Solomon's temple spiritualiz'd, or, Gospel-light fetcht out of the temple at Jerusalem, to let us more easily into the glory of New-Testament-truths by John Bunyan.

XIV. Of the Chapiters of the Pillars of the Temple. (Book 14)

THere was also two Chapiters made for the Pillars of the Temple: for each, one; and they were five Cubits high apiece. These were for the adorning of the Pil∣lars, and therefore were Types and Sha∣dows of that abundance of Grace which God did put upon the Apostles after the Resurrection of our Lord. Wherefore, as he saith here the Chapiters were upon the Pillars; so it saith, that great Grace was upon all the Apostles, Acts 4.33.

These Chapiters, had belonging to them a bowl made Pumil-fashion, and it was pla∣ced upon the head of them, perhaps to

signifie their aptness to receive, and large∣ness to contain of the dew of Heaven, that shadow of the Doctrine of the Gospel, which Doctrine the Apostles, as the chief, were to receive, and hold forth to the World for their conversion. Hence, as the Bowls were capable to receive the dew of Heaven, these are said to receive grace and Apostleship for obedience to the faith among all Nations, for his name, Rom. 1.5. 1 King. 7.16, 42. 2 Chro. 4.33. Deut. 32.1. Rom. 15.29.

There was also upon these Chapiters a Net-work or Nets like unto Checker-work, which still added to their luster. These Nets were they which shewed for what intent the Apostolical Office was ordain∣ed; namely, that by their preaching they might bring many Souls to God. And hence Christ calls them Fisher-men, saying, Ye shall catch men, Matt. 4.19. Mar. 1.17. Luk. 5.10. and 2 Cor. 12.16.

The World is compared, to a Sea; Men, to Fishes; and the Gospel, to a Net. Ezek. 47.10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Matt. 13.47, 48, 49, 50. As therefore Men catch Fish with a Net, so the Apostles caught Men by their Word, which word, as I told you, to me is signified by this Net-work, upon the top of these Pillars. See

therefore the mystery of God in these things.