Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 49
XLIX. Of the golden Spoons of the Temple.
1. THE Golden Spoons belonging to the Temple, were in number, according to Moses, twelve; answering to the twelve Tribes. But when the Temple was builded, I suppose they were more, because of the number of the Basons: Numb. 7.14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 40, 50, 56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86.
2. The Spoons, as I suppose, were for the Worshipers in the Temple to eat that broth withal, wherein the Trespass-offerings were boiled: For which purpose there were several Cauldrons hanged in the corners of that Court called the Priest's, to boyl them in: 1 Sam. 2.13, 14. Ezek. 46.19, 20.
3. Now in that he saith here were Spoons, what is it, but that there are also babes in the Temple of the Lord. There was Broth for Babes, as well as Meat for Men, and Spoons to eat the Broth withal.
4. True, the Gospel being more excellent then the Law, doth change the term, and instead of Broth, saith, there is Milk for babes. But in that he saith Milk, he insinuates that there are Spoons for Children in the Church.
5. I could not, saith Paul to them at Corinth, speak to you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able, 1 Cor. 3.1, 2.
6 See, here were need of Spoons, milk is Spoon-meat; for here were those which could not feed themselves with Milk, let them then that are Men eat the strong Meat, For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. For strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, who by reason of use have their sences exercised to discern both good and evil; Heb. 6.13, 14.
7. Spoons, you know are to feed us with weak and thin food, even with that which best suteth with weak stomacks, or with a babish temper. Hence as the strong man is opposed to the weak, so the milk is opposed to the strong meat.
8. So then, though the Babe in Christ is weaker then the Man in Christ, yet is he not by Christ left unprovided for: For here is milk for babes, and spoons to eat it with. All this is taught us by the Spoons, for what need is there of Spoons, where there is nothing to eat but strong Meat?
9. Babes, you know, have not only babish stomacks, but also babish tricks, and must be dealt withal as Babes; their Childish talk, and frompered Carriages, must be born withal.
10. Sometimes they cry for nothing, yea, and count them for their foes which rebuke their childish toys and ways. All which the Church must bear, because they are God's Babes; yea, they must feed them too; For if he has found them milk & spoons, 'tis that they may be fed therewith, and live: Yea, grown Ministers are God's Nurses, wherefore they must have a Lap to lay them in, and Knees to dandle them upon, and Spoons to feed them with.
11. Nor are the Babes, but of use in the Church of God, for he commands that they be brought to cry with the Congregation before the Lord, for mercy for the Land; Joel 2.16.
12. Incense, I told you, was a type of Prayers, and the Spoons in the time of Moses, were presented at the Temple full of it. Perhaps to shew, that God will vvith the Milk vvhichwhich he has provided for them, give it to them as a return of their crying to him, even as the Nurse gives the Child the Teat and Milk.
13. You knovv the Milk is called for, vvhen the Child is crying, as vve say to stop its mouth vvith it. O Babes, did you but cry soundly, God would give you yet more Milk.
14. But what were those golden Spoons a type of?
I answer, If the Milk is the Juice, and Consolations of the Word, then the Spoons must be those soft sentences, and golden Conclusions, with which the Ministers feed their Souls by it. I have fed you, said Paul, with the Milk of the Word; saith Peter, even as you have been able to bear it. Compare these two or three Texts; 1 Pet. 2.1, 2, 3. 1 Cor. 3.2. 1 Thess. 2.7.
15. And this is the vvay to strengthen the weak hands, and to confirm the feeble knees. This is the vvay to make them grovv to be Men, vvho novv are but as Infants of days. Thus a little one may become a thousand, and a small one a strong Nation. Yea, thus in time, you may make a little Child to Jostle it vvith a Leopard, yea, to take a Lyon by the beard; yea thus you may imbolden him to put his hand to the hole of the Asp, and to play before the Den of the Cockatrice. Isa. 11.6, 7, 8. Chap. 60.22.
Who is most stout, vvas once a Babe, he that can novv eat meat, vvas sometimes glad of Milk, and to be fed vvith the Spoon. Babes in Christ therefore must not be despised, nor over look'd: God has provided them Milk, and Spoons to eat it vvith, that they may grovv up to be Men before him.