Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 48
XLVIII. Of the golden Censers belonging to the Temple.
THere were also golden Censers belonging to the Temple: and they were, either such as belonged to the Sons of Levi in general, or that were for Aaron, and his Sons, in special; as Numbers 16.6, 17, 18.
The Censers of the Levites were a type of ours, but the Censer of Aaron, was a type of Christ's.
The Censers, as was hinted before, were for this use in the Temple, namely to hold the holy fire in, on which Incense was to be burned before the Lord; Levit. 10.1.
These Censers then were types of hearts. Aaron's golden one, was a type of Christ's golden heart, and the Censers of the Levites, were types of other Worshipers hearts.
The fire also which was put therein, was a type of that Spirit, by which we pray, and the Incense that burnt thereon, a type of our desires.
Of Christ's Censer, we read, Revelations the viii. which is always filled with much Incense, that is with continual Intercessions, which he offereth to God for us: and from whence also there always goes a cloud of sweet savour, covering the MercieMercy-seat, Levit. 16 13. Heb. 7.25. Revel. 8.3, 4.
But to speak of the Censers, and fire, and Incense of the Worshipers. For albeit they were all put under one rule, that is, to be according to Law, yet often times, as were the Worshipers, such was the Censers, Fire, and Incense.
1. Hence the two hundred and fifty Censers with which Corah, and his Company offered, are called the Censers of sinners. For they came with wicked hearts, then to burn Incense before the Lord: Numb. 16.17, 37.
2. Again, as the Censers of these Men were called the Censers of sinners, shewing they came at that time to God with naughty hearts, so the fire that was in Nadab & Abihu's Censers is called strange fire, which the Lord commanded them not: Levit. 10.1.
3. This strange fire, was a type of that strange spirit, opposed to the spirit of God, in and by which, notwithstanding, some adventure to perform Worship to God.
4. Again, as these Censers are called the Censers of sinners, and this fire called, strange fire, so the Incense of such is also called strange, and is said to be an abomination unto God; Exod. 30.9. Isa. 1.13. Chap. 66.3.
Thus you see that both the Censers, Fire, and Incense of some, is rejected, even as the heart, spirit, and prayer of sinners, are an abomination unto God: Hos. 7.14. Chap. 4.12. Chap. 5.4. Prov. 28.9.
But there was besides these, true Censers, holy fire, and sweet Incense among the Worshipers in the Temple, and their service was accepted by Aaron their High Priest: For that was done thorough the faith of Christ, and these were a type of our true Gospel-Worshipers, who come with holy hearts, the holy spirit, and holy desires before their God, by their Redeemer. These are a perfume in his Nose. The Prayer of the Vpright is his delight. David's Prayers went up like Incense, and the lifting up of his hands, as the Evening Sacrifice, Pro. 15.8. Psal 141.2.
Let them then that pretend to worship before God in his holy Temple, look to it that both their Censers, Fire, and Incense: Heart, Spirit, and Desires, be such as the Word requires. Left instead of receiving of gracious returns from the God of Heaven, their Censers be laid up against them, left the fire of God devours them, and their Incense becomes an abomination to him, as it happened to those, made mention of before.
But, 'tis said the Censers of Gorah and his Company was hallowed.
Answer, So is God's Worship, which is so his by his Ordination, yet even that very Worship may be spoiled by Man's transgression. Prayer is GOD's Ordinance, but all Prayer is not accepted of God. We must then distinguish between the thing commanded, and our using of that thing. The Temple was GOD's House, but was abused by the irreverence of those that worshiped there, even to the demolishing of it.
A golden Censer is a gracious heart, heavenly fire is the Holy Ghost, and sweet Incense the effectual fervent Prayer of Faith. Have you these? These God expects, and these you must have, if ever your Persons or performances be of God accepted.