Section 579
II. If by the chariot we understand the church of Christ, then
1st, By the pillars thereof are meant the ministers of the gospel; so of James, Cephas and John, the apostle Paul says, that they seemed to be pillars, and such as these are intended by the seven pillars, which wisdom had hewn out, and built her house upon, in Proverbs 9:1 who, for their strength, stability, and support to the church of Christ, may be compared to those two pillars in the porch of the temple, which are called, the one Jachin, and the other Boaz: for these are of great strength to the building; there is a very great weight rests upon them; these are the legs in Christ's body, which, like pillars of marble, stand firm and immoveable, notwithstanding the several pressures of reproaches, afflictions, persecutions, etc. which fall very hard and heavy upon them; for none of these things move them; but with an unshaken courage and magnanimity of mind they stand up under them; and in so doing, are very great supports to the cause, interest, and church of Christ; for though Christ is the foundation and the chief corner-stone, yet these are pillars, and have their usefulness. Now these are said to be of silver, because of their valuableness, both in the esteem of Christ, who has placed them in his church, and from whom they have all their strength and usefulness; and likewise in the esteem of saints, to whom they are made useful; for the tongue of the just, and especially of a gospel-minister, is as choice silver: these are the silver trumpets, which sound forth and proclaim peace and pardon, life and salvation to poor, lost, and rebellious sinners; their words, when fitly spoken, and adapted to the eases of souls, either of afflicted saints, or distressed sinners, are like apples of gold in pictures of silver Moreover, this may be expressive of their shine and luster, both in doctrine and lift; who preach the gospel in its power and purity, hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience; and who, the more they are vilified, reproached, afflicted and persecuted for the sake of the gospel, the brighter they are, like silver purified seven times, And then,
2dly, By the "golden bottom," may be meant Christ; who is the foundation of his church and people, on which they are laid and firmly built; and is the only foundation of their everlasting salvation, of all their faith, hope, joy and comfort here, and of their eternal happiness hereafter: and a good bottom this is; happy is every one that is upon it; it may well be said to be "of gold," because of the glory and splendor of it; it is the "foundation of the apostles and prophets," which they ministerially laid, and on which their persons are secured equally with others; hence the foundations of the new Jerusalem are said to be twelve, and each of them compared to a precious stoned to set forth the excellency thereof: nay, this foundation is a super-excellent one; for "other foundation can no man lay," which is in any respect valuable, or upon any account to be compared to this "which is laid, which is Christ Jesus." Moreover, for the durableness of it, it may be said to be of gold; for "the righteous is an everlasting foundation;" that is, the righteous man's foundation is such an one; or he is built upon one that will last for ever; and such an one is Christ; a foundation that will never decay; but will always abide firm and strong; and is sufficient to bear the whole weight of the building to all eternity. And then,
3dly, The "purple covering" may intend either, 1. The suffering state of the church; being attended with a variety of afflictions tribulations and persecutions, and sometimes as it were covered with blood, as the histories of several ages testify. Or else, 2. Her regal dignity, to which she and all believers are advanced by Christ, who has made them "kings and priests to God and his father;" purple being a color in use among great persons, may very well represent this. Or, 3. Her being clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness; which may be said to be of a purple color, because it is the produce and effect of Christ's blood, and is as it were dipped into it; hence believers are said to be "justified by his blood" in Romans 5:9. Or, 4. It may signify her being washed in Christ's blood, together with the outward garments of her conversation, and so appear to be of this dye, And then,
4thly, By the midst thereof, which is "paved with love," may be meant, either the hearts of believers, or of the church, filled with a sense of Christ's love shed abroad in them, or inflamed with love to Christ[3713] which, though it is sometimes in a decaying and declining condition, yet is never entirely moved; for who "can separate from the love of Christ?" that is, either from Christ's love to his people, or from their love to him: or else, by this pavement of love in the midst of the church, may be meant the ordinances of Christ; which he has instituted for the sake of the daughters of Jerusalem, or young converts; through which he discovers his love unto them, and by an attendance on which they discover their love, both to Christ and to his church; and the church again discovers her love to them, by a cheerful admission of them to these ordinances. But then,