XXXV. Of the Stairs, by which they went up into the Chambers of the Temple.

THere was Stairs, by which Men went up into these Chambers of the Temple, and they were but one pair, and they went from below to the first, and so to the middle, and thence to the highest Chambers in the Temple; 1 King. 6.8. Ezek. 41.7.

1. These Stairs were winding, so that they turned about that did go up them. So then, he that assayed to go into these Chambers, must turn with the Stairs, or he could not go up, no, not into the lowest Chambers.

2. These Stairs therefore were a type of a twofold repentance. That by which we turn from nature to grace, and that by which we turn from the imperfections which attend a state of grace, to glory. Hence true repentance, or the right go∣ing up these turning Stairs, is called re∣pentance to salvation; for true repentance stopeth not at the reception of grace, for that is but a going up these Stairs to the middle Chambers, 2 Cor. 7.10.

Page  87 Thus therefore the Soul, as it goes up these Stairs, turns and turns, till it en∣ters the Doors of the highest Chambers.

It groans, though in a state of grace, 'cause that's not the state of glory. I count then that from the first to the middle Chambers, may be a type of turning from nature to grace. but from the middle to the highest, these Stairs may signifie a turning still from the im∣perfections and temptations that attend a state of grace, to that of immortality and glory; 2 Cor. 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

For as there are turning Stairs, from the lowest to the middle Chambers, so the Stairs from thence still turn, and so will do, till you come to the highest Chambers. I do not say that they that have received grace, do repent they re∣ceived grace; but I say, they that have received grace, are yet sorry that grace is not consummate in glory. And hence they are for going up thither still these turning Stairs; yea, they cannot rest be∣low, as they would, till they ascend to the highest Chambers. O wretched man that I am; and in this we groan earnestly, is the language of gracious Souls; Rom. 7.20. 2 Cor. 5.1, 2, 3.

Page  88 True, every one doth not do thus, that comes into the Temple of God, many rest below Stairs, they like not to go tur∣ning upward. Nor do I believe that all that bid fair for ascending to the middle Chambers, get up to the highest stories, to his Stories in the Heavens: Many in Churches, who seem to be turned from na∣ture to grace, have not the grace to go up turning still, but rest in that shew of things, and so die below a share in the highest Chambers.

All these things are true in the Anti-type, and, as I think, prefigured by these turning stairs, to the Chambers of the Temple. But this turning, and turning still, displeases some much, they say it makes them giddy: but I say there is no way like this, to make a Man stand sted∣dy: stedfast in the faith, and with bold∣ness in the day of Judgment. For he has this seated in his heart, I went up by the turning Stairs, till I came to the highest Chambers. A strait pair of Stairs, are like that Ladder by which Men ascend to the Gallows, they are the turning ones, that lead us to the heavenly Mansion-houses. Look therefore, you that come into the Temple of God to worship, that you stay not at the foot of these turning Page  89 Stairs, but go up thence; yea, up them, and up them, and up them, till you come to the view of the Heavens; yea, till you are possest of the highest Chambers. How many times has God by the Scripture called upon you to TVRN, and told you you must Turn or Die: and now here he has added to his Call, a Figure, by placing a Pair of turning Stairs in his Temple, to convict your very sences, that you must TVRN, if you mean to go up into his holy Chambers, and so into his Eternal Mansion-houses: and look that you turn to purpose. For every turning will not serve. Some turn, but not to the most High, and so turn to no purpose.