The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

This Doctrine hath its great use. For once in Gods Church, while Popery and her principles reigned, all the holiness spoken of, preached for, pleaded for principally, was holiness of things, not persons; holy Temples, holy Altars, holy Images; but real, personal holiness, which God commands, was despised and opposed. The Kingdom of God doth not come by observation, that is, we are not to look for external sensible pomp and glory, but it is within you, saith our Saviour, Luke 17.10. The Temple, the Church of God, are Persons believing. The Image of God is righteousness and holiness in our lives.

This Doctrine hath its great use. For once in Gods Church, while Popery and her principles reigned, all the holinesse spoken of, preached for, pleaded for principally, was holinesse of things, not persons; holy Temples, holy Altars, holy Images; but reall, personal holinesse, which God commands, was despised and opposed. The Kingdome of God doth not come by observation, that is, we are not to look for external sensible pomp and glory, but it is within you, saith our Saviour, Luke 17.10. The Temple, the Church of God, are Persons believing. The Image of God is righteousnesse and holinesse in our lives.

To open this, consider,

¹First, That God, while the people of Israel were unsettled, and their enemies were not fully conquered, appointed an ambulatory Tabernacle for his worship. This was the place to worship him in, and the Ark in it, was carried up and down likewise, and none might carry it, but men, even the Levites. So that when it was put on a Cart, and so carried, God was greatly displeased. The reason (say some) why men only were enjoined to carry it, was, that it might not at any time fall. For being a token of Gods presence and power, if that had fallen, it would have been a reproach to the God of Israel. But when God came to settle the people of Israel, and they had fully subdued their enemies, and the Government of the Land was established; then God would have a Temple settled. And though David had a desire to build it, yet because he had shed much blood, not innocent blood (though he did Uriahs) but because he had fought many battles, God would not have him do it, but Solomon, whose name signifieth Peace. No hammer, nor any noise might be heard in making the Temple: Thus Christ was born in Augustus his time, when Janus his Temple was shut, and the world at peace; though indeed in the second Temple, there they did build with their tools in one hand, and their swords in the other, because of the opposition they had.