Wherein, although we have in great admiration the wisdom of Solomon, by whose direction the building was taken in hand, the circumspection ⟨image 3⟩of the Lords, which over saw the work, the cunning of the masons, which squared the stones, and the plenty of stones, which sufficed so huge a building, yet must it needs be granted, that the office of those, which carried the stone, and transported the same, from the place, where it was framed, to the place, where the temple was erected, was greatly necessary, and to very good purpose in this gorgeous work. The like proportion is observed in the building of the spiritual temple of God,* which is every faithful Christian,* builded by faith upon Jesus Christ,* being the only foundati-of the same. For Christ, being the wise Solomon in deed, directeth the work by his holy spirit, good christian Princes by wholesome laws, like good overseers, take order that the work may go forward, learned & ⟨image 3⟩godly preachers, as cunning masons, continually square plenty of stones, that is, make many godly Sermons, & write sundry learned books perfectly agreeing with the square of gods word,* the only rule of spiritual builders, which being translated from tongue into tongue by the diligence of interpreters, the porters or carriers in this spiritual work, it cometh to pass, that God his elect are builded up by little and little into a spiritual temple for GOD him self to dwell in, with great quietness of conscience, which although it be sensibly felt inwardly by the faithful believer so builded, yet is it not perceived outwardly by the wicked raging world, which is no part of this building. Howe greatly the ancient Israelites joyed at the erection of the material temple,* the ⟨image 4⟩many oblations,* which Solomon offered to the Lord, and the solemn feast, which he and all the people held, most manifestly do declare. How much more then ought we to offer up unto God* the oblations of a godly life, and to joy continually in our hearts, considering that it hath pleased him in Jesus Christ to build us up by his holy spirit for an holy temple unto him self?
Wherein, although wee haue in great admiration the wisedome of Solomon, by whose direction the building was taken in hand, the circumspection ⟨image 3⟩of the Lordes, which ouer sawe the worke, the cunning of the masōs, which squared the stones, and the plentie of stones, which sufficed so huge a building, yet must it needes bee graunted, that the office of those, which caried the stone, and transported the same, from the place, where it was framed, to the place, wher the tēple was erected, was greatly necessarie, and to very good purpose in this gorgious work. The like proportion is obserued in the building of the spirituall temple of God,* which is euery faithfull Christian,* builded by faith vppon Iesus Christe,* beeing the only foundati-of the same. For Christ, being the wise Solomon in deed, directeth the worke by his holy spirit, good christian Princes by wholesome lawes, like good ouerseers, take order that the work may go forward, lerned & ⟨image 3⟩godly preachers, as cunning masons, continually square plenty of stones, that is, make many godly Sermons, & write sūdrie learned bokes perfectly agreeing with the square of gods worde,* the only rule of spirituall builders, which beeing translated from tongue into tongue by the diligence of interpreters, the porters or cariers in this spirituall worke, it commeth to passe, that God his elect are builded vp by little and little into a spirituall temple for GOD him selfe to dwell in, with great quietnesse of conscience, whiche although it bee sensibly felte inwardelye by the faithfull beleeuer so builded, yet is it not perceiued outwardly by the wicked raging worlde, which is no part of this building. Howe greatly the auncient Israelites ioyed at the erection of the materiall temple,* the ⟨image 4⟩many oblations,* which Solomon offered to the Lorde, and the solemne feast, which hee and all the people helde, most manifestly doe declare. How muche more then ought wee to offer vp vnto God
- *1. Cor. 3.16 & 1. Cor. 6.19. 1. Pet. 2.5.
- *Mat. 16.16. & 1. Pet. 2.7.
- *1. Cor. 3.11
- *Gala. 6.16.
- *Gala. 6.16.
- *1. Kin. 8.61 &c.
- *Rom. 12.1.
