342 The Gofpel of Solomon's Temple. 2.. To the Oracle, whereinwas the Arkand the Appurtenances there; of, Heb.9. 1 to 5. Vie. Exhortation unto Temple-work. It is prophefied that even the Gentiles, .Zech. 6. ult. they that are far off(hail come and build in the Tem- ple ofthe Lord. We are all by Nature far off, Eph. z. but brought nigh by the Blood ofChrift, and built up into an Holy Temple to the Lord, as it there follows, Verf.13. 17, 19. &c. to the End. Take thefe Rules about Temple-work. t. Be Are you, build according to the Pattern fhown in the Mount to Mofs, Exod. z5.<,9 Heb. 8. 5. It is eighteen times repeated in the two lait Chapters of Exodus, [ as the Lord commanded Mofes, fo did he] as the Lord commanded Mofes. And in likeman- ree the Geneva ner David and Solomon, 1 Chron. z8. I 1, 12, 19. they Note upon it. had both the Word and Spirit of God to dire& them. If you ask, how may we know the Pattern ? Thefe 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 effeftual Humiliation and Repentance; efpecially repent and be humbled for Temple-Sins, Temple-Defile- ments ; for your Church-Sins, Church- Defilements, Sins againft the , Worfhip of God, fee Ezek. 43. io, 1 t. fo Rev. i i. r. a Reed is given at the reftoringof the Churches and Worfhip of God from the Anti- chriftian Apoftacy, to meafure the Temple; the Altar and the Wor- Ihippers. Get this Meafuring Reed into your Eands, the Word of God, Rev. z1.15. 2. Leave out the outer Court, l;ev. 1 1. z. that is, nominal Christians. Look to the matter of the Church, elle 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 Perfons vifibly unfit. Thefe two Direetions are of that Weight, that I have thought they are e- nough as to Communion of Churches. If they own the Scripture for their Rule' of Worship and Difcipline, if they build by the Golden Reed, and if they leave out the outer Court; if there be care taken to keep off promiscuous Adminiftrations. But if they flight the Scripture as the Rule of their Walking, or of their Worship and Adminiftrati- ons. Or if they be not in a Capacity to keep the Ordinances pure, I do not fee 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 elf hewed and fquared Stones, whereof everyone wasper.fectly fitted for its Place, the length of the Stones, fume fay, being
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