Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 10
X. Of the Courts of the Temple.
I perceive that there was two Courts belonging to the Temple. The first was called the outward Court, Ezek. 40.17. Chap. 46.21.
1. This was that into which the People of Necessity first entered, when they went to worship in the Temple, consequently that was it, in and by which the People did first shew their desires to be the worshippers of God. And this Answers to those badges and signs of love to Religion, that People have in face, or outward appearance, Matt. 23.27. 2 Cor. 10.7.
2. In this, though there may sometimes be truth, yet oftener Lies and Dissimulation; wherefore commonly an outward appearance is set in opposition to Faith and Truth, as the outward is in opposition to the inner Court, and outward to the inner Man; and that is, when it is by it self, for then it profits nothing, Rom. 2.28. 1 Cor. 13.1, 2, 3. 2 Cor. 5.12.
3. Hence, though the outward Court was something to the Jews, because by outward Bodies they were distinguished from the Gentiles; yet to us 'tis little, For now he is not a Jew who is one only outwardly. Therefore all the time of the Beasts Reign, this Court is given to be troden under foot; for as I said, outward shew will avail nothing, when the Beast comes to turn and toss up Professors with his Horns, Rev. 11.12.
4. But as there was an outward, so there was an inner Court, a Court that stood nearer to the Temple, and so to the true practical part of worship, then that outward Court did, Ezek. 10.13. Chap. 46.1. 1 Kings 6.36.
5. This inner Court is that which is called the Court of the Priests, because it was it in which they boyled the Trespass-Offerings, and in which they prepared the Sin-Offering for the People, 2 Chr. 4.9. Ezek. 46.20.
6. This Court therefore was the place of practise and of preparation to appear before God, which is the first true token of a sincere and honest mind. Wherefore here, and not in the outward Court, stood the great Brazen-Altar, which was a type of Christ, by whom alone the true worshippers make their approach with acceptance unto God. Also here stood the great Brazen-Scaffold, on which the King kneeled when he Prayed for the People, a type of Christs Prayers for his, when he was in the world, 1 Kings 8. 2 Chro. 6.13. John 17.
7. Wherefore this Court was a type of practical worship, and so of our Praying, Hearing, and Eating before God. There belonged to this Court several Gates, an East, a South, and a North Gate; and when the People of the Land went into this Court to worship, they were not to go out at that Gate by which they came in, but out of the Gate over against it, to shew that true Christians should persevere right on, and not turn back, what ever they meet with in the way. He that entereth in by the way of the North Gate to worship, shall go out by the way of the South Gate: And he that entereth in by the way of the North Gate, he shall not return by the way of the Gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it, Ezek. 46.9.
8. These Courts were places of great delight to the Jews, as both feigned and sincere profession is to those that practise therein. Wherefore when the Jews did enter into these, they did use to do it with Praise and Pipe; as do both Hypocrites and sincere ones. So then, when a man shall tread in both these Courts, and shall turn what he seems to be, into what he should be in reality; then, and not till then, he treads them as he should. For then he makes the outward Court, and his treading there, but a passage to that which is more inward and sincere. But he that stayes in the outward one, is but such an one as pleases not God, for that he wants the practise of what he Professes with his Mouth.