3. Old Eli's preferring the safety of th• Ark before the safety of his two sons, and before the safety of his wife and children: Old Eli sate watching, for his heart trembled ⟨p. 3⟩for the Ark of God. But you will say unto me, What was this Ark, this Ark of God? Why should old Eli tremble for fear of the Ark? Why, I will •ell you; This Ark was the holiest of all the holy things of God; it was so holy, that it made every place holy where it came: Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh out of the City of David, unto the house that he had builded for h•r; for h• s•d My Wife shall not dwell in the house of David King of Israel, because the places are holy whereunto the Ark of the Lord had c•me; 2 Chro. 8.11. This Ark was the dwelling place of God: Pray observe sirs, this will make way for an excellent discourse by and by. This Ark of God was the habitation of God, Psal. 9•.1. The Lord sitteth between the Cherubins; no• the Cherubins were placed over the Ark; this Ark was th• speaking place of God, it was the place where God met the people of Israel when he gave them answer concerning any doubt: They came to consult with God before the Ark, Exod 25.21, 22. Thou sha•t put the Mercy-seat above the Ark, and there I will m•et thee, and commune with thee from above the Mercy seat, from between the two cherubins which are upon the A•k for the testimony of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. This Ark for which old Eli was so solicitous, it was God's footstool, and all the people of Israel did worship at this footstool, fall down before this footstool, Psal. 99.5 Let us come and fall down, and worship at his footstool, h.e. before the Ark; this Ark was the strength of Israel, so it is called Psal. 78 61. He delivered his strength into captivity; that is, the Ark; the Ark it was the glory of Israel, and it was the strength of Israel, nay, l•t me add, this Ark was the terror of the Enemies of God; therefore when the Ark came into the battle, the Philistines ⟨p. 4⟩were afraid, and said, What shall become of us? woe to us, for God is come down into the camp, 1 Sam. 4.9. For indeed this Ark was called Jehovah: When the Ark was to move, there was a cry, (Num. 35.) Arise O Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered. In a word, the Ark was a pledge and visible symbol of Gods gracious presence with his people;
3. Old Eli's preferring the safety of th• Ark before the safety of his two sons, and before the safety of his wife and children: Old Eli sate wa•ching, for his heart trembled ⟨p. 3⟩for the Ark of God. But you will say unto me, What was this Ark, this Ark of God? Why should old Eli tremble for fear of the Ark? Why, I wil •ell you; This Ark was the holiest of all the holy things of God; it was so holy, that it made every place holy where it came: Solomon brought the daughter of Pharoah out of the City of David, unto the house that he had builded for h•r; for h• s•d My Wife shall not dwell in the house of David King of Israel, because the places are holy whereunto the Ark of the Lord had c•me; 2 Chro. 8.11. This Ark was the dwelling place of God: Pray observe sirs, this wil make way for an excellent discourse by and by. This Ark of God was the habitation of God, Psal. 9•.1. The Lord sitteth between the Cherubins; no• the Cherubins were placed over the Ark; this Ark was th• speaking place of God, it was the place where God met the people of Israel when he gave them answer concerning any doubt: They came to consult with God before the Ark, Exod 25.21, 22. Thou sha•t put the Mercy-seat above the Ark, and there I will m•et thee, and commune with thee from above the Mercy seat, from between the two cherubins which are upon the A•k for the testimony of all things which I wil give thee in commandment unto the childr•n of Isra•l. This Ark for which old Eli was so solicitous, it was God's footstool, and all the people of Israel did worship at this footstool, fall down before this foo•stool, Psal. 99.5 Let us come and fall down, and worship at his footstool, h.e. before the Ark; this Ack was the strength of Israel, so it is called
