Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 65
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: 'Tis God that the Soul of this Man thirsteth for: 'Tis 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 Pla… 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, 13, 14.