The Tabernacle, and what it was the Type of.
THe Tabernacle in some respect, according to the Learned, was a Type of Christ's Hu∣man Nature.
1. It was exceeding glorious within, all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold. This might signify how the Human Nature of the Son of God was covered with the Diety; that being the true Tabernacle that God hath pitched, and not Man. Saint John saith, The Word dwelt (or tabernacled) amongst us, (speaking of his being in our Flesh) or taking upon him our Nature, it being conceived by the Holy Ghost, and not erected by Man.
2. The Tabernacle was the place where God met with his People; now God meets with his People in Christ 'tis in and through him, we come to know or have the true Revelati∣on of his Will, and enjoy his gracious Presence, &c. Those who would be accepted with God, and worship him aright, must wait at the door of this Spiritual Tabernacle.
Others understand by the Tabernacle, the Church, or Mystical Body of Christ, wherein God graciously dwells, and hath promised also to meet his People.
Page 4241. It was moveable, signifying the troublesome State of God's People, whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World.
2. The Tabernacle had three places. 1. The outward Court, wherein stood the brazen Altar. 2. The Holy Place. 3. The Holiest of all. In the first, it typifies forth the visible or outward Form of the Church, in respect of the external Exercise of Religion and Worship, hither the common People may come. The second typified out the Spiritual State, or more close and holy Fellowship of the Church, which none have admittance into, but sincere and sanctified Persons, who feed upon the Spiritual and true Shew-Bread, Jesus Christ. The third typified Heaven it self, or the Church of God triumphant, where Christ is set down in Glory, at the Father's right hand, to intercede for us.
3. The Entry to the Holiest of all, was by the Holy Place, and to the Holy place, was by the outer Court, &c. So our Entry into Heaven, is by being Members of the visible Church, through Faith, and a good Conscience. He that would enter into the Holiest of all, must first be Holy; and he that would come into a State of true Holiness, and Communion with God and his People, must learn to know where the Candlestick and true Shew-Bread stands, which is the visible Church.
4. You read of the fixed Pillars of the Holy Place; they might signify the Holy Apostles of Jesus •hrist, and his faithful Ministers, who help to support the Spiritual Structure, the Church, as Pillars do support a House, &c.
5. The divers Ornaments and Instruments thereof; might signify the diversity of Spiri∣tual Gifts and Graces in the Gospel-Church; the Tabernacle was exceeding glorious within, and all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold:* So inwardly, the Church of God is very beautiful, the King's Daughter is all glorious within.
6. The several cov•rings thereof; typified the Lord's sure and safe Protection of his Church, by his own immediate Power and gracious ministration of Angels.
7. Gold within, and Skins without; might signify, tho the Church is glorious within, yet outwardly, to the sight and view of carnal Men, she hath no Beauty, but is look'd upon as contemptible.
8. The Tabernacle, and all the Instruments thereof, yea, the very Ash-Pans, and Snuf∣fers of the Candlesti•k, must be made according to the Pattern shewed in the Mount; which figured forth,* that the Church of God, and all the exercise of Worship that is therein, whe∣ther Doctr•ne or Discipline, must be exactly according to the express written Word; nothing must be a•ded to, nor diminished from, no Alterations one way or other must be made.
9. The voluntary Oblation of the People to build the Tabernacle; signifies how willing Christians should be to contribute of their outward Substance to uphold God's Church, and the publick Worship thereof.
10. The glorious Door of the Tabernacle; might be a Figure of Christ, who saith, I am the Door;* 'tis by him we enter into the Kingdom of Grace and Glory.
