he propounded; Hiram gratefully accepts of his proposal, v. 6, 7, 8. and Solomon as punctually performs the Contract, in sending food, a scarce Commodity in Hiram's Country, having its supplies from Judea, Ezek. 27.17. Acts 12.20. Materials Hiram exchanges for meat with Solomon, v. 9, 10, 11.
The Second Cause (after the matter) is the form of the Temple implyed in ver. 12. namely in Solomon's Wisdom, wherein he increased more and more, not only because he shewed so much Wisdom in transacting this important League with King Hiram, ten∣ding to the Temple building (as Peter Martyr saith) but 'tis said here [the Lord gave So∣lomon Wisdom] as an additional gift, to Chap. 3.12, and Chap. 4.29. namely, Archi∣tectonick Wisdom] an artificial skill in contriving and carrying on stately Structures, a dexterous discretion for this present purpose, God giving him the Idea or notion of the Temple in his mind, as a model whereby the future fabrick was to be framed.
The Third is, The Efficient Cause, and this is twofold, Instrumental or principal; the Instruments were three.
- (1.) Labourers, such as were stone-cutters, and hewers of Timber.
- (2.) Porters that bare burthens, as stones out of Quarries, and Timber to the Car∣penter's hands; and
- (3.) The Artificers that fitted both the Wood and the Stone for the Fabrick, v. 13, 14, 15, 17, 18. then the principal Officers were the Master-Builders over-seeing all, v. 16.
Remarks hereupon are,
First, The polished materials for this Typical Temple were two-fold, First, the best of Wood, Cedars, which God himself did point out to be done, 2 Sam. 7.7. because 'tis a wood most sound, strong, fragrant, and durable, not knotty nor subject to worms, &c. and secondly, the best of building-stones, call'd Costly, even for the foundation, v. 17. even Marble of all sorts; the very foundation-stones were not rude and rugged, but they were both of great value, and well hewed that they might bed the better, tho' they could not afterwards be obvious to the eye when under ground: This was done not for necessity, (saith Peter Martyr) but for Magnificency, and to signifie to us that as the whole Temple did Typifie the whole Mystical Body of Christ which is his Church built up with growing stones and green Timber sanctified in Christ Jesus, call'd to be Saints, 1 Cor. 1.3. Cant. 1.16, 17, &c. So this foundation represents Christ the Foundation of the Church, 1 Cor. 3.10. & Eph. 2.20. Isa. 28.16. hid from the World, yet precious in himself, &c. And it teaches also, that God is not all for the eye, but pleases him∣self with his Saints hidden worth.
Remark the Second, is God's tenderness to Temple-Builders, those Labourers were one mouth labouring in Lebanon, and two months at home by turns, v. 14. their time of rest at home with their Relations was double to their time of labour.
N. B. Let Superiors learn from God and Solomon here to make the yoke as easie as they can to their Inferiours, lest they lose their Affections, and procure their Impreca∣tions.
Remark the Third, is that of Dr. Hall, the Temple was all framed in Lebanon, but it was set up in Sion: So that neither Ax nor Hammer was heard in that Holy Structure, all the noise was in Lebanon, to fit every thing for its place, made nothing but noise there, but nothing in Sion save silence and peace, Chap. 6.7.
N. B. What ever tumults be in the World, let Concord be in the Church.
Remark the Fourth, Those Stone-squaring Giblites, v. 18. were Pagans, Ezek. 27.9. Psal. 83.7. yet used about the Temple for their Squaring skill. So Humane Learning may be used in Divine Discourses, so it be not for vain ostentation, for that is to make a Calf of the Ear-rings brought out of Egypt.
The Last Cause is the End for which this Temple was built. It was unto the Name of the Lord God of Israel, v. 5. when Solomon had no Satan or Adversary against him, v. 4. the Devil was then Chain'd up, but after this broke loose, and because he could not hinder this, will not only imitate it, but endeavours to out-do it in Diana's Temple at Ephesus, Act. 19.27, 28. which was built unto the Devil's Name, and not only built of Cedar like this of Solomon's (as Vitruvius relateth) but was likewise longer and lar∣ger than was this at Jerusalem, as other Authors do assure us, 220 years in Building, and built in a place where no Earthquake could move it, 'twas 425 foot long, 220 broad, and had 1••7 Pillars given by so many Kings, &c. The End why Solomon built his Temple, is mention'd again, Chap. 6. v. 12. he Built it for the Lord.