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THere was also a molten Sea in the Temple, it was made of brass, and contained three thousand baths; 2 Chro. 4.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
This Sea was for the Priests to wash in, when they came into the Temple, to ac∣complish the Service of God: to wash their hands and feet at, that they might
not when they came thither, die for their unpreparedness. The Laver also which was in the Wilderness, was of the same use there; Exod. 28.
1. It was, as may be supposed, called a Sea, for that it was large to contain, and a Sea of brass, for that it was made there∣of. It is called in Revelations a Sea of glass, alluding to that in the Wilderness, which was made of the brazen Looking-glasses of the Women, that came to wor∣ship at the Door of the Tabernacle; Re∣vel. 4.6. Chap. 15.2. Exod. 28.8.
2. It was also said to be molten, because it was made of that fashion, by fire, and its Antitype therefore said to be a Sea of glass mingled with fire; Revel. 15.2.
1. This Sea was a figure of the Word of the Gospel, in the cleansing vertue of it, which vertue, then it has, when min∣gled with the fire of the Holy Ghost. And to this Christ alludes, when he saith, Now ye are clean through the Word, which I have spoken unto you, Joh. 15.3.
2 It was a figure of the Word, with∣out mixture of Mens inventions: Hence it is called, pure water. Having your Bodies washt with pure water: And again, He sanctifies and cleanseth his Church with the washing of Water by the Word; Ephes. 5.26. Tit. 3.5.
All these Places are an allusion to the molten Sea, at which of old they washed, when they went into the Temple to wor∣ship. Therefore, saith he, being washed, let us draw near to God; Heb. 10.22.
3. This Sea from brim to brim was compleat ten Cubits, perhaps to shew, there is as much in the word of the Go∣spel to save, as there is in the ten words to condemn.
4. From under this Sea round about appeared Oxen, ten in a Cubit did com∣pass it round about, 2 Chro. 4.3. Under∣stand by these Oxen, Ministers, for to them they are compared in 1 Cor. 9.9. And then we are taught whence true Mi∣nisters come, to wit, from under the pow∣er of the Gospel, for this Sea breeds Gospel-Ministers, as the Waters breed Fish.
5. 'Tis also said in the Text, that these Oxen were cast when the Sea was cast: insinuating that when God ordain∣ed a word of grace to save us, he also in his Decree provided Ministers to preach it to us to that end. Paul tells us that he was made a Minister of the Gospel, accor∣ding to God's eternal purpose which he pur∣posed in Christ Jesus our Lord; Ephes. 3.9, 10, 11. Col. 1.25.
6. This Sea is said to have a brim like the brim of a Cup. To invite us as well to drink of its grace, as to wash in its Water. For the Word and Spirit when mixt, has not only a cleansing, but a sa∣ving quality in it; 2 Chro. 4.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1 Cor. 15.1, 2.
7. This brim was wrought with Lilies: or was like a Lily-flower; To shew how they should grow and flourish, and with what beautiful Robes they should be a∣dorned, who were washed, and did drink of this holy Water: Yea, that God would take care of them, as he also did of Lilies, and would not fail to bestow upon them, what was necessary for the Body, as well as for the Soul; Matt. 6.28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33.