A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 20. Of the Ark.

THe second holy type in the most holy place, mentioned by the Apostle, is The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the covenant over-laid with Gold.

This is distinctly described, Exod. 25. v. 10, &c. to the end of v. 16. In other places also many excellent things are spoken of the Ark, which we shall touch i•…•… order.

Particulars to be considered about this type are these.

• 1. The title given unto it.
• 2. The matter whereof it was made.
• 3. The ornament wherewith it was decked.
• 4. The Appartenances that belonged unto it.
• 5. The high account wherein it was had.
• 6. The wonders wrought by it.
• 7. The resting place provided for it.

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  1. The title given unto it is in our English, Ark. a 1.1 The Hebrew word is put for* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉, coffer, or chest.

  The coff•…•…n whereinto, Iosephs dead body was put hath this Hebrew name, Gen. •…•…0. 26.

  The chest wherein the mony that was gathered for repairing the Temple was p•…•…t, is stiled by his name in Hebrew, 2 King. 12. 9, 10.

  Our English stileth that great vessel wherein Noah and his family were preserved in the general deluge an Ark: but b 1.3 the Hebrew hath another word, then that which is here used; which according to the notation of it signifieth, an edifice, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉. That wherein Moses was put and laid by the water is stiled by this He∣brew name, and in English called Ark.

  Our English boroweth this word, Ark, from the Latine Area.

  It is here further stiled, The Ark of the covenant: because the Tables of the cove∣nent were kept in it: whereof we shal speak afterwards, §. 30. Of the Ark see more Chap. 11. v. 30. §. 1•…•…4.

  This Ark was an especial type of Christ, and it is a very fit on: for in a chest or* 1.4 coffer, men put their jewels, plate, coyn, treasure, and whatsoever is precious, and whereof they made high account: such a coffer men use to have in the house, where they dwell continually, in the Chamber where they lie, even by their beds side. Be∣cause his treasure is in his coffer, his heart is there also. Thus in Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge, Col. 2. 3. He is full of grace and truth, Joh. 1. 14. It pleased the Father that in him all fulnesse should dwell, Col. 1. 19. Hereupon is Christ the Son of Gods love, Col. 1. 13. His elect in whom his soul delighted, Isa. 42. 1. And he is ever at the right hand of God, Heb. 10. 12.

  Behold what a gift the Lord gave, when he gave this his Son to the world. He* 1.5 gave the Ark and coffer of all his treasures. All things in the world, are not com∣parable hereunto, Prov. 3. 15.

  This is that treasure and pearl, for which if a man fell all he hath, he shall be no looser, Matth. 13. 44, 4•…•…, 46. Well therefore might it be said, God so loved the world as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his only begotten Son: So admirably as cannot be expressed. And well might Christ say, whosoever loveth Father or Mother more then me, is not worthy of me, Matth. 10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

• ...

  2. The matter whereof this Ark was made, was Shittim wood and Gold, Exod.* 1.6 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1•…•…, 11. It is here said to be laid over with Gold. Of this Shittim wood and gold, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12.

  The Greek word translated over-laid, signifieth to be compassed about, or cover∣ed* 1.7 about. It is thus expressed, Exod. 25. 11. Th•…•… shalt overlay it with pure gold, with∣in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about shalt thou overlay it. This added much to the beauty and excellency of the Ark: and shewed that Christ is every way glorious and precious, within and without, in body and soul: in his human and divine nature.

• ...

  3. The ornament where with it was decked, was a crown or border of gold round* 1.8 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Exod. 23. 11. This did set out the glory of Christ, and the excellency of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where with he was adorned, as hath been shewed, §. 12.

  As he was every way lovely and glorious, so our hearts ought to be the more set 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and enamo•…•… with him.

• •…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 esp•…•…ciall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 belonged to the Ark▪ Rings of gold and barrs.* 1.9 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…o the Table, •…•…. 12. They were to carry the Ark up and down: They 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that Christ, and th•…•… treasures of God laid up in him, are to be preached whatsoever the Church is.* 1.10
• •…•…. Great was that account which was had of the Ark: and that both by God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by his people.

• ...
  • ...

    1. God made it a most sacred representation of his presence. In this respectit i•…•… stil•…•…d, The Ark of God w•…•…ose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts: or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which the name, even the name of the Lord of hosts was called upon, that dwellet•…•… •…•…e∣tween the Cherubims, 2 Sa. 6. 2. Where the Ark was, there was God counted pre∣sent. Therefore when the people removed from place to place, the Ark went be∣fore them, Num. 10. 33. There God promised to commune with Moses of all things which he would give him in commandement, Exod. 25. 22. Numb. 7. 89. There∣fore Priests used to ask counsel of the Lord before the Ark: which is said to be before the Lord, 1 Sam. 14. 18. Where the Ark was there was a •…•…it place to offer Sacrifice, Iudg. 20. 26. And in solemne prayer people used to fall down before the Ark, Josh. 7. 6.

    This typifieth Gods high account of Christ. Never was there s•…•…ch are▪ presentation of the Father as Christ his Son, Ioh. 14. 8, 9. All the oracles of God come to us from Christ, Ioh. 1. 18. In this respect is he called the word, Joh. 1. 1. By him we ought to offer up all our sacrifices, Heb. 13. 15.

  • ...

    2. Saints had also the Ark in high account. Nothing was accounted more deer and precious unto them; witnesse Davids zeal thereabouts, 2 Sam. 6. 2, &c. Nothing more grieved and pierced them then the loss of it, 1 Sam. 4. 13, &c. where the Ark was, a blessing accompanied the same, 2 Sam. 6. 12. When the Israelites presumed to go against the Canaanites without the Ark, they were overthrown.

    So Gods people have Christ in high account, Phil. 3. 7. What joy was there at his birth, Luk. 2. 10. How was the Church pierced at his loss, Cant. 5. 6. God blesseth his with all spiritual blessings in Christ, Eph. 1. 3. But they that are without Christ, are without hope, Eph. 2. 12.

• 6. There are three especiall wonders expresly set down to be wrought by the* 1.11 Ark.
  • ...

    1. The deviding of Iordan till the Israelites passed over from the wildernesse to Canaan: and then the returning of the water to his course again, Iosh. chap. 3. & 4

    So by Christ, a way is made through the sea of this world into the celes•…•…lal Cana∣an, Heb. 10. 20.

  • 2. The falling down of the wals of Iericho, Josh. 6. 12, &c. So by Christ mighty and strong holds are cast down, Eph. 2. 14. Col. 2. 15. 2▪ Cor. 10. 4.
  • 3. The falling down of Dagon before the Ark: and judgements executed upon the Philistines, 1 Sam. 5. 4, 6. So by Christ the Idols of the world fall down: yea, and the very devils themselves, Mark. 3. 11. Christ is a consuming fier to such as have him not in due account, Heb. 12. 29.
• 7. After that the Ark had removed up and down from place to place, a place of* 1.12 rest was sought for it, (2 Sam. 7. 2.) and found for it, 1 King. 8. 8.

Thus Christ after his many travels and troubles on earth found a resting place in heaven, He•…•…. 1. 3.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ornus arbor est pro∣cera fimilis Cedro. Dicitur esse lignum Sit∣•…•…im ex quo Arca facta est & inde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  The meaning of the name Ark.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.4

  The Ark typi∣fies Christ.
• * 1.5

  Christ a rich treasure.
• * 1.6

  The matter▪ whereof this Ark was made.
• * 1.7

  (b) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 operio.
• * 1.8

  The crown about the Ark.
• * 1.9

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and bars of the Ark.
• * 1.10

  The high ac∣count where∣in the Ark was had.
• * 1.11

  Wonders wrought by the Ark.
• * 1.12

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.