l $ Verf.29, tyrfn Expofition upon the Boot¿ of J o a. Chap. 36. Clouds are Gods tabernacle ; they are called fo exprefly by a wo d of very near cognitionunto this (Ffal. 18. I 1.) He ma- keth the clouds his pavilion, A pavilion is an extraordinary taber- nacle ; a pavilion is, that tabernacle which is'proper to a King or to the General- of an Army. Now faith the Pfalmifl, He m4eth the Cl uds his pavilion; In them he Chews his power and glory. They are alfo called the chariots of God (Efal. Io4. 3. Tent., 32. 6.) and he is laid to come in the Clouds, as a Prince in his chariot. He came in a thick Cloud ( Exod, 19. 9.) and he de. fcended in a Cloud (Exod. 34.5) which here is called his taber- nacle. So then, the Clouds, together with all that middle rebion oldie air, where the rain now,and fiery meteors, are generated, are inScripure allegoricallycalled, the tabernacle of God ; be- caufe there he Teems often to dwell or refide, for the producing of many wonderful works upon this inferiour world. We may take the word here in a double allu(ion unto a tabernacle, or unto two forts of tabernacles. Firth, There Were orcinary tabernacles, wherein men dwelt. The ancient Hebrewsdwelt in-tents or tabernacles ; there were tabernacles for civil ufe, or for habitation ; inallufion unto which, the Apofile fpeakes of the body, wherein the foul dwels (z Cor. 5. ) When the earthly boufe oftbie tabernacle jia!l be difolved, we know, that we have a building of God , an henfe not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, Secondly, There were tabernacles for military ufe, fouldiers tents, or tabernacles. As the whole heavens, fo theclouds efpe- daily maybe called the tabernacle of God in both refpeas ; they a e his houle, whereinhe fits unfeen, and doth wonders all the ld over ; in them he fheweth his power, and appears glo i- oully, and as a great Prince cr mighty General he fends our his edi63s and orders from the clouds, he commands winds, acmes, t.:mpefls,fnow&Haile for leverai difpenfarions to go from thence, according as his cwn infinite wifdom Teeth fit, and the cafes of Lien require, whether inwiyes of Judgment or of mercy ; as Eli- ha tells us, yet more diiìinaly, at the 31th verle, For by them (faith he) judgethhethepeople, begivethmeatinabundance. The clouds are very fit and commodious for Gods ufe in any of there r_e rpecs ; either for the terrifying and punifhing of the wicked, fo;: the helping and feeding of them that fear him, Now for - afmuch
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