Book IV. THE CHURCH THE TEMPLE OF G.Q D. 66t T Y P E. I!. In the Building of the Tem– ple there was no Noife heard of Hammer or Ax; and the Houfe, when it was in building, was built wirhStones made ready before they were brought thither, I Kings vi. 7· fo that there was neither Hammer, nor Ax, nor any Tool of Iron heard in the Houfe, whilft it was in building. JII. Others befides Solomo;z were concerned in the Building of the Temple, as HiramKing of 'fyrus, <1nd rhe Zidoniam, who hewed the Timber for it. lV. The Temple was a mofl :rare and glorious Strutlure; it was over-laid with fine Gold upon carved Cedar, t Kingsvi.21. V. In the Temple were many Windows, to let in Light abuA– dantly, I Kings vi. 4· . VI. In the Temple were feveral Degrees of Galleries or Lofts, ea-ch one above another, and larger each than other. VII. The Walls of the Temp!;: were covered round about with Cherubims, Palm - Trees, and Flowers. VIII. Solomon confecrated the Temple unto rhe Lord . IX. There was Mufic ufed 111 the Temple. X. In the Temple wa1 the Ark .of the T(!(timony, and in the midit of the Houfe it is faid he 'fee it. XI. The Glory of the Lord fill– ed the Temple; God promifed to dwell therein, ;1nd hear the Prayers that lhould be there made. I have hallowed this Houfe, faith God, that thou haj/ built, toput my Name there for ever; and mine Eyes and my Heart jh.all be there perpetually, 2 Chron. vii. 1 5· T Y P E. l. THE Temple was built with dead and fenfelefs Stones. II. The Stones were polilhed and hewn by the Hands of Men. IlL The Temple that was.built by Solom011, was utter.ly deftroyed b.y lhe.J)abyloniam. PARALLEL. I!. So in the Build~ng of the Church, there fhould be no need of the dammer, or the Ax, to fquare and hew by Repentance the Stones of this Building, being every way prepared, and made fit before. Converfion is the polifi1ing Work, and thofe that receive nnconverted Perfons, violate the holy Rule of God's Word, for that maketh Work for the Hammer and Ax in the Temple. Hence Solomon f.1ith, Prepare thy Work without, and mak~ ready thy Things in th~ Field, and after build thy 1-lmife, J'rov. xxiv. 27. Jll. To fhew, rhat in the Building of the Church of God, the Gentiles as well as the J ews, are con– cerned; they <11l concur together, to build up aR holy Temple in the Lord, Eph. ii. 2 z. IV. To fhew the Beautyand Glory of the Church, which is adorned with the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit. The Church is inwardly pure, very ricb and beautiful. Hence the King's Daughter is faid to be all glorious witbin, Pfal. xlv. I 7· V. So in the Church, the Light of the Go(pel, and rhe bleffed Spirir, lhines gloriouny; thefe let Light in, in great al---: . md~nce. VI. So in the Church God harh placed Degrees of Officers, fome greater and higher in Glory thaA others; as Apoflles, Paftors, Teachers, &c. !'-_ph. IV. I .1. VJI. To note, faith Mr. Ouild, the ProteCtion of the Church by the Miniftry of Aogels, thou.gh thc:ybe not feen, and ics peaceable, viCtoriO\lS, '}nd flourifbing State under rhe fame. Vlll. So did ChriO: his Church unto the Father. John xvii. IX. Which figni~es that Joy of Heart, and heavenly Melody, that is in rhe Church, amongft the faithful and fincePe Converrs thereof, Epb. v. I 9· X. So in .the Church is God's Word and Covo– nant of Grace, born by Chrill:, and by his true Minifters, by pt·eaching and publilhing the fame. XI. So the glor-ious P refence of God is in his Church, he dwelleth in Sion, and from thence the Perfection of Beauty lhines forth, and the Pw– mib of bleffed Grace, Peace, Pardon, and Accep– tance, are made to them who dwell therein. His Eye is always upon the Righteum, his Ears open to their Cry, and his tender Co;npaffion is ever toward them, I Pet. iii. 12. D 1 SPAR IT Y. 1. THE Chtlrch is built with living, fenfible, and lively Stones, I Pet. ii. 5· Il. Thelo Stones are hewn and polilhed by the Hand of the Spirit. Ill. .The Church of God can never be -deftroy– ed; the Gates of Hell !hall never prevail againfl it, fo as utterly to 0verchrow it, Matt. xvi. 18. though it is not denied, bm the outward Courts have been trodden down by the Popilh Gentiles, Rev·. xi. 2. 8 F A PARALLEL
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