The Figures or Types of Christ, Typological category 16

The Figures or Types of Christ · Typological category 16

p. 426THE GOSPEL of SOLOMONS TEMPLE.

Octob. 25. 1668.2 Sam. 7.13.

He ſhall build an Houſe for my Name, and I will eſtabliſh the throne of his Kingdom for ever.

OF their holy places under the Law the chief was the Tabernacle and the Temple. The difference between which two, was not in their typical uſe and ſignification, wherein they were the ſame; but only that the one was movable, the other fixed. The Tabernacle was a movable Temple, the Temple was a fixed Tabernacle: and accordingly they differed in their quantity and dimenſions, the Temple being double the quantity of the Tabernacle, ſuitable to its fixed ſtate; but the Tabernacle was leſſer and lighter, becauſe it was to be portable and fit for the ſhoulders of the Levites, who were to carry it from place to place.

The Temple being the greater and more glorious of the two, I have choſen to ſpeak to that, and in ſo doing ſhall ſpeak of the Tabernacle alſo, ſo far as is requiſite to this end of opening the typical ſignifications of theſe legal ſhadows.

The Text ſpeaks of two things, the Temple and the Kingdom: it is the former of which I am to ſpeak.

The Doctrinal Propoſition in the words is this.

Doctr. That God appointed Solomon to build him a Temple, or an Houſe unto his Name.

A Temple is an Houſe inhabited by a Deity.

As a man dwells in his Houſe, ſo God dwelt in the Temple: or as Satan dwells in the Temples of Idols, and in falſe Churches, which are therefore called Synagogues of Satan, and habitations p. 427of Devils: ſo God dwells in the Temple, and in the true Goſpel-Churches. I give theſe oppoſite inſtances, becauſe contraries put together do illuſtrate one another.

To dwell there, is to vouchſafe his Preſence there.

The Temple was a very great and glorious Type; both the Temple and all the concernments of it were myſtical and ſignificant of Goſpel-truths.

The general ſignifications of the Temple were Chriſt and the Church, and every individual Saint;See the Sermon on Deut. 12.5, 6. p. 409. where this is proved at large.Deut 12:5Deut 12:6 this in general.

But, beſides theſe ſignifications of the Temple in general, almoſt all the particulars about the Temple had their particular myſteries and inſtructions.

They may be referred to five heads, 1. the Builders, 2. the time, 3. the Place, 4. the Materials and Preparations for it, 5. the Parts of the Temple.

1. The Builders; 1. of the Tabernacle, 2. of the firſt Temple, 3. of the ſecond Temple.

1. Of the Tabernacle; Moſes, Bezaliel, Aholiab.

The people contributed, Exod 35. and every Princes Offering at the Dedication of it, is ſet down particularly Numb. 6.7. to ſhew that the Lord takes ſpecial notice of the Bounty and Liberality of his people to Work.

2. Of the firſt Temple; David and Solomon.

David made vaſt preparations for it, appointed the place, and gave the pattern of it in writing to his Son, 2 Sam. 8.11, 12— 1 Chron. 29.2, 3, 4, 5. and 1 Chron. 28.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

Solomon had an Army of Workmen that were employed about it, 1 Kings 5.23, to the end. One hundred and fifty thouſand Bearers of burdens, thirty thouſand Iſraelites for plain work, three thouſand and three hundred Officers, beſides Hirams men.

3. The ſecond Temple; Cyrus, Iſai. 44. and 45. Ezra 1. Jehoſhua and Zerubbabel.

Take theſe Inſtructions from this.

1. The chief Builders were Types of Chriſt, whoſe work and p. 428office it is, to build the Temple of the Lord. Moſes, Solomon, Zerubbabel were ſo: and ſome think Cyrus alſo was a good man, and a Type of Chriſt: but concerning the other there is no controverſie.

2. Obſ. That all hands ſhould help to carry on Church-work.

3. Obſ. The Freedom and Soveraignty of God in the choice and uſe of Inſtruments to do his work.

He choſe Cyrus, who was by birth a Perſian, he ſingles out and chuſes whom he will. He choſe Paul a Perſecuter to be an inſtrument to plant and gather Churches. Strangers of Tyre and Sidon, Kings of Perſia; Gentiles as well as Jews ſhall be added to the Church. Thoſe that were once ſtrangers to the Common-wealth of Iſrael, they that are far off ſhall come and build in the Temple of the Lord, Zech. 6. ult.

2. The time; the Tabernacle was built about the year of the World two thouſand five hundred and thirteen: the Temple about four hundred eighty ſeven years after, 1 Kings 6.1. ult. which fell upon the year of the World three thouſand, according to that account. The Temple ſtood from the Dedication of it by Solomon to the laſt Deſtruction of it by the Romans, about a thouſand years. For to the Captivity in Babylon was about four hundred years; the Captivity laſted ſeventy years: From thence to the Death of the Meſſiah four hundred and ninety years, which is Daniels ſeventy weeks, cap. 9. After Chriſts Death it was deſtroyed by Veſpaſian, about forty years after.

So that it was finiſhed and dedicated about the year of the World three thouſand, and finally deſtroyed about the year of the World four thouſand: ſo it ſtood from firſt to laſt about a thouſand years, viz. the fourth millenary from the Creation of the World, excepting the interciſion of the Captivity in Babylon. It lay waſt about fifty years, a whole Jubile, ſome think ſeventy, but the leaſt is fifty; ſuppoſing their bondage under the yoke of Babylon to begin about 20 years before the burning of the Temple.

In all this we ſee the viciſſitudes and various revolutions that do befall the Church of God, whereof the Temple was a Type; and that the ingratitude and unprofitableneſs of a people may p. 429bring Deſolation upon all their pleaſant things. The greateſt glory of external Ordinances may by ſin be laid in the duſt, as this Temple was twice. And moreover the uſe of it was ended, Chriſt the ſubſtance being come.

3. The Place; Mount Moriah was the place of the Temple: there was a double deſignation of the place to this uſe.

1. By Iſaacs being offered there, Gen. 22. get thee to the Land of Moriah, &c.

2. By the Angels ſtaying there, and commanding an Altar to be built there in Davids time, and Gods anſwering David from Heaven by fire on that Altar, 1 Chron. 21. with cap. 22.1. We may here learn the Soveraignty and unſearchable freedom of the Will and Grace of God in chooſing one place to be the Seat of his Temple, of his Church and Ordinances rather than another. For it was ſaid, Pſal. 87.2. He loveth the Gates of Sion, more then all the dwellings of Jacob. Why he choſe this I know no reaſon can be given, but the good Pleaſure of his own Will.

So, that the Lord ſhould chuſe England to have Goſpel-Temples here, to plant his Churches and Ordinances here, rather than in Spain or Italy; he hath reprobated them to be the ſeat of Antichriſt, but hath choſen theſe to be the Mountains of delights of Holineſs, as Dan. 11.45. No account can be given hereof, but the good Pleaſure of his Will.

4. The Materials and Preparations of them; there were the choiceſt Materials and the moſt plentiful Preparations for them: the people contributed to the Tabernacle very liberally, Exod. 35.21, 29. Exod. 36.5, 6, 7. So that Proclamation was made for them to ceaſe. And for the Temple was prepared Gold, Silver, Braſs, Iron, Wood, Stone, all in great abundance and vaſt Sums by David and Solomon.

1. Theſe rich and choice Materials inſtruct us, that we muſt give God the beſt we have, and give it plentifully and liberally.

2. There muſt be a preparing time, and work for the building of the Temple, which to do is Gods free Gift: therefore we muſt acknowledge and admire him for it, as David did, 1 Chron. 29.14. who, or what am I or my people, that we ſhould offer ſo willingly. p. 430And the way to continue this frame, is to beg it of God, as there David alſo doth, ver. 18. keep it for ever in the hearts of thy people.

5. The Parts; which I ſhall mention now, but deferring the interpretation of them to another time; they were three, the Houſe, the Courts, and the Veſſels: all theſe, were parts of the Temple, take it in the largeſt ſenſe, for all the holy Buildings and appertainances thereof.

1. The Houſe, or Building, the covered Temple.

Of this there are the common parts that belong to every Houſe, namely, the Foundation, the Walls, the Doors, the Windows, the Floor, the Roof.

The peculiar parts of this houſe, as it was the houſe of the Lord, were the Porch, the Sanctuary, and the Oracle, with the ſide-chambers belonging to them. Theſe are the parts of the Houſe it ſelf, or the covered Temple.

2. The ſecond general part of the Temple, is the Courts about it: for they were holy ground, as well as the covered Building; and they were two, the outward and the inward Court; or the Court of the People, and the Court of the Prieſts.

3. The Veſſels; they were many. I ſhall inſtance only the chief, and ſuch as were ſignificant of Goſpel-myſteries, and they are either belonging to the Sanctuary, or to the Oracle.

1. To the Sanctuary, and that either ſub dio, or ſub tecto, without or within doors. There were four without doors, and three within: without, the Brazen Altar of Burnt-offering, the molten Sea, the Lavers, and the Pillars of Braſs: within, the Altar of Incenſe, the Table of Shew-bread, and the Candleſticks.

2. To the Oracle, wherein was the Ark and the appertainances thereof, Heb. 9.1—to 5.

Ʋſe. Exhortation unto Temple-work. It is propheſied that even the Gentiles, Zech. 6. ult. they that are far off ſhall come and build in the Temple of the Lord. We are all by nature far off, Epheſ. 2. but brought nigh by the Blood of Chriſt, and built up into an holy Temple to the Lord, as it there follows, ver. 13, 17, 19, &c. to the end.

Take theſe Rules about Temple-work.

p. 4311. Be ſure you build according to the Pattern ſhown in the Mount to Moſes, Exod. 25.9— Heb. 8.5. It is eighteen times repeated in the two laſt Chapters of Exodus, [as the Lord commanded Moſes: ſo did he] as the Lord commanded Moſes. And in like manner David and Solomon, See the Geneva Note upon it.1 Chron. 28.11, 12, 19. they had both the Word and Spirit of God to direct them.

If you ask, how may we know the Pattern? Theſe are the means of knowing it; the Word and the Spirit, Hag. 2.5. and they give light in this matter in the way of effectual Humiliation and Repentance: eſpecially repent and be humbled for Temple-ſins, Temple-defilements; for your Church-ſins, Church-defilements, ſins againſt the Worſhip of God, ſee Ezek. 43.10, 11. ſo Rev. 11.1. a Reed is given at the reſtoring of the Churches and Worſhip of God from the Antichriſtian Apoſtacy, to meaſure the Temple, the Altar and the Worſhippers. Get this meaſuring Reed into your hands the Word of God, Revel. 21.15.

2. Leave out the outer Court, Rev, 11.2. that is nominal Chriſtians. Look to the matter of the Church, elſe it will be like rotten timber in the foundation of a Building: Not that I do exhort you to rigour and ſeverity; I know there may be an extream on both hands: but take heed of extreams, and of admitting perſons viſibly unfit. Theſe two Directions are of that weight, that I have thought they are enough as to Communion of Churches. If they own the Scripture for their Rule of Worſhip and Diſcipline, if they build by the golden Reed, and if they leave out the outer Court; if there be care taken to keep off promiſcuous Adminiſtrations. But if they ſlight the Scripture as the rule of their Walking, or of their Worſhip and Adminiſtrations. Or if they be not in a capacity to keep the Ordinances pure, I do not ſee how we can have comfortable communion with them.

3. Let there be no noiſe of Axes and Hammers in building the Temple. It was built entirely of hewed and ſquared ſtones, whereof every one was perfectly fitted for its place, the length of the ſtones, ſome ſay, being the thickneſs of the Wall, 1 Kin. 6.7. p. 432It is not to be too rigorouſly underſtood, but the meaning is is, as ſome expreſs it, no ſound that was obſtreperous to a publick diſturbance: no laborious ſound from the hewing or ſquaring of timber, but only a more cheerful, yea melodious harmony from the conjunction and compacting of matter afore…d fitted and prepared.

Doubtleſs this was not without a myſtery: it may be divers ways applied; as, that the matter of the Church ſhould be well prepared before their admiſſion as members: and that the Saints are aforehand fitted and prepared unto Glory: ſo that when they come to dye, they have nothing elſe to do but to dye: for the Temple was a Type of Heaven, and of the Church triumphant. But the Application that I would make of it, is this: There ſhould be no noiſe of ſtrife, no contention, no colliſion of mens ſpirits in Church-ſociety. And the means to avoid this, is the well preparing of the matter: when the Soul is well prepared by an humbling work in its firſt converſion, when hewed and ſquared, it will lye even in the building, elſe not. For by Pride only comes Contention.

4 Build the Houſe of the Lord before your own Houſes: ſo Solomon did. The Lords Houſe was finiſhed in ſeven years, but his own was not finiſhed till thirteen years, 1 Kings 6. ult. with cap. 7. 1. not that he regarded his own Houſe more, but leſs; and therefore finiſhed the Lords Houſe before his own. And the Jews, after their return from the Captivity, are greatly reproved for this neglect, Hag. 1.4. and 2.19. It is indeed the general ſcope of the whole book of Haggai. It brings a Bleſſing upon all your concernments, Matth. 6.33. Seek firſt the Kingdom of God, and all other things ſhall be added. But if this be neglected and poſtponed, God will blaſt and curſe all the other works of your hands, as he did theirs.

5. Labour to ſee the Beauty of the Lord in his Temple. This was Davids earneſt deſire, Pſal. 27.4. One thing I have deſired of the Lord, that will I ſeek after, that I may dwell in the Houſe of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the Beauty of the Lord, Pſal. 84.7. to appear before God in Sion, Pſal. 63.2. to ſee thy p. 433Power and thy Glory in thy Sanctuary. What do you come there for, if you do not meet with God there? Be in the pureſt way of Worſhip, but reſt not in it without God. Get real viſions and fruitions of God in his Ordinances, to ſee the pleaſant Beauty of the Lord in his Temple.

Queſt. But when is God real to the Soul in his Ordinances?

Anſwer. When God is as real to the Soul, to the eye of Faith, as the external part of an Ordinance is to the eye of ſenſe. When you ſee Chriſt crucified in the Sacrament, when you ſee his Body broken, his Blood poured out, as really as you ſee the Bread broken, and the Wine poured out. And if there be a real ſight of Chriſt, it will have real effects, to ſubdue thy Luſts, to keep the heart in ways of Holineſs.

Queſt. But what of God are we to ſee in his Temple?

Anſw. All his Glory ſhines forth there, eſpecially his Power and his Grace.

1. His Power, Pſal. 63.2. To ſee thy Power and thy Glory.

2. Eſpecially the Glory of his Grace, Zech. 4.7. Cry Grace Grace unto it from the foundation to the top-ſtone.

2. Sam. 7.13.

He ſhall build an Houſe for my Name,Nov. 1. 1668. and I will eſtabliſh the Throne of his Kingdom for ever.

NOw of the parts of the Temple. Taking the word in the largeſt ſenſe, for all the holy Buildings and the appertainances thereof, ſo the parts of it were three.

1. The Houſe.

2. The Courts, and

3. The Veſſels of the Temple.

I call them all parts, for want of a fitter term to expreſs it by: for there is a penury of words, from whence there is a neceſſity ſometimes of tropes, and figures, and improprieties of ſpeech.

1. The Houſe it ſelf; that is, the covered Building called foreign from foreign to inhabit: as all the holy ground is called foreign for the whole place, and all the Courts were holy.

p. 434As to this, I mean the Houſe it ſelf, we may conſider,

1. The common parts of it, which belong to every Houſe, and ſo to this amongſt the reſt. And here the Scripture takes notice of the Foundation, the Walls, the Doors, the Windows, the Floor, and the Roof of the Temple.

Not that we ſhould ſeek a myſtery in every thing, but only ſo far as we ſee the Scripture going before us we may ſafely follow, when we find the Scripture allegorizing any thing and alluding to it in a ſpiritual ſenſe, we ſhould mind, and heedfully take out ſuch leſſons and inſtructions.

I muſt ſpeak firſt to the Letter and Hiſtory of them, as parts of the material Temple; and then conſider what myſtical application the Scripture makes of them. This method I ſhall obſerve under every head.

1. The Foundation of the Houſe of the Lord; it was of great coſtly hewn ſtone, 1 Kings 5.17. But what is the Foundation in the Foundation in the ſpiritual Temple? The Scripture often applies this to Jeſus Chriſt, Iſai. 28.16. behold I lay in Sion for a foundation, a ſtone, a tryed ſtone, &c. 1. Pet. 2.4-6. to whom coming as to a living ſtone, diſallowed indeed of men, &c. refuſed of the Builders, Pſal. 118.22. the ſtone which the Builders refuſed is become the head of the corner. A Scripture often interpreted in the New Teſtament concerning Chriſt— other foundations can no man lay, 1 Cor. 3.9, 11. The Scripture often ſpeaks of Chriſt under this notion, as a Stone, and a Rock, and a Corner-ſtone, Gen. 49.24. from thence is the Shepherd the Stone of Iſrael— Dan. 2.25. a Stone cut out of the Mountain without hand. Iſai. 26.4. Truſt ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlaſting ſtrength. The word is, the Rock of ages; in which Rock Moſes was hid, Exod. 33.22. while my Glory paſſeth by, I will put thee in a clift of the Rock. And Elijah, 1 Kings 19.9, 13. He is that Stone, Zech. 3.9. ingraven with ſeven eyes upon … it. And as Chriſt is the foundation-ſtone of the Church: ſo the Apoſtles in regard of their Doctrine are alſo called the Foundations of it, Rev. 21.14. Eph. 2.20.21. Look to it, that you be built upon this foundation, that you be not built upon the Sand, but upon this Rock, Matthew p. 4357.24. For hence it is that the Church ſtands ſo ſafe, becauſe built upon this Rock: therefore the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it, Matthew 26.18.

The Papiſts make the Pope the Corner-ſtone of their Church: but it is not the Pope, it is not Peter himſelf as perſonally conſidered, that the Church is built upon.

Many build upon the ſandy foundation of their own Righteouſneſs, and their own ſtrength and moral endeavours. Theſe are falſe foundations. But if you be upon this foundation, fear not; whoſoever believeth in him ſhall not be confounded

2. The Walls of the Temple; they were of Stone, the inſide was Cedar, adorned with carved Cherubims, Palm trees, Flowers, and overlaid with Gold; and yet further adorned with precious Stones, fixed, and ſparkling like Stars in fit places in the Wall, 1 Kings 6.18, 29— 2 Chron. 3.6. The outſide of the Wall was either white poliſhed Marble, as ſome think, or overlaid with Silver, as others conceive from 1 Chron. 29.4. For within it was overlaid with Gold. Therefore this Silver, as it ſeems, was for the outſide, which could not but yield a very bright and glorious ſhew to the eyes of all ſpectators, eſpecially when the beams of the Sun did ſhine and ſparkle upon it. The thickneſs of the Wall of the Temple is not expreſſed in the Scripture: but the leaſt that can be allowed at the foundation is four cubits; becauſe there was a rebatement of three cubits in the thickneſs of the Wall for the ſide-chambers, 1 Kings 6.6. and for the Wall in the higheſt ſtory, we may well allow one cubit, and ſo there will be four at the bottom.

The Scripture appies this myſtically to the new Jeruſalem, Rev. 21.12. it had a Wall great and high, and again, v. 17. and often the Walls are mentioned.

1. The Walls of an Houſe or City are the defence and ſafety of it: ſo Iſai. 60.18. thou ſhalt call thy Walls Salvation— And God is ſaid to be a Wall of Fire, Zech. 2.5. for I, ſaith the Lord, will be unto her a Wall of Fire round about, and will be the Glory in the midſt of her— the Lord is for Walls and Bulwarks to his people, Iſai. 26.1.

p. 4362. The Stones in this ſacred Building are ſpiritually Saints, who are called living Stones, 1 Pet. 2.5. So ſome interpret that alluſion, Pſal. 144.12, 13. that our Daughters may be as Corner-ſtones, poliſhed after the ſimilitude of a Palace. Vide Calv, Ainſw. in locum.

3. Theſe Trees that were placed in the Temple either for uſe, as Timber in the Building, or for Ornament in Sculptures and Ingravings, and the Flowers, I find them myſtically applied in the Scripture to the Saints and People of God in the Church. The Trees themſelves could not be planted in the Temple; but therefore the Sculptures of them were there, as repreſenting the Trees themſelves. David compares the righteous to the Cedar and the Palm-tree, Pſal. 92.12, 13, 14. and himſelf unto the Olive-tree, which was uſed in and about the Doors of the Houſe, Pſal. 52.8. but I am like a green Olive-tree in the Houſe of God. There were alſo Sculptures of Lillies in the Temple, 1 Kings 7.19, 22— and Saints are ſet forth by that Flower, Cant. 2.2. As the Lilly among the Thorns: ſo is my Beloved among the Daughters, Cant. 2.16. my Beloved he feedeth among the Lillies. The alluſion ſeems to lye in the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit of God, ſhadowed by the excellent properties of thoſe Trees and Flowers.

4. The Gold and precious Stones have the like ſignification. Thoſe ſpiritual excellencies in the true Temple, thoſe divine Graces and Ornaments of the Soul, more precious than Gold and Jewels, were ſhadowed forth by them. Therefore Faith is compared to Gold, 1 Pet. 1.6. And the Church is ſaid to have her Foundations of Agats, Iſai. 54.11, 12. So the new Jeruſalem, which is a Viſion and Propheſie of the Church in her excellency both of Grace and Glory, Rev. 21.18, 19. And the Members of the Church, Lament. 4.7. are compared to Rubies and Saphires.

3. The Doors of the Temple; they were made with folding leaves; and for the Sanctuary, they were of Fir-tree, with carved Cherubims, Palm-trees and Flowers— overlaid with Gold; and the Poſts of Olive-tree. But for the Oracle, both Poſts p. 437and Doors were of Olive-tree, 1 Kings, chap. 6. ver. 31, 35.

Now for the Myſtery of this, take theſe hints.

1. Chriſt himſelf is the Door of entrance and admittance into the Temple and Preſence of God, Joh. 10.7, 9.

2. The Ordinance of Admiſſion into the Church, or keeping or ſhutting out, is hereby figured alſo. For the uſe of a Door is to let in ſome, and keep out others, Cant. 1.12. A Garden incloſed is my Siſter, my Spouſe, a Spring ſhut up, a Foountain ſealed. Rev. 21.27 There ſhall in no wiſe enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatſoever worketh abomination, or maketh a ly; but they which are written in the Lambs Book of Life. And chapt. 22.15. Without are dogs, &c.

4. The Windows of the Temple, 1 Kings 6.4. and for the Houſe he made Windows of narrow Lights. Your Margin reads it, Windows broad within, and narrow without, or skewed and cloſed. They were made in that form, for the better diffuſion of the Light, and keeping out the Weather. Theſe Windows were of a great height from the ground: for they muſt needs be above the ſide-chambers, which were fifteen cubits high, 1 Kings 6.10. therefore the loweſt part of the Windows was fifteen cubits from the Pavement.

Whether the Oracle had Windows in it or no, is diſputed on both ſides. It is a queſtion alſo whether there was any Glaſs in theſe Windows: but had the Invention of Glaſs been ſo ancient, probably there would have been not only much uſe, but expreſs mention of it in the Scripture. It is ſaid of Ahaziah long after Solomons time, that he fell through a Lattice, 2 Kings 1.2. and thence ſome infer, that probably Glaſs-windows were not then in uſe. And indeed when was the firſt Invention of Glaſs, by that little ſearch that I have made, I cannot find. I find no clear mention of it in the Old Teſtament. For their Looking-glaſſes were of poliſhed Braſs, Exod. 38.8. I know ſome render miſrepoth majim— Joſh. 11.8. and 13.6. Fornaces vitraceas, the Glaſs-furnaces, which I confeſs is ingenious. But it may be otherwiſe rendred; and it doth not ſeem probable, that this Invention of Glaſs was ſo ancient as Joſhuahs time. Therefore the p. 438Windows of the Temple were open to the Air, and as to Ornament, we may ſuppoſe they were gilded or golden Lattices. But ſo much for the literal explication of them.

As to the myſtery of them, their uſe being to let in Light into the Temple; we may here conſider both external and internal Light.

1. As to external Light; this ſpeaks forth Light, Goſpel-light in the Church from Chriſt by his Miniſters For Chriſt himſelf is the true Light, Joh. 1.9. that was the true Light, which coming into the world enlighteneth every man that is enlightened; ſo ſome interpret thoſe words. For foreign may be referred to foreign as well as foreign. He is the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſhining in through theſe Windows, looking through the golden Lattices, Cant. 2.9.

His Miniſters are Lights alſo, though he is the Sun; they are but Stars that ſhine with a borrowed Light, Joh. 5.35. John the Baptiſt was a burning and a ſhining Light: and Matth. 5.14. Chriſt ſays to his Apoſtles, Ye are the Light of the world, and his Church and People ſhine as Lights in the world, Phil. 2.15.

2. As to internal Light; ſome apply it yet further to the ſpiritual illumination of the minds of Gods people. As the eyes are the windows of the Body, and ſo called, Eccleſ. 12.3. in old age they that look out at the windows are darkned: ſo the eyes and windows of the Soul are the faculty of the underſtanding elevated and ſanctified by the Holy Ghoſt, whereby it receives the Light of the Goſpel. There is in the Saints a ſpiritual viſive faculty, thoſe eyes of the Soul, whereby it receives the Light of the Sun of Righteouſneſs darting in his beams of ſpiritual Light into the Soul, Though it is with many as Joh. 1. the Light ſhines, but the darkneſs comprehends it not.

5. The Floor of the Temple; This was of Planks of Firr, and Boards of Cedar, overlaid with pure Gold, 1 Kings 6.15, 30.

This Leſſon and Inſtruction we may learn out of it; That every thing in the Houſe of God is excellent and precious, the loweſt, the meaneſt Saint or Ordinance of Chriſt. The very Floor of the Temple is overlaid with Gold.

p. 4396. The Scripture takes notice alſo of the Roof or Covering of the Temple, 1 Kings 6.9. which was made of boards and leaves of Cedar, laid within with Gold. What the outſide was is uncertain: For it is not likely that the Cedar-boards were expoſed to the injuries of the Weather— but covered, yet not with Lead, that was too poor a mettal to be uſed in this magnificent Temple, but either with ſheets of Silver, as ſome think, or with plates of Braſs, as others think.

The Roof was doubtleſs flatt, according to the cuſtom of of thoſe times; and therefore defended with Battlements, according to that Law, Deut. 22.8. and adorned with Pinnacles: For the Devil carried our Saviour to a Pinnacle of the Temple, Matth. 4.5. that is, ſaith the Marginal Note, the Battlement wherewith the flat Roof of the Temple was compaſſed about that no man might fall down, Deut. 22.8. and though flat, yet might be ſome gentle riſing in the middle, to caſt off the Rain-water.

The Scripture ſeems to apply the Covering of the Temple as an emblem of divine ſhelter and protection over the Church, Iſai. 4.5, 6. for upon all the Glory ſhall be a Defence, or as the Margin reads it a Covering— And there ſhall be a Tabernacle for a ſhadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from the ſtorm, and from the rain. This Covering and Shelter is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Iſai. 12.2. Cant. 2.4. his Banner over me was Love.

2 Sam. 7.13.Nov. 5. 1668.

He ſhall build an Houſe for my Name, and I will eſtabliſh the throne of his Kingdom for ever.

WE have ſoken of the Foundation, the Walls, the Doors, the Windows, the Floor, and the Roof of the Temple: theſe I call the common parts of the Temple, becauſe they are ſuch as are in every houſe, of what form or of what uſe ſoever.

But the ſpecial parts, or the Rooms in a houſe may be various and divers, according to the mind of the Architect, and the uſe he puts it to.

p. 440The Rooms in this ſacred Building and Houſe of the Lord were chiefly three, the Porch, the Sanctuary, and the Oracle, with the ſide-chambers belonging to them.

It will be needful here to ſpeak ſomething firſt concerning the Letter and Hiſtory of theſe things, and then concerning their myſtical ſignifications, becauſe we cannot ſo well ſee the ground and the truth of the myſtical application, unleſs we have a right Idea and conceiving of the Letter of the …ype it ſelf.

1. And firſt for the literal or hiſtorical explication of theſe parts of the Temple, you may eaſily conceive of them by the form of our Churches, as they are called; only there was a difference in the poſition or ſituation of the parts; but the parts themſelves are alike in both.

For firſt there was a great Court about the Temple, to which anſwers the Church-yard about our Churches. Then there was a ſtately Tower-porch, four times as high as the Temple it ſelf: to this anſwers that which is called the Steeple. To the Sanctuary anſwers the Body of the Church. And then anſwerable to the Oracle, is that which we call the Chancell. And finally, as the Temple had Side-chambers and Lodgings for the Levites: ſo there is belonging to our Churches the Veſtry and the dwelling houſe for the Miniſter, &c.

Only there is a difference in the poſition or ſituation of theſe parts. For whereas the Holy of holies in the Temple was at the Weſt end of it: on the contrary with us, the Chancell is ever towards the Eaſt; which was done either in oppoſition to the Jews, or in imitation of the Pagans.

As to our Churches or publick Meeting-places, the thing it ſelf is neceſſary: For if there muſt be publick Worſhip, there muſt be publick places to aſſemble in. A Meeting-place is a neceſſary appertainance to the Worſhip: and as for this form or faſhion of Building, whatſoever is for uſe or convenience, or moderate Comelineſs and Ornament is lawful and allowable: and therefore there is no evil in a Church-yard, or a Steeple, or a Veſtry, or an Houſe for the Miniſter: but to have a Chancell, or one part of the Meeting-place, as more holy than the reſt, in imitation of p. 441the Jewiſh Oracle, this is evil and ſuperſtitious. Publick Meeting-places are neceſſary; but the opinion of Holineſs in them, this is ſuperſtitious. For our Meeting-places do not ſucceed in the room and nature of the Jewiſh Temple, as a Temple; but of the Jewiſh Synagogues, where they had their moral Worſhip in all their Towns and Cities throughout their habiations.

It will be uſeful here to ſpeak a little firſt concerning the Dimenſions of theſe ſeveral parts of the Temple, and then concerning their Poſition or Situation to each other.

And firſt for the Porch, it was a hundred and twenty cubits high, twenty cubits long, and ten cubits broad. This appears by comparing and putting two places of Scripture together, 1 Kings 6.3. with 2 Chron. 3.4. In the Kings it is ſaid, And the Porch before the Temple of the Houſe, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the Houſe, and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the Houſe. In 2 Chron. 3.4. the height is mentioned, the height was one hundred and twenty cubits. It is not to be ſuppoſed, that it was all void to the top; but that it had Chambers and winding Stairs up to the top, according to that in 1 Chron. 28.11. which ſpeaks of the pattern of the Porch and of the Houſes thereof, and of the Treaſures thereof, and of the upper Chambers thereof, and of the inner Parlours thereof.

And a gallant proſpect it was from the top of this Tower-ſteeple, they might ſee far and neer. Some have written that the River Jordan the dead Sea and all Arabia might be diſcerned: And ſo I ſuppoſe might the Mediteranean Sea Weſtward.

The uſe of this ſtately Porch in the front of the Houſe was chiefly for Ornament to the Houſe it ſelf, to the reſt of the Temple.

2. The ſecond part of the Houſe was the Sanctuary, or the holy place, called ſometimes the Temple, ſometimes the Houſe, and the greater Houſe, 2 Chron. 3.5. in contra-diſtinction to the Oracle, which was the leſſer.

This was forty cubits long, that is, from Eaſt to Weſt, between the Porch and the Oracle, 1 Kings 6.17. and the Houſe, that is, the Temple before it, viz. before the Oracle, was forty cubits long. p. 442And ver. 2. the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits. In this ſtood the Altar of Incenſe, the Table of Shew-bread, and the Golden Candleſticks. And here the Lord was wont to walk as it were amongſt the Golden Candleſticks.

3. The third part of the Temple was the Oracle. This was twenty cubits every way, both in the height, length and breadth, 1 Kings 6.10. and the Oracle in the forepart, that is, which as a man entred into the Temple lay before him in the Weſt end of it, was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: ſo that it was a perfect cube excavated.

It had Doors of Olive-tree, 1 Kings 6.31 and the Lintel or ſide-poſts were a fifth part of the Wall, that is, four cubits, the Wall being twenty: So there was eight cubits of Wall, beſide eah Door. It may be rendred a little otherwiſe: but thus our Tranſlators; and this ſeemeth the fitteſt proportion for the Doors.

And here was the Veil hung, namely between the Sanctuary and the Oracle. The Inſtitution of the Veil we have, Exod. 26.31, 32, 33. It is ſaid, 2 Chron. 3.14. and he made the Veil of blue, &c. And we find, 1 Kings 6.21. he made a Partition by the Chains of Gold before the Oracle, that is, to hang the Veil upon them.

It is a Queſtion here, on which ſide of the Wall the Veil hung, whether in the Oracle, or in the Sanctuary, which I ſhall leave to your own Meditations to conſider; as alſo whether the Oracle had Windows. Some think not; becauſe the Scripture, in alluſion to it, ſpeaks of Gods dwelling in thick darkneſs. So Solomon at the Dedication of the Temple, 1 Kings 8.12. and of the new Jeruſalem, which is deſcribed with ſome alluſion to Solomons Temple. It is ſaid, Rev. 21.23. it had no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to ſhine in it: for the Glory of the Lord did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof. Neither was the work of the High Prieſt in this moſt holy place ſuch as needed any more Light than what the opening of the Doors might p. 443yield, from the Light that was in the Sanctuary.

It is further Quere concerning the Oracle, whether there were any ſide-chambers over it.

The Anſwer is, that the Text ſeems clear for it, 2 Chron. 3.1. and he overlaid the upper Chambers with Gold, that is, the upper Chambers over the Oracle: For the whole Context in thoſe three verſes, 8, 9.10. treateth concerning the Oracle. It was but twenty cubits high, whereas the Sanctuary was thirty: Therefore what became of the remaining ten cubits? It is not likely that there was a pair Stairs (as ſome ſuppoſe) of fifteen foot high, between the Sanctuary and the Oracle, whereby to aſcend and go up into the Oracle: but rather that the remaining ten cubits was made into two upper Chambers, to be repoſitories for the choiceſt things over the Oracle. And ſo this brings me to ſpeak a word to the ſide chambers of the Temple, of which we read, 1 Kings 6.5, 6— and againſt the Wall of the Houſe (or upon, or joyning to it, ſaith the Margin) he built Chambers round about, againſt the Walls of the Houſe round about, both of the Temple and of the Oracle, he made Chambers round about. The nethermoſt Chamber was, five cubits broad, the middle was ſix cubits broad, and the third was ſeven cubits broad. For without in the Wall of the Houſe he made narrowed Reſts round about, that the Beams ſhould not be faſtened in the Walls of the Houſe. So that here were three ſtories of Chambers contiguous to the Temple; the loweſt ſtory five cubits broad, the ſecond ſtory ſix cubits, and the uppermoſt ſtory ſeven cubits; which different dimenſions of the Chambers aroſe from the ſeveral rebatements that were in the Wall, for the Beams of the Floors to reſt upon.

The number of theſe Chambers is not expreſſed in Scripture: but in Ezekiels viſionary Temple there wsre thirty chambers, Ezek. 41.6— and the Jewiſh Writers report, that there was the ſame number in Solomons Temple.

Queſt. But here it may be demanded, Cubits being ſo often mentioned in meaſuring the Temple, how much a Cubit is?

Anſwer. A Cubit was about a foot and a half of our meaſure, it comes very neer it, except ſome ſmall fractions.

p. 444The Oracle therefore being twenty cubits, was about thirty foot ſquare. The Porch-tower being one hundred and twenty cubits high, was about one hundred and eighty foot high.

Some diſtinguiſh of cubits, and think there were two ſorts of them, the ſacred, and the common cubit, and that the ſacred cubit was double the quantity of the other: And ſo two ſorts of Shekels, the Shekel of the Sanctuary, and the common Shekel; and ſo of other Meaſures. But others on the contrary conceive, there was but one Cubit, and but one Shekel: and that phraſe, the Shekel of the Sanctuary, they interpret of exact meaſure, the Standard of all meaſures being laid up in the Sanctuary, 1 Chron. 23.29. It is true, the Temple is ſaid to be ſo long, according to the Cubits of the firſt meaſure, 2 Chron. 3.3. but this is various ways interpreted. Some underſtand it of the Meaſures left in the written Pattern by David to his Son Solomon. Others underſtand it of the Tabernacle-meaſures left by Moſes. See the Belgick Annot. in 2 Chron. 3.3.

If the Cubit uſed in the Temple were double to the ordinary, there would have needed Pillars in the midſt of the Houſe to ſupport the Roof: but the Scripture ſpeaks not of any ſuch Pillars.

Obj. But if a Cubit was no more but a foot and an half, wherein then conſiſted the Magnificence of Solomons Temple? For it is ſaid, 1 Chron. 22.5. The Houſe that is to be builded for the Lord muſt be exceeding magnifical of Fame, and of Glory throughout all Countries.

Anſw. This Magnificence did not conſiſt in the Houſe only, but in all the ſacred Buildings, the Courts and Ʋtenſils belonging to it. Nor did it conſiſt in the bigneſs, ſo much as in the ſumptuouſneſs of it: for there is a competency and a meaſure in things, which to exceed is not magnificent, but rather monſtrous. It is not the excellency of a dwelling houſe, to have wild vaſt Rooms, but fit Romes for uſe.

The Sumptuouſneſs of the Temple was unparallell'd. It ſeems in this reſpect to have been incomparably the moſt ſtately Structure that ever was in the world: For I have never read in any p. 445Hiſtory of any Houſe beſide this, that was overlaid with Gold all over, both the Walls, and the Roof, and the Pavement of it, and garniſhed with Jewels and precious Stones fixed and ſparkling in the Walls like ſo many Stars in the Firmament.

But ſo much for the Figure and Dimenſions.

2. Now ſecondly of the Poſition or Situation of theſe parts to each other, which was this. The Porch ſtood to the Eaſt, the Sanctuary or holy place in the middle, and the Oracle in the Weſt end of the Temple.

For Ezekiel ſtanding in viſion in the inner cap. 8. 16. he ſaw five and twenty men between the Porch and the Altar, with their backs towards the Temple of the Lord, and their faces towards the Eaſt, and they worſhipped the Sun towards the Eaſt. And Ezek. 44.1. there is mention of the Gate of the outward Sanctuary, which looketh towards the Eaſt. And again, Ezek. 47.1. behold Waters iſſued from under the threſhold of the Houſe Eaſtward. For the forefront of the Houſe ſtood towards the Eaſt.

The Reaſon of this was in oppoſition to the heatheniſh Idolatry of thoſe times, who were wont to worſhip towards the Eaſt; and therefore had their doors and entrances into the Temples from the Weſt▪ and their Adyta and more ſacred places towards the Eaſt end, there their Idols ſtood. As in our Churches in Popiſh times they had a Loft or Gallery over the Chancel, which was called the Rood-loft, where all their Idols ſtood; as the Picture of Chriſt, and of the Virgin Mary, &c. and amongſt the reſt, they had one great Idol, called the Rood, which if it was, as ſome now think, the Picture of an old Man; from thence the poor ignorant people came to conceive of God the Father, as an old Man ſitting in Heaven: though it ſeems rather to be a Wooden Image of Chriſt hanging on the Croſs. See Acts and Monuments vol. 2. pag. 302. or a Wooden Croſs only, without any Image hanging on it. From whence is the term Roodmas, uſed ſtill in ſome parts of England; by which they mean the firſt or third of May, the Pope having made that an holy day, and called it Inventio Crucis, becauſe forſooth on that day the Croſs on which Chriſt was crucified was found, if you will believe the p. 446Fable; Maſſe or Meſſe ſignifying in the old Saxon a Feaſt, or a ſet time of holy rejoycing, and Rood, as it ſeems, a Croſs.

But this is to be obſerved that in all the Ceremonial Worſhip, the Lord took ſpecial care to keep his people at a diſtance from the heatheniſh Idolatries of thoſe times, he would not ſuffer them to conform at all to thoſe falſe Worſhips, nor to comply with them in the leaſt. And it is a good ſpirit to be zealous againſt ſuch things: but where there is a ſlight, looſe, indifferent, ſceptical frame of ſpirit in the matters of Gods Houſe and Worſhip, this ſpirit is not of God, this ſpirit is not of him that calleth you.

So much for the Houſe it ſelf.

2. Now ſecondly for the Courts of the Temple, there were two of them, the Scripture mentioneth ſo many and no more, 2 Chron. 33.5. and he (Manaſſeh) built Altars for all the Hoſt of Heaven in the two Courts of the Houſe of the Lord.

About the Tabernacle we read but of one Court, Exod. 27.9. for the whole Camp of Iſrael was the outer Court. But about the Temple there two, called the outward, and the inner Court. The outward Court being the larger, is called the great Court, 2 Chron. 4.9. and the Court of the people, becauſe here the people came together to be taught, Ezra 10.9. But though the people came into it; yet it was part of the Temple, and an holy place: For none might enter that were unclean in any thing, for it was the Office of the Porters to keep them back, 2 Chron. 23.19. And hence it was that the Jews took ſo much offence at Paul, when they thought he had brought Greeks into the Temple, and ſo polluted that holy place, Actt 21.28.

There was alſo another Court called the inner Court, 2 Kings 6.36. and the higher Court, Jer. 36.10. and the Court of the Prieſts,Vid. plura on Rev. 11.12. This Reference in the Authors Notes ſhews he had written a Diſcourſe on that Text, and indeed ſo he had, which may be publiſhed in time, if God will.Rev 11:12 2 Chron. 4.9. Both theſe Courts, as it ſeemeth did compaſs the Temple on all ſides round about, and they were four ſquare. The length of each ſide of the outer Court was a furlong, as the Jewiſh Witers report, and the whole about half an Engliſh mile in compaſs.

p. 447There were alſo, as they report, ſome other Courts added unto theſe in after times; but becauſe the Scripture takes no norice of them, I ſhall not do it neither. Neither ſhall I ſay any thing of the Walls about the Courts, and the Gates, and other Buildings belonging to them, as Chambers, Porches, and Treaſuries to lay the Veſſels and other things in; and for the Prieſts and Levites to lodge in. For there is mention 1 Chron. 28.11. of the Porch, and of the Houſes therof, and the Treaſuries thereof, &c. and ver. 12. of the Courts of the Houſe of the Lord, and of all the Chambers round about, of the Treaſuries of the Houſe of God, and of the Treaſuries of the dedicate things. Neither need I ſpeak particularly to the myſtical ſignifications of the Houſe and the Courts.

The whole as conſidered together may be divided into three parts.

1. The outer Court.

2. The inner Court, with the Sanctuary.

3. The Oracle, or the Holy of holies.

Some apply theſe three parts of the Temple to the three parts of a Chriſtian mentioned by the Apoſtle, 1 Theſſ 5.23. the Spirit, Soul and Body. The Body (ſay they) is ſignified by the open Court, where all may ſee what is done. The Soul (ſay they) may be compared to the Sanctuary, which as it was more holy than the outward Court; ſo is the Soul of man an higher and more divine part than the Body, where by the Lamp of Gods Spirit the Reaſon and Underſtanding is enlightened. The Spirit (ſay they) is as the moſt holy place, where God dwelleth in ſecret by Faith, which, ſaith the Apoſtle, is of things not ſeen nor comprehended by Reaſon.

Others apply it to the three parts of the World thus. The outward Court to this inferiour World, where all things lye open to the view and uſe of man. The Sanctuary to the ſtarry Heaven, which is full of Lights and Stars, as the Sanctuary had the ſeven Golden Candleſticks, and Gems, and Jewels ſhining in it. The Holy of holies to the third Heaven, wherein God dwelleth; and indeed the Apoſtle himſelf makes it a Type of Heaven, Heb. 9.24.

p. 448There is ſomething of analogy in the thing as to all theſe. But the beſt accommodation of a Type is from Scripture, and from the hints and intimations which the Scripture gives, which (as hath been formerly ſhewed) makes the Temple a Type of Chriſt and of the Church.

Let us conſider then what Inſtructions theſe parts of the Temple do afford as to both theſe.

1. As to Chriſt himſelf. The Temple was a Type of Chriſt eſpecially in regard of that chief part of it, the Holy of holies, wherein there was a figure or weak repreſentation both of his divine and humane Nature. Therefore Chriſt is called the Holy of holies, Dan. 9.24. ſeventy weeks are determined to anoint the moſt holy, or the Holy of holies, that is, to initiate and inaugurate the Lord Jeſus Chriſt into his Mediatorial office. The Veil of the Holy of holies typified his humane nature, Heb. 10.20. through the Veil, that is to ſay, his Fleſh.

We may draw forth the analogy more at large in theſe particulars.

1. The Humane nature did veil the Glory of his Deity, as the Veil of the Temple did conceal the Holy of holies from the eyes of men.

2. There was curious Embroidery of Cherubims and other Ornaments upon the Veil, Exod. 26.31. thou ſhalt make a Veil of blue, and purple, and ſcarlet, and fine twined Linnen of cunning work, with Cherubims ſhall it be made. So Chron. 3.16. This is not unfitly applied to thoſe excellent Graces of the Spirit, wherewith the Humane nature of Jeſus Chriſt was filled and adorned.

3. The Veil ſhutting up the Sanctuary from the ſight and entrance of the people, ſignified the ſhutting up the myſteries of the Goſpel while the old Temple ſtood, Heb. 9.8. the holy Ghoſt this ſignifying, that the way into the holieſt of all was not yet made manifeſt, while as the firſt Tabernacle was yet ſtanding— There were dark ſhadows then of the myſteries of the Goſpel.

4. The rending of the Veil when Chriſt died repreſents his Sufferings in the Fleſh, or humane nature, Matth. 27.51. the p. 449Veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. If the Veil be the Fleſh or the Humane nature of Chriſt, then the rending of the Veil muſt needs be the breaking of his Body, and the ſufferings of his Humane nature.

5. As by this the Holy of holies was open to the view of all that came to the Temple: ſo under the Goſpel the myſteries of Salvation are made manifeſt, Rev. 11.19. and the Temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was ſeen in his Temple the Ark of his Teſtament. Clear diſcoveries of God in Chriſt.

6. As the Prieſt entred into the holy place through the Veil; ſo hath Chriſt into Heaven, and made way for us all to enter after him and with him through his Sufferings, Heb. 9.12. neither by the Blood of Bulls and Goats, but by his own Blood he entred in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal Redemption for us; and Heb. 6.2 laſt, which hope we have, as an anchor of the Soul, both ſure and ſtedfaſt, and which entred into that within the Veil, that is, into the Holy of holies, whither the fore-runner is for us entred even Jeſus.

This is the firſt accomodation of this Type, even unto Jeſus Chriſt himſelf.

2. The Temple ſignified alſo the Church; and the ſeveral parts of the Temple may be conſidered here alſo.

1. We learn here that there is a threefold diſtinction of the Church, into viſible, militant, and triumphant.

The outer Court ſignified the viſible Church, into which all the people came that were clean according to the Law: ſo into the viſible Church come all that make a fair outward profeſſion, though they are not all ſincere, as all were not Iſrael that were of Iſrael.

The Sanctuary and the inner Court ſignified the Church militant of true Believers, who are indeed ſpiritual Prieſts unto God.

And laſtly, the holieſt of all was a Type of Heaven, and of the Church triumphant there; ſo the Apoſtle often, Heb. 9.24. for Chriſt is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven it ſelf.

2. Whereas there was a Wall about the great Court to keep p. 450out the Gentiles, for none but Jews were admitted: the Apoſtle ſhews that Chriſt hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, Epheſ. 2.14. which he hath done by converting the Gentiles, and repealing the Ceremonial Law.

3. The outer Court muſt be left out in Church-reformation, Rev. 11.1, 2. that is, when the matter of the viſible Church is wholly corrupted theſe Gentiles muſt be caſt out, or left out.

4. Whereas the Materials of the Sanctuary and of the Oracle were the ſame, Cedar-boards and Gold, and garniſhed with precious Stones, &c. as was ſhewed before, when we ſpake of the Walls of the Temple; hence we may learn this Inſtruction; that Grace and Glory differ not in kind, but only in degree. Grace is Glory begun; Glory is Grace perfected, Heb. 12.23. the Spirits of juſt men made perfect. A Believer hath eternal life begun in him in this world, 1 Joh. 3.15.

5. The ſide-chambers and all the buildings about the Chambers, wherein the Prieſts and Levites had their ſeveral Lodgings and ſtations appointed them, may inſtruct and mind us of thoſe Manſions that are prepared for us in Heaven, Joh. 14.2. in my Fathers Houſe are many Manſions, if it were not ſo, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you.

6. Whereas in theſe Chambers were kept and laid up the Standards of all Weights and Meaſures; for ſo ſome underſtand that place, 1 Chron. 23.29. ſpeaking of the Levites work in their ſeveral places and ſtations, it is ſaid, their Office was to wait on the Sons of Aaron, as for other things, ſo for all manner of Meaſure and Size; that is, as ſome expound it, that unto their Truſt were committed the Standard meaſures of things, and here laid up under their cuſtody, as in a moſt ſafe and ſacred Repoſitory; and theſe were called the Meaſures of the Sanctuary: as with us the Standards and Meaſures are laid up in the Tower. We may here learn, that God regards Juſtice amongſt men next to his own Worſhip. To unjuſt perſons he ſaith, as Iſai. 1.11. to what purpoſe is the multitude of your Sacrifices unto me? who hath required this at your hands to tread my Courts? v. 12. The reaſon is given v. 15. your hands are full of Blood. And would you know p. 451that there are Manſions prepared in Heaven for you? you may take this as one evidence of it, Pſal. 15.1. Lord, who ſhall abide in thy Tabernacle? who ſhall dwell in thy holy hill? He anſwers in the ſecond verſe, He that walketh uprightly, and worketh Righteouſneſs, and ſpeaketh the truth in his heart.

And let me add this further, do not judge of your ſpiritual eſtate by your getting into the outer Court: for hypocrites may get in there, if they be but outwardly clean. But art thou admitted as a ſpiritual Prieſt into the Sanctuary, to enjoy true communion with God in his Ordinances, and to worſhip God in the Spirit; art thou a member of the Church militant, as well as of the viſible Church?

The Church militant ſhall be at laſt triumphant: they ſhall paſs from and through the Sanctuary into the Holy of holies, even into Heaven it ſelf, whither Jeſus our fore-runner is entred for us.