§. 32. Of the Cherubims.
THough the Cherubims be here set down, as an ornament of the mercy-seat, thus, and over in the Cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat, Yet they were a distinct type, and may be so considered. The history of them is registred, Exod. 25. 18, 19, 20.
About them these particulars are set down,
- 1. Their title.
- 2. The matter whereof they were made.
- 3. The place where they stood.
- 4. Their manner of standing.
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1. Their title. a 1.1 Cherubim is an Hebrew word. Some draw the notation of it from the Hebrew b 1.2 note of similitude, and a c 1.3 Chalde word which signifieth a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
In Hebrew d 1.4 Cherub signifieth a form or Image of any thing. See Chap. 1. v. 7. §. 84.
These Cherubims did set out Ang•…•…ls.
- 2. The Rhemists in their Annotations of this place do justifie the setting up of* 1.5 Images in Churches from this instance: But I return these Answers.
- 1. We must distinguish between times. Then the Church was in the childhood, much instructed by external, visible and earthly rudiments.
- 2. This place, where these resemblances were, was the most holy place, kept from the sight of the people.
- 3. For those Images the Church had an expresse warrant, but Papists have no such warrant for theirs, but rather a contrary inhibition.
- 2. The Rhemists in their Annotations of this place do justifie the setting up of* 1.5 Images in Churches from this instance: But I return these Answers.
Many of the Ancients apply these two Cherubims to the two testaments, The old and the new, and that on these grounds.
- 1. Because they are two.
- 2. Because they agree in one.
- 3. Because they commend unto us the mercy of God.
Answ.
- 1. There is no warrant from any part of Scripture for this application.
- 2. In other places they do apparently set forth Angels: as, Gen. 3. 24. Psal. 18. 10. Ezek. 10. 1.
- 3. Their description declareth them to be Angels.
2. Their matter was of Gold, Exod. 25. 18.* 1.6
This setteth, forth,
- 1. The excellency and glory of them. For where the Angel of the Lord appeared, it is said the glory of the Lords shone, Luk. 2. 9. See Chap. 1. v. •…•…. §. 90. They are called Cherubims of glory.
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