IX. Which way the Face or Front of the Temple stood.

1. THe Temple was Builded with its Face or Front towards the East, and that, perhaps, because the Glory of the God of Israel was to come from the way of the East unto it, Ezek. 43.1, 2, 3, 4. Chap. Page  17 47.1. Wherefore in that its Front stood towards the East, it may be to shew that the true Gospel Church would have its Eye to, and Expectation from the Lord. We look said Paul, but whither? We have our Conversation, said he, in Hea∣ven, from whence our Expectation is, 2. Cor. 4.18. Phil. 3.20, 21. Psal. 62.5.

2. It was set also with its Face towards the East, to keep the People of God from committing of Idolatry, to wit, from worshiping the Host of Heaven, and the Sun whose rising is from the East. For since the Face of the Temple stood to∣ward the East, and since the worshippers were to worship at, or with their Faces towards the Temple, it follows, that both in their going to, and worshiping God towards that place, their Faces must be from, and their Backs towards the Sun. The thus Building of the Temple, there∣fore was a Snare to Idolators, and a proof of the Zeal of those that were the true worshippers: As also to this day the true Gospel instituted worship of Jesus Christ is: Hence he is said to Idolaters to be a Snare and Trap, but to the God∣ly a Glory, Isa. 8.14. Chap. 60.19.

3. Do but see how God catcht the Ido∣latrous Jews by this means in their Page  18 naughtiness; And he brought me, said the Prophet, into the inner Court of the Lords House, and beheld at the Door of the Tem∣ple of the Lord, even between the Porch and the Altar, were about five and twenty men with their Backs towards the Temple of the Lord, and their Faces towards the East, Ezek. 8.16.

It was therefore, as I said, set with its Face towards the East, to prevent false Worships and detect Idolaters.

4. From the East also came the most Blasting Winds, Winds that are destru∣ctive to Man and Beasts; to Fruit, and Trees; and Ships at Sea, Exo. 10.13. Job 27.21. Ezek. 17.10. Chap. 19.12. Psal. 48.7. Ezek. 27.26.

I say, The East Wind, or that which comes from thence, is the most hurtful; yet you see, the Temple hath set her Face against it, to shew that the true Church cannot be blasted or made turn back by any Affliction. 'Tis not East Winds, nor none of their blastings, that can make the Temple turn about. Hence he saith, That Jacobs Face shall not wax pale. And again, I have made thy Face strong against their Faces, and that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. Isa. 29.22. Ezek. 3.8. Mat. 16.18.

Page  19 5. It might be also built with its Face towards the East, to shew that the true Church looketh, as afore I hinted, for her Lord and King from Heaven, knowing that at his coming he will bring healing in his Wings: for from the East he will appear when he comes the second time without Sin unto Salvation, of which the Sun gives us a Memento in his rising there every Morning. For as the Lightning com∣eth out of the East, and shineth unto the West; So shall also the coming of the Son of Man be, Mal. 4.2. Heb. 9.28. Col. 3.3. 2 Pet. 11.12, 13, 14. Mat. 24.27.

6. Christ, as the North-pole, draws those touched with the Load-stone of his Word, with the Face of their Souls to∣wards him, to look for, and hasten to his coming. And this also is signified by the Temple standing with his Face towards the East.