THE SECOND BOOK
TREATETH OF PLACES.
CHAP. I.
Their Temple.
When the Israelites came out of Ægypt, Moses was commanded to build a Tabernacle for the place of Gods publick worship. Afterward, when they were settled in the promised Land, then Solomon was commanded to build a Temple.
These two shadowed the difference between the Jews Synagogue, and the Christian Church. The Tabernacle was moveable, and but for a time: The Temple fixed, and permanent: the state of the Jews vanishing, to continue in their generations; the state of Christians durable, to continue unto the worlds end. More principally it shadowed forth the state of the Church Militant here on earth, and triumphant in heaven: Unto both the Prophet David alludeth; Lord, Who shall sojourn in thy Tabernacle? who shall rest in thine holy Mountain? Psal. 15. 1.
There were in the same tract of ground three hills, Sion, Moria, and Mount Calvary. On Sion was the City and Castle of David; on Moria was the Temple, and on Mount Calvary Christ was crucified. But[193] all these three were generally called by the name of Sion; whence it is, that though the Temple were built on Moria, yet the Scripture speaketh of it commonly, as if it were upon Mount Sion.
[193] Genebrard in Chron. lib. 1. Anno mundi 3146.
In their Temple there are these three things considerable: First, the Sanctum Sanctorum, the Holy of Holies; answerable to our Quire in the Cathedral Churches. Secondly, the Sanctum, the Sanctuary; answerable to the Body of the Church. Thirdly, the Atrium, the Court; answerable to the Church-yard.
In the Holy of Holies there were the Golden Censer, and the Ark of the Testament, Heb. 9. 4.