Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 62
LXII. Of the placing of the Ark in the Holiest, or Inner Temple.
1. THE Ark as we have said, and as the Text declares, when carried to its rest, was placed in the inner Temple, or in the most Holy Place, even under the Wings of the Cherubims. And the Priests brought in the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord unto his place, to the Oracle of the house, unto the most holy place, even under the Wings of the Cherubims; Exod. 26.33. Chap. 39.35. 1 King. 8 3. 2 Chro. 5.7.
2. Before this, as was said afore, the Ark was carried from place to place, and caused to dwell in a Tent, under Curtains, as all our fathers did. To shew that Christ, as we, was made for a time to wander in the World, in order to his being possest of glory; 2 Sam. 7.1, 2, 6. Heb. 11.9. Jo. 1.10. Chap. 16.28. Chap. 3.13.
3. But now, when the Ark was brought into the Holiest, 'tis said to be brought into its place. This World then vvas not Christ his place, he vvas not from beneath, he came from his father's house; wherefore while here, he was not at his place, nor could, until he ascended up where he was before; Joh. 8.23. Chap. 16.28. Chap. 6.62. Chap. 3.13.
4. Christ's proper place therefore is the Holiest. His proper place, as God, as Priest, as Prophet, as King, and as the Advocate of his People. Here, with us, he has no more to do, in Person, as Mediator. If he were on Earth, he should not be a Priest, &c. His place and work is novv above with his Father, and before the Angels; Acts 5.31. 1 Pet. 3.22. Heb. 4.14. Chap. 8.4. Chap. 9.24. 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. Revel. 1.1, 2.
5. 'Tis said, the Ark was brought to the Oracle of the House. Solomon vvas not content to say, it was brought into the Holiest: but he saith, his place was the Oracle, the holy Oracle, that is, the place of hearing. For he, when he ascended, had somewhat to say to God on the behalf of his People. To the Oracle, that is, to the place of revealing: For he also was there to receive, and from thence to reveal to his Church on Earth something that could not be made manifest, but from this holy Oracle. There therefore he is vvith the tvvo Tables of Testimony in his heart, as perfectly kept; he also is there with the whole fulfilling of the Ceremonial Law in his side, shewing and pleading the perfection of his Righteousness, and the Merit of his Blood with his Father, and to receive and to do us vvord, who believe in him, hovv vvell pleased the Father is, vvith vvhat he has done in our behalf.
6. Into the most holy place. By these vvords is shevved, vvhither also the Ark vvent, vvhen it vvent to take up its rest. And in that this Ark was a type of Christ in this, it is to shew or further manifest, that what Christ doth now in Heaven, he doth it before his Father's face. Yea, it intimates that Christ even there makes his appeals to God, concerning the worth of what he did on Earth, to God the Judge of all; I say, whether he ought not for his sufferings-sake, to have granted to him his whole desire, as Priest and Advocate for his People.
Wilt thou, said Festus to Paul, go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Acts 25.9. Why, this our blessed Jesus was willing when here, to go up to Jerusalem to be judged; and being misjudged of there, he made his appeal to God, and is now gone thither, even into the holy place, even to him that is Judge of all, for his Verdict upon his doing; and whether the Souls for whom he became undertaker, to bring them to glory, have not by him a right to the Kingdom of Heaven.
7. VnderUnder the Wings of the Cherubims. This doth further confirm our Words; for having appealed from Earth to Heaven, as the Ark was set under the Wings of the Cherubims, so he in his interceeding with God, and in pleading his Merits for us, doth it in the presence and hearing of all the Angels of Heaven.
And thus much of the Ark of the Covenant, and of its antitype: We come next to speak of the Mercy-Seat.