the uprightness of their hearts the other of the good savour of their lives The upright shall dwell in thy presence and to him that ordereth his conversation aright I will shew the salvation of God Psal. 140.13 Psal. 50. ult 9. Thus sweet in Earth sweet in Heaven And he that yields the fruit of the Gospel here shall find it for himself and his Eternal Comfort at the Gates of Glory 10. All these were over-laid with gold as you may say and so they were at the Door of the first House True but observe here we have an addition Here is gold upon gold Gold laid on them and then gold spread upon that He over-laid them with gold and then spread gold upon them The Lord gives grace and glory Psal. 84.11 Gold and gold Gold spread upon gold Grace is gold in the leaf and glory is gold in plates Grace is thin gold glory is gold that is thick Here is gold layed on and gold spread upon that And that both upon the Palm-trees and the Cherubims Gold upon the Palm trees that 's on the Saints Gold upon the Cherubims that 's upon the Angels For I doubt not but that the Angels themselves shall receive Additional Glory for the Service which they have served Christ and his Church on Earth 11. The Angels are GOD's Harvest-men and doubtless he will give them good Wages even Glory upon their Glory then Matt. 13.38 39. Chap. 24.31 Joh. 4.36 12. You know Harvest men use to be pay'd well for gathering in the Corn and I doubt not but so shall these when the great Ingathering is over But what an enterance into Life is here Here is gold upon gold at the Door at our first step into the Kingdom LIX Of the Golden Nails of the Inner-Temple I Shall not concern my self with all the Nails of the Temple as of those made of Iron c. 1 Chron. 22.3 but only with the Golden ones of which you read 2 Chron. 3.4 where he saith And the weight of the nails was fifty Shekels of Gold These Nails as I conceive were all fastned to the place most Holy and of form most apt to that of which they were a Figure 1. Some of them represented Christ Jesus our Lord as fixed in his Mediatory Office in the Heavens wherefore in one place when the Holy Ghost speaks of Christ as he sprang from Judah to be a Mediator saith Out of him came the Corner the Corner-stone out of him the Nails Zech. 10.4 Now since he is here compared to a Nail a golden Nail it is to shew that as a Nail by driving is fixed in his place so Christ by God's Oath is made an everlasting Priest Heb. 7.25 Therefore as he saith again The Nail the Aaronical Priesthood that was fastned in a sure place should be removed be cut down and fall So he who has the Key of David which is Christ Revel 3.7 shall by God as a Nail be fastned in a sure place and abide therefore he says again And he shall be for a glorious Throne or Mercy-seat to his Fathers House And moreover That they shall hang on him as on a Nail all the Glory of his Fathers House the Off-spring and the Issue all Vessels of small quantity from the Vessels of Cups even to the Vessels of Flagons According to that which is written And they sang a new Song to the Lamb that was slain saying Thou art worthy c. Isai. 22.20 22 23 24 25. Rev. 5.9 12. And therefore it is again that Christ under the similitude of a Nail is accounted by Saints indeed their great Pledge or Hope as he is in Heaven of their certain coming thither Hence they said of old God has given us a Nail in his holy place A Nail says the Line a Pin a constant and sure abode says the Margin Ezra 9.8 Now this Nail in his holy place as was shewed before is Christ Christ as possest of Heaven and as abiding and ever living therein for us Hence he is called as there our Head our Life and our Salvation and also we are said there to be set down together in him Ephes. 1. ult Col. 3.3 Ephes. 2.5 6. 2. Some of these Nailes were types of the holy words of God which for ever are setled in Heaven Types I say of their Yea and Amen Hence Solomon in another place compares the Words of the wise God To goads and nailes fastned by the Masters of the Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd Eccles. 12.11 They are called Goads because as such prick the Oxen on in their drawing so God's Words prick Christians on in their Holy Duties They are called Nailes to shew that as Nails when fastned well in a sure place are not easily removed So God's Words by his will stand firm for ever The Masters of the Assemblies are firstly the Apostles The one Shepherd is Jesus Christ. Hence the Gospel of Christ is said to be everlasting to abide for ever and to be more stedfast than Heaven and Earth Isa. 40.6 7 8. 1 Pet. 1.24 25. Heb. 13 20. Revel 14.6 Matt. 24.35 The Lord Jesus then and his Holy Words are the Golden Nailes of the Temple and the fixing of these Nails in the Temple was to shew that Christ is the same to day yesterday and for ever and that his words abide and remain the same for ever and ever He then that hath Christ has a Nail in the Holiest he that hath a promise of Salvation hath also a Nail in Heaven a Golden Nail in Heaven LX. Of the Floor and Walls of the inner Temple 1. THE Floor of the Oracle was overlaid with Cedar and so also was the Walls of this House He built twenty Cubits on the sides of the House both the Floor and the Walls with boards of Cedar He even built for it within for the Oracle for the most holy place 1 King. 16. 2. In that he doth tell us with what it was cieled and doth also thus repeat saying for the Oracle for it within even for the most holy place it is because he would have it noted that this only is the place that thus was done 3. Twenty Cubits that was the length and breadth and height of the House So that by his thus saying he teacheth that thus it was builded round about 4. The Cedar is if I mistake not the highest of the Trees Ezek. 31.3 4 5 6 7 8. Now in that it is said the House the Oracle was cieled round about therewith It may be to shew that in Heaven and no where else is the height of all perfections Perfection is in the Church on Earth but not such as is in Heaven 1. There is a natural perfection and so a Peny is as natural Silver as is a Shilling 2. There is a comparative perfection and so one thing may be perfect and imperfect at the same time as a half Crown is more than a Shilling yet less than a Crown 3. There is
we have golden Palm-trees as tokens of our victory and golden Flowers to smell on all the way to Heaven XXXI Of the Wall of the Temple THE Wall of the Temple was cieled with Firr which he over-laid with fine gold and set thereon Palm-trees and Chains 2 Chro. 3.5 6 7. The Walls were as the Body of the House unto which Christ alluded when he said Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up Joh. 2.19 21. Hence to be and worship in the Temple was a type of being in Christ and worshiping God by him For Christ as was said is the great Temple of God in the which all the Elect meet and in whom they do service to and for his Father Hence again the true Worshipers are said to be in him to speak in him to walk in him to obey in him 2 Cor. 2.14 chap. 12.19 Col. 2.6 For as of old all true Worship was to be found at the Temple To now it is only found with Christ and with them that are in him The promise of old was made to them that worshiped within these Walls I will give saith he to them in my house and within my walls to them that worship there in truth a place and a name better then that of Sons and of Daughters Isa. 5.6 5. But now in New Testament times all the promises in HIM are yea and in HIM Amen to the glory of God by us 2 Cor. â— 20 This is yet further hinted to us in that 't is said these Walls are cieled with Firr Which as was shewed before was a figure of the humanity of Jesus Christ. A Wall is for defence and so is the humanity of Jesus Christ. 'T is was and will be our defence for ever For it was that which underwent and overcame the curse of the Law and that in which our everlasting righteousness is found Had he not in that interposed we had perished for ever Hence we are said to be reconciled to God in the body of his flesh thorow death Col. 1.19 20. Rom. 5.8 9 10. Now this Wall was overlaid with fine gold Gold here is a figure of the righteousness of Christ by which we are justified in the fight of God. Therefore you read that his Church as justified is said to stand at his right hand in Cloth of Gold. Vpon thy right hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir And again her clothing is of wrought gold Psal. 45.9 13. This the Wall was overlaid with this the body of Christ was filled with Men while in the Temple were clothed with Gold even with the gold of the Temple and Men in Christ are clothed with righteousness the righteousness of Christ. Wherefore this Consideration doth yet more illustrate the matter In that the Palm-trees were SET on this Wall it may be to shew that the Elect are fixed in Jesus and so shall abide for ever Chains were also carved on these walls yea and they were golden Chains there were Chains on the Pillars and now also we finde Chains upon the Walls Philip. 1.12 13. 1. Chains were used to hold one Captive and such Paul did wear at Rome but he calls them his Bands in Christ. 2. Chains sometimes signifie great afflictions which God lays on us for our sins Psal. 107.9 10 11. Lam. 1.14 chap. 3.7 3. Chains also may be more mystically understood as of those Obligations which the love of God lays upon us to do and suffer for him Acts 20.22 4. Chains do sometimes signifie beauty and comely Ornaments Thy Neck saith Christ to his Spouse is comely with Chains of Gold And again I put Bracelets upon thy hands and a Chain about thy Neck Song 1.10 Ezek. 16.8 9 10 11. Prov. 1.9 5. Chains also do sometimes denote Greatness and Honour such as Daniel had when the King made him the Third Ruler in the Kingdom Dan. 5.7 16 29. Now all these are Temple-chains and are put upon us for good some to prevent our ruine some to dispose our minds the better and some to dignifie and to make us noble Temple-chains are brave Chains None but Temple-worshipers must wear Temple-chains XXXII Of the garnishing of the Temple with precious Stones AND he garnished the House with precious Stones for beauty 2 Chron. 3.6 7. 1. This is an other Ornament to the Temple of the Lord wherefore as he saith it was garnished with them he saith It was garnished with them for beauty The Line saith garnished the Margent saith covered 2. Wherefore I think they were fixed as Stars or as the Stars in the Firmament so they were set in the cieling of the House as in the Heaven of the holy Temple 3. And thus fixed they do the more aptly tell us of what they were a figure namely of the Ministerial Gifts and Officers in the Church For Ministers as to their Gifts and Office are called STARS of God and are said to be in the hand of Christ Revel 1.20 4. Wherefore as the Stars glitter and twinkle in the Firmament of Heaven So do true Ministers in the Firmament of his Church 1 Chro. 29.2 Joh. 5.35 Dan. 12.3 5. So that 't is said again these Gifts come down from above as signifying they distill their dew from above And hence again the Ministers are said to be set OVER us in the Lord as placed in the Firmament of his Heaven to give a light upon his Earth There is Gold and a multitude of rubies but the lips of knowledge are a precious Jewel Prov. 20 15. Verily 't is enough to make a Man in this house look always upward since the cieling above head doth thus glitter with precious Stones Precious Stones all manner of precious Stones Stones of all colours For there are divers gifts differences of administrations and diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. Thus had the cieling of this house a Pearl here and there a Diamond here a Jasper and there a Saphire here a Sardius and there a Jacinth here a Sardonix and there an Amathist For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom to another the Word of Knowledge to one the gift of healing to another faith to this man to work miracles to that a spirit of prophesie to another the discerning of spirits to another divers kinds of tongues 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10 11. He also over-laid the House Beams Posts Walls Doors c. and all with Gold. O what a beautiful House the Temple was how full of glory was it And yet all was but a shadow a shadow of things to come and which was to be answered in the Church of the living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth by better things than these XXXIII Of the Windows of the Temple AND for the House he made Windows of narrow Lights 1 King. 6.4 There was Windows for this House Windows for the Chambers and Windows round about Ezek. 4.16 22 23
until he that has sinned himself out of God's house shall see what danger he has incurred to himself by this his wicked going out he will not unfeignedly desire to come in thither again There is another thing as to this point to be taken notice of There is a way by which God also doth depart from this House and that also is by sin as the occasion The sin of a man will thrust him out and the sin of men will drive God out of his own house Of this you read Ezek. 11.22 23. For this he saith I have for saken mine house I have left mine heritage I have given the dearly beloved of my Soul into the hand of her Enemies Jer. 12.7 And this also is dreadful The great sentence of Christ upon the Jews lay much in these words Your house is left unto you desolate that is God has left you to bare Walls and to lifeless Traditions Consider therefore of this going out also Alas a Church a true Church is but a poor thing if God leaves if God forsakes it By a true Church I mean one that is Congregated according to outward rule that has sinned God away as she had almost quite done that was of Laodicea Revel 3. He that sins himself out can finde no geod in the World and they that have sinned God out can finde no good in the Church A Church that has sinned God away from it is a sad Lump indeed You therefore that are in God's Church take heed of sinning your selves out thence also take heed that while you keep in you sin not God away for thence-forth no good is there Yea wo unto them when I depart from them saith God Hos. 9 12. LIV. Of the Singers belonging to the Temple HAving thus far passed thorow the Temple I come now to the Singers there The Singers were many but all of the Church either Jews or Proselites Nor was there any as I know of under the Old Testament-worship admitted to sing the Songs of the Church and to celebrate that part of Worship with the Saints but they who at least in appearance were so The Song of Moses of Deborah and of those that danced before David with Others that you read of they were all performed either by Jews by nature or by such as were proselited to their Religion Exod. 15.1 Judg. 5.1 2. 1 Sam. 18 6. And such worship then was occasioned by God's great appearance for them against the power of the Gentiles their Enemies But we are confined to the Songs of the Temple a more distinct type of ours in the Church under the Gospel 1. The Singers then were many but the chief of them in the days of David were David himself Asaph Jeduthan and Heman and their Sons 2. In David's time the chief of these Singers were two hundred threescore and eight 1 Chro. 25. These Singers of old were to sing their Songs over the burnt-offering which were types of the Sacrificed Body of Christ a Memorial of which Offering we have at the Lord's Table the Consummation of which Christ and his Disciples celebrated with a Hymn Matt. 26.30 And as of old they were the Church that did sing in the Temple according to Institution to God So also they are by God's appointment to be sung by the Church in the New. Hence 1. They are said to be the redeemed that sing 2. The Songs that they sing are said to be the Songs of their Redemption Revel 5.9 10. 3. They were and are Songs that no man can learn but they But let us run a little in the Parallel 1. They were of old appointed to sing that were cunning and skilful in Songs And answerable to that 't is said That no Man could learn our New-Testament Songs but the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth 1 Chro. 15.22 Revel 14.3 2. These Songs were song with Harps Psalteries Cymbals and Trumpets a type of our singing with spiritual Joy from grace in our hearts 1 Chro. 25.6 2 Chro. 29.26 27 28. Col. 3.16 3. The Singers of old were to be clothed in fine Linnen which fine Linnen was a type of Innocency and an upright Conversation Hence the Singers under the New Testament are said to be Virgins such in whose mouth was no guile and that were without fault before the Throne of God 1 Chro. 15.27 and Revel 14.1 2 3 4 5. See also Chap 7.9 10 11 12 13 14 15. Psal 33 1. 4. The Songs sung in the Temple were new or such as were compiled after the manner of repeated mercies that the Church of God had received or were to receive and answerable to this is the Church to sing now new Songs with new hearts for new mercies Psal. 33.3 Psal. 40.3 Psal. 96. Psal. 144 9. Revel 14.3 New Songs I say are grounded on new matter new occasions new mercies new deliverances new discoveries of God to the Soul or for new frames of heart And are such as are most taking most pleasing and most refreshing to the Soul. 5. These Songs of old to distinguish them from Heathenish ones were called God's Songs the Lord's Songs because taught by him and learned of him and injoyned to them to be sung to his praise Hence David said God had put a new Song in his mouth even praises to our God 1 Chro. 25.7 Psal. 47.6 7. Psal. 137.4 Psal. 40.3 6. These Songs also were called the Songs of Sion and the Songs of the Temple Psal. 137.3 Amos 8.3 And they are so called as they were theirs to sing there I say of them of Sion and the Worshipers in the Temple I say to sing in the Church by the Church to him who is the God of the Church for the mercies benefits and blessings which she has received from him Sion-Songs Temple Songs must be sung by Sion's Sons and Temple-worshipers The redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting Joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Therefore they shall come and sing in the height or upon the Mountain of Zion and shall flow together thither to the goodness of the Lord. Break forth into singing ye Mountains and let the Inhabitants of the ROCK sing Isa. 44.23 Chap. 42.11 To sing to God is the highest Worship we are capable to perform in Heaven and 't is much if sinners on Earth without grace should be capable of performing it according to his Institution acceptably I pray God it be done by all those that now a days get into Churches in spirit and with understanding LV. Of the Vnion of the holy and most holy Temple THat commonly called the Temple of God at Jerusalem considered as standing of two parts was called the outward and inward Temple or the holy and most holy place They were builded upon one and the same foundation neither could one go into the Holiest but as thorow the holy place 1
King. 3.1 Chap. 6.1 2 Chro. 5.1 13. Chap. 7.2 The first house namely that which we have been speaking of was a type of the Church militant and the place most holy a type of the Church triumphant I say of the Church triumphant as it is now So then The house standing of these two parts was a shadow of the Church both in Heaven and Earth And for that they are joyned together by one and the same foundation it was to shew that they above and we below are yet one and the self-same house of God. Hence they and we together are called The whole Family in Heaven and Earth Ephes. 3.14 15. And hence it is said again that we who believe on Earth are come to Mount Zion to the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an invincible company of Angels To the general Assembly and Church of the first born which are writen in Heaven and to the Spirits of just men made perfect and to God the Judge of all and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. The difference then betwixt us and them is not that we are really two but one body in Christ in divers places True we are below stairs and they above they in their holy-day and we in our working-day cloaths they in harbour but we in the storm they at rest and we in the Wilderness They singing as crowned with Joy we crying as crowned with thorns But I I say we are all of one house one family and are all the Children of one father This therefore we must not forget lest we debar our selves of much of that which otherwise while here we have a right unto Let us therefore I say remember that the Temple of God is but one though divided as one may say into Kitchin and Hall above stairs and below or holy and most holy place For it stands upon the same foundation and is called but one the Temple of God which is builded upon the Lord our Saviour I told you before that none of old could go into the most holy but by the holy place even by the Vail that made the Partition between Exod. 26.33 Levit. 16 2 12 15. Heb. 9.7 8. chap 10.19 Wherefore they are deceived that think to go into the holiest which is Heaven when they did who yet abandon and hate the holy place while they live Nay Sirs The way into the holiest is thorow the holy place the way into Heaven is thorow the Church on Earth for that Christ is there by his Word to be received by faith before he can by us in Person be received in the beatical Vision The Church on Earth is as the house of the Women spoken of in the Book of Esther where we must be dieted perfumed and made fit to go into the Bridegroom's Chamber or as Paul says made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Esth. 2. Col. 1.12 LVI Of the Holiest or Inner Temple THE most holy place was as I said a Figure of Heaven it self consequently a type of that where the most special presence of God is and where his face is most clearly seen and the gladness of his countenance most enjoyed Heb. 9.23 24. Exod. 25.22 Numb 7.89 The most holy place was dark it had no Windows in it though there was such round the Chambers the more special presence of God too on Mount Sina was in the thick Darkness there 1 King. 8.12 2 Chro. 6.1 Exod. 1â— 9 chap. 20.21 1. This Holiest therefore being thus made was to shew that God as in Heaven to us on Earth is altogether invisible and not to be reached otherwise than by Faith. For I say in that this House had no Windows nothing therein could be seen by the highest light of this World. Things there were only seen by the light of the fire of the Altar which was a type of the shinings of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 2. chap. And hence it is said notwithstanding this darkness He dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto none but the High Priest Christ 1 Tim. 6.16 1 Pet. 3.21 22. 2. The Holiest therefore was thus built to shew how different our state in Heaven will be from this our state on Earth We walk here by one light by the light of a written word For that is now a light to our feet and Lanthorn to our Path. But that place where there will be no written Word nor Ordinances as here will yet to us shine more light and clear then if all the lights that are in the World were put together to light one Man For God is light and in him is no darkness at all 1 Joh. 1.5 And in his light and in the light of the Lamb immediately we shall live and walk and rejoyce all the days of Eternity 3. This also was ordained thus to shew that we while in the first Temple should live by faith as to what there was or as to what was done in the second Hence 't is said as to that we walk by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5.6 7 8. The things that are there we are told of even of the Ark of the Testimony and Mercy-Seat and the Cherubims of glory and the presence of Christ and of God we are I say told of them by the Word and believe and are taken therewith and hope to go to them hereafter but otherwise we see them not Therefore we are said to look not at the things that are seen but at the things that are not seen for the things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 4. The People of old were not to look into the Holiest lest they died Numb 17.13 save only their High Priest he might go into it To shew that we while here must have a care of vain speculations for there is nothing to be seen by us while here in Heaven otherwise then by faith in God's eternal Testament True we may now come to the Holiest even as nigh as the first Temple will admit us to come but it must be by blood and faith not by vain imagination sence or carnal reason 5. This Holiest of all was four square every way both as to height length and breadth To be thus is a note of perfection as I have shewed elsewhere wherefore it was on purpose thus built to shew us that all fulness of blessedness is there both as to the nature degree and duration So when that which is perfect is come that which is in part shall be done away 1 Cor. 13.8 9 10. Heb. 10.19 20 21 22. LVII Of the Vail of the Temple THE Vail of the Temple was a Hanging made of blue and purple and crimson and fine linnen and there were Cherubins wrought thereon Exod. 26.31 32. 1. This Vail was one partition 'twixt the
13 14. LXVI Of the High Priest and of his Office in the inner Temple WHen things were thus Ordained in the House most Holy then went the high Priest in thither according as he was appointed to do his Office which was to burn Incence in his Golden Censer and to sprinkle with his Finger the blood of his Sacrifice for the People upon and above the Mercy-seat Exo. 30.7 8 9 10. Levit. 16.11 12 13 14. Now for this special work of his he had peculiar preparations 1. He was to be washed in Water 2. Then he was to put on his holy Garments 3. After that he was to be Anointed with holy Oil. 4. Then an Offering was to be Offered for him for the further sitting of him for his Office. 5. The Blood of this Sacrifice must be put some of it up on his right Ear some on the Thumb of his right Hand and some on the great Toe of his right Foot. This done some more of the Blood with the Anointing Oil must be sprinkled upon him and upon his Garment for after this manner must he be Consecrated to his work as high Priest. Exo. 29. Chap. His being washed in Water was to shew the Purity of Christ's Humanity His Curious Robes was a type of all the Perfections of Christ's Righteousness The holy Oil that was poured on his Head was to shew how Christ was Anointed with the holy Ghost unto his work as Priest. The Sacrifice of his Consecration was a type of that Offering Christ Offered in the Garden when he mixed his Sweat with his own Blood and Tears and Cries when he prayed to him that was able to save him and was heard in that he feared for with his Blood as was Aaron with the Blood of the Bullock that was slain for him was this Blessed One besmeared from Head to Foot when his Sweat as great drops or clodders of Blood fell down from his Head and Face and whole Body to the ground Luk. 22.44 Heb. 10.20 When Aaron was thus prepared then he Offered his Offering for the People and carried the Blood within the Vail Levit. 16. The which Christ Jesus also answered when he Offered his own Body without the Gate and then carried his Blood into the Heavens and sprinkled it before the Mercy-seat Heb. 13.11 12. Chap. 9.11 12 24. For Aaron was a type of Christ his Offering a type of Christ's Offering his Body the Blood of the Sacrifice a type of the Blood of Christ his Garments a type of Christ's Righteousness the Mercy-seat a type of the Throne of Grace the Incense a type of Christ's Praise and the sprinkling of the Blood of Christ upon the Mercy-seat a type of Christ's pleading the vertue of his Sufferings for us in the presence of God in Heaven Wherefore holy Brethren partakers of the Heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus And seeing we have a great high Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our Profession for we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted as we are yet without Sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need For every high Priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things partaining to God that he may offer both Gifts and Sacrifices for Sin who can have Compassion on the Ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity This then is our high Priest and this was made so not after the Law of a Carnal Commandment but after the Power of an Endless Life For Aaron and his Sons were made Priests without an Oath but this with an Oath by him that said unto him The Lord Sware and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec By so much was Jesus made the surety of a better Testament and they truly were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death but this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood Wherefore he is able to save them to the utter most that come to God by him seeing he ever-liveth to make intercession for them For such an High-Priest became us who is Holy Harmless Vndefiled Separate from Sinners and made higher than the Hâ—avens who needeth not daily as those High-Priests to offer up Sacrifice first for his own Sins and then for the Sins of the People for this he did once when he offered up himself For the Law maketh men High-Priests which have Infirmities but the word of an Oath which was since the Law maketh the Son who is consecrated for evermore Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum We have such an High-Priest who is set down on the right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens A Minister of the Sanctuary and of the New Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man. For every High Priest is ordained to offer Sacrifices wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer For if he were on Earth he should not be a High Priest seeing that there are Priests that offer Gifts according to the Law. Who serve unto the Example and Shadow of Heavenly Things as Moses was admonished when he was about to make the Tabernacle For see saith he that thou make all things according to the Pattern shewed to thee in the Mount. But Christ being come an High-Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle that is to say not of this Building Neither by the blood of Bulls and Calves but by his own Blood he entred in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us For if the Blood of Bulls and Goats and Ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the Vnclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the Flesh How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God. For Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with hands which are the figures of the true But into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Nor yet that he should offer himself often 〈◊〉 the High-Priest entered into the Holiest every year with the blood of others for then must be often have suffered since the foundation of the World. But now once in the end of the World hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself And as it is appointed unto men once to die and after this the Judgement So Christ was once offered to hear the sins of many And to them that look for him shall be appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 3.1 2. Chap. 4.14 15. Chap. 5.1
to Gifts and Grace This sentence Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ drowneth all What now are all other titles of grandeur and greatness when compared with this one sentence True the Men were but mean in themselves for what is Paul or what Apollo or what was James or John Yet by their Call to that Office they were made highest of all in the Church Christ did raise them eighteen Cubits high not in conceit for so there are many higher than they but in Office and Calling and Divine Authority And observe it these stand at the door at the entering into the Temple of God at which they enter that go in thither to worship God to shew that all right worship and that which will be acceptable to God is by or according to their Doctrine XIV Of the Chapiters of the Pillars of the Temple THere was also two Chapiters made for the Pillars of the Temple for each one and they were five Cubits high apiece These were for the adorning of the Pillars and therefore were Types and Shadows of that abundance of Grace which God did put upon the Apostles after the Resurrection of our Lord. Wherefore as he saith here the Chapiters were upon the Pillars so it saith that great Grace was upon all the Apostles Acts 4.33 These Chapiters had belonging to them a bowl made Pumil-fashion and it was placed upon the head of them perhaps to signifie their aptness to receive and largeness to contain of the dew of Heaven that shadow of the Doctrine of the Gospel which Doctrine the Apostles as the chief were to receive and hold forth to the World for their conversion Hence as the Bowls were capable to receive the dew of Heaven these are said to receive grace and Apostleship for obedience to the faith among all Nations for his name Rom. 1.5 1 King. 7.16 42. 2 Chro. 4.33 Deut. 32.1 Rom. 15.29 There was also upon these Chapiters a Net-work or Nets like unto Checker-work which still added to their luster These Nets were they which shewed for what intent the Apostolical Office was ordained namely that by their preaching they might bring many Souls to God. And hence Christ calls them Fisher-men saying Ye shall catch men Matt. 4.19 Mar. 1.17 Luk. 5.10 and 2 Cor. 12.16 The World is compared to a Sea Men to Fishes and the Gospel to a Net. Ezek. 47.10 11 12 13 14. Matt. 13.47 48 49 50. As therefore Men catch Fish with a Net so the Apostles caught Men by their Word which word as I told you to me is signified by this Net-work upon the top of these Pillars See therefore the mystery of God in these things XV. Of the Pomgranates adjoyned to these Nets on the Chapiters THere was also joyned to these Nets upon the top of these Pillars Pomgranates in abundance four hundred for the Net-work Pomgranates you know are beautiful to look on pleasant to the palate comfortable to the stomack and chearing by their Juice 1 King. 7.42 Song 4.3 chap. 8.2 chap. 4.13 chap. 6.11 chap. 7.12 There was to be two rowes of these Pomgranates for one Net-work and so two rowes of them for the other And this was to shew that the Net of the Gospel is not an empty thing but is sufficiently baited with such varieties as are apt to allure the world to be catched by them The Law is BVT a sound of words but the Gospel is not so that is baited with Pomgranates with variety of excellent things Hence 't is called the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of the Grace of God because it is as it were baited with Grace and Glory that sinners may be allured and may be taken with it to their Eternal Salvation Matt. 24.14 Acts 20.24 Grace and glory grace and glory these are the Pomgranates with which the word of the Gospel is baited that sinners may be taken and saved thereby The argument of old was Milk and Hony that was I say the alluring bait with which Moses drew six hundred thousand out of Egypt into the Wilderness of old Exod. 3.8 But behold we have Pomgranates two rowes of Pomgranates grace and a kingdom as the bait of the holy Gospel no wonder then if when Men of skill did cast this Net into the Sea such numbers of Fish have been catcht even by one Sermon Acts 2. They baited their Nets with taking things things taking to the eye and taste Nets are truly instruments of Death but the Net of the Gospel doth catch to draw from Death wherefore this Net is contrary Life and Immortality is brought to light thorow this No marvel then if Men are so glad and that for gladness they leap like Fishes in a Net when they see themselves catcht in this Drag of the holy Gospel of the Son of God. They are catcht from Death and Hell catcht to live with God in Glory XVI Of the Chains that were upon these Pillars that stood before the Temple AS there were Nets to catch and Pomgranates to bait so there were Chains belonging to these Chapiters on these Pillars And he made Chains as in the Oracle and put them upon the head of the Chapiters 2 Chr. 3.16 But what were these Chains a type of I answer They were perhaps a type of those bonds which attend the Gospel by which Souls taken are tied fast to the horns of the Altar Gospel-grace and Gospel Obligations are ties and binding things They can hold those that are entangled by the Word Love is strong as death bands of love and the cords of a Man and Chains take hold on them that are taken by the Gospel Hos. 11. Song 8.6 But this strength to binde lieth not in outward force but in a sweet constraint by vertue of the displays of undeserved love The love of Christ constraineth us 2 Cor. 5.14 Wherefore as you find the Nets so the Chains had Pomgranates on them And he made an hundred Pomgranates and put them upon the Chains 2 Chr. 3.16 The Chains then had baits as well as the Nets to shew that the Bands of the Gospel are unresistible goodnesses such with which men love to be bound and such as they pray they may be held fast by He binds his Foal to the Vine his Saint unto this Saviour Gen. 49.11 By these Chains there is therefore shewed what strength there is in Gospel charms if once the Adder doth but hear them never Man yet was able to resist them that well did know the meaning of them They are mighty to make poor Men obedient and that in Word and Deed. These Chains were such as was in the Oracle to shew that Gospel-bonds are strong as the Joys of Heaven and as the glories there can make them Chains as in the Oracle as in the most holy place 'T is Heaven that binds sinners on Earth to the Faith and Hope of the Gospel of Christ. XVII Of the Lilie-work which was upon the Chapiters that were upon these Pillars of the
to say to God on the behalf of his People To the Oracle that is to the place of revealing For he also was there to receive and from thence to reveal to his Church on Earth something that could not be made manifest but from this holy Oracle There therefore he is vvith the tvvo Tables of Testimony in his heart as perfectly kept he also is there with the whole fulfilling of the Ceremonial Law in his side shewing and pleading the perfection of his Righteousness and the Merit of his Blood with his Father and to receive and to do us vvord who believe in him hovv vvell pleased the Father is vvith vvhat he has done in our behalf 6. Into the most holy place By these vvords is shevved vvhither also the Ark vvent vvhen it vvent to take up its rest And in that this Ark was a type of Christ in this it is to shew or further manifest that what Christ doth now in Heaven he doth it before his Father's face Yea it intimates that Christ even there makes his appeals to God concerning the worth of what he did on Earth to God the Judge of all I say whether he ought not for his sufferings-sake to have granted to him his whole desire as Priest and Advocate for his People Wilt thou said Festus to Paul go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things before me Acts 25.9 Why this our blessed Jesus was willing when here to go up to Jerusalem to be judged and being misjudged of there he made his appeal to God and is now gone thither even into the holy place even to him that is Judge of all for his Verdict upon his doing and whether the Souls for whom he became undertaker to bring them to glory have not by him a right to the Kingdom of Heaven 7. Vnder the Wings of the Cherubims This doth further confirm our Words for having appealed from Earth to Heaven as the Ark was set under the Wings of the Cherubims so he in his interceeding with God and in pleading his Merits for us doth it in the presence and hearing of all the Angels of Heaven And thus much of the Ark of the Covenant and of its antitype We come next to speak of the Mercy-Seat LXIII Of the Mercy-Seat and how it was placed in the holy Temple THE Mercy-Seat was made in the Wilderness but brought up by Solomon after the Temple was builded with the rest of the holy things 2 Chro. 5.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. The Mercy-Seat as I have shewed of the Ark was but low Two Cubits and a half was the length and a Cubit and a half the bredth thereof But the height thereof was without measure 1. The length and bredth of the Mercy-Seat is the same with that of the Ark perhaps to shew us that the length and bredth of the Mercy of God to his Elect is the same with the length and bredth of the Merits of Christ Exod. 25.10.17 Therefore we are said to be justified in him bless'd in him even according to the purpose which God purposed in him 2. But in that the Mercy-Seat is without measure as to height it is to shew that would God extend it it is able to reach even them that fall from Heaven and to save all that ever lived on Earth even all that are now in Hell. For there is not only breadth enough for them that shall be saved but bread enough and to spare Luke 15.17 And thou shalt says God put the Mercy-Seat above upon the Ark. Thus he said to Moses and this vvas the place vvhich David assigned for it Exod. 25.21 1 Chro. 28.11 Novv its being by God's Ordinance placed thus doth teach us many things 1. That Mercie 's foundation to us is Christ. The Mercy Seat vvas set upon the Ark of the Testimony and there it rested to us-ward Justice vvould not could not have suffered us to have had any benefit by Mercy had it not found an Ark a Christ to rest upon Deliver him saith God from going down into the Pit I have found a ransom Job 33.24 2. In that it was placed above it doth shew also that Christ was of Mercies ordaining a fruit of Mercy Mercy is above is the Ordainer God is love and sent of love his Son to be the Saviour and propitiation for our sins Joh. 3.16 1 Joh. 4.10 3. In that the Mercy-Seat and Ark was thus joyned together it also shews that without Christ Mercy doth not act Hence when the Priest came of old to God for Mercy he did use to come into the holy place with blood yea and did use to sprinkle it upon the Mercy-Seat and before it seven times Take away the Ark and the Mercy-Seat will fall or come greatly down at least So take away Christ and the Flood-gate of Mercy is let down and the currant of Mercy stopt This is true for so soon as Christ shall leave off to Mediate will come the Eternal Judgment 4. Again In that the Mercy-Seat was set above upon the Ark it teacheth us to know that Mercy can look down from Heaven though the Law stands by and looks on but then it must be in Christ as kept there and fulfilled by him for us The Law out of Christ is terrible as a Lion the Law in him is meek as a Lamb. The reason is for that it finds in him enough to answer for all their faults that come to God for Mercy by him Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness and if that be true the Law for that can look no further whoever comes to God by him The Law did use to sentence terribly until it was put into the Ark to be kept But after it was said it is there to be kept we read not of it as afore 1 King. 8.9 2 Chro. 5.10 Rom. 10.4 5. Let them then that come to God for Mercy be sure to come to him by the Ark Christ. For grace as it descends to us from above the Mercy-Seat so that Mercy-Seat doth rest upon the Ark. Wherefore sinner come thou for Mercy that way For there if thou meetest with the Law it can do thee no harm nor can Mercy shouldst thou elsewhere meet it do thee good Come therefore and come boldly to the Throne of Grace this Mercy-Seat thus born up by the Ark and obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. ult Wherefore the thus placing of things in the Holiest is admirable to behold in the Word of God. For that indeed is the Glass by and through which we must behold this glory of the Lord. Here we see the reason of things Here we see the reason of things Here we see how a just God can have to do and that in a way of mercy with one that has sinned against him It is because the Law has been kept by the Lord Jesus Christ. For as you see the Mercy-Seat stands upon the Ark of the Covenant and
1 Sam. 4.4 2 King 19.15 1 Chron. 13.6 Psal. 80.1 Isa. 37.16 The Church on Earth is called God's House and HE will dwell in it for ever and Heaven it self is called God's House and WE shall dwell in it for ever and that between the Cherubims This is more then Grace this is Grace and Glory Glory indeed 3. To dwell between the Cherubims may also be to shew that there we shall be equal to the Angels Mark Here 's a Palm-Tree and a Cherub a Palm-Tree and a Cherub Here we are a little lower but there we shall not be a whit behind the very Chief of them A Palm-Tree and a Cherub an Vpright One between the Cherubs will then be round about the House we shall be placed in the same rank neither can they die any more for they are equal to the Angels Luke 20.36 4. The Palm-Trees thus placed may be also to shew us that the Elect of God shall there take up the vacancies of the Fallen Angels they for sin were cast down from the holy Heavens and we by Grace shall be caught up thither and be placed between a Cherub and a Cherub When I say their places I do not mean the fickleness of that state that they for want of Electing Love did stand in while in Glory for the Heavens by the Blood of Christ is now to us become a purchased Possission wherefore as we shall have their place in the Heavenly Kingdom so by vertue of Redeeming Blood we shall there abide and go no more out for by that means that Kingdom will stand to us unshaken Heb. 9.12 Chap. 12.22 23 24 28. Revel 3.12 5. These Palm-Trees I say seem to take their places who for Sin were cast from thence The Elect therefore take that place in possession but a better Crown for ever Thus Israel possessed that of the Canaanites and David Sauls Kingdom and Mathias the place the Apostle-ship of Judas Acts 1.20 21 22 23 24 25 26. 6. Nor were the Habitations which the Fallen Angels lost excepting that which was excepted before at all inferiour to theirs that stood for their Captain and Prince is called Son of the Morning for he was the Antitype there Isa. 14.12 7. Thus you see they were placed from the ground up to above the door that is from the lowest to the highest Angel there For as there are great Saints and small ones in the Church on Earth so there are Angels of divers Degrees in Heaven some greater than some but the smallest Saint when he gets to Heaven shall have an Angels Dignity an Angels Place from the ground you find a Palm-Tree between a Cherub and a Cherub 8. And every Cherub had two Faces so here but I read in Chap. 10. that they had four Face apiece The first was the Face of a Cherubim The second the Face of a Man The third the Face of a Lyon And the fourth the Face of an Eagle 9. They had two Faces apiece not to shew that they were of a double heart for their appearance and themselves was the same and they went every one straight forward Ezek. 12.22 These two Faces then was to shew here the quickness of their apprehension and their terribleness to execute the Mind of God. The Face of a Man signifies them Masters of Reason The Face of a Lyon the terribleness of their presence 1 Cor. 13.12 Judg. 13.6 In another place I read of their Wheels yea that themselves their whole bodies their backs their hands their wings and their wheels were full of Eyes round about Ezek. 1.18 Chap. 10.12 And this is to shew us how knowing and quick-sighted they are in all Providences and dark dispensations and how nimble in apprehending the mischievous Designs of the Enemies of God's Church and so how able they are to Vndermine them and for as much also as they have the Face of a Lyon we by that are shewed how full of power they are to kill and to destroy when God says go forth and do so Now with these we must dwell and co-habit a Palm-Tree and a Cherub a Palm-Tree and a Cherub must be from the ground to above the door round about the house the Heavens So that the Face of a Man was toward the Palm-Tree on the one side and the Face of a young Lyon toward the Palm-Tree on the other side By these two Faces may be also shewed that we in the Heavens shall have Glory sufficient to Familiarize us to the Angels Their Lyon-like looks with which they used to fright the biggest Saint on Earth as you have it Gen. 32.30 Judg 13.15 22. shall then be accompanied with the Familiar Looks of a Man. Then Angels and Men shall be Fellows and have to do with each as such Thus you see something of that little that I have found in the Temple of God. FINIS * Heb. 3.5 6 7 8 9 10. Levit. 19.23 chap. 26.34 35. Exod. 12.15 Levit. 6.17 chap. 23.17 * Exod. 32.35 2 King. 17.16 17 18. Act. 7.38 39 40 41 42 43. Heb. 8.5 Chap. 9.8 9 23. Chap. 10.1