4. The Church hath lost nothing by the removal of the Old Tabernacle and Temple, all being supplied by this Sanctuary, true Tabernacle, and Minister thereof. The Glory and Worship of the Temple was that which the Jews would by no means part withal. They chose rather to reject Christ and the Gospel, than to part with the Temple, and its outward pompous worship. And it is almost incredible how the vain mind of man is addicted unto an outward beauty and splendour in Religious worship. Take it away, and with the most you destroy all Religion itself; as if there were no beauty but in painting, no evidence of health, or vigour of body, but in warts and wens. The Christians of old suffered in nothing more from the prejudice of the whole world, Jews and Gentiles, than in this, that they had a Religion, without Temples, Altars, Images, or any Solemnity of worship. And in latter Ages men ceased not, until they had brought into Christianity itself a worship vying for external Order, Ceremony, Pomp and Painting, with whatever was in the Tabernacle or Temple of old, coming short of it principally in this, that, that was of Gods institution for a time, this of the invention of weak, superstitious and foolish Men. Thus is it in the Church of Rome. And an hard thing it is to raise the minds of Men unto a satisfaction in things merely spiritual and heavenly. They suppose they cannot make a worse change, nor more to their disadvantage, than to part with what is a present object and entertainment unto their Senses, Fancies, carnal Affections and Superstitions, for that which they can have no benefit by, nor satisfaction in, but only in the exercise of Faith and Love, inclining us to that within the veil. Hence is there at this day so great a contest in the world, about Tabernacles, and Temples, Modes of Worship and Ceremonies, which Men have found out in the room of them, which they cannot deny but God would have removed; For so they judge that he will be satisfied with their carnal Ordinances in the Church, when the time is come that he would bear his own no longer. But unto them that believe Christ is precious. And this true Tabernacle with his Ministration is more unto them, than all the old pompous Ceremonies and Services of Divine Institution, much more the Superstitious Observances of Humane Invention.
4. The Church hath lost nothing by the removal of the Old Tabernacle and Temple, all being supplied by this Sanctuary, true Tabernacle, and Minister thereof. The Glory and Worship of the Temple was that which the Jews would by no means part withall. They chose rather to reject Christ and the Gospel, than to part with the Temple, and its outward pompous worship. And it is almost increadible how the vain mind of man is addicted unto an outward beauty and splendor in Religious worship. Take it away, and with the most you destroy all Religion itself; as if there were no beauty but in painting, no evidence of health, or vigor of body, but in warts and wens. The Christians of old suffered in nothing more from the prejudice of the whole world, Jews and Gentiles, than in this, that they had a Religion, without Temples, Altars, Images, or any Solemnity of worship. And in latter Ages men ceased not, until they had brought into Christianity itself a worship vying for external Order, Ceremony, Pomp and Painting, with whatever was in the Tabernacle or Temple of old, coming short of it principally in this, that, that was of Gods institution for a time, this of the invention of weak, superstitious and foolish Men. Thus is it in the Church of Rome. And an hard thing it is to raise the minds of Men unto a satisfaction in things meerly spiritual and heavenly. They suppose they cannot make a worse change, nor more to their disadvantage, than to part with what is a present object and entertainment unto their Senses, Fancies, carnal Affections and Superstitions, for that which they can have no benefit by, nor satisfaction in, but only in the exercise of Faith and Love, inclining us to that within the vail. Hence is there at this day so great a contest in the world, about Tabernacles, and Temples, Modes of Worship and Ceremonies, which Men have found out in the room of them, which they cannot deny but God would have removed; For so they judge that he will be satisfied with their carnal Ordinances in the Church, when the time is come that he would bear his own no longer. But unto them that believe Christ is precious. And this true Tabernacle with his Ministration is more unto them, than all the old pompous Ceremonies and Services of Divine Institution, much more the Superstitious Observances of Humane Invention.
