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
45. Of the Snuff-dishes that were with the Snuffers of the Temple 117 46. Of the Golden-Tongs belonging to the Temple 121 47. Of the Altar of Incense in the Temple 125 48. Of the Golden Censers belonging to the Temple 129 49. Of the Golden Spoons of the Temple 133 50. Of the Bowls and Basons belonging to the Temple 137 51. Of the Flagons and Cups of the Temple 142 52. Of the Chargers of the Temple 145 53. Of the Goings out of the Temple 148 54. Of the Singers belonging to the Temple 152 55. Of the Union of the Holy and most Holy Temple 156 56. Of the Holiest or Inner-Temple 159 57. Of the Vail of the Temple 162 58. Of the Doors of the Inner-Temple 166 59. Of the Golden Nails of the Inner-Temple 170 60. Of the Floors and Walls of the Inner-Temple 173 61. Of the Ark of the Covenant which was placed in the Inner-Temple 178 62. Of the Placing of the Ark in the Holiest or Inner-Temple 185 63. Of the Mercy-Seat and how it was placed in the Holy Temple 188 64. Of the Living Waters of the Inner-Temple 192 65. Of the Chains which were in the Oracle or Inner-Temple 195 66. Of the High-Priest and of his Office in the Inner-Temple 198 67. Of the High-Priest's going into the Holiest alone 204 68. Of the High-Priest's going in thither but once a year 206 69. Of the Cherubims and of their being placed over the Mercy-Seat in the Inner-Temple 210 70. Of the Figures that were upon the Walls of the Inner-Temple 213 ERRATA PAge 101. line 13. for see read go p. 114. l. 15. leave out if p. 157. l. 17. for invincible r. innumerable p. 158. l. 25 for did read dye The Glory of the Temple OR Solomon's TEMPLE And all the Materials thereof SPIRITUAIZ'D I. Where the Temple was Built THE Temple was built at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah in the Threshing-floor of Arnon the Jebusite Whereabout Abraham offered up Isaac there where David met the Angel of the Lord when he came with his drawn Sword in his hand to cut off the people at Jerusalem for the sin which David committed in his disorderly numbering the people Gen. 22.3 4 5. 1 Chron. 21.15 Chap. 22.1 2 Chron. 3.1 There Abraham received his Isaac from the dead There the Lord was intreated by David to take away the Plague and to return to Israel again in Mercy from whence also David gathered That There Gods Temple must be built This said he is the house of the Lord God and this is the Altar of the Burnt-Offering for Israel 1 Chron. 21.28 Chap. 22.1 Chap. 3.1 This Mount Moriah therefore was a Type of the Son of God the Mountain of the Lords house the Rock against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail II. Who built the Temple THe Temple was builded by Solomon a man peaceable and quiet and that in Name by Nature and in Governing For so God had before told David namely that such a one the Builder of the Temple should be Behold saith he a Son shall be born unto thee who shall be a man of Rest and I will give him Rest from all his Enemies round about for his Name shall be called Solomon and I will give Peace and Quietness to Israel in his days He shall build an house for my Name and he shall be my Son and I will be his Father 1 Chron. 22.9 10. Psal. 72.1 2 3 4. As therefore Mount Moriah was a Type of Christ as the Foundation So Solomon was a Type of Him as the Builder of his Church The Mount was signal for that thereon the Lord God before Abraham and David did display his Mercy And as Solomon built this Temple so Christ doth build his House Yea He shall build the Everlasting Temple and He shall bear the Glory Heb. 3.3 4. Zach. 6 12 13. And in that Solomon was called Peaceable it was to shew with what peaceable Doctrine and Wayes Christs House and Church should be built Isa. 9.6 Mich. 7.2 3 4. III. How the Temple was Built THe Temple was built not meerly by the Dictates of Solomon though he was wiser than Ethan and Heman and Calcol and Darda and all men 1 King. 4.31 But it was built by Rules prescribed by or in a written Word and as so delivered to him by his Father David For when David gave to Solomon his Son a charge to build the Temple of God with that charge he gave him also the pattern of all in Writing Even a pattern of the Porch House Chambers Treasuries Parlours c. And of the place for the Mercy-seat which pattern David had of God nor would God trust his Memory with it The Lord made me said he understand in Writing by his hand upon me even all the Work of this Pattern Thus therefore David gave to Solomon his Son the pattern of all and thus Solomon his Son built the House of God. See 1 Chron 28. from Verse 9. to Vers. 20. And answerable to this Christ Jesus the Builder of his own House whose House are We doth build his holy Habitation for him to dwell in even according to the Commandment of God the Father For saith he I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me He gave me a Commandment what I should say and what I should speak And hence 't is said God gave him the Revelation and again That he took the Book out of the hand of Him that sat on the Throne and so acted as to the building up of his Church John 12.40 41. Rev. 1.1 chap. 5.5 IV. Of what the Temple was built THe Materials with which the Temple was built was such as were in their own Nature common to that which was left behind Things that naturally were not fit without art to be laid on so holy a house And this shews that those of whom Christ Jesus designs to build his Church are by Nature no better than others But as the trees and stones of which the Temple was built was first hewed and squared before they were fit to be laid in that house so sinners of which the Church is to be built must first be fitted by the Word and Doctrine and then fitly laid in their place in the Church For though as to Nature there is no difference betwixt those made use of to build Gods house with yet by Grace they differ from others even as those trees and stones that are hewed and squared for building by Art are made to differ from those which abide in the Wood or Pitt The Lord Jesus therefore while he seeketh Materials wherewith to build his house he findeth them The Clay of the same Lump that he rejecteth and leaves behind Are we better than they No in no wise Rom. 3. Chap. 9. Nay I think if any be best 't is they which are left behind He came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance Mark 2.17 And indeed in this he doth shew both the
as the hearts of the Jews were with hypocrisie But alas they were stone still that is hard and cruel else they could not have been an Anvil for Satan to forge such horrid Barbarism upon The Tables were in number the same with the Lavers and were set by them to shew what are the fruits of being devoted to the Law as the Jews were in opposition to Christ and his holy Gospel there flows nothing but hardness and a stony heart from thence This was shewed in its first writing it was writ on Tables of stone figures of the heart of Man and on the same Tables or hearts was the death of Jesus Christ compassed One would think that the meekness gentleness or good deeds of Jesus Christ might have procured in them some relentings when they were about to take away his life but alas their hearts were Tables of Stone What feeling or compassion can a Stone be sensible of Here were stony hearts stony thoughts stonâ— counsels stony contrivances a stony Law and stony hands and what could be expected hence but barbarous cruelty indeed If I ask you said Christ you will not answer me neither will you let me see Luk. 22.68 In that these stony Tables were placed about the Temple it supposeth that they were Temple-men Priests Scribes Rulers Lawyers c. that were to be the Chief on whose hearts this murder was to be designed and by them inacted to their own Damnation without Repentance XL. Of the Instruments wherewith this Sacrifice was slain and of the four Tables they were laid on in the Temple THE Instruments that were laid upon the Tables in the Temple were not Instruments of Musick but those with which the burnt-offering was slain And the four Tables were of hewen Stone for the burnt-offering whereon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt-offering and the Sacrifice Ezek. 40.42 43. 1. Here we are to take notice that the Tables are the same and some of them of which we spake before 2. That the Instruments with which they slew the Sacrifice was laid upon these Tables The Instruments with which they slew the Sacrifices what were they but a bloody Ax bloody Knives bloody Hooks and bloody Hands For these we need no proof matter of fact declares it But what were those Instruments a type of Answer Doubtless they were a type of our sins They were the bloody Ax the Knife and bloody Hands that shed his precious blood They were the meritorious ones without which he could not have died When I say ours I mean the sins of the World. Though then the hearts of the Jews were the immediate Contrivers yet they were our sins that were the bloody Tools or Instruments which slew the Son of God. He was wounded for our transgressions he died for our sins Isa. 53. 1 Cor. 15. Gal. 1. Oh these Instruments of us Churls by which this poor Man was taken from off the Earth Isa. 32.7 Prov. 30.14 The Whip the Buffetings the Crown of Thorns the Nails the Cross the Spear with the Vinegar and Gall were all nothing in comparison of our sins For the transgressions of my people was he stricken Isa. 53. Nor were the flouts taunts mocks scorns derisions c. with vvhich they follovved him from the Garden to the Cross such cruel Instruments as these They vvere our sins then our cursed sins by vvith and for the sake of vvhich the Lord Jesus became a bloody Sacrifice But why must the Instruments be laid upon the Tables 1. Take the Tables for the hearts of the murderers and the Instruments for their sins and vvhat place more fit for such Instruments to be laid upon 'T is God's command that these things should be laid to heart and he complains of those that do not do it Isa. 42.25 chap. 57.11 2. Nor are Men ever like to come to good until these Instruments vvith which the Son of God vvas slain indeed be laid to heart And they vvere eminently laid to heart even by them soon after the effect of vvhich vvas the conversion of thousands of them Acts 2.36 37. 3. Wherefore vvhen it says these Instruments must be laid upon the stony Tables he insinuates that God vvould take a time to charge the murder of his Son home upon the Consciences of them that did that murder either to their conversion or condemnation And is it not reason that they vvho did this horrid villany should have their doings laid before their faces upon the Tables of their heart That they may look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn Zech. 12.10 Revel 1.7 4. But these Instruments vvere laid but upon some of the Tables and not upon all the Ten to shevv that not all but some of those so horrid should find mercy of the Lord. 5. But vve must not confine these Tables only to the hearts of the bloody Jevvs they vvere our sins for the vvhich he died Wherefore these Instruments should be laid upon our Tables too and the Lord lay them there for good that we also may see our horrid doings and come bending to him for forgiveness 6. These Instruments thus lying on the Tables in the Temple became a continual Motive to God's People to Repentance for so oft as they saw these bloody and cruel Instruments they were put in mind how their sins should be the cause of the death of Christ. 7. It would be well also if these Instruments were at all times laid upon our Tables for our more humbling for our sins in every thing we do especially upon the Lord's Table when we come to eat and drink before him I am sure the Lord Jesus doth more than intimate that he expects that we should do so where he saith When ye eat that Bread and drink that Cup Do this in remembrance of me In remembrance that I died for your sins and consequently that they were the meritorious cause of the sheding of my blood To conclude Let all Men remember that these cruel Instruments are laid upon the Table of their hearts whether they see them there or no. The sin of Judah is written with a pen of Iron and with the point of a Diamond upon the Tables of their heart Jer. 17.1 A Pen of Iron will make Letters upon a Table made of Stone and the Point of a Diamond will make Letters upon Glass Wherefore in this saying God informs us that if we shall forbear to read these Lines to our Conversion God will one day read them against us unto our Condemnation XLI Of the Candlesticks of the Temple AND he made ten Candlesticks of gold according to the form and he set them in the Temple five on the right hand and five on the left 2 Chro. 4.7 1. These Candlesticks were made of Gold to shew the worth and value of them 2. They were made after the form or exâ—ct according to rule like those that were made in the Tabernacle or according to the Pattern which David gave
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
there God acts in a way of grace towards us Exod. 25.17 18 19 20 21 22. LXIV Of the Living Waters of the Inner Temple ALthough in the holy Relation of the Building of the Temple no mention is made of these Waters but only of the Mount on which and the Materials with which the King did Build it Yet it seems to me that in that Mount and there too where the Temple was Built there was a Spring of Living Water This seems more than probable by Ezek. 47.1 where he saith He brought me to the Door of the House and behold Waters issued out from under the Threshold of the House East-ward for the fore-front of the House stood toward the East and the Waters came down from under from the right side of the House at the South side of the Altar So Again Joel 3.18 And a Fountain shall come forth of the House of the Lord and shall Water the Valley of Shittim Nor was the Spring where-ever was the first appearance of these holy Waters but in the Sanctuary which is the holyest of all Ezek. 47. v. 12. where the Mercy-seat stood which in Revelations is called The Throne of God and of the Lamb Chap. 22.1 2. This also is that which the Prophet Zechariah means when he says Living Waters shall go forth from Jerusalem half of them toward the former Sea and half of them toward the hinder Sea c. Zech. 14.8 They are said to go forth from Jerusalem because they came down to the City from out of the Sanctuary which stood in Jerusalem This is that which in another place is called a River of Water of Life because it comes forth from the Throne and because it was at the head of it as I suppose used in and about Temple Worship 'T was with this I think that the Molten Sea and the Ten Lavers were filled and in which the Priests washed their Hands and Feet when they went into the Temple to do service and that also in which they washed the Sacrifices before they offered them to God Yea I presume all the washings and rinsings about their Worship was with this Water This Water is said in Ezekiel and Revelations to have the Tree of Life grow on the Banks of it Ezek. 47. Rev. 22. and was a type of the Word and Spirit of God by which both Christ himself sanctified himself in order to his Worship as high Priest And also this Water is that which Heals all those that shall be Saved and by which they being Sanctified thereby also do all their works of Worship and Service acceptably through Jesus Christ our Lord. This Water therefore is said to go forth into the Sea the World and to Heal it's Fish the Sinners therein Yea this is that Water of which Christ Jesus our Lord saith Whosoever shall drink thereof shall live fer ever Ezek. 47.8 9 10. Zech. 14.8 LXV Of the Chains which were in the Oracle or Inner Temple AS there were Chains on the Pillars that stood before the Porch of the Temple and in the first House so like unto them there was Chains in the Holiest here called the Oracle These Chains were not Chains in shew or as Carved on Wood c. but Chains indeed and that of Gold And they were prepared to make a Partition before the Oracle within 1 King. 6.21 2 Chron. 3.16 I told you before that the Holiest was called the Oracle not because in a strickt sence the whole of it was so but because such answer of God was there as was not in the outward Temple but I think that the Ark and Mercy-seat was indeed more specially that called the Oracle for there will I meet with thee said God and from above that will I commune with thee When David said I lift my Hands toward thy holy Oracle he meant not so much towards the Holiest House as toward the Mercy-seat that was therein Or as he saith in the Margin Toward the Oracle of thy Sanctuary Psal. 28 2. 1. When therefore he saith before the Oracle he means These Chains were put in the most Holy place before the Ark and Mercy-seat to give to Aaron and his Sons to understand that an Additional Glory was there For the Ark and Mercy-seat were preferred before that holy House it self even as Christ and the Grace of God is preferred before the highest Heavens The Lord is high above all Nations and his Glory is above the Heavens Psal. 113.4 So then the Partition that was made in this House by these Chains these Golden-Chains was not so much to divide the holy from the place most holy as to shew that there is in the Holiest House that which is yet more worthy then it The Holiest was a type of Heaven but the Ark and Mercy-seat were a type of Christ and of the mercy of God to us by him and I trow any man will conclude if he knows what he says that the God and Christ of Heaven are more excellent then the House they dwell in Hence David said again Whom have I in Heaven but thee For thou art more Excellent then they Psal. 73.25 For though that which is called Heaven would serve some yea though God himself was out on 't yet none but the God of Heaven will satisfie a truly Gracious Man 'T is God that the Soul of this Man thirsteth for 'T is God that is his exceeding Joy Psal. 42.2 Psal. 63.1 Psal. 143.6 Psal. 17. ult Psal. 43.4 These Chains then as they made this Partition in the most holy Plaâ—â— may teach us that when we shall be glorified in Heaven we shall yet even then and there know that there will continue an infinite Disproportion between God and us The Golden Chains that are there will then distinguish the Creator from the Creature For we even we which shall be saved shall yet retain our own Nature and shall still continue finite beings yea and shall there also see a disproportion between our Lord our Head and us for though now we are and also then shall be like him as to his Manhood yea and shall be like him also as being glorified with his glory yet he shall transcend and go beyond us as to Degree and Splendor as far as ever the highest King on Earth did shine above the meanest Subject that dwelt in his Kingdom Chains have of old been made use of as notes of Distinction to shew us who are bond men and who free Yea they shall at the Day of Judgment be a note of Distinction of bad and good even as as here they will distinguish the Heavens from God and the Creature from the Creator 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude 6. Mat. 22.13 True They are Chains of Sin and Wrath but these Chains of Gold yet these Chains even these also will keep Creatures in their place that the Creator may have his Glory and receive those acknowledgments there from them which is due unto his Majesty Rev. 4. and Chap. 5.11 12