this Man's snuff defile that Man's fingers as it doth Nor would the Temple of God be so besmeered with these snuffs and be-daubed as it is Ah Snuffs pull'd off lie still in the Temple-floor and there stink and defile both feet and fingers both the callings and conversations of Temple-worshipers to the disparaging of Religion and the making of religious worship but of low esteem with men And all I say for want of the due use of these Snuffers and these Snuff-dishes there Nay are not whole Churches now defiled with those very Snuffs that long since vvere plucked off and all for vvant of the use of these Snuff-dishes according to the Lord's Commandment For you must know that reproofs and admonitions are but of small use where repentance or Church censures are not thereto annexed When Ministers use the Snuffers the People should hold the Snuff-dishes Round reproofs for sin when they light upon penitent hearts then brave work is in the Church Then the Snuff is not only pulled away but carried out of the Temple of God aright c. And now the worship and worshipers shine like gold As an ear-ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Pro. 25.12 Ministers it appertains to you to use the Snuffers and to teach the People to hold the Snuff-dishes right Acts 20.20 21. 1 Tim. 4.2 We must often be snuffed vvith these Snuffers or our light vvill burn but dimly our Candle vvill also vvaste Pray therefore O men of God look diligently to your People Snuff them as you see there is need but touch not their Snuff vvith your WHITE Fingers a little Smutch on you vvill be seen a great vvay Remember also that you leave them no vvhere but vvith these Snuff-dishes that the Temple may be cleared of them Do vvith the Snuff as the neat House-wife doth vvith the Toad vvhich she finds in her Garden She takes the Fork or a pair of Tongs and therewith doth throw it over the Pales Cast them avvay I say vvith fear zeal care revenge and vvith great indignation 2 Cor. 7.11 And then your Church your Conversation your Fingers and all vvill be kept vvhite and clean XLVI Of the Golden Tongs belonging to the Temple THere vvas also Tongs of Gold used in the Temple of old 1 King. 7.49 1. These Tongs vvas used about the Altar to order the fire there 2. They vvere used too about the Candlestick and are therefore called HIS Tongs 3. Perhaps there vvas Tongs for both these Services but of that the Word is silent But what were they used about the Candlestick to do Answ. To take holy fire from off the Altar to light the Lamps vvithal For the fire of the Temple vvas holy fire such as at first vvas kindled from Heaven and vvhen kindled maintained by the Priests and of that the Lamps were lighted Levit. 9.24 2 Chro. 7.1 Nor vvas there upon pain of death any other fire to be used there Levit. 10.1 These Tongs therefore was used to take fire from off the Altar to light the Lamps and Candlesticks withal For to trim the Lights and dress the Lamps was Aaron's vvork day by day Exod. 40.24 25. Levit. 24.2 3. Numb 8.3 He shall light and order the Lamps upon the pure Candlestick before the Lord and Aaron did so he lighted the seven Lamps thereof as the Lord commanded Moses What is a Lamp or Candlestick to us if there be not light thereon and hovv lighted vvithout fire and hovv shall vve take up Coals to light the Lamps withal if vve have not Tongs prepared for that purpose With these Tongs fire also vvas taken from off the Altar and put into the Censers to burn svveet Incense vvith before the Lord. The Tongs then vvere of great use in the Temple of the Lord. But what were the Tongs a type of The Altar vvas a type of Christ the fire of the Holy Ghost and these Tongs vvere a type of that holy hand of God's grace by vvhich the COALS or several dispensations and gifts of this Holy Ghost are taken and given to the Church and to her Members for her vvork and profit in this World. Tongs vve knovv are used instead of fingers vvherefore Aaron's golden Tongs vvere a type of Christ's golden fingers Song 5.14 Isaiah saith That one of the Seraphims flew to him with a live Coal in his hand which he had taken with the Tongs from off the Altar Here the type and antitype to wit Tongs and hand are put together Isa. 6. But the Prophet Ezekiel treating of like matters quite waves the type the Tongs and speaketh only of this holy hand And he spake to the man cloathed with linnen and said go in between the wheels under the cherub where the mercy-feat stood where God dwelt Exod. 2. Psal. 80.1 and fill thy Hand with Coals of fire from between the Cherubims Ezek. 10.2 Thus you see our golden Tongs are now turned into a golden hand into the golden hand of the man clothed in linnen which is Jesus Christ who at his ascension received of God the Father the Spirit in all fulness to give as his Divine wisdom knew was best the several Coals or Dispensations thereof unto his Church for his praise and her edification Matt. 3.11 Acts 2. 'T is by this hand also that this holy fire is put into our Censers 'T is this hand also that takes this Coal therewith to touch the Lips of Ministers that their Words may warm like fire And 't is by this hand that the Spirit is given to the Churches as returns of their holy prayers Luke 11.1 2. Rom. 8.26 Rev. 8.5 'T was convenient that the fire in the Temple should be disposed of by golden Tongs but the Holy Ghost by the golden hand of Christ's grace for that can wittingly dispose of it according as Men and things are placed and to do and be done in the Churches Wherefore he adds And one Cherub stretched forth his hand from between the Cherubims unto the fire that was between the Cherubims and took thereof and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with Linnen who took it and went out Ezek. 10.7 By this hand then by this man's hand the Coals of the Altar are disposed of both to the Lamps the Candlesticks the Censers and the Lips of Ministers according to his own good pleasure And of all this was the Tongs in the Temple a Type XLVII Of the Altar of Incense in the Temple THE Altar of Incense was made first for the Tabernacle and that of Shittim Wood but it was made for the Temple of Cedar and it was to be set before the Vail that is by the Ark of the Testimony before the Mercy-Seat that is at the entring of the Holiest but not within And the Priest was to approach it every Morning which as to the holiest he might not do Besides when he went in to make an Atonement he
was to take fire from off that Altar to burn his Incense within the Holy Place Exod. 30.4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Levit. 16.18 1. It was called the golden Altar because 't was over-laid with pure gold This Altar was not for burnt-offering as the brazen Altar was nor for the meat offering nor the drink-offering but to burn Incense thereon ver 7. which sweet Incense was a type of the grace of prayer Psal. 141.2 2. Incense or that called Incense here was not a Simple but a Compound made up of sweet Spices called Stacte Onycha and Galbanum These three and may answer to these three parts of this duty to wit Prayer Supplication and Intercession Exod. 30.34 35 36 37. Chap. 37.29 1 Tim. 2.1 3. This Incense was to be burned upon the Altar every Morning upon that Altar which was called the Altar of Incense which was before the Vail to shew that it is our duty every Morning to make our Prayer to God by Jesus Christ before the Vail that is before the Door of Heaven and there to seek knock and ask for what we need according to the word Luke 11 9 10 11 12. 4. This Incense was to be kindled every Morning to shew how he continueth interceeding for us and also that all true praise of Men to God is by the work the renewed work of the Holy Ghost upon our hearts Rom. 8.26 5. Incense as you see was made of sweet Spices such as were gumme and so apt to burn with a smoke to shew that not cold and flat but hot and fervent is the Prayer that flows from the spirit of faith and grace Zech. 12.10 Jam. 5.16 6. The smoak of this Incense was very sweet and savoury like pleasant perfume to shew how delightful and acceptable the very sound and noise of right Prayer is unto the Nostrils of the living God because it comes from a broken heart Psal. 51.17 Song 2.14 7. This Incense was to be offered upon the golden Altar to shew us that no Prayer is accepted but what is directed to God in the Name of his Holy and Blessed Son our Saviour 1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 13.15 8. They were commanded to burn Incense every Morning upon this Altar to shew that God is never weary of the godly Prayers of his People It also sheweth that we need every day to go to God for fresh Supplies of grace to carry us through this evil World. 9. This Altar though it stood without the Vail to teach us to live by faith and to make use of the Name of Christ as we find it recorded in the first Temple yet was placed so nigh unto the Holiest that the smell of the smoke might go in thither to shew that it is not distance of place that can keep the voice of true Prayer from our God the God of Heaven but that he will be taken with what we ask for according to his Word It stood I say nigh the Vail nigh the Holiest and he that burnt Incense there did make his approach to God. Hence the Psalmist when he speaks of praying saith 'T is good for me to draw nigh unto God Psal. 73.20 Heb. 10.22 10. This Altar thus placed did front the Ark within the Vail To put us in mind that the Law is kept therein from hurting us To let us know also that the Mercy-Seat is above upon the Ark and that God doth sit thereon with his Pardon in his hand to save us O! What speaking things are types shadows and parables had we but eyes to see had we but ears to hear He that did approach the Altar with Incense of old aright and then he did so when he approached it by Aaron his High Priest pleased God how much more shall we have both Person and Prayers accepted and a grant of what we need if indeed we come as we should to God by Jesus Christ. But take heed you approach not to a wrong Altar take heed also that you come not with strange fire for they are dangerous things and cause the Worshipers to miss of what they would enjoy But more of this in the next particular XLVIII Of the golden Censers belonging to the Temple THere were also golden Censers belonging to the Temple and they were either such as belonged to the Sons of Levi in general or that were for Aaron and his Sons in special as Numbers 16.6 17 18. The Censers of the Levites were a type of ours but the Censer of Aaron was a type of Christ's The Censers as was hinted before were for this use in the Temple namely to hold the holy fire in on which Incense was to be burned before the Lord Levit. 10.1 These Censers then were types of hearts Aaron's golden one was a type of Christ's golden heart and the Censers of the Levites were types of other Worshipers hearts The fire also which was put therein was a type of that Spirit by which we pray and the Incense that burnt thereon a type of our desires Of Christ's Censer we read Revelations the viii which is always filled with much Incense that is with continual Intercessions which he offereth to God for us and from whence also there always goes a cloud of sweet savour covering the Mercie-seat Levit. 16 13. Heb. 7.25 Revel 8.3 4. But to speak of the Censers and fire and Incense of the Worshipers For albeit they were all put under one rule that is to be according to Law yet often times as were the Worshipers such was the Censers Fire and Incense 1. Hence the two hundred and fifty Censers with which Corah and his Company offered are called the Censers of sinners For they came with wicked hearts then to burn Incense before the Lord Numb 16.17 37. 2. Again as the Censers of these Men were called the Censers of sinners shewing they came at that time to God with naughty hearts so the fire that was in Nadab Abihu's Censers is called strange fire which the Lord commanded them not Levit. 10.1 3. This strange fire was a type of that strange spirit opposed to the spirit of God in and by which notwithstanding some adventure to perform Worship to God. 4. Again as these Censers are called the Censers of sinners and this fire called strange fire so the Incense of such is also called strange and is said to be an abomination unto God Exod. 30.9 Isa. 1.13 Chap. 66.3 Thus you see that both the Censers Fire and Incense of some is rejected even as the heart spirit and prayer of sinners are an abomination unto God Hos. 7.14 Chap. 4.12 Chap. 5.4 Prov. 28.9 But there was besides these true Censers holy fire and sweet Incense among the Worshipers in the Temple and their service was accepted by Aaron their High Priest For that was done thorough the faith of Christ and these were a type of our true Gospel-Worshipers who come with holy hearts the holy spirit and holy desires before their God by their Redeemer These are
Paul and they are stewards of the manifold mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2 Cor. 4.7 1 Pet. 4.10 Ephes. 4.11 12 13. 4. These are God's true Scribes and bring out of their Treasury things new and old or as he saith in another place At our Gates that is where our Porters watch are all manner of pleasant fruit which I have laid up for thee O my beloved Mat. 13.52 Song 7.13 5. Further some of them had charge of the ministring Vessels and they were to bring them in and out by tale 1 Chro. 9.28 1. If by ministring Vessels you understand Gospel Ordinances then you see who has the charge of them to wit the Watch men and Ministers of the Word Luk. 1.12 2 Thess. 2.15 2 Tim. 2.2 2. If by ministring Vessels you mean the Members of the Church for they are also ministring Vessels then you see who has the care of them to wit the Pastors the Gospel Ministers Therefore obey them that have the rule over you for they watch for your Souls as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Rom. 9.23 13 17. 3. The opening of the Gates did also belong to the Porters to shew that the power of the Keys to wit of opening and shutting of letting in and keeping out of the Church doth ministerially belong to these Watchmen Matt. 16.19 Heb. 12.15 4. The Conclusion is Then let the Churches love their Pastors hear their Pastors be ruled by their Pastors and suffer themselves to be watched over and to be exhorted counselled and if need be reproved and rebuked by their Pastors And let the Ministers not sleep but be watchful and look to the Ordinances to the Souls of the Saints and the Gates of the Churches Watchman Watchman watch XXVII Of the Doors of the Temple NOW we are come to the Gate of the Temple namely to that which let out of the Porch into the holy place 1. These Doors or Gates were folding and they opened by degrees First a quarter then a half after that three quarters and last of all the whole These Doors also hanged upon Hinges of Gold and upon Posts made of the goodly Olive-tree 1 King. 6.33 34. Ezek. 41.23 24. 2. These Doors did represent Christ as he is the way to the Father as also did the Door of the Tabernacle at which the People were wont to stand when they went to enquire of God. Wherefore Christ saith I am the door alluding to this by me if any man enter he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture Exod. 33.9 10. Chap. 38.8 Chap. 40.12 Levit. 1.3 4. Chap. 8.3 4 13 Chap. 15.14 Numb 6.13 18. Chap. 10.3 Chap. 25.6 Chap. 27.2 1 Sam. 2.22 Joh. 10 9. 1. I am the Door The Door into the Court the Door into the Porch the Door into the Temple the Door into the Holiest the Door to the Father But now we are at the Door of the Temple 2. And observe it this Door by Solomon was not measured as the Door of the Porch was for though the Door into the Court and the Door into the Porch were measured to shew that the right to Ordinances and the inlet into the Church is to be according to a prescript Rule yet this Door was not measured to shew that Christ as he is the inlet to saving grace is beyond all measure and unsearchable Hence his grace is called unsearchable riches and that above all we can ask or think for that it passeth knowledge Ephes. 3.8 19 20. 3. It is therefore convenient that we put a note upon this that we may distinguish rule and duty from grace and pardoning mercy for as I said tho' Christ as the Door to outward Priviledges is set forth by rule and measure yet as he is the Door to grace and favour never creature as yet did see the length and bredth of him Eph. 3.17 18 19. 4. Therefore I say this Gate was not measured for what should a rule do here where things are beyond all measure 5. This Gate being also to open by degrees is of signification to us for 't will be opening first by one Fould then by another and yet will never be set wide wide open until the Day of Judgment For then and not till then will the whole of the matter be open For now we see thorow a Glass darkly but then face to face now we know in part but then shall we know even as we are known 1 Cor. 13.12 XXVIII Of the Leaves of this Gate of the Temple THE Leaves of this Gate or Door as I told you before were folding and so as was hinted has something of signification in them For by this means a Man especially a young Disciple may easily be mistaken thinking that the whole passage when yet but a part was open whereas three parts might be yet kept undiscovered to him For these Doors as I said before were never yet set wide open I mean in the antitype never man yet saw all the riches and fulness which is in Christ. So that I say a new comer if he judged by present sight especially if he saw but little might easily be mistaken wherefore such for the most part are most horribly afraid that they shall never get in thereat How saist thou young comer is not this the case with thy Soul So it seems to thee that thou art too big being so great so Tun-bellied a sinner But O thou sinner fear not the Doors are folding-doors and may be opened wider and wider again after that wherefore when thou comest to this Gate and imaginest there is not space enough for thee to enter Knock and it shall be wider opened unto thee and thou shalt be received Luk. 11.9 Joh. 9.37 So then whoever thou art that art come to the Door of which the Temple-door was a type trust not to thy first conceptions of things but believe there is grace abundance Thou knowest not yet what Christ can do the Doors are folding-doors He can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think Ephes. 3.20 The Hinges on which these Doors do hang were as I told you Gold to signifie that they both turned upon motives and motions of love and also that the openings thereof were rich Golden Hinges the Gate to God doth turn upon The Posts on which these Doors did hang were of the Olive-tree that fat and oily Tree to shew that they do never open with lothness or sluggishness as Doors do whose Hinges wanteth Oil. They are always Oily and so open easily and quickly to those who knock at them Hence you read that he that dwells in this House gives freely loves freely and doth us good with all his heart Yea saith he I will rejoyce over them to do them good and I will plant them in this Land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul Jer. 3.12 14
to Solomon to make them by observe there was great exactness in these and need there was of this hint that Men might see that every thing will not pass for a right ordered Candlestick with GOD Exod. 25.31 32 33 34 35 36. 1 Chro. 28.15 16. These Candlesticks are said sometimes to be ten sometimes seven and sometimes one Ten here seven Revel 1. and one in Zech. 4. Ten is a note of a multitude and seven a note of perfection and one a note of unity Now as the precious stones with which the House was garnished were a type of Ministerial gifts so these Candlesticks were a type of those that were to be the Churches of the New Testament Wherefore he says The Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches Revel 1.12 13 20. 1. The Candlesticks were here in number ten to shew that Christ under the New Testament would have a many Gospel Churches And I if I be lifted up from the Earth saith he will draw all men unto me that is abundance For the Children of the desolate that is of the New Testament Church shall be many more then they of the Jews were Joh. 12.32 Gala. 4.27 2. In that the Candlesticks were set by the Lavers and stony Tables it might be to shew us that Christ's Churches should be much in considering that Christ tho' he was righteous yet died for our sins Though his Life was according to the holy Law yet our stony hearts caused him to die Yea and that the Candlesticks are placed there it is to shew us also that we should be much in looking on the sins by which we caused him to die for the Candlesticks were set by those Tables whereon they laid the Instruments with which they slew the Sacrifice 3. These Candlesticks being made according to form seems not only to be exact as to fashion but also as to work For that in Exodus with its furniture was made precisely of one Talent of Gold perhaps to shew that Christ's true Spouse is not to be a grain more nor a dram less but Just the number of God's Elect. This is Christ's compleatness his fulness one more one less would make his Body a Monster 4. The Candlestick was to hold the light and to shew it to all the House and the Church is to let her light so shine that they without may see the light Mat. 5.15 16. Luke 8.16 Chap. 11.33 Chap. 12.35 5. To this end the Candlesticks were supplied with Oil-olive a type of the supply that the Church hath that her Light may shine even of the Spirit of Grace XLII Of the Lamps belonging to the Candlesticks of the Temple TO these Candlesticks belonged several Lamps with their Flowers and their knops 2 Chro. 4.21 1. These Lamps were types of that profession that the Members of the Church do make of Christ whether such Members have saving grace or not Matt. 25.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2. These Lamps were beautified with Knops and Flowers to shew how comely and beautiful that Professor is that adorns his Profession with a suitable Life and Conversation 3. We read that the Candlestick in Zecharias had seven Lamps belonging to it and a Bowl of Golden Oil on the top and that by Golden Pipes this Golden Oil emptied it self into the Lamps and all doubtless that the Lamps might shine Zech. 4. 4. Christ therefore who is the High Priest and to whom it belongs to dress the Lamps doth dress them accordingly But now there are Lamp-Carriers of two sorts such as have only Oyl in their Lamps and such as have Oyl in their Lamps and Vessels too and both these belong to the Church and in both these Christ will be glorified And they should have their proper places at last They that have the Oyl of Grace in their hearts as well as a Profession of Christ in their hands they shall go in with him to the Wedding but they who only make a Profession and have not Oyl in their Vessels vvill surely miscarry at last Matt. 25. 5. Wherefore O thou Professor Thou Lamp-Carrier Have a care and look to thy self content not thy self with that only that will maintain thee in a Profession for that may be done without saving grace But I advise thee to go to Aaron to Christ the trimmer of our Lamps and beg thy Vessel full of Oyl of him that is grace for the seasoning of thy heart that thou mayst have wherewith not only to bear thee up now but at the day of the Bridegroom 's coming when many a Lamp vvill go out and many a Professor be left in the dark for that vvill to such be a vvoful day Levit. 24.2 Matt. 25. Some there are that are neither for Lamps nor Oyl for themselves neither are they pleased if they think they see it in others But they that have Lamps and they that have none and they vvhich vvould blovv out other folks light must shortly appear to give an account of all their doings to God. And then they shall see vvhat it is to have Oyl in their Vessels and Lamps and vvhat 't is to be vvithout it in their Vessels though 't is in their Lamps and vvhat a dismal thing 't is to be a Malignant to either but at present let this suffice XLIII Of the Shew-bread on the Golden Table in the Temple THere vvas also Shew-bread set upon a Golden Table in the Temple 1 Kings 7.48 The Shew-bread consisted of twelve Cakes made of fine Flovver Two tenth deals was to go to one Cake and they were to be set in order in two rowes upon the pure Table Exod. 29.33 Levit. 8.31 Chap. 24.5 6 7 8 9. 1. These tvvelve Loaves to me do seem to be a type of the twelve Tribes under the Law and of the Children of God under the Gospel as they present themselves before God in and by his Ordinances thorow Christ. Hence the Apostle says For we being many are one bread c. 1 Cor. 10.17 For so were the twelve Cakes though twelve and so are the Gospel Saints though many For we being many are one body in Christ Rom. 12 5. 2. But they were a type of the true Church not of the false For Ephraim who was the head of the Ten Tribes in their Apostacy is rejected as a Cake not turned Indeed he is call'd a Cake as a false Church may be called a Church but he is called a Cake not turned as a false Church is not prepared for God nor fit to be set on the Golden Table before him Hos. 7.8 3. These Cakes or Shew-bread was to have Frankincense strewed upon them as they stood upon the Golden Table which was a type of the sweet perfumes of the Sanctifications of the Holy Ghost To which I think Paul alludes when he says The offering up of the Gentiles is acceptable to God being sanctified by the Holy Ghost Rom. 15 16. 4. They were to be set upon the pure Table new and hot to
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