Tropes and Figures · Benjamin Keach
Tropes and Figures, Treatise 1 · Head 7 · Part 3
The Church the Temple of God.
1 Cor. 3.16. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God.
2 Cor. 6.16. For ye are the Temple of the Living God, as God hath ſaid, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, &c.
THe Church is the Anti-type of Solomon's Temple, and we ſhall therefore run the Parallel with reſpect to that.
| Type. | Parallel |
| THe Temple was built with coſtly Stones, well hewed, ſquared, and poliſhed, before they were laid into the Building. | SO the Church of God is built with ſpiritual Stones,1 Pet. 2.3, 4, 5, 6. Acts 2.40, 41. who are well hewed and poliſhed by the Word and Spirit, before added to, or laid into the heavenly Building, |
| II. In the Building of the Temple there was no Noiſe heard of Hammer or Ax; and the Houſe, when it was in building, was built with Stones made ready before they were brought thither;1 King. 6.7 ſo that there was neither Hammer, nor Ax, nor any Tool of Iron heard in the Houſe, whilſt it was in building. | II. So in the building of the Church, there ſhould be no need of the Hammer, or the Ax, to ſquare and hew by Repentance the Stones of this Building, being every way prepared, and made fit before. Converſion is the poliſhing Work, and thoſe that receive unconverted Perſons, violate the holy Rule of God's Word, for that maketh Work for the Hammer and Ax in the Temple. Hence Solomon ſaith, Prepare thy Work without, Prov. 24.27. and make ready thy things in the Field, and after build thy Houſe. |
| III. Others beſides Solomon were concerned in the building of the Temple, as Hiram King of Tyrus, and the Zidonians, who hewed the Timber for it. | III. To ſhew, that in the building of the Church of God, the Gentiles as well as the Jews, are concerned; they all concur together,Eph. 2.…1. to build up a holy Temple in the Lord. |
| IV. The Temple was a moſt rare and glorious Structure;1 Kings 6.21. it was overlaid with fine Gold upon carved Cedar. | IV. To ſhew the Beauty and Glory of the Church, which is adorned with the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit. The Church is inwardly pure, very rich and beautiful. Hence the King's Daughter is ſaid to be all glorious within. Pſal 45.17 |
| V. In the Temple were many Windows,1 Kings 6.4. to let in Light abundantly. | V. So in the Church, the Light of the Goſpel, and the bleſſed Spirit, ſhines gloriouſly; theſe let Light in in great abundance. |
| VI. In the Temple were ſeveral Degrees of Galleries or Lofts, each one above another, and larger each than other. | VI. So in the Church God hath placed Degrees of Officers, ſome greater and higher in Glory than others; as Apoſtles,Eph. 4.11. Paſtors, Teachers, &c. |
| VII. The Walls of the Temple were covered round about with Cherubims, Palm-Trees, and Flowers. | VII. To note (ſaith Mr. Guild) the Protection of the Church by the Miniſtry of Angels, tho they are not ſeen, and its peaceable, victorious, and flouriſhing State under the ſame. |
| VII. Solomon conſecrated the Temple unto the Lord. | VIII.Joh. 17. So did Chriſt his Church unto the Father. |
| IX. There was Muſick uſed in the Temple. | IX. Which ſignifies that Joy of Heart,Eph. 5.19. and heavenly Melody, that is in the Church, amongſt the faithful and ſincere Converts thereof. |
| X. In the Temple was the Ark of the Teſtimony, and in the midſt of the Houſe 'tis ſaid he ſet it. | X. So in the Church is God's Word and Covenant of Grace, born by Chriſt, and by his true Miniſters, by preaching and publiſhing the ſame. |
| XI. The Glory of the Lord filled the Temple; God promiſed to dwell therein, and hear the Prayers that ſhould be there made. I have hallowed this Houſe, 2 Chron. 7.15. (ſaith God) that thou haſt built, to put my Name there for ever; and mine Eyes and my Heart ſhall be there perpetually. | XI. So the glorious Preſence of Go is in his Church, he dwelleth in Sion, and from thence the Perfection of Beauty ſhines forth, and the Promiſes of bleſſed Grace, Peace, Pardon, and Acceptance, is made to them who dwell therein. His Eye is always upon the Righteous, his Ears open to their Cry,1 Pet. 3.12. and his tender Compaſſion is ever toward them. |
| Type. | Diſparity. |
| THe Temple was built with dead and ſenſeleſs Stones. | THe Church is built with living,1 Pet. 2.5. ſenſible, and lively Stones. |
| II. The Stones were poliſhed and hewen by the hands of Men. | II. Theſe Stones are hewn and poliſhed by the hand of the Spirit. |
| III. The Temple that was built by Solomon, was utterly deſtroyed by the Babylonians. | III. The Church of God can never be deſtroyed; the Gates of Hell ſhall never prevail againſt it,Mat. 16.18. ſo as utterly to overthrow it: tho it is not denied, but the outward Courts have been trodden down by the Popiſh Gentiles.Rev. 11.2. |