1st, That there is nothing carnal in it, or such things as are suited unto the fancies and imaginations of men. In the thoughts of heaven, most persons are apt to frame images in their minds of such carnal things as they suppose they could be delighted withal. But they are far remote from the worship of this holy assembly. The worship of the Gospel, which is spuitually glorious, makes a nearer approach unto it than that of the Temple, which was outwardly and carnally so.
2dly, It is not merely mental, or transacted only in the silent thoughts of each individual person; for, as we have showed, it is the worship of a church assembly wherein they have all communion, and join in the performance of it. We know not well the way and manner of communication between angels and the spirits of just men made perfect. It is expressed in the Scripture by voices, postures, and gestures; which, although they are not of the same nature as absolutely ours are, yet are they really significant of the things they would express, and a means of mutual communication. Yea, I know not how far God may give them the use of voice and words whereby to express his praise, as Moses talked with Christ at his transfigura- tion, Matt. xvii. 8. But the manner of it is such as whereby the whole assembly above do jointly set forth and celebrate the praises of God. And the glory hereof consisteth in three things.
[1.] The blessed and beaiitifid order of all things in that sanctuary. Job describes the grave beneath to be a " place without any order, and where the light is as darkness," chap. x. 22. All above is order and light, — every person and thing in its proper place and exercise. Is^, Heaven itself is a temple, a sanctuary, made so by the especial presence of God, and the ministration of Christ in the tabernacle of his human nature. 2dly, God is on the throne of grace, gloriously exalted on the account of his grace, and for the dispensation of it. To the saints above he is on the throne of grace, in that they are in the full enjoyment of the effects of his grace, and do give glory unto
HIS MEDIATOKIAL OFFICE IN HEAVEN. 257
him on the account thereof. He is so, also, with respect unto the church here below, in the continual communications of grace and mercy through Christ. 3dly, The Lord Christ, in his human nature, is before the throne, acting his mediatory office and power in behalf of the church, ithly, All the holy angels, in the vaiious orders and degrees of their lyiinistration, are about the tlu'one continually. So — 5thly, Are the spirits of just men made perfect, in the various measures of light and glory. And these things were obscurely re- presented in the order of the church at its first erection in the wilder- ness ; for the ordinances of God among them were patterns or figures of heavenly things, Heb. ix. 23. (Is^,) In the midst was the taber- nacle or sanctuary, — which represented the sanctuary or temple above. (2dly,) In the most holy place were the ark and mercy-seat, — repre- sentatives of the throne of grace, {'idly,) The ministry of the high priest, — a type of the ministry of Christ. (Mhly,) The Levites, who attended on the priest, did represent the ministry of angels attending on Christ in the discharge of his office. And, {5thly,) Round about them were the tribes in their order.
[2.] In the full, clear apprehensions which all the blessed ones have of the glory of God in Christ, of the work and effects of his wis- dom and grace towards mankind. These are the foundation of all di- vine worship. And because our conceptions and apprehensions about them are dark, low, obscure, and inevident, our worship is weak and imperfect also. But all is open unto the saints above. We are m the dust, the blood, the noise of the battle; they are victoriously at peace, and have a perfect view of what they have passed through, and what they have attained unto. They are come to the springs of life and light, and are filled with admiration of the grace of God in them- selves and one another. What they see in God and in Jesus Christ, what they have experience of in themselves, what they know and learn from others, are all of them inconceivable and inexpressible. It is well for us, if we have so much experience of these things as to see a real glory in the fulness and perfection of them. The apprehensions by sight, without mixture of unsteadiness or darkness, without the alloy of fears or temptations, with an ineffable sense of the things themselves on their hearts or minds, are the springs or motives of the holy worship which is in heaven.
[3.] In the glorious m,anner of the performance of it. Now, whereas it ariseth from sight and present enjoyment, it must consist in a continual ascription of glory and praise unto God ; and so it is described in the Scripture. See Rev. iv. 9-11, with Isa. vi. 3. And how little a portion of the glory of these things is it that we can apprehend !