Verse 1

CONTENTS

This is but a continuance of the former Chapter. The Prophet is still led by the hand to the further measurement of the city of God.

Eze 41

I include the whole under one reading, because the scriptural and spiritual illustrations are the same. Much is said of the doors and gates, in breadth, and height, and length; and if read spiritually, with an eye to Christ, the whole serves to teach that He is the only way, and truth, and life, for our entrance before God here in grace, and into God's temple hereafter in glory. Precious Lord Jesus, thou hast said, I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9. And when we read of the chambers of this house, who but must think of Jesus the King, bringing his spouse the Church in his Chambers: even into the secrets of sweet and intimate communion and fellowship with him: the mysteries of his grace, the blessed enjoyments of soul refreshing ordinances; the delight of knowing his covenant relations to his people; what he is in himself; and what he is to them in grace here, and will be in glory to All eternity. Surely those chambers may, without violence, be supposed to represent the Lord Jesus making known to all his redeemed by the sweet and private teachings of his Holy Spirit, the mysteries of his kingdom, and showing to them his love, and the interest they have in all his glory! Song of Solomon 1:4. And hence also the galleries may be equally supposed to mean those restings of the souls of the redeemed upon the person and salvation of Jesus, by whom the King is said to be held? Song of Solomon 7:5. If the Reader be disposed to follow the subject through such a spiritual application of it, this Chapter, as well as the others on the subject, will afford large scope for his meditation; and may the Lord, the great Author of it, graciously open it to his view!

Verse 26

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED Lord of thy Temple! how can I read this Chapter, and follow the Prophet's steps whom thou art leading by the hand through the several apartments of thine house, without immediately connecting with the subject the very endearing characters and offices in which thou hast condescended to reveal thyself. Do I not behold thee, O thou unequalled pattern of excelling humbleness, as the gate and door to thy temple, thy fold? Didst thou not at thy Father's call come up before all worlds, as the whole source of thy people's salvation? And art thou not the one and only way of access, in grace here, and glory to all eternity? Can any enter, but by thee? And hast thou not promised that all that come to thee, thou wilt in no wise cast out? Oh! precious Jesus! stand, Lord, I beseech thee widely open, as those wide spreading doors the Prophet saw, that thy people may come like the troops of Teman, and fly as clouds, and as doves to their windows! Yea, precious Lord! as thy gracious invitations, and promises, and proclamations of mercy, are going forth to the East, and to the West, and to the North, and to the South; oh, dispose the souls of poor perishing sinners, to come to thy large, and wide spreading doors, and find access in and through thee, by one Spirit to the Father. Surely those blessed gates and ordinances to thee, like the gates of the New Jerusalem above, are never shut day nor night; for Jesus stands ready to receive all that come to God by him, and all that do come, thou hast graciously said, thou wilt in no wise cast out; Oh! Lord! make thy people willing in the day of thy power. Amen.