Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 45
XLV. Of the Snuff-dishes that were with the Snuffers in the Temple.
AS there were Snuffers, so there were also Snuff-dishes in the Temple. And they were also made of gold, Exo. 25.28. cha. 37.23. Numb. 4.9. The Snuff-dishes were those in which the Snuffs were put, when snuffed off, and by which they were carried forth of the Temple. They therefore as the Snuffers are, are of great use in the Temple of God.
1. By them the golden Floor of the Temple is kept, from being daubed by the Snuffs.
2. By them also the clean hands of those that worship there, are kept from being defiled.
3. By them also the stink of the Snuffs is soonest suppressed in the Temple, and consequently the tender Noses of them that worship there, preserved from being offended.
Snuffs, you know are daubing things, stinking things, nautious things: therefore we must take heed that they touch not this Floor on which we walk, nor defile the hands which we lift up to God, when we come to worship him. But how must this be done, but as we take them off with the Snuffers, and put them in these Snuff-dishes?
Some are for being at the snuffs vvith their fingers, and will also cast them at their feet, and daub the Floor of God's holy House, but usually such do burn, as well as defile themselves. But is it not a shame for a man to defile himself with that vice which he rebuketh in another? Let us then, while we are taking away the snuffs of others, hate even the garment spotted by the flesh, and labour to carry such stink with the Snuff-dishes out of the Temple of God.
Snuff-dishes, you may say, what are they?
I answer, If sins, are the snuffs and rebukes, and admonitions the Snuffers: Then methinks, repentance, or in case that be wanting, the censures of the Church should be the Snuff dishes.
Hence Repentance is called, a Church-cleansing grace, and the Censures of the Church a purging out of old leven, and making it a new Lump, 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 7.11.
Ah! vvere these Snuff-dishes more of use in the Churches, vve should not have 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, vvhichwhich 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.