The DOCTRINE of the WHEELS, in de Vifions of EZEKIEL, Opened and Ex plained : I N A. Preached to OF. A T

Transcription

1 The DOCTRINE of the WHEELS, in de Vifions of EZEKIEL, Opened and Ex plained : I N A SERMON Preached to An ASSEMBLY OF. MINISTERS and CHURCHES, A T The Meeting-houfe of the Rev. Mr. Anderfon^ in Grafton. Street, Wejlminjter, dpril the By JOHN GILL, D. D. Published at Requejl. LONDON Printed ; and Sold by G. KEITH, in Gracecburcb-Strett ; J. ROBINSON, in Horjly-dnun ; and W. LEPARD, in Toaly.Jlreet. >, " MDGCLXV. [Price Six.pence.] "(I)

2

3 EZEKIEL X. 13. As for the Wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, 0 Wheel* SOME time ago, on a public occafion, I delivered a difcourfe (fince printed) concerning the Cherubim, or Living Creatures (a}, frequently men tioned in thefe vifions of Rzckiel ; and I then intimated, that as by the Cherubim we are to understand the Miniftcrs of the Gofpel ; fo by the Wheels, thechurches of Chrift under the Gofpel-diipenfation. And fince I am about to preach to an Affembly of Churches, there can be no im propriety in treating on fuch a fubjedt at this time. VARIOUS are the interpretations given of thefe Wheels. The more commonly re ceived fenfe of them is, that they fignify the World, and all things in it, which are changeable, unfettled, and uncertain ; and the Providences of God, which are various and different, and caufe changes, revolu- A 2 tions, (a) Called the Dodrinc of the Cherubim opened and explained, in a Sermon preached at the Ordination of the Reverend Mr. John Davis, at Waltbom dbbtj, Angufl 15, 1764.

4 4 The DoStrine of the WHEELS, tiens, and vichtitudes, in men and things : one generation paffetb away, and another co~ meth ; fome are wheeling out of the world, and others wheeling into it ; things whirl about continually, as the wife man, fays (b} of the wind, and return again ac cording to their circuits ; and yet they are not carried by a blind impetus, but are un der the guidance of unerring wifdom, and under the direction of the omnifcient Be ing, whofe eyes run to andfro through the whole earth (c) ; hence 'tis thought thefe Wheels are faid to be full of eyes : and though the providences of God, many of them, are intricate and obfcure, and fo are as it were a lobed within a "wheel ; the reafons of them are not eafily penetrated into, nor the ends God has in view at once to be feen ; his judgments are unfearchabley and his "ways pajt fading out (d) ; yet there is an harmony and confiftency between them, they are all of a piece ; the Wheels have all one likenefs ; and when the myftery of God in providence mall be finished, and his judgments are made manifeft, they will appear harmonious, beautiful, and de lightful. But from this generally received interpretation, many have thought fit to recede; fome, as by the Cherubim, or Living Creatures, understand the Churches of!*, ltd. i 4, 6. (0 Zich. iv. 10. (tt] Rcm. xi. 33.

5 in Eizekiel, opened and explained. e of God, compofed of living faints ; fo by the Wheels they fuppofe angels are meant (e), and that what wheels are to chariots, that angels are to churches, u(eful and fubfervient to them ; miniftring Jpiritsfentforth to minifterfor them -who are the heirs offohation (/) : others are of opi* nion, that churches and members of churches are defigned both by the Cheru bim and the Wheels ; by the one the fuperior members of churches, and by the other the inferior ones (<g.)j fuch a di/rindlion in churches may be admitted, for God bath Jet Jome in the church, Jirjl apojiles,jecondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, &c. and the reft of the members, the private and com mon ones may be reckoned the inferior, yet all uleful and neceflary ; the Cherubim are thought to be meant by the former, the Wheels by the latter j and a chariot with out wheels is of little or no ufe, as wheels without a chariot, or other carriage, are infignificant ; and thus, as the apoftle argues with refpecl: to the members of an human body, the eye cannotjay to the head, I have no need of thee ; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need ofyou ; nay much more tbofe members of the body, which Jeem to be more feeble, are necejj'ary (/&). Others, as they interpret the Cherubim of the minifters W Cocctim mloc. (/) Het. i. 14. (*) Vid. Ptlanum in loc. (!>) t Cor. xii , 23, 28. 3

6 6 The Dotfrine of the WHEELS, fters of the Gofpel, and I think rightly, fo the Wheels of the work of their miniilry (/), which is fometimes called a courfe, race, or running ; thus John's miniftry is faid to be his courfe, and the apoftle Paul joins his courfe and miniftry together, as meaning the fame thing ; and elfewhere diredls, to pray that the word of the Lord might have/m- courfe, and be glorified (k) : and it is obferved, that there is but one Wheel, one faith, one dodlrine of faith, or fyftem of truths to be delivered and re ceived ; and though miniftered by different perfons, and thefe have different gifts, yet as to the fum and fubftance of it, is the fame ; as the apoftle fays, the Son of God, Jefus Chrift, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Syhanus and Timotheus was.not yea and nay (/) ; we did not contradidl ourfelves, nor one another ; there is an unity, harmony, and confiftence, in the miniftration of the Gofpel ; the Wheels have one likenefs : and though the dodlrines of the Gofpel are myfterious, abftrufe, and hidden to many, are like a riddle, or an enigma, or as a wheel within awheel; yet they are plain to enlightened minds, to them that find fpiritual and experimental know ledge : and as wheels when fet in motion, roll on with force and rapidity; fo the doc trines (/) StarcHut in loc. (i) A8s xiii. 2J.& XX IbeJJ. iii. I. (/) 1 Cor. i. 19.

7 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. j trines of the Gofpcl, when the Spirit of God is in thofe Wheels, or when they are attended with his energy, they come with demonftration and power, and are the power of God unto falvation. BUT the key for the interpretation of thefe Wheels, as of the Cherubim, is to be taken from John's vifion in the 4th chapter of the Revelation ; for as the Che rubim, or living creatures, in Ezekiel's vifions, are the fame with John's four beafts, or living creatures ; fo the Wheels here are the fame with the four and twenty el ders there, which are the reprefentatives of Gofpel-churches 5 defcribed by their num ber, in alluiion to the four and twenty courfes of the priefts, in the times of Da vid; by their character as elders, in diftinction from the church of the old teftament, and its members ; who were as children, in their non-age, under the elements of this world; whereas Gofpel-churches, and their members, are young men and fathers, grown, men in knowledge and underftanding ; by their feats and thrones on which they fat, expreflive of their power and authority of judging and determining things relative to their own affairs within themfelves ; as who fliall be received among them, retained by them, or excluded from them : -what have 1 to do, fays the apoftle (m), to judge them () \ Cor. v. 1 2.

8 .8 The Dotfrine of the WHEELS, jjpem that are without? do not yejydge them that are 'within? they are alfo defcribed by fheir raiment, clothed in white Linen ; that fine Jinen, clean, and white, which is the righteoufnefs of the faints, and that is the righteoufnefs of CHRIST; and.by having on their heads crowns ofgold, fignifying they are made kings and priefts unto GOD by JESUS CHRIST. And now that thefe and the Wheels fignify the fame, may be con cluded partly by their fituation ; the fame fituation the elders have in John's vifion, the Wheels have in Ezekiel's ; in Johns vi- Jion there was a throne, and one on it, the Lord JESUS CHRIST ; next to this throne were the four living creatures, or miniflers of the word ; who receive their cbmmiffion, power, and authority, gifts, grace,. light, and knowledge, from CHRIST on the throne ; next to them are the elders, or Gofpel-churches, to whom they communi cate what they receive from CHRIST ; fee Rev. iv. 2, 4. and v. 6. and vii So in the vifions of Ezekiel, there was a throne, and neareft to the throne were the Cheru bim; and by the Cherubim were the Wheels, fee Ezek* i. 15, 26. and x. j, 2..6, 9. and partly by their dependence on one another, and their order of operation : in John's vifion the four living creatures move firft, and give the lead in divine worfliip, Rev. iv. 9, 10. and.v. 14. So in '

9 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 9 Ez.ekieFs vifions, as the Cherubim, or living creatures moved, fo the Wheels did ; 'when the living creatures went, the Wheels 'went by them ; and 'when the living creatures were lift upfrom the earthy the Wheels were lift up, Ezek. i. 19. and again, ivhen thofftotnt, thefe -went ; and when thofejiood, theje'jtood, and 'when theje were lifted up from the earth, the Wheels 'were lifted up over againji them, v. 21. fee alfoch.x. 16, 17, 19. In this light, in this view of things, I (hall confider the Wheels, and fliew the agreement between them and Gofpel-churches ; and my buftnefs will be to ubferve their name, their number, th'eir fituration, their form, figure, and appearance, and their motion, Firjl, their name, Wheels, or Wheel ; asfor the Wheels, it 'was faid in my hearing; or they 'were called in my hearing, by the following name Galgal (ri]; which fignifies fomething that may be rolled, a Whet}, and that rs round as that is, a circle, or a globe, or fphere (0} : now as the round and circular form is a fymbol of perle&ion; this may denote the comparative perfection of Gofpel-churches to that of the old tefla- B ment- ("1 7j7^n Kip CH^ ipfi vocatse funt vil fuerunt or. bis, Junius & Tremelliiis, Pilcator ; Ice, the margin of our Bible ; the words miy be rendered, as Cor Ophannim (Wheels) they were called in my hearing Hagalfal, the orb or fphere. (o) Vid. Maimon. MdrehNevocbmi, par. 3. c. 4.

10 10 The Doftrine of the WHEELS, ment-church under the law : the law made nothing perfect ; the facrifices of it were not perfedl, not could it by them make the comers thereunto perfedl : but the bring ing in of a better hope did (p); Chrift, who is come an high-priefl of good things to come, the ground and foundation of all folid hope ; he by one facrifice has perfected jiis people for ever, obtained perfect peace an4 reconciliation, made a full atonement, wrought out a complete righteoufnefs, and procured a full pardon, and is become the author of eternal redemption and falvation; God having providedfeme better thing for us, under the Gofpel-difpenfation, that they, of the former difpenfation, without us Jbould not be made perfeft (q} : they were, as before obferved, as children not grown up to maturity ; but members of gofpel-churches, in comparifon of them, are arrived to the meafure of tbejiature of Chrift ; though in comparifon ofthe church triumphant, or faints in heaven, they are imperfed:, know but in part, and prophefy but in part. The word here ufed, as hintr ed before, fignifies a globe, or fphere, and is ufed of the heavenly fphere, the con cave, or expanfe, which furrounds our globe, and in which the heavenly bodies move ; and it is tranflated heaven in Pf. Ixxvii. 18. thf voice of thy thunder -was in the (p) Heb, ril. 19, (y) Htb. xi. 40.

11 in Ezekiel, opened and explained* n the heaven ; in Ga/ga/, in the heavenly fphere : and it is eafy to obferve, that the Gofpel-church-ftate is called the heavenly Jerufalem (r), in diflindion from the for mer difpenfation, and heaven itfelf ; and in which fenfe it is almoft always, if not al ways, ufed throughout the book of the Revelation ; and this may fugged unto us, that members of Gofpel-churches are, or fhould be, fouls born again, born from above; heaven-born fouls, partakers of the heavenly calling, and fuch as are prefling towards the mark, for the prize of the high catting of GOD in CHRIST. Gofpel-churches may be fignified by Wheels, becaufe of their moveablenefs and changeablenefs. Wheels are rolled about and moved from place to place, and fo have churches been. The firft Gofpelchurches were planted in yudea, and then the kingdom of God, or Gofpel-churchftate, was taken from thence, and carried into the Gentile world, where various churches were raifed, as the feven churches of Afia ; and what was threatened to one of them, the church of Epbefus, has been true of them all ; that the candleftick, or church-ftate, (hould be removed out of its place ; for where are thofe churches now? Gofpel-churches were firft in the eaftern part of the world, then they came more B 2 wefterly (r) Htb. xii. z».

12 12 Tb DoStrine of the WHEELS, wefterly, and now more northerly, where their chief feat is. Thus they have been wheeled about, and perhaps may take another circuit more foutherly. Gofpelchurches are not always, in the fame ftate and condition, as well as not in the fame place. Sometimes in profperity, andfometimes in adverfity ; fometimes in a ftate of perfecution, and fometimes in a fta,t;e of peace and liberty. The firft Gofpelchurch was at Jerufalem, and wa,s at firft profperous and numerous ; but at Ipngth a perfecution arofe, by which its mem bers were made hayock of, and its miniftera fcattered abroad ; and fo it fared with other churches ; but after a time the churches had reft throughout Judea, Galilee* and Samaria, and were edified and multiplied (s] ; and fo it was with the churches among the Gentiles, they had tri bulation ten days, under the ten Roman emperors that perfecuted them ; and then there vf^jilence in heaven for half an hour ;. peace and quietnefs in the churches for a fmall fpace of time ; in the reign of Con- Jiantine (f). At one time, the church isreprefented in a moft glorious and fplendid manner, as clothed with the fun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve ftars ; exprefllve of her dignity, (t) d3sv'm. i. and ix. 3:. (/) Rev. ii. 10. and viii. i.

13 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 13 dignity, and of her purity in doftrine ancj worftiip ; and prefently we hear of her taking two wings, and fleeing into the wildernefs, whe,re Ihe is nourifhed for a time and times, and half a time (a) ; and in a, changeable ftate on one account or ano ther, have the churches of CHRIST been ever fince ; our forefathers in the laft cen tury fuffered persecution ; we now enjoy peace and liberty ; what this will iflue in, time only can difcover. The Cherubim are fometimes called the chariot of the Cherubim (w) ; not that they themfevves, abftractedly confidered, form a chariot ; though the Lord is faid to ride upon a cherub (x) ; but they with the Wheels make one ; for a chariot without wheels, as before obferved, is of no ufe ; but with wheels is fit for carriage ; fuch is the church of CHRIST ; it is faid, king So lomon made bimjelf a chariot of the wood of Lebanon (y) ; by king Solomon is not meant literally Solomon king of Ifrael, but a greater than he, CHRIST his antitype, the prince of peace : and by the chariot he made for himfelf, his own ufe, Service, and glory, may be meant his church ; which, as compofed of perfons poflefled of the fra grant graces of the Spirit, and having ths odours of prayer and praife, and being perfevering.. («) R*v. xii. i, («) ' chr9*. (^P/xviii.»o. U) Cwrf.m.p

14 14 be i)ottrine of the WHEELS, fevering faints in faith and holinefs, may be faid to be made of the fweet-fmelling and incorruptible wood of Lebanon', and in this chariot CHRIST rides up and down in the world, and does his work and bufmefs : and indeed wherever there are Wheels of any fort, and upon any account, there is work to be done ; and there is fcarce any manufacture, but there is a wheel made ufe of in one part and branch of it, or ano ther : and in and by the churches of CHRIST much work is done; here the Gofpel is preached, the ordinances are adminiftered, the facrifices of prayer and praife are offered up, fouls are converted, and faints edified and comforted, and GOD in all things glorified. And when Wheels are in motion, they make a great rattling and noife. We often read of the rufhing of chariots, of the rumbling of their wheels, and of the noife of them on the tops of mountains ; fee Jer. xlvii. 3. Joel ii. 5. and when there is any work doing in the churches of CHRIST, elpecially any thing remarkable, it makes a great noife in the world. So in Judea, when the Gofpel was firft preached there, and fouls were in great numbers converted, and churches planted, the Sanhedrim, the elders, fcribes, phariiees, and fadducees, were alarmed with it ; and in the Gentile world, where ever there was a door opened, a door of opportu nity

15 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 15 ijity to preach the Gofpel, and a door of ut terance in minifters, and a door of en trance into the hearts of men, there were many adverfaries (z) ; to oppofe CHRIST'S minifters, to ftir up men againft them, and give out the cry, thofe that have turned the world ufjide down, are come hither alfo (a) : yea, -there are great noifes and fhoutings in minifters of the word, and the churches themfelves, when any remarkable and ex traordinary work is going forward ; fo at the time of the Reformation, which the loth chapter of the Revelation defcribes, when, the voice of CHRIST was as -when a lion roaretb, he being the lion of the tribe of yudab ; the feven thunders, the Boanerge/es, or fons of thunder, uttered their voices ; and when the judgments of God will come down upon Antichrift, and upon the Antichriftian ftates, and the marriage of the lamb will be come, and the church, the lamb's wife, made ready for him, and the fpiritual reign of CHRIST will take place, a great voice of much people will be heard in heaven, the church; and a voice out of the throne, and the voice of 4 great multitude, as of many waters, and of mighty thqnderings, faying, Allelujah, falvation, glory, honour, and power, to the Lord our God, the Lord God omni potent reigneth, Rev. xix. i 7 ṠECONDLY, («) 1 Cor. xvj. 9. )«) 48> xvii. 6.

16 1 6 The Doftrine of the Wheels, SECONDLY, the number of the Wheels is next to be confidered. They are called Wheels in the plural number in our text> and yet according to it were named a Wheel, one Wheel, as elfewhere in the vifion, and yet four ; feech. i, 15, 16. they feem to be formed in this manner, like two hoops put in a crofs and tranfverfe manner, which interfed: each other, and make four femicircle&; and thefe four femicircles make one globe or fphere ; and fb there were one and yet four, and four and but one. Indeed from >*. 9, 14. it feems as if there were four in this form, fince there was a wheel to every cherub, and every wheel had four faces ; that is, on the four femi-circles : now confidered as one Wheel, they reprefent the church catholic and invifible, the general aflembly and church of the firft-born, confifting of all the eled that have been, are, or mall be, even all thofe whofe names are written in heaven; and this is but one, of which CHRIST fays (6), there are threefcore queens andfourfcore concubines, and virgins 'without number; many vjfible congregated churches, and a great number of particular faints : my love, my undejiled is but one, Jhe is the only one of her mother, the choice one of her that bare her ; there is but one church, of which CHRIST is the head, the head of the (i) Ctutl, vi. 8, 9.

17 in EzekieJ, opened and explained. 17 the body,fhe church ; but one church, that he has loved with an everlafting love, and has given himfelf an offering and facrifice for unto God. But particular congrega ted churches are many, and they are ligmfied by the numbers/car, partly with re- Ipcdl to the four cherubs, as appears from >K 9. and when I looked, behold, the four Wheels by the Cherubim, one Wheel by on'e Cherub, and another Wheel by another Che rub, fo in the firft Gofpel-churches, in every church elders were ordained ; and in every city, that is, wherever there was a church, au elder, or paflor was appointed, and constituted over it ; and for the moft p^rt but one in a church ; tho' in fome churches, which might be very large, there were more : hence we read of the elders of the church at Ephefus, and of bifhops in Philippi (c] ; but in the feven churches of Afia, there was but one an.» gel, paftor, or bifhop over each church, one wheel by one cherub ; and partly the number four may be ufed with refpecl: to the four parts of the world, where churches have been, or will be placed. CHRIST gave his apoftles a commiflion to preach the Gofpel fo all nations, in every part of the world ; and they did go, and their found alfo, into all the earth, and unto the ends of the world j and multitudes C were W^pt. 17, Pti!.l,^

18 Doflrine of the WH EELS, were converted, and churches raifedin all parts of it ; and fo it will be again, before the end of the world, and the coming of CHRIST ; the earth will be filled with fhe knowledge of the Lord ; great num bers will be converted in the four parts of fhe world ; God will bring the fpiritual feed of CHRIST, and of his church, from the eaftt andgather themfrom the tpeft, he ivill fay to 'the north give up, and to the Jouth keep not back, bring myfonsjromfar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth (d] ; who mall be gathered into Gofpel-churches ; and at the clofe of time CHRIST will fend forth his angels, and gather together his eledt from the four winds (e], where they have lived in a Gofpel-church-ftate. THIRDLY, the fituation of the Wheels; they were upon the earth, and by the che rubim. i. They were upon the earth j 'behold, one Wheel upon the earth, ch. i. 15. and where one was, the four were ; this is obferved to diftinguifh the churches of CHRIST here, from the church triumphant in heaven. CHRIST'S family is partly in heaven, and partly on earth ; thofe whom CHRIST redeemed and gathered together in one head, himfelf, and reconciled untq GoD, are things in heaven, and things orj earth (V) If. xliij. 5, 6.. {t).matt. xxiv. 31.

19 in Ezekielj opened and explained. K earth ; the chofen, redeemed, and calkd* are firft gathered into Gofpel-churches on" earth, before they are removed to heaven, from whence they will difeend again," as a bride adorned for her rmftiand. This points out the place where faints for the.. prefent are ; though they arc chofen, and? called out of the world, yet they are ftih. in it ; and the work done in churches, is^ done by them whilft in the world ; here. the Gofpel is preached, and ordinances' admini/tered, converfion-worfc wroughty and edification in the way and; manner it is ; thefe ate only done on earth : and this mayr alfo denote that the moveable and change able ftate of the churches of CHRIST be1-. fore obferved, is only on earth, and in thff prefent earth; for in the new earth, the ta bernacle of GOD that will be there and then with men, will be a tabernacle that jkall not be taken down ; not one of the flakes thereof Jhall ever be removed, neither Jhall any of the cords thereof bt broken (f), no removing, no rolling, no wheeling from place to place, no change of ftate, condi tion, and circumftance, when the ranfomed of the Lord are come to Ziont to the chwch above, everlajling joy will be upon their beads~~- andfarrow andjighing foall flee away ( g ) : though this may likewife fiffnify^ if) Rfv. XK'I.?. If. xxxiii. 20. (g) V. xxxv. io

20 lo The Doftrlne of the WHEELS, fignify the firmnefs of Gofpel-churches ; they are not in the air, nor on the fea, where Wheels cannot be employed, but on terrajirma j and what that is to Wheels, CHRIST is to his churches, the bafts and foundation of them; the LORD has found ed Zion, and it is well founded -, he has laid in it for a foundation a ftone, a tried ilone, a precious corner-fkme, which is JE SUS CHRIST, the foundation of the apoftjes and prophets ; of their laying minifterially ; and on which Gofpel-churches in. all ages are laid, a rock firm and fure, againil which the powers of hell and earth cannot prevail. 2. The Wheels are faid to be by the Cherubim, or living creatures ; fee ch. i. 15. and x to be put in motion by them. The churches are placed by the minifters of the word, near them, and befides them, to put them in, mind of, and to ftir them up to the exercife of every grace, faith, hope, love, &c. and to put them in mind of every duty both towards God and man, that they be ready to every good work, and careful to maintain them; and to put them in remem brance of the doctrines of the Gofpel they have made a profeffion of, that they hold them faft unto the end. They are placed by them to inftruct them. in matters of faith, to declare to them the whole counfcl

21 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 21 fel of GOD, and keep back nothing from them that may be profitable to them ; and to go before them, and give the lead to them in matters of worfhip, and to direcl: them in matters of difcipline ; to obferve to them the rules of it, that they with draw from perfons that walk diforderly ; and an heretic after the firft and fecond admonition reject. They are placed by them to watch over them, to watch for their fouls, for the good of them, and to pre/erve them from every evil and fame way, from immorality and herefy, from every thing dangerous and pernicious. They are called watchmen, in alluiion both to watchmen that go about the city, to give the time of night, and notice of any danger; and to watchmen on the walls, fet there to defcry an enemy, and give the alarm of his near approach, to provide againft him. They are placed by them, the churches by the minislers, that they may feed them with knowledge and underftanding, with the wholefome words of CHRIST, with the words of faith and good doclrine, with the fmcere milk of the word, and with the bread of life. Wherefore, if any Ihould make the enquiry, where CHRIST feeds his flocks, let them take the anfwer and direction he gives ; go thy way forth by the footfteps of the flock, and

22 22 T&e DoStnne of the WHEELS* and feed thy kids be/ides the Jhepherd's tents (h] ; go where the Cherubim and Wheels be, where ministers and churches meet together for religious excrcifes. FOURTHLY, the form, figure, colour, and appearance of the Wheels, the de- Icription of which is various.. i. They are faid to have four faces, as in the follow ing verfe, /. 14. and every one had four faces*, thtjirftface. -was theface of a cherub, and the fecondface was the face of a man, ana' the third the face of a /ion, and the fourth theface of an eagle ; the fame with the faces of the Cherubim. Minifters and churches are, or mould be, of trie. fame mind, of the fame judgment, and of one accord ; they mould have the fame face and look, and draw the fame way ; and then they are like a company of horfes in Pharaoh's chariot (i) ; they'll put moul der to moulder, and ferve the Lord with one confent. The firft face was that of a cherub, that is, of an ox, as appears from ch. i. 10. which has its name from plow ing, in which the ox was employed, and gives the denomination to the whole figure : now this is a proper emblem of the mem bers of Gpfpel-churchey, it being a clean creature that chews the cud ; and fo defcriber 2 (i) Cart. i. 7, 8. (/) Cant. i. 9.

23 tn Ezekiel, opened and explained. 23 (bribes fuch who ruminate on the word, who meditate in the law and dodtrine erf GOD night and day, conftantly, as they have leiiure and opportunity ; and their meditation is fweet when they are led to the nature,.perfections, and promifes of GOD, to his everlafting love, and the co venant of grace, to the perfon, offices, and grace of CHRIST. The ox is patient under the yoke when accuftomed to it ; and fb are faints who have learnt, and have been inured to bear the yoke in their youth ; whether the yoke of CHRIST'S commands, 'which is eafy and light ; or the yoke of af fliction, reproaches, and perfecution, which they bear patiently for CHRIST'S fake; tri bulation works patience in them, and pa tience has its perfect work. The ox is a laborious creature, ftrong to labour, and conftant in it ; and fo fitly reprefents the members of Gofpcl-churches, who are or (hould be ftedfaft, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD; as the members of the firft Gofpel-church were, who continued ftedfaftly in the apoftles dodlrine, and in fellowmip, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The Jecond face was the face of a man ; fignifying that they were knowing and underftanding perfons, were in underftanding, men, and had attained to a large meafure of fcnowledge of divine and fpiritual things.

24 Doftrine of the WHEELS, and were flill growing in grace, and in the knowledge of CHRIST ; and that they were, or mould be, humane, kind to one another, tender-hearted, and put on bowels pf compaffion and tendernefs to each other ; and forgive one another any quar rel they had, as GOD for CHRIST'S fake forgave them ; and that they were fympathizing with each other in every condition and circumftance ; wept with thofe that wept, and rejoiced with thofe that rejoiced. The third face, was the face of a lion ; de noting courage, boldnefs, and intrepidity in the faints, who are and mould be as bold as a lion in the caufe of CHRIST, and in the profeffion of him, holding fail his name, and not denying his faith, even where Sa tan's feat is ; not being afraid of the faces of men, as they have no reafon ; for if God is for them, and on their fide ; if he is their light and life, their falvation and ftrength, they have nothing to fear from men or devils. The fourth face was that of an eagle, a bird that has a piercing eye, and foars aloft, and defcribes fuch who mount up with wings as eagles, in the exercife of faith and love ; who dwell on high, in GOD and CHRIST, and upon everlafting things ; who.feek after, and fet their affections on things above, where JESUS is. 2. The appearance of the os the colour of a beryll Jlanet

25 l, opened and explained. 25 jh 9. fo in ch. i. 16. which was one of the precious ftones in the high prieft's breaftplate, and one of the twelve foundations of the new Jerufalem, and with which the hands of CHRIST are faid to be adorned. This may denote the precioufnefs of the members of Gofpel-churches, what worth and value they are of in the efteem of CHRIST ; thefe precious fons of Sion are not only comparable to fine gold, for their luftre, iplendor, worth, and duration ; but to jewels and precious ftones : they Jhall be mine* fays CHRIST (k]t when I make up my jewels : and may fignify the beauty and glory of the churches of CHRIST, and the members of them ; whofe cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, and their neck with chains ofgold (/) ; as they are adorn ed with the graces of the Spirit, and ar rayed with the robe of CHRIST'S righteoufnefs, and the garments of his falvation j when they are as richly decked as the bride groom, with his ornaments, and the bride with her jewels. The colour of the beryll is the colour of the fea, or a fea-green ; and the word for it, Tarjhi/h, is uied for the fea itfelf; and may lead to think of the fluctuating ftate of the churches of CHRIST in this world; which k as a tempeftuous lea, and they as {hips upon it, tojjed with D (*) M.,l. iii. 17. W C**t.\. lo.

26 26 'The DoSlrine of the WHEELS, tempefts, and not comforted ; CHRIST is their pilot, faith the cable, and hope the anchor, fure and ftedfaft ; and through the {kill, ability, and guidance of the pilot, they are brought at laft, through many fiorms and tempefts to the defired haven. 3. The four Wheels had one likenefs, jr. 10. and ch. i. 16. Gofpel-churches confift of one and the fame fort of perfons ; who are enlightened by the SPIRIT of GOD to fee their loll ftate by nature ; are directed to CHRIST alone for falvation, and obtain like precious faith for nature, though not to the fame degree ; and1 whofe experiences are iimilar : for as face anfioers to face in water (m), To do the hearts and experiences of GOD'S people anfwer to each other : for though the SPIRIT of GOD may take a different courfe with fomethan with others ; fome have more of, and are held longer under, the terrors of the lavv; whilft others are drawn with the cords of love, almoft at once; they may have different promiles ap plied, and different providences maybe fanctified to them ; yet the fum and fubftance, and tendency of their experience are the fame, todebafe the creature, exalt CHRIST, and magnify the riches of GOD'S grace. Gofpel-churches have the fame faith, the fame dodlrine of faith ; for there is but one ( >} Prav. xi.vii. 19.

27 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 27 one faith delivered to the faints; they have the fame ordinances, baptifm and the LORD'S fupper ; and the fame officers, bifhops, and deacons., they have the fame power and authority to chufe their own officers, as the firft church did Matthias in the room of Judas, and deacons when they became neceltary : they have the fame power to receive and exclude mem bers ; they are independent of others, and call no man mafter on earth ; they have the iame form of government, under CHRIST their Head, Lord and Mafter, whom they own and profefs to be their King, Lawgiver, and Saviour, and no other. They have pallors over them under CHRIST, whom they not only honour and efteem, but yield iubjedlion to, when ruling well according to the laws and inftitutions of CHRIST 4. They are faid to be a Wheel in the middle of a Wheel, /. 10. and ch. i. 16. not inclufively, as if one Wheel was included in the other ; for then they would not be alike, but one would beleffer than another ; but they were put in that crofs and tranfverfe way before dcfcribed, fo that they feemedbut one Wheel, one globe or fphere ; that is, one catholic church, built on the fame foundation of the apoftles and prophets ; and which grows up into an holy temple in the LORD, and is built as one habitation for God, D 2 Father,

28 s»8 The DoSlrine of the Wheels, Father, Son, and Spirit. 5. The rings, circles, and circumferences of thefe Wheels, deferve fome notice : asfor their rings, it is faid, ch. i they werefo high that they were dreadful, and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. ~( i ). Thefe were very high, and fo muft in proportion be very large, and which may fignify the vifibility and extenfivenefs of the churches of CHRIST under the Golpel-difpenfation, cfpecially in the latter day. The churches of CHRIST are like a city upon an high hill, which cannot be hid, but is feen at a great diftance. They are built upon a rock, that is exceeding high ; and in the latter day they will be exalted above the high mountains and hills, the kingdoms and ftates of this world ; and will be fo enlarged when the nation of the Jews, and the fulnefs of the Gentiles are brought in, that there will be want of room for the members to dwell in them, If. ii. 2. and xlix. 20. (2). They are faid to be very dreadful, as the church militant is to her enemies, terrible as an army 'with ban ners (n); having CHRIST as a general at the head of it, with a large number of good foldiers of his under him, and accou tred with the whole armour of GOD, in rank and file, and colours flying ; and as the church will be in her elevated ftatc, when (») Cant. vi. 4, 1C.

29 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 29 when her flain witnefles are rifen, and fhall ifcend to heaven ; that is, come into a glo rious and happy ftate in the fight of their enemies, and leven thoufand men of name flain, and the remnant affrighted. Or the word may be here rendered reverent (o] ; they were both reverend and reverent ; refpedtable, in high efleem, as the church will be in the latter day, even to great perfonages. Kings will be nurfing fathers to her, and queens nuriing mothers ; and they will bow down towards her, and lick the duft of her feet, If. xlix. 23. and reverent; or there was fear> or they had fear in them (/); the fear of GOD is in his churches ; he is greatly to be feared in the aflembly of the faints ; and the true mem bers thereof ferve him with reverence and godly fear. (3). Thefe rings were/w// of eyes round about ; the fame is faid of the Wheels, that is, of the rings ofthem, ii. 12. This (hews that the members of Gofpelchurches are fuch who have the eyes of their underftanding enlightened by the Spi rit of God, to fee the exceeding linfulnefs of fin, and the dement of it ; to behold the precioufnefs, excellency, fuitablenefs, and fulnefs of CHRIST, as a Saviour ; to look to him for life and falvation, for righteoufnefs («) So Dr. Llvhifiofs Profpra of the Temple, &c. p (f) CH7 HtOM «timor llhs Cacetius; fo Starciiui.

30 30 'The Doftrine of the WHEELS, teoufnefs and ftrength, and every fupply of grace ; and that they have an infight in to, and knowledge of the truths of the Go- {ptl, which are unfeen and unknown to natural and carnal men ; being led into them by the fpirit of truth, and having that anointing which teacheth all things neceffary to falvation : and they are full of eyes, to watch over themfelves and others ; over themfelves, that they walk circumfpectly, not as fools, but as wife, as be comes thegofpel of CHRIST theyprofefs j zndover others, looking di/igentfyietrxrkotrisvttsy a&ing the part of a bifhop or overfeer, as every member of a church in this refpect fhould : left any man fail of the grace of God ; come mort of it, drop or deny any dodlrine of grace : left any root of bitternefs $ immorality or herefy : fpringing up, trouble ; fome of the members : and there by many be defiled (q}; with bad principles, or with bad praclices. FIFTHLY, the motion of the Wheels; which motion, i. was not retrograde ; they 'went on theirfourjldes, they turned not as they went, $ neither to the right, nor left : or they returned not when they went,c\\. i. 17. they did not go back, but went ftraight on ; true members of Gofpel-» churches, (f) Htb. xii. 15.

31 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 3 1 churches, are fuch who draw not back to perdition, but go on believing ; having put their band to the plough (f], having made a profe/fion of CHRIST, and his Gofpel, they neither look back, nor draw back, or they would not be fit for the kingdom of heaven ; they turn not to the right hand, nor the left ; but walk on in CHRIST, and their profeffion of him, as they have re ceived him, and in all the commandments and ordinances of the LORD, which he has appointed to be obierved. 2. Their motion is the fame with the Che rubim, or living creatures ; as the one mo ved, fb the other did ; the Wheels went by the Cherubim, by theories of them, ^. 16, 19. Minifters are or mould be examples to the churches in purity of dodlrine and converfation ; and churches mould walk as they have them for an example, and be followers of them fo far as they are follow ers of CHRIST ; they are to go by their fide, and keep pace with them in faith and practice ; when they the cherubim flood, tbeje the wheels Jlood, when they were lifted up, thefe lift up them)"elves alfo, /. 17. fee ch. i. 19, 21. Churches obferve the mo tions of the minifters, and adl accordingly j they give the lead in worfhip, as before obferved ; when they lift up their hearts with their (r) Hit. x. 39. Lull uc. 6a.

32 32 T&e Dottrine of the WHEELS, their hands in prayer and praife, the mem bers of churches follow, and join them j when they are in elevated frames of foul in their work, and are warm and lively in their miniflrations, generally fpeaking the churches are fo likewife ; but if they are dull and heavy, motionlefs and inadlive, flothful in bufmefs, and not fervent in fpirit, the members are fo too ; as minifters are, for the moft part the churches be. 3. The Wheels followed the head, which guided and directed them : to the place 'where the head looked, they folio-wed it, $ the head or face on each femicircle, the fame with thofe of the Cherubim ; and fo may denote minifters, paftors, guides, and governors of the churches ; whofe faith they are to follow, confidering the end of their converfation ; or rather CH R i ST, the head of the church, the lamb that is to be followed, whitherfoever he goes, and in whatfoever he diredls ; unlefs 4. the Spirit of God is meant, fince it is faid in ch. i. 20. ivhitherfoeuer the Spirit ivas to go they went : truly gracious fouls walk not after the flefli, but after the Spirit ; they are led by him into all truth, as it is in JESUS ; and they walk in all the paths of faith and duty, as they are influenced and guided by him ; they are directed by him in a right way, to the city of their habita tion,

33 «rezekicl, opened and explained. 33 ion, to a land of uprightnefs ; for 5. thejpirit ofthe living creatures was in them, jf. 17. that is, in the Wheels, ch. i. 20, 21. the fpirit of life which is in. CHRIST, and from CHRIST, is in his minifters ; and the fame fpirit that is in the minifters, is in the churches ; and he is in both a fpirit of life, and a fpirit of liberty, in the exercife of grace, and performance of duty ; for there is but one Jpirit in all, though in a different meafure ; even as faints are by onejpirit baptized into one body the church, and are called in one hope of their calling (s) to the fame happinefs and glory.» Now thefe vifions of Ezekiel, in this and the Firji chapter, as they give a glo rious and beautiful reprefentation of the ftate of minifters and churches under tho Gofpel-difpenfation j they may be read with pleafure, delight, and profit, when fpirit ually underftood; yet they are clofed with a melancholy fcene of things ; tha Cherubim are reprefented as mounting up from the earth, and the Wheels befides th$m j and the glory of the GOD of Ifrael above them all, ready to take their flight, and depart, y and ch. xi. 22, 27. which may fignify the removal of Gofpelminifters from earth to heaven by death, and the breaking up of.gofpel-churches, and the departure of GOD from his profef.r E (0 v Or.' xii Epttf.»v. 4.

34 34 he DoSirine of the WHEELS, fing people, of which we have already had fome inftances : and, without pretending to a fpirit of prophecy, things will continue to go on in this way, worfe and worfe, till the kingdom of GOD will be taken from us, the candleftick be removed out of its place, the glory of GOD depart, and an Ichabod be wrote on his intereft ; which will be completed when the witneftes are flain; and then fcarce a cherub will be feen, nor a Wheel in motion; the dead bodies of the witnefles will lie unburied, none daring to mew a decent regard unto them. From what has been faid, we may learn, i. The nature of Gofpel-churches, the matter of which they confift, the form of them, the work that is done in them, and by them, and their ftate, condition, and circumftances, under the prefent difpenfation. 2. The neceflity there is of an har mony between minifters and churches : it is highly requifite they fhould agree, and a r. in concert ; the Wheels mould be by the Cherubim, and move as they do ; they fhould join and unite to promote the inte reft of religion, or things will never go on happily and comfortably. 3. This may inftruft and diredl us to pray for the Spi rit of God to be poured down upon both minifters and churches ; that minifters may have a larger meafure of it, and that the fpirit of the living creatures might be in 4

35 in Ezekiel, opened and explained. 35 the Wheels ; the fame, or a like meafure of thf fpirit that is in minifters, might be in the churches ; and for this we fhould pray importunately and inceftantly ; for we fhall never have happy times, or halcyon days, until the Spirit be poured down upon us from on high, and the wildernefs be a fruit" fulfield, and the fruitfulfield be countedfor a foreft; then judgment fiall dwell in the wildernefs, and righteoufnefs remain in the fruitful field ; and the work of righteoufnefs Jhall &e peace* and the effed: of righteoufnefe quietnefs and ajjurancefor ever ; and my peo plejhall dwell in a peaceable babitationt and in fure dwellings, and in quiet rejling pla ces (t). (t) If. xxxii. ij, 16,17,»» INIS.

36 t» -., t. :-..- Lately fubtijhed, B^GtORBE KEITH, in Gracecburcb-Stifef, The following TRACTS, By JOHN GILL, D. D. t. The Doftrine of the Cherubim opened and explained, Price 6J. *. The DoSrine of the Trinity ftated and vindicated, 21. ). The Doilrine of the Refurreftion ftated and defended, u. 4. The Doftrine of Juftificatkm by the Rightooufnefs of Chrilt, ilated and maintained, is. 5. The Doftrine of God's Everlafting Love to his Eleft, and fome other Truths, ftated and defended, is. 6. The Doftrine of the Saints final Perseverance averted and vindicated, 6V. 7. The Doftrine pf Predeftination ftated and fet in a Scrip ture Light, 6J. 9. The Doftrine of Grace cleared from the Charge of Li. centioufnefs, 6d. 9. The Law eftablifhed by the Gofpel, 6J. 10. The Scriptures the only Guide in Matters of Religion, 64, 11. Two annual Difcourfcs on Prayer and Singing, i >. iz. The Watchman's Anfwer to the Queftion, What of the Night? ia two annual Sermons, u. 13. The Glory of the Church in the latter Day, 6J. 14. Faith in God, and his Word, the Eftablifliment of hi«people, 6J. 15. The Sure Performance of Prophecy, 6J. 16. The Quiet and eafy Paflage of Chrift's purchafed Peo ple through Death to Glory, 6J. 17. The Glorious State of the Saints in Heaven, 6J. 18. The Negleft of fervent Prayer complained of, 6V. 19. The Law in the Hand of Chrift, a Sermon at Briftol, 6V. 20. The Work of a Gofpel Minifter : A Charge, delivered at the Ordination of feveral Minifters, 6J. Where may be had, Dr. GILL's other Works.