Exposition of Ezekiel 30-48, Commentary on Ezechiel · Chapter 41
The EXPOSITION continued upon the Remaining Chapters of EZEKIEL. CHAP. XLI.
Verſ. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
1. Afterward he brought me to the Temple, and meaſured the Posts, ſix Cubits broad on the one ſide, and ſix Cubits broad on the other ſide, which was the breadth of the Tabernacle.
2. And the breadth of the Door was ten Cubits, and the ſides of the Door were five Cubits on the one ſide, and five Cubits on the other ſide; and he meaſured the length thereof fourty Cubits, and the breadth twenty Cubits.
3. Then went he inward, and meaſured the Poſts of the Door two Cubits, and the Door ſix Cubits, and the breadth of the Door ſeven Cubits.
4. So he meaſured the length thereof twenty Cubits, and the breadth twenty Cubits before the Temple, and he ſaid unto me, This is the moſt Holy place.
5. After he meaſured the Wall of the Houſe ſix Cubits, and the breadth of every Side-chamber four Cubits, round about the Houſe on every ſide.
6. And the Side-chambers were three, one over another, and thirty in order, and they entred into the Wall which was of the Houſe, for the Side-chambers round about, that they might have hold, but they had not hold in the Wall of the Houſe.
7. And there was an enlarging, and a winding about, ſtill upward to the Side-chambers, for the winding about of the Houſe, went ſtill upward round about the Houſe; therefore the breadth of the Houſe was ſtill upward, and ſo increaſed from the loweſt Chamber to the higheſt by the midſt.
THe meaſuring of the outward and inward Court being finiſhed, here our Prophet is brought to, and ſhewed, the meaſures of the Temple it ſelf, and the things pertaining thereunto.
Verſ. 1. He brought me to the Temple.
The Gates, Courts, and Porch, hitherto had taken up the Prophet; but now he is at the Temple: from lower things he is carried to more ſublime.
The Poſts ſix Cubits broad.
The Poſts themſelves could not be ſo broad, but the Poſts together with the Cloyſters, which they ſupported, were ſo.
The word Temple, is chiefly uſed in this Chapter, once it's mention'd in the 42. Chap. verſ. 8. here ſeven times in the 1, 4, 15, 20, 23, 25. verſes. It's convenient therefore to ſpeak in this place of the Temple.
There be three conſiderable parts of the Temple. 1. The Porch. 2. the Body, or Temple it ſelf. 3. The Sanctum Sanctorum.
1. For the Porch, of that Ezekiel ſpeaks in the two laſt verſes of the 40. Chap. And he brought me to the Porch of the Houſe, &c. This Porch was twenty Cubits in length, and eleaven in breadth; of the ſame length was the Porch of Solomons Temple; and Ezekiel's exceeded it in the breadth thereof one Cubit, 1 King. 6.5. For the breadth of Solomons Temple was but ten Cubits. Nothing is ſpoken of the height of this Porch; Solomon's was 120. Cubits, 1 Chron. 3.4. and doubtleſs this was not ſhort of it. The Hebrew calls the Porch foreign Ʋlam.
2. The Body, Houſe, or Temple, it ſelf (it's in the 1. verſ.) was that part which ſtood between the Porch, and the Sanctum Sanctorum. The length of this was 40. Cubits, and the breadth 20. Cubits. Solomon's was 60. Cubits long, 20. Cubits broad, and 30. Cubits high, 1 King. 6.2. But when it's ſaid, Solomons was 60. Cubits long, the length of the Sanctum Sanctorum is reckoned in, for that was 20. Cubits long, and ſo upon that account Ezekiel's Temple was 60. Cubits long. They call the Temple foreign Hecal.
3. The Sanctum Sanctorum: Then went he inward, and meaſured the moſt Holy Place, verſ. 3. ſo it's call'd, and it was 20. Cubits in length, and 10. Cubits in breadth; ſo that the Temple being as long again as broad, was quadrangulum; and this being as broad as long, was quadratum, a perfect ſquare. This they call foreign Oraculum.
As the Court before the Temple was four-ſquare, 100. Cubits long, and 100. Cubits broad, Chap. 40.47. So the Temple it ſelf, taken with all the appendices of it, was ſo; the breadth of the Temple-courts, and thickneſs of the Walls, &c. make 100. Cubits: and likewiſe the length of the Temple-courts, &c. make 100. Cubits, as Haffenrefferus exactly demonſtrates.
Of the ſignification of this Temple.
Some make the Court belonging to it, to repreſent the World; and the Temple, to repreſent Heaven. It may be conſidered, whether the Porch do not point out the common Profeſſor; the Temple true Saints, who are Temples of the Spirit, and the Sanctum Sanctorum, the Saints in glory, the condition of thoſe made perfect.
The true repreſentation of this Temple, I take it, is the Body of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; both his Body Natural, and his Body Myſtical, viz. the Church.
1. It's a repreſentation of his Natural Body, Solomons Temple, and Zorobabells, or the 2d. Temple was ſo. Joh. 2.19. ſaith Chriſt, Deſtroy this Temple, and in three days I will raiſe it up: And why Ezekiels Temple, ſhould not type out Chriſt, I ſee no cauſe. There be many things wherein it fitly doth ſo.
1. This Temple was holy, verſ. 3. This is the moſt holy place; hence it's evident, the other part of the Temple was holy. The Hecal was holy, though not ſo holy as the Devir; and the body of Chriſt was holy, Luk. 1.35. That holy thing, &c. Act. 13.35. Thou ſhall not ſuffer thine H…ly one, &c. 1 Pet. 2.22. Chap. 1.19. Heb. 7.26. He was holy, harmleſs, und…filed, ſeparate from ſinners.
2. It was very lightſome and beautiful within; it was adorned with Cherubims, and Palm-trees, verſ. 18.19. ſo the Lord Chriſt was full of light: Col. 2.3. In him were hid all the treaſures of wiſdome, and knowledge: He was adorned with all the graces of the Spirit; He was full of grace, and truth. Joh. 1.14. Cant. 5.10. Pſal. 45.2. Thou art fairer then the children of men.
3. By the Temple, they came to know the mind of God; one part of it was call'd Devir, the Word, or Oracle; there God ſpake: ſo by Chriſt, we come to know the mind of God. Joh. 1.1. He is foreign the Word. He brought the mind of God to us, and declared it to the world, Heb. 1.2. God hath in theſe laſt days ſpoken unto us by his Son. Chriſt was an Embaſſador ſent from God, to acquaint us with the mind of the King of Nations: and he did it faithfully, Joh. 15.15. All things which I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.
4. The Temple was God's delight: it's call'd an Houſe, for God dwelt in it, and manifeſted his glory there; Ezek. 43.4, 5. The glory of the Lord came into the houſe: yea, the glory of the Lord filled the houſe. And Pſal. 29.9. In the Temple doth every one ſpeak of his glory. There God's glory is ſeen: Is not Chriſt ſuch a Temple? Did not God come into the Temple of his Body. 1 Tim. 3.16. Col. 2.9. There the glory of God was ſeen fully. Joh. 1.14. The Word was made fleſh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory, as of the only begotten of the Fath…r, full of grace and truth. The glory of God never appeared ſo evidently, as in this Temple; and God delighted therein. Mat 3.17. This is my bel…ved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. See Rev. 3.12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he ſhall go no more out: And I will write upon him the Name of my God, and the Name of the City of my G…d, which is New Jeruſalem. God is eſtabliſhing, and will eſtabliſh New Jeruſalem, with Pillars daily, more, and more; and therein is ſtrength to be found: not in the World, or in Babylon, 1 Tim. 3.15.
5. There were Cherubims, and Palm-trees in the Viſional Temple, verſ. 18, 19, 20, 25, 26. and in the Church of Chriſt there are Cherubims, and Palm-trees. Theſe Cherubims, may note the preſence of the Angel in the Church, 1 Cor. 11.10. There were Angels in the Church of Corinth. And ſo in the Temple John ſpeaks of, Rev. 14.15, 17. Each Cherubim had two faces, one of a Man, another of a Young Lion; to ſignifie the wiſdome, ſtrength, and zeal of the Angels, which are imploy'd for the good of the Church. Or, by Cherubims, underſtand thoſe Chriſtians, who were wiſe, ſtout, and zealous for the truth, and cauſe of God; ſuch as loved not their lives to the death, Rev. 12.11. But were beheaded for the Witneſs of Jeſus, and for the Word of God, Rev. 20.4. Theſe Cherubims looked to the Palm-trees, they were patient under all croſſes, afflictions, in hope of certain victory, Rom 8.35, 36, 37. Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt; ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword, &c. Nay, in all theſe things, we are more then Conquerors, &c. Their eyes were upon the Palm-trees. And Rev. 9.7. they had Palms in their hands, they were certain of victory, whereof Palms, and Palm-trees are emblems.
There be ſeveral things, wherein the Saints do reſemble Palm-trees.
1. They are always green, and growing; ſo are the Saints, Pſal. 92.12, 14. The righteous ſhall flouriſh like the Palm-tree: They ſhall ſtill bring forth fruit in old age.
2▪ Palm-trees cannot endure dung: Magnopere abhorrent à fimo, they hate it: So the Saints, they hate Superſtition, Idolatry, and all ſin, as dung; they will dye rather then worſhip the Beaſt, or his Image; rather then receive his Mark in their foreheads, or their hands. Rev. 20.4. they watch and keep their garments undefiled.
3. The Palm-tree bears up againſt all weight laid upon it; and the Saints do the like in all their troubles, and afflictions: Paul met with ſharp tryal's, yet he fainted not, but found more ſtrength, 2 Cor. 4.16. And Chap. 7.4. He ſaith, I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation: And Rom. 5.3. We glory in tribulation.
4. Theſe Cherubims, and Palm-trees were the ornament of the Temple; and Chriſtians, who are wiſe, couragious, and patient under all tryals, are the ornaments of the Church of Chriſt.
5. This Temple, with the Porch, and Buildings belonging to it, was great, and large, verſ. 12, 13, 14, and 15. 100. Cubits in breadth, 100. Cubits in length. So the Church of Chriſt is great, and large. In the Apoſtles times, there were thouſands of the Jews believed, Act. 21.20. It was Propheſied in Iſays days, that all Nations ſhould flow unto the Mountain of the Lord, that is, the Church, Iſa. 2.2. And in Daniels days, Chap. 7.14. That all people, languages, and nations, ſhould ſerve Chriſt. And John in the viſion ſaw it made good, Rev. 7.9. I beheld a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, kindred, people, and tongues which ſtood before the Throne, and the Lamb.
2. It's the repreſentation of Chriſts Body Myſtical, and that in ſeveral things.
1. All things in this Temple were meaſured, as in the 40. alſo the 41, 42, 43, and 47. Chapters appears: So in the Church, the Myſtical Body of Chriſt, Epheſ. 2.21. Paul tells the Epheſians, that the Saints are a Building; and ſuch a building, as is fi…ly framed together: and ſo framed together, as to make a Temple; all which could not be done without meaſuring. Pſal. 45.10, 11. Hearken (O Daughter) and conſider, and incline thine ear: forget alſo thine own people, and the Fathers houſe. So ſhall the King greatly deſire thy beauty; for he is the Lord, and worſhip thou him. Here was meaſuring of the Church and fitting of her, for her beloved: So Rev. 11.1. John muſt meaſure the Temple of God, and the Altar, and them that worſhip therein: All in the Church muſt be meaſured by the Word.
2. Chriſt was in this Temple, and did all therein, and ſhew'd all to the Prophet, (as in reading the former, this, and ſubſequent Chapters, is clear.) So in the Church, Chriſt is there, and doth all, Col. 1.18. He is the Head of the Body, the Church, and the Head doth all. All influence, all dominion, all direction, is from him. Chriſt is in the midst of the Golden Candleſtieks, and walks up, and down, doing, and declaring, what he pleaſes there, Rev. 2.1. Chap. 21.3. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with Men, and he will dwell with them, and they ſhall be his people, and God himſelf ſhall be with them, and be their God.
3. In this Temple were Chambers, Galleries, and Stories, noe above another, as verſ. 6, and 16. of this Chap. and verſ. 3, and 6. of the 42. Chap. So in the Church, there are ſeveral ranks, and degrees of Officers, and Members, 1 Cor. 12.28. Epheſ. 4.11. There be Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangelists, Paſtors, Teachers, Elders. 1 Tim. 5.17. Deacons. 1 Tim. 3.8. So for Membes, ſome are Babes, 1 Cor. 3.1. ſome are little Children ſome Young men, ſome Fathers, 1 Joh. 2.12, 13. In the Church of Chriſt, fome are higher then others, in gifts and graces.
4. In this Temple were Poſts and Pillars, ſtrong and great; Chap. 40.9, 10, 14, 16, 21, 24, 26, 29, …, 33, 34, 35, 37, 48, 49. and Chap. 41.1, 3, 21. Chap. 43.8. Chap. 45.19. Chap. 46.2. In Solomons Temple there were Pillars, Jachin, and Boaz, by which was noted God's eſtabliſhment of the Temple, and the ſtrength that was in it, 1 King. 7.21. 2 Chron. 3.17. And in the Church of Chriſt are Poſts, and Pillars. James, Cephas, and John, were Pillars, Gal. 2.9 And was not Paul a great, and ſtrong Pillar, who had the Care of all the Churches upon him, 2 Cor. 11.28. Are there not many Poſts, and Pillars in the Church of Chriſt?
Of it, alſo, Chap. 44.13, 45.Of the Moſt Holy place.
In the 4 verſ. it's deſcribed to be 20. Cubits long, and 20. Cubits broad; parallel to the Sanctum Sanctorum in Solomons Temple, 2 Chron. 3.8. Which was 20. Cubits broad, and 20. Cubits long, and 20. Cubits high, 1 King. 6.20. And though there be no mention of the height of this Moſt Holy place, it's propable it was of the ſame height with Solomon's, as well as of the ſame breadth, and length. This was call'd the inward, or inward houſe, or houſe within, 1 King. 6.15. Ezek. 41.3. The Oracle, 1 King 6.20. And the Moſt Holy place, 1 King. 7.5. the inner houſe, the Moſt Holy place.
This place leads us to the conſideration of Heaven, which is the Moſt Holy Place. Pſal. 20.6. Deut. 26.15. Heaven is Holy, and God's Holy habitation, and our happineſs is there. Into this place the High Prieſt entred once a year, and made interceſſion for the people, Heb. 9.7. And Chriſt is paſſed into the Heavens, and there intercedes for his, Heb. 9.24. Chap. 7.25. From the Moſt Holy place was the mind of God revealed. Pſal. 60.6. God hath ſpoken in his Holineſs, in his Sanctuary, or Moſt Holy place. Some render it, There God dwelt, between the Cherubims, and opened himſelf unto them, Pſal. 99.1. Num. 7.49. Moſes heard the voice of one ſpeaking to him, from off the Mercy Seat, that was upon the Arke of Teſtimony, from between the two Cherubims. So from Heaven, the Moſt Holy place, God makes known his mind. Nehem. 9.13. Thou ſpakeſt with them from Heaven. Dan. 4.31. There fell a voice from Heaven. So Mat. 3.17. Loe, a voice from Heaven. From thence came both Law and Goſpel, which is call'd the Word of God. Rev. 20.4.
In the Moſt Holy place the Glory of God appeared moſt, between the Cherubims, and in the Higheſt and Moſt Holy Heavens. There the Glory of the Lord is moſt conſpicuous, moſt eminent among the Angels, and glorified Saints.
Again they uſed to pray, and lift up their hands towards the Moſt Holy place. Pſal. 28.2 David pray'd, and lifted up his hands towards the Holy Oracle, that was, the Moſt Holy place; as is clear from 1 King. 8.6. And do not the Saints in their Worſhip, eſpecially in prayer, lift up their hands, and eyes unto Heaven, that Holy place. Pſal. 141.2. Let my prayer be ſet forth before thee as Incenſe, and the lifting up of my hands, as the Evening Sacrifice.
Or, this Moſt Holy place, may prefigure the New Jeruſalem; which was to be ſo Holy, that nothing, ſtaind corrupt and defiled, might come there. Ren. 21, 27. There ſhall in no wiſe enter into it, any thing that defileth, neither whatſoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lye; but they which are written in the Lambs Book of Life. When Aaron entred into the Holy place he muſt be waſh'd with water, and be clad with Holy garments, Levit. 16. And all thoſe that enter into the New Jeruſalem, muſt be cleanſed from their ſin, and clothed with righteouſneſs. Rev. 14.4. Thoſe that ſtood with the Lamb, were not defiled ones, but ſuch as were clothed with white robes, Rev. 7.9.
Verſ. 5, 6, 7. The ſide Chambers were in three ranks, one above another, and the breadth of the houſe increaſed upward; there were winding-ſtairs, and the higher they aſcended, the wider was the houſe. Thoſe in the Church are not all of one rank, whether Officers, or others; ſome are of the lower rank, ſome in the middle, and ſome uppermoſt: There be children, young men, and old men; and the higher any get, the more inlargement, and greater breadth do they ſee in the things of God, and this Temple; and notwithſtanding this difference among them, there is a ſweet harmony between them, and they ſerve one another.
Verſ. 8. The foundations of the ſide-chambers were a full reed of ſix great cubits.
Of the great Cubit, ſee before, Chap. 40.5. Here was good meaſure. In things belonging to the Temple, the Lord ſhould have not common cubit meaſure, but the great-cubit meaſure.
Verſ. 9. The thickneſs of the Wall was five cubits.
The breadth, or thickneſs of the Wall, ſay ſome, was ſo many cubits from the Wall of the Houſe, not ſo thick in it ſelf. But the Hebrew is, The thickn…ſs of the Wall was five cubits. It was ſubſtantial, and ſo ſhould Temple-work be.
That which was left.
Quod derelictum domus, ſaith Montanus; the empty, or void place, locus derelictionis. There will be ſome void, and empty rooms, in the Church of God.
Verſ. 10. Between the chambers, was the widneſs of twenty cubits.
Not between the ſide-chambers themſelves, but between them, and thoſe over againſt them. Some had better entertainment then others; ſome were to be in the chambers, others in the widneſs, or empty place.
Verſ. 11. Toward the place that was left.
See before, verſ. 9. It was five cubits round about.
Verſ. 12. The building that was before the ſeparate place.
Piſcator makes the ſeparate place to be, Spatium reſectum. The Hebrew is ante faciem ſegmenti, before the face of the Partition; for it was particula reſpecta è ſuo atrio.
Toward the Weſt.
Hebrew i, s the Sea, that is, the Mediterranean-ſea, which lay Weſtward.
Verſ. 13 14, 15. Containing the meaſures of the houſe, the building before the ſeperate place, the Walks, Galleries, and Porches of the Court, and they were 100. cubits in length, and 100. cubits in breadth. Every thing here was meaſured, and nothing neglected; ſo exact was the Lord in Temple-work.
Verſ. 16. The Windows were covered.
Solomon made for the Temple, Windows of narrow lights, but not covered. Sanctius ſaith, they were covered, Quia in retis modum erant fabricatae cancellato ordine, aut in pertuſo ligno frequentibus perfoſſae foraminibus. They might be covered with lettiſes, ſhuttings, or curtains, which might be remov'd at pleaſure.
Verſ. 17. Within and without by meaſure.
Hebrew is meaſures. Not onelyonly the outſide, but inſide alſo is meaſured, the heighth, breadth, and length. The Lord Chriſt will meaſure Chriſtians of what heighth, breadth, and depth they are. Their actions, affections, and graces, will be meaſured, Rev. 11.1.
Verſ. 18. And it was made with Cherub…ms.
The Cherubims import the preſence of the Angels in the Church, 1 Cor. 11.10. Their Communion with the Saints in worſhip, 1 Cor. 10.20. Rev. 5.11. & 7.11, 12. Their Miniſtration unto, or for them, Heb 1.14. They are for the Lord of the Temple, and thoſe wait upon him there. They look towards the Palm-trees, and their wiſdome, and ſtrength is laid out for their good.
Verſ. 19. So that the Face of a Man was toward the Palm-tree on the one ſide, and the Face of a Lion, &c.
Of the Cherubims faces, ſee Chap. 1.10. what is ſaid there. In the 18, 19, 20, 25, 26. the Palm-trees are mentioned again, which are ever green, growing, tending … wards though preſſed down with weight, and ſigns of victory, and great joy, being carried in the hand, or worn on the head; and are ornaments to the place where they are, figuring what the perſons in this Temple ſhould be, Pſal. 92. 12, 13, 14. Joh. 12.13. Rev. 7.9. by ſufferings, and preſſures they mount upwards, overcome, are fill'd with joy, 2 Cor. 1.5. Acts 5.41. and ſo are great ornaments to the Church of God.
Of the Altar.
In the 22. verſ. it's ſaid, The Altar of wood was three Cubits high, and the ength thereof two Cubits; and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof were of wood: and he ſaid unto me, This is the Table that is before the Lord.
This Altar, was the Altar of Incenſe, and ſtood before the Oracle, or Sanctum Sanctorum. Such an Altar was in Moſes days made for the Tabernacle, Exod. 37.25. He made the Incenſe Altar. In the Temple of Solomon alſo, there was an Altar of Incenſe, 2 Chron. 26.16. Ʋzziah went into the Temple of the Lord, to burn Incenſe upon the Incenſe-Altar.
This Altar was a repreſentation, or Type, of Chriſt, who is ſaid to be our Altar, Heb. 13.10 and in many things it did repreſent him.
1. Though it were of wood, yet it was Of Shitten wood, Exod. 30.1. which the Septuagints render foreign, of incorruptible wood. So Chriſt his humane nature was incorruptible, foreign, it ſaw no corruption, Act. 13.35.
2. This Altar of Incenſe which Ezek. ſaw, was larger then that under the Law, it was two Cubits in length, that but one; it was three Cubits in height, that but two; as appears Exod. 37.25. This held out that the worſhip of God in Chriſts time ſhould be inlarged, it was among the Jews onelyonly before, but then it ſhould be among the Gentiles alſo. Mal. 1.11. From the riſing of the ſun, unto the going down of the ſame, my Name ſhall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place Incenſe ſhall be offered to my name. 1 Tim. 2.8. I will that men pray every where; Under Chriſt, the Incenſe-Altar was to be every where.
3. Sweet Incenſe was offered up to God, pure Incenſe Exod. 37.29. upon this Altar, Exod. 30.7, 8. where the people pray'd, the Prieſt offered Incenſe, Luk. 1.9, 10. and when we pray, Chriſt offers up our prayers, with the Incenſe, and perfume of his merits, Rev. 8.3, 4. The prayers of the Saints, aſcend up before God, out of the Angel's hand, who was Chriſt. The Golden Altar, for ſo the Altar of Incenſe is call'd, Num. 4.11. Chriſt perfumes the prayers, and ſervices of his Saints, with his merits, and ſo preſents them unto his Father. It's ſaid Eph. 5.2. Chriſt hath given himſelf for us, an offering, and a ſacrifice to God, for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour. So that what ever he preſents to the Father, or is preſented in his Name from the Saints, is pleaſing, and acceptable to him. All the imperfections, and impurities of them, are done away by him.
4. Upon this Altar was incenſe, morning and evening; it was a perpetual Incenſe, Exod. 30.7, 8. So Chriſt, our Altar, offers up prayers perpetually for us, Heb. 7.25. He ever liveth to make interceſſiom for his.
5. This Altar of Incenſe had horns, Exod. 30.2, 3. At every corner thereof was an horn, which ſets out the ſtrength, and power of Chriſt. Rev. 9.13. I heard a voice from the four horns of the Golden Altar, which was Chriſt, whoſe power is in all the quarters of the World. Chriſt's interceſſion with the Father, is powerful to deſcry the enemies of his people, and to deliver them.
This Altar is ſaid to be the Table that is before the Lord. There is ſomething in this expreſſion worthy conſideration.
1. That poor, ſinful, weak, unworthy creatures, may come to Chriſt, not onelyonly as an Altar, to have their prayers preſented unto God, but as a Table, to have refreſhing for their ſouls. There the hungry may have meat▪ and the thirſty drink: He is the bread, and water of life, His fleſh is meat indeed, his blood is drink indeed, Joh. 6 35.55. He hath a Kingdome, and a Table for his, Luk. 22.30. He feeds them, and leads them to living fountains of water, Rev. 7.17. He hath hidden Manna for his, and a Tree of Life to refreſh them with, Rev. 2.7, 17.
2. That the Lord himſelf is delighted, and ſatisfied in, and with Chriſt; as we are with a Table full of dainties, having the choiſeſt meats, and choiſeſt drinks. Mat 3.17. This is my beloved Son, in wh…m I am well pleaſed; with his perſon, with his graces, with his offices, with his actions, with his ſufferings, with his meri s and with the prayers of the Saints he preſents unto me, I am well pleaſed: Chriſt is the Altar, the Table, the Sacrifice, and the meat and drink upon the ſame. So is the Lord taken with the interceſſion, and merits of Chriſt, that his ſoul delights in him, Iſa. 42.1. If any of the children of God ſin, and thirſt for pardon, and peace; we have an Altar, a Table before the Lord. 1 Joh. 2.1. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our ſins. The Father is ſo pleaſed with him, that for his ſake preſently he grants us pardon, and peace.
Of the doors of the Temple.
Verſ 23. The Temple, and the Sanctuary had two doors, which are deſcribed in the 24. and 25. verſ.
Theſe doors were to open, and ſhut at pleaſure; and by them the entrance was into the Temple, and Sanctuary, or Moſt Holy place. What elſe do theſe ſuggeſt unto us, but the Media ſalutis, the means whereby we come to be in, and of, the Church of God? The Goſpel, and it's ordinances, faith, repentance, and baptiſm, are the means to ſalvation; by them we obtain entrance into the communion of Saints, the Favour of God, and the Kingdome of Heaven. Chriſt is ſaid to be the way, Joh. 14 6. and the door, Joh. 10.7. becauſe he hath given us the means, which are the way, and door to the Church, and unto life. Theſe doors are to be open for the ſheep, and to be ſhut againſt the goats: We may alſo underſtand by theſe doors, the Miniſters diſpenſing the Goſpel. and the ordinances thereof; who are to be holy, vigilant, and zealous, as the Cherubims; and conſtantly green, growing, and flouriſhing, as the Palm-trees, verſ. 25.
Verſ. 26. On the Windows, Poſts, Chambers, and thick Placks, were Palm-trees, on the one ſide, and on the other.
They had Palm-trees wrought, or ingraven on them on both ſides; implying that the materials of Chriſts Temple muſt not be common, but curious, and carved work; if all the Walls of Solomons houſe, were carved round about with carved figures, of Cherubims, and Palm-trees, and open flowers, within, and without, 1 King. 6.9. much more muſt the houſe of Chriſt, and every thing in it, have carved work upon it, viz. the ingravings of God's Spirit, Pſal. 45.13. Rev. 21.18, 19.