Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 11 – Chapter 17
XI. Of the great Brazen Altar that stood in the inner Court of the Temple.
1. IN the Inner Court stood the great brazen Altar which Solomon made. This is evident, for that when he kneeled upon the Scaffold there to Pray, he kneeled before this Altar, see Exod. 40.6, 29. 2 Chron. 6.13. 2 Kings 16.14. Joel 2.17.
2. This Altar seems to be placed about the middle of this Court, over against the Porch of the House; and between it and the Temple was the place where Zachariah was slain. This Altar was called the Altar of burnt Offering, and therefore it was a type of Christ in his Divinity. For Christ's Body was our true burnt Offering, of which the bodies of the Sacrificed Beasts was a type: now that Altar upon which his Body was offered, was his Divinity or God-head. For that, and that only, could bear up that offering in the whole of its Suffering, and that therefore, and that only, was to receive the Fat, the Glory. Hence it is said, He thorow the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, Heb. 9.14.
3. For Christ is Priest, and Sacrifice, and Altar, and All. And as a Priest he Offered, as a Sacrifice he Suffered, and as God he supported his Humanity, in that suffering of all the pains it underwent, Gal. 1.4. Chap. 2.20. 1 Pet. 3.18. Heb. 9.14.
4. It was then Christs God-head, not the Tree, that was the Altar of burnt Offering, or that by which Christ Offered himself an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savor.
5. That it was not the Tree, is evident; for that could not Sanctify the Gift, to wit, his Body; but Christ affirmeth, That the Altar Sanctifieth the Gift: And by so saying, he affirmeth, That the Altar on which he Offered his Offering, was greater then the Offering it self, Mat. 23.19.
Now the Body of Christ was the Gift; for so he saith, I give my Flesh for the Life of the World, John 6.
But now, What thing is that which is greater then his Body, save the Altar, his Divinity, on which it was Offered? The Tree then was not the Altar which Sanctified this Gift, to make it of Vertue enough to make Reconciliation for Iniquity, John 6.51. Chap. 17.19. Heb. 9.14. Col. 1.19, 20, 21.
Now since this Altar of burnt Offering was thus placed in the inner Court, it teaches us several things:
First, That those that come only into the outward Court, or that rest in a bare appearance of Christianity, do not, by so doing, come to Jesus Christ; for this Altar stands not there. Hence John takes notice only of the Temple and this Altar, and them that worship therein, and leaves out the outward Court, and so them that come no further, Rev. 11.1, 2.
Secondly, This teaches us also, that we are to enter into that Temple of God, by blood. The Altar, this Altar of burnt-offering, stood as Men went into the Temple, they must go by it: Yea, there they must leave their offering, and so go in and worship, even as a token that they came thither, by Sacrifice and by Blood.
Thirdly, Upon this Altar Solomon at the dedication of the Temple, offered thousands, both of Oxen and of Sheep; to signifie surely the abundant worth, and richness that would be in the bloud of Christ to save, when it should be shed for us. For his bloud is spoken of with an how much more. For if the blood of Bulls and Goats, and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, [how much more] shall the blood of Christ, who thorow the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, Purge your Conscience from dead works, to serve the living God, Heb. 9.14. 2 Chro. 7.5, 6, 7, 8. Heb. 10.1—12.
Let us then, not dare to stop, or stay in the Outward Court, for there is not this Altar. Nor let us dare when we come into this Court, to be careless whether we look to this Altar or no. For 'tis by Blood we must enter; for without shedding of Blood is no Remission. Let us alwayes then when we come hither, wash our Hands in Innocency, and so compass this Holy Altar: For that by Christ who is the Altar indeed, we are reconciled to God. This is looking to Jesus; this is coming to God by him, of whom this Altar and the Sacrifice thereon was a Type.
XII. Of the Pillars that were before the Porch of the Temple.
THere was divers Pillars belonging to the Temple: But in this place we are confined to speak of only two; Namely, Those which stood before the Temple.
These Pillars stood before the Porch, or entrance into the Temple, looking towards the Altar, the Court, and Them that were the Worshippers there: Also they were a Grace and a Beauty to the Front of the House.
1. These Pillars stood one on the Right-hand, and the other on the Left, at the door of the Porch of the Temple, and they had Names given them (you may be sure) to signify something. The Name of that on the Right-hand was called Jachin; (God shall Establish:) And the Name of that on the Left-hand was Boaz, (in it is strength) 1 King. 7.21. 2 Chron. 3.17.
2. These two Pillars were Types of Christs Apostles, of the Apostles of Circumcision, and of the Uncircumcision. Therefore, the Apostle Paul also calleth them Pillars, Gal. 2. And saith, That that Pillar on the Right-hand was a Type of himself, and his Companions, who were to go to the Uncircumcised and teach the Gentiles the way of Life. When James, Cephas, and John saith, He who seemed to be PILLARS, perceived the Grace that was given unto me, They gave unto me and Barnabas the Right-hand of Fellowship, that we should go unto the Heathen, and they unto the Circumcision. Gal. 2.9.
So then, These two Pillars were Types of these two Orders of the Apostles in this their divers Service for God.
3. And that Paul and Barnabas was signified by those on the Right-hand, To wit, To be the Apostles of the Gentiles, He sheweth again, where he saith, I am the Minister of Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the Grace of God, that the Offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Rom. 11.13. chap. 15, 16.
4. And since the Name of this Pillar was Jachin (God shall Establish) as it sheweth that Opposition shall attend it; so also, That God would bless his Word Preached by them to the Gentiles, to the Conversion of Numbers of them, Mauger all the Opposition of the Enemy.
5. This is further implyed, for that they were made of Brass; as he saith of the Prophet, I have made thee a fenced brazen Wall, an Iron Pillar; And their fighting against thee shall nothing at all prevail. Wherefore Paul says of himself, I am set for the Defence of the Gospel, That the Truth thereof might continue with you, Phil. 1.17. Gal. 2.5.
XIII. Of the Height of these Pillars, that thus stood before the Porch of the Door of the Temple.
THE Pillars were eighteen Cubits high a piece, and that is as high, yea as high again, as the highest Gyant that ever we read of in the Word: for the highest of which we read, was but six Cubits and a span.
True, the Bedstead of OG was nine Cubits long, but I trow, the Gyant himself was shorter, Deut. 3.11. 2 Chron. 3.15. But put the longest to the longest, and set the one upon the shoulders of the other, and yet each Pillar was higher than they.
We have now, as I know of, but few that remain of the remnant of the Gyants, and though they boast, as if they were higher than Agag, yet these Pillars are higher than they.
These Pillars are the highest, you may equal them; and an inch above, is worth an ell below. The height therefore of these Pillars is, to shew us what high dignity God did put upon those of his Saints, whom he did call to be Apostles of the Lamb: For their Office and Call thereto, is the highest in the Church of God. These Men, I say, were made thus high by their being cast in such a mould: of that which added yet further to their height, we will speak anon: we only speak now of the high Call, by which they, and only they were made capable of Apostolical Authority. The Apostles were sent immediately, their Call was extraordinary, their Office was Vniversal, they had alike power in all Churches, and their Doctrine was infallible, Acts 26.16. 1 Cor. 9.1. Gal. 1.1. 1 John 1.1, 2, 3. John 2.23.
And what can our pretended Gyants do, or say, in comparison of these? The truth is, all other Men to these are dwarfs; are low, dark, weak, and beneath, not only as to Call and Office; but also as 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 'tis 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. 'Tis 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 Temple.
THese Pillars were also adorned with Lilie-work, as well as with Pomgranates and Chains. The Chapiters also which were upon the top of the Pillars were of Lilie-work: so was the work of the Pillars finished. See 1 King. 7.19, 20.
This Lilie-work is here put in on purpose, even to shew us how far off those that were to be the true Apostles of the Lamb, should be from seeking carnal things, or of making their prevailing a stalking-horse to worldly greatness, and that preferment. There was Lilie-work upon them: That is, they lived upon the bounty and care of God, and was content with that glory which he had put upon them. The Lilies, saith Christ, they toyl not, neither do they spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these, Matt. 6, 28, 29. Luk. 12.28, 29.
Thus therefore these Pillars shew, that as the Apostles should be fitted and qualified for their work: They should be also freed from cares and worldly cumber, they should be content with God's providing for them, even as the goodly Lilies are. And, as thus prepared, they were set in the front of the House, for all Ministers to see and learn, and take example of them how to behave themselves as to this World, in the performing of their office.
And that which gives us further light in this, is that this Lilie-work is said by divine Institution, to be placed over against the belly, the belly of the Pillars, a type of ours: 1 King. 7.20.
The belly is a craving thing; and these things, saith the Text, were placed over against the belly, to teach that they should not humour, but put check unto the haveings and cravings of the belly, or to shew that they need not do it, for that he that calls to his work will himself provide for the belly. 'Tis said of the Church, that her belly is as a heap of Wheat set about with Lilies, Song 7.2. To shew that she should without covetousness have sufficient, if she would c…st all her care upon God, her great Provider; This the Apostles did, and this is their glory to this day.
So was the work of the Pillars finished. To live Lilie-lives, it seems is the glory of an Apostle, and the compleating of their Office and Service for God. But this is directly opposite to the belly, over against the belly, and this makes it the harder work. But yet so living is the way to make all that is done sweet-scented, to those that be under this care. Covetousness makes a Minister smell frowish, and look more like a greedy Dog, than an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Judas had none of this Lilie-work, so his name stinks to this day. He that grows like the Lilie shall cast forth his scent like Lebanon, his branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
Thus lived Christ, first; and thus the Apostles, next; nor can any other, as to this, live like, or be compared to them. They coveted no Man's Silver or Gold, or Apparel. They lived like Lilies in the World, and did send forth their scent as Lebanon.
Thus you see of whom these Pillars were a shadow, and what their height, their Chapiters, their Bowles, their Nets, their Chaines, their Pomgranates, and their Lilie-work did signifie, and how all was most sweetly answered in the Antitipe. These were Men of the first rate, the Apostles, I mean, were such.