The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Cross the fifth of August. 1624. By…The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse the fifth of August. 1624. By…

The Temple of God

Is every Christian: as the Church is his great Temple, so his little temple is every man. We are not only through his grace, living stones in his Temple, but living temples in his Zion: each one bearing about him a little shrine of that infinite Majesty. Wheresoever God dwells, there is his Temple: therefore the believing heart is his Temple, for there he dwells. As we poor creatures of the earth have our being in him, so he the God of heaven hath his dwelling in us. It is true, that the heaven of heavens is not able to contain him; yet the narrow lodgings of our renewed souls are taken up for him. What were a house made with hands unto the God of spirits; unless there be a spirit for him to dwell in made without hands? Here if the Body be the Temple, the Soul is Priest: if that be not the offerer, the Sacrifice will not be accepted.

Is euery Christian: as the Church is his great Temple, so his little temple is euery man. We are not onely through his grace, liuing stones in his Temple, but liuing temples in his Sion: each one bearing about him a little shrine of that infinite Maiestie. Wheresoeuer God dwels, there is his Temple: therefore the beleeuing heart is his Temple, for there he dwels. As wee poore creatures of the earth haue our being in him, so he the God of heauen hath his dwelling in vs. It is true, that the heauen of heauens is not able to containe him; yet the narrow lodgings of our renewed soules are takē vp for him. What were a house made with hands vnto the God of spirits; vnlesse there bee a spirit for him to dwell in made without hands? Here if the Body be the Temple, the Soule is Priest: if that be not the offerer, the Sacrifice will not be accepted.

In this Spiritual Temple, first there is the Porch; which we may conceive to be the Mouth, Therefore David prays to have a Watch set at the door of his lips, to ward the gate of Gods Temple. This may seem to be one reason of saluting in former times by a kiss; they did kiss the gate of Gods Temple. Here the Fear of God is the Porter; who is both ready to let in his friends, and resolute to keep out his enemies. Let him specially watch for two sorts of foes, the one, a traitor that goes out, evil speaking: the other, a thief that steals in, too much drinking.