of the spirit and the spirit it selfe the grace of love is shed abroad 〈◊〉 the hearts of the Saints by the spirit and that spirit which â—â—keth that grace in them is given unto them the person of the spirit is distinguished from the gifts and graces he works in men 1 Cor 6.19 Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy spirit in you A Temple is not for gifts or graces but for a person a Deity and some speciall presence of that Deity the world hath God in it yet it is not call'd The Temple of God because he is in a general and common manner in the same but the spirit is in the bodyes of the Saints and that in a special manner 1 Cor. 2.12 We have râ—ceived not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God By spirit here cannot be meant gifts or graces but the person of the spirit who searcheth the deep things of God as it is vers 10. and makes them known by degrees unto those he dwells in discovering what God hath done for them Rom 8.11 If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you it s the spirit of God himself who dwells in beleevers and not only the gifts and graces of the spirit these are in them as qualities in a Subject but he is in them as an Inhabitant in an house The spirit by reason of its Infinitenesse is every where in Trees Worms Flowers waters all creatures is it any other wise in the Saints then in them True the spirit quoad essentiam is in all things yet First It s not in them per modum unionis by way of union a Fish is in the water but not united to the water the spirit is in the Saints by way of union therefore is said to dwell in them by his own gifts and graces we are united to the spirit and the spirit to us Secondly It s not in them per modum gratiosae operationis by way of gracious operation all he doth in other creatures is upholding their beings enabling them to put forth their natural power vigour virtue and ordering their motions to what ends he pleaseth he worketh nothing in them above their natures but in those he dwells he worketh gracious effects in those the Lord gives the spirit unto he worketh such operations as are not elsewhere even such as are aboue nature he is in them Speciali titulo ratione gratiae A Gardiner worketh curious Knots in the Garden which he doth not elsewhere God made other works and set other plants in Paradise than in the world Thirdly As the Deity of Christ is every where in every creature yet otherwise in Christs humane nature than in any creature Col 2.9 so the spirit though it be every where yet is otherwise in Believers than in other creatures it is in them as it is in Christ himself but not in the same measure What doth the spirit being within us First It unites the Lord Christ and the soul together it makes an happy union between them two The Corinthians were espoused to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 not only by the Ministry of Paul but by the spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit are we all baptized into one body that is the Church the body of Christ the spirit is the great Agent in this work Secondly The spirit gives out divine Oracles and Truths unto the soul As in the Temple God gave out his mind made known his will so doth the spirit in the heart of man Mat. 10.20 The spirit of the Father speaks in Believers 1 John 2.20 Ye have an anction from the holy One and ye know all things That unction is the spirit which makes known all needful things unto those it dwells in its needful to be instructed and armed against Antichrist and his seducements its needful to be directed in the way to Heaven they had the spirit which did teach them how to avoid the one and how to proceed in the other and so were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taught of God and who teacheth like him Job 36.22 He teacheth inwardly infallibly powerfully Thirdly It conquers and drives out the enemies that had possession of and quartered in us There is no man the Lord puts his spirit into but the spirit finds the Devil there he hath possession of mens hearts and labours to keep the same there be also a multitude of base and ungodly lusts which fight for the Devils interest these the spirit sets upon subdues and casts out When Christ came into the Temple he whipt out all the money-changers when Joshua came into Canaan he drove out the Canaanites and other Nations and when the spirit comes into a man it beats down strong holds drives out Satan and his Troops 1 John 4.4 Greater is he that is
a great Army from all parts to assault and destroy the people of God and not knowing what the hazard of War might be he would prepare for himself consider and fit things for himself Thou and all thy company that are assembled unto thee Where is a great Army there had need to be great preparations for their pay quarters and protection They know not what obstructions and enemies they may meet withal And be thou a guard unto them Princes have great power and it lies much in them to keep their Armies safe Vigilantia ducis est salus exercitus The eye of the General is a special thing to keep an Army in Order The Vulgar reads the words thus Esto eis in praeceptum Do thou shew thy self an Emperour amongst them Command and Rule them or thus Thou wilt do thy endeavour to preserve them Junius thinks these words refer to the Jews That Gog with all his Forces compassing about the Mountains of Israel and concluding he had the Jews in his power as a bird in a cage to destroy at his pleasure he should be a guard unto them God can make those a defence to his who seek their destruction But the other sense is more genuine First Observe That after Prophesies of Grace and Mercy come tidingt of Affliction and Judgements In the former Chapter the Jews heard altogether of Mercies from God here they hear of Afflictions from Enemies There they heard of David their King and Shepheard who should do great things for them Here of Gog a Tyrant their enemy who should seek to destroy them God in his infinite wisdom orders it so that his Church and People should hear of and meet with not only good but evill not only comforts but crosses Should we only hear of comfortable things we should presume and should we only hear of sad things we should despond God presents some of both sorts unto us that so our Faith and Fear may be exercis'd and we kept in a more even frame Secondly Observe The great Princes of the earth being no friends to the Church of God have God for their enemy Gog was Prince of Meshech and Tubal an enemy to the Jews And Behold I am against thee O Gog how great soever thou art I the great God am against thee thou wilt oppose my people and I will oppose thee Most of the Princes of the earth have been against Christ and his Kingdom Psal 2.2 And God hath been against them and vexed them in his soar displeasure God was against the Prince of Tyre and against Pharaoh King of Egypt Ezek. Chap. 28. 29. Kings generally are Proud Profane Tyrannical false to the trust committed to them obstructing the way and work of Christ in the World what they can therefore God is against them He is terrible to the Kings of the earth Psal 76.12 And their ends have been dreadful Some have had their bones burnt to lime Amos 2.1 Some have been eaten with Wormes Acts 12.23 Some have been hanged up Lam. 2.12 Josh 10.26 Some have dyed of strange diseases 2 Chr. 21.18 Thirdly Observe The Lord at his pleasure can bring enemies and Armies upon his own people God would bring Gog forth and all his Army Horse and Horsemen a great company all of them armed with Bucklers Shields and Swords God is the author of Wars he calls forth what Princes and Nations he will to assault and vex the Church The ten Tribes Who brought enemies upon them was it not the Lord 1 Chron. 5.26 The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul King of Assyria and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser King of Assyria and he carried them away c. 2 King 15.19 Chap. 17.6 It was God stirred up the spirit of the Philistines against Jehoram King of Judah so that they came and spoyled him of all his substance of his Wives and Sons 2 Chr. 21.16 17. Let Gods people take heed how they provoke God for he is the Lord of hosts and hath all Nations at his command and can call yea bring them forth to trouble Israel it self and that soarly Fourthly Observe The Lord can easily bring men to do his work and service what ever the difficulty or danger be Here was hard work for Gog to gather the Nations East West South and Northward together to come out of his Countrey and to invade Judaea a business which required much consultation admitted many Objections and Demurs but God would bring him to it and make him do it as easily as a man pulls up a fish out of the water I will put my hook in his chawes Let God put an instinct into a Prince or State once stir their spirits to make war upon others the work will go on with facility and expedition God hath hooks to draw on Princes to War and hooks to draw them off to draw them back from them 2 King 19.28 Fifthly Observe From all quarters of the World there be enemies ready to combine and act with Gog and Antichrist against the Church Truth and Christ himself Those of the East comprehended under Persia those of the South intended under Ethiopia those of the West included in Lybia and those of the North contained under Gomer and the house of Togarmah were all at the beck of Gog to go against Jerusalem the Servants and Worship of God therein The whole World saith Oecolampadius contradicts and observes Antichrist When Christ doth any eminent thing in his Church the Nations are quickly misled and joyn with some grand enemy to vent their malice see Rev. 20.7 8 9. Sixthly Observe The enemies of the Church do make great preparations against the same Be thou prepared This shews and assures that Gog would neglect nothing which might conduce unto the carrying on his designes against the Jews Isa 8.9 10. Those expressions Associate your selves Gird your selves Take counsel together Speak the word do hint to us the activity of the Churches enemies Psal 83.2 3 4 5. see it there to the life Thine enemies make a tumult they have lift up the head they have taken crafty counsel against thy people They said Come let us cut them off from being a Nation c. How did Zerah the Ethiopian and the Commanders of his Army bestir themselves when they brought an Army of a thousand thousand against Judah and with them 300 Charets 2 Chron. 14.9 Seventhly Observe Princes notwithstanding all their preparations cannot secure themselves nor those under their command Prepare for thy self be a guard to them Gogs number Power Policy Preparations did not advantage himself or his they went forth to their own ruine and destruction Vers 8. After many dayes thou shalt be visited in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword and is gathered out of many people against the mountains of Israel which have been alwayes waste but it is brought forth out of the nations and they shall dwell safely all of them THis
Sepulchres of the Kings or Prophets it was in the Valley of Passengers near the place of Gods remarkable judgement upon the sinful Cities And they shall call it The Valley of Hamon-Gog In Jeremy you read of a Valley of Slaughter Jer. 19.6 Chap. 7.32 and it was so call'd from the persons slain there by Nebuchadnezzars Forces when Jerusalem was besieged and taken And here 's a Valley call'd the Valley of Hamon-Gog that is of the multitude of Gog so great a multitude were slain and buryed there as gave denomination to the Valley This Valley Joel in his dayes was pleased to call The Valley of Decision or Threshing as the word Rechamte imports Joel 3.14 Vers 12. And seven Moneths shall the House of Israel be burying of them Not some few but the House of Israel who were a great number should be imployed seven Moneths in burying of them which sets out the greatness of the Victory such a number slain as should set many thousands on work so long to bury them seven years in burning their weapons and seventh moneths in burying their dead If a certain number be put here for an uncertain as some will have it yet they were a long time about this work That they may cleanse the Land When a multitude are slain their putrified bodies are apt to corrupt the Air and Earth and so to indanger the living The Israelites therefore to prevent such a mischief shall take great pains to bury them and that without any intention of honouring the dead thereby When men bury the dead usually it 's for an honour to them but not so here the end was to cleanse the Land which was defil'd with the Carkasses of these Goggites Vers 13. Ye all the people of the Land shall bury them Before he had said the House of Israel now he adds all the men of the Land Some should give counsel some should dig the graves or pits and some should bring and put the dead bodies into them Some understand by the House of Israel and people of the Land Christian people who shall extinguish the name of Antichrist and bury it with all his stinking Errors in the Grave of Oblivion and that they make the sense of burying Gog and his And it shall be to them a Renown The Hebrew is for a Name They shall be renowned for this Victory and for their Humanity in burying of the dead Their Enemies shall speak honourably and well of them The day that I shall be gloryfied The Tigurine Translation hath it thus That day wherein I shall be glorified shall be famous unto them they shall have cause to remember that day for ever What day I shall destroy Gog and Magog with all their Forces and so get glory to my self that day shall be a day of Name of Renown and of Memorial unto them that day shall be put into their Chronicles The Hebrew stands thus In the day of Me to be glorified and so may point at their glorifying God for that great destruction of their Enemies Vers 14. And they shall sever out men of continual imployment Gog and his being beaten divers were scattered up and down the Land and by reason of their wounds fell and lay unburyed in many places whereupon they chose out men of continuance so the Hebrew is who might go up and down from one part of the Land to the other to find out the dead To bury with the Passengers those that remain upon the face of the Earth to cleanse it As those Searchers went up and down they mett with Passengers whom they caused to assist them in the buryal of the dead they found It 's probable they made the Passengers to take the bodies or bones of the dead and to bury them because it was matter of defilement unto the Jews to touch dead bodies Numb 19.11 They that did so were unclean seven dayes These being to cleanse the Land would not defile themselves After the end of seven Moneths shall they search Seven Moneths were the people of the Land in burying their Enemies they were busied about those that fell by heaps When these Moneths were at an end they sent out their Searchers to examine Woods Hills Caves Valleys High-wayes and Ditches where any dead corps might lye so careful were they to prevent Infection Vers 15. When any seeth a mans bone then shall he set up a sign by it Some bodies lying long the Fowls of the Heaven or Beasts of the Field devoured their flesh eat their bones and left some fragments of them which if the Passengers and Searchers found they were to set up a sign or mark by them to give notice thereof Mans bone is a singular number put for a plural Mens bones The word a sign is Tzijan which signifies a Statue a Title or Sign setting near to a Grave or a Way-mark as Jer. 31.21 Set thee up way-marks the word is Tzijunim and they were to direct people so here They set up signs to direct the buryers what to do concerning those bones Till the Buryers have buryed it in the Valley of Hamon-Gog Those appointed to bury were to take the bones of men so discovered and to carry them to the Valley of Hamâ—n-gog and bury them there There were the multitude of the slain buryed which gave that denomination to the place and with them must the scattered and collected bones be buryed Vers 16. Also the Name of the City shall be Hamonah What City shall be so call'd is not set down and therefore Interpreters do vary thereabouts Some believe there was a City near that Valley which had another name and upon this occasion of slaying Gog and his multitude lost that and had this imposed by Hamonah Her multitude because a multitude of Enemies were slain therre The Septuagint calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upon occasions names have been given to places as appears Gen. 16.13 Ch. 26.20 21 22. Act 28.19 Hos 4.15 2 Sam. 5.9 Chap. 6.8 Others judge this City to be Jerusalem reading the words thus And her multuitde shall be a Name or for a Name to the City so Junius Or The Name of the City shall be from her Multitude that is the City Jerusalem or the Church shall be famous for her Inhabitants which slew such a multitude of Goggites so Piscator This sense hath more of truth in it then the other for we find not any City call'd Hamonah since this Prophesie yet those of that opinion say It was fulfill'd in the time of Antiochus Thus shall they cleanse the Land The words are read by some After they have cleansed the Land by others When they have cleansed the Land which is the same for sense Gods giving them so great a Victory over such a multitude of Enemies and their not abusing but cleansing the Land after it should be to them for a name for their great glory and renown First Observe God disappoints the expectation of the wicked while living yet sometimes
the first Vision unto Ezekiel and so he doth in this last he was a Master-builder and appointed of God to build the House Zech. 6.12 13. Thus speaks the Lord of Hosts saying Behold the Man whose Name is the Branch that is Christ he shall grow up out of his place and he shall build the Temple of the Lord even he shall build the Temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory And that this Man was Christ his appearance declares for it was like the appearance of Brass and so Christ Revel 1.15 is said to appear His feet were like unto fine Brass and here his countenance or whole body appeared like unto Brass that is free from spot beautiful bright and shining Christ was without blemish or spot 1 Pet. 1.19 He was holy harmless undefiled Heb. 7.26 He was fairer then the children of men Psal 45.2 With a line of Flax in his hand and a measuring Reed These be the Instruments which this man had a Line and a measuring Reed Such Instruments are proper to Architects and Master-Builders and being in the hand of Christ do demonstrate him to be the chief Builder of the Church The line of Flax was to measure the great spaces of the ground viz. the Floors Court and Compass of the Buildings and Walls The Reed was to measure the Buildings the thickness length and breadth of them Of such a Line and Reed is spoken of in Zech. 2.1 2. Rev 11.1 Chap. 21.15 A Reed is smooth round and light and therefore fit for measuring they were plentiful in those parts And he stood in the Gate The Hebrew is he standing in the Gate His posture was * Stabat quasi ad Ministerium accinctus Standing his place was in the Gate He stood there to direct the Prophet to shew him the measures of the Temple and other things to manifest he hath command of the Temple and may keep out and let in whom he pleased Versâ— 4. And the Man said unto me Son of Man Behold with thine eyes c. In this verse the end of the Vision is held forth which is that Ezekiel throughly understanding the things comprehended in it might communicate them to others Here the Lord Christ is call'd Man for that in time he was to be incarnate and the Son of Man speaks to Ezekiel and commands him two things 1. To give the most diligent and best attention as possible might be and therefore calls for not only the eyes and ears but the heart also Behold with thine eyes and hear with thine ears and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee his heart must go with his senses and seriously ponder what was presented Some things were to be seen some things were to be heard and all to be considered and why he was brought thither for that end 2. To make known what he should see hear and observe Declare them to the House of Israel he must not keep things to himself but publish them to others to the Church and People of Israel First Observe The Lord keeps an exact account of the time of his Church and Peoples sufferings He is the best and most punctual Chronologer of all in Heaven and Earth Men and Angels may mistake misreckon but the Lord doth not cannot In the 25. year of our captivity in the beginning of the year in the 10. day of the month in the 14. year after the City was smitten in the self same day Here the Years the Months and Days of the Jews captivity was observed of the Lord. When we are in misery and suffering conditions we think God forgets us Psal 79.5 Psal 89.46 but he takes notice of every Hour Day Month and Year Secondly Observe When the Church is low in the worst most desperate and deplorable condition even then the Lord hath a care of his Church Now the Temple City and Land of Canaan were utterly laid wast the people many of them destroyed the rest in Babylon without hope of ever seeing their own Country ch 37.11 In this condition the Lord appears to Ezekiel and gives him a most singular and excellent Vision concerning the Restauration of the Church the Extent Dignity and Glory of it whereby he shewed both the Prophet and the People whose hearts were fill'd with sorrow When the Church is in the Wilderness under persecution in Egypt or Babylon the Lord is solicitous for it Zech. 1.14 I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousie Thirdly Observe The Church is Mount Sion or Mount Sion is the Church wherein God makes known his mind for the comfort of his Ezekiel was carried in spirit into the Land of Israel and set there upon a very high Mountain viz. Mount Sion which typed out the Church of God and there he had this glorious vision there sweet consolation was given forth for the afflicted The Church is sometimes call'd a Garden and Fountain sealed as Cantic 4.12 Sometimes a Vineyard Mat. 20.1 Sometimes an House 1 Tim. 3.15 Sometimes a City Psal 46.4 Isai 60.14 Sometimes a Mountain Psal 2.6 And it 's so call'd for the hieghth the glory and the strength of it Mountains are high conspicuous and strong and so is the Church On Mountains is good aire so likewise is in the Church Hills are nearer heaven then other places they are below the Church is above the World Fourthly Observe The Church is well seated and well ordered Vpon which was as the frame of a City it 's seated upon a Mountain the Mountain of Gods Decree Power and Truth it 's well ordered for it 's as the frame of a City where every thing is in his right place and all fitly joyned together Psal 122.3 Jerusalem is builded as a City that is compacted together and the Church is a body fitly joyned together and compacted Ephes 4.16 Hence strength and beauty are to the Church it being so seated and so united The one made Christ say The gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. and the other made Salomon to say It was beautiful as Tirzah and comely as Jerusalem Cant. 6.4 Fifthly Observe The Man Christ who is sinless and glorious is the chief Builder and exact Measurer of the Church and things belonging to it Behold a Man whose appearance was like the appearance of Brass with a Line of Flax in his hand and a Measuring-reed Christ without spot full of glory and wisdome is the Master-builder Mat. 16.18 chap. 21.33 Hab. 3.3 Prophets Apostles Ministers are his Servants Under-officers instructed directed and rewarded by him He is Architectus the Line and Reed are in his hand he measures all the Trees and Stones used in this Building the outward and inward Courts with all their appurtenances He was the Son of Joseph a Carpenter and some mystery might lye in that Sixthly Observe The way into Sion and unto the Father is by Christ he stands in the gate of the Temple ready to receive any
teacheth in all good things Here is large Provision made for the Gospel Ministers Whatever good things people possess they ought to communicate a part thereof to their Teachers something is due to the Teachers and it's duty in the Taught to pay it The Ministers are to have Meat and Chambers accommodations to eat their Meâ—t in 1 Cor. 9 13 14. Do ye not know that they which Minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Here is a Divine Ordinance for Minister's maintenance It 's also here hinted to us that the Priests were to eat of the best of the most holy things that it the Tythes and Offerings which were to be of the best Mal. 1.8 14. And certainly under the Gospel the Ministers of it are not to be turn'd off with the meanest and worst of things if you have choise spirituals from them is it not equal they should have answerable temporals from you Holy things were to be laid in holy places holy offerings and holy garments were not to be laid any where but in the holy place Under the Law some places were holy but under the Gospel holiness of places is taken away according to what was Prophesied Mal. 1.11 From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place Incense shall be offered unto my name and a pure offering And according to that Paul gave out 1 Tim. 2.8 I will that men pray every where lifting up holy hands he makes all places alike for the outward Celebration of Worship yet the Truths and things of the Gospel are to be laid up in holy places that is in holy Hearts James 4.8 Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you cleanse your hands ye sinners and purify your hearts ye double minded Holy hearts are fit places for God Christ Spirit Gospel and all the Ordinances of it James 1.21 1 Pet. 2.1 2. 1 Cor. 11.28 Heb. 10.22 These plâ—ces shew that holy hearts are requisite for holy things So that of Christ Mat. 7.6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs neither cast ye your pearls before swine their hearts are foul and so uncapable of holy things they are not fit repositories for such things Here is in the 13. verse mention made of three Offerings The Meat-offeâ—ing the Sin offering and the Trespass-offering 1. The Meat-offering it was of fine Flower Oyle and Frankincense or onely of fiâ—e Flower and Oyle and then it was to be Bâ—ked Fryed or Sodden no Leaven or Honey was to be used therewith but every Meat-offering was to be seasoned with salt see Levit. 2. per totum Or it was of Ears of Corn the first-fruits Ears dryed by the fire even Corn beaten out of full Ears vers 14. Part of this Meat-offering the Priests were to burn upon the Altar for a sweet savour and the rest they were to eat in the holy place Levit. 6.15 16. 2. The Sin-offering whether a Bullock or any other beast was most holy yea whatsoever touched the flesh thereof was holy Some of the blood of it was to be brought into the Tabernacle of the Congregation to reconcile withall in the most holy place which was not to be eaten but burnt The Priests and all the Males among the Priests were to eat of this sacrifice c. Levit. 6.25 26 27 28 29 30. 3. The Trespass-offering There was one and the same Law for this and the Sin-offering it was to be kill'd where the Burnt-offering was and the blood to be sprinkled round about upon the Altar what was to be burnt and what to be eaten by the Priests you may see Levit. 7.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. These Offerings were types of Christ who is our true Meat-offering the bread of life the nourishment of every hungry and thirsty soul His flesh and his blood are meat and drink indeed at his Table we feed upon him crucified and so our Meat-offering he is our Sin-offering and Trespass-offering 2 Cor. 5.21 He was made sin for us that is a Sin offering that we might be made the righteousness of God in him See Heb. 10.12 14. In the 14. vers it 's said The Priests must not go out of the holy place into the outward Court which comprehends this mystery in it viz. That the Ministers of the Gospel those have given up themselves to Christ and the Church ought not go out from their spirituall imployment unto the world and worldly affaires but to mind that great work they are call'd unto For who is sufficiâ—nt for such things 2 Cor. 2.16 Paul instructed Timothy and in him all others in this truth 2 Tim. 2.4 No man that warreth intangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a Souldier When men are call'd to be Souldiers they must mind their Souldiery not other things it will not please their Captains and Commâ—nders they cannot discharge their trust So Ministers having a great Captain and Commander the Lord Christ who hath chosen them to be his Souldiers they must mind their spiritual Souldiery they must not trouble or distract themselves with the cares or affairs of the world if they do they can neither be faithful to their interest nor please their Lord and Master Rom. 12.7 Those that Minister must wait on their Ministring and those that teach on their teaching they must not wait upon or meddle with other things Col. 4.17 Publicis insudare debent qui nomen dedêre militiae Souldiers might not intangle themselves about Husbandry Cattle Merchandising or other affairs but they were to mind the publick The Priests when they approached to God had other garments on then at other times they had holy garments on them they might not come nigh God but in holy garments afterwards they changed their garments when they were to deal with the people Which informs us that the Ministers of the Gospel ought to have other frames of Spirit in them when they are nearer unto God in the duties of his worship then at other times then they are to put on holy garments they should be cloath'd with zeal fear and other holy affections They are to discharge their office with gravity and authority that their Ministery be not despised God will be sâ—nctâ—fied in them that come near unto him they must not come in their old garments with old ordinary spirits but with holy garments holy spirits sâ—nctifying God in their hearts making him their fear and dread and carâ—y themselves as Ambassadors of God standing and pleading for him But when they are out of publique administrations they may put on other garments they must be cloathed with humility love bowels of mercy meekness long-suffering as 2 Tim. 2.24 25. In