Solomon a Type of Christ

    PARALLELS.

    I. Solomon, or Shelomon, peaceable, the son of David, greatly beloved, and king of Israel and Jerusalem: so was Christ the beloved of God, the true Son of David according to the flesh, King of Israel, and prince of peace, &c.

    II. Solomon exceeded all other men in wisdom and knowledge: Christ is the wisdom of God: "In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col 2:3. But in this there is great difference between them. 1. Solomon had his wisdom by donation and gift; Christ, as God, derived it from none. 2. Solomon by all his wisdom knew not the hearts of men: but Christ doth, he knew what was in man. 3. Solomon could not infuse his wisdom into others, to make them wise: but Jesus Christ is made of God unto us, wisdom; he makes us wise. 4. Solomon in all things he did was not wise; but Christ was in all things wise; in him was no folly.

    III. Solomon for his wisdom was admired, and his fame was spread abroad: But much more was the wisdom and excellent speeches, doctrine, and miracles of Christ spread abroad, so that his very enemies confessed, never man spake like him, Joh 8.

    IV. Solomon was a Type of Christ, in that he was a king of the.greatest royalty, wealth, and glory, that ever was; he so enriched his subjects, that silver and gold were as common to them as stones in the street, 1Ki 3:13. Christ enriches all his people spiritually, the price of grace being far above gold.

    V. Solomon was a Type of Christ, 1. In building; 2. Dedicating; 3. Ordering the temple.

    1. He built the temple: Christ built or builds his Church: "Upon this rock will I build my Church," Mt 16:18.

    2. He dedicated the temple, and consecrated it to the service of God, by which means prayers, and other acts of religious worship, were accepted: so Jesus Christ dedicated his Church by solemn prayer to God, and by his blood and mediation renders all their services, and other acts of religious worship, accepted by the Father.

    3. He ordered all things in the temple, appointing the several offices and officers thereof: so Jesus Christ, the true Solomon, orders all things according to his wisdom in his Church, about the public worship of God, and hath appointed all offices and officers that should be therein.

    VI. Solomon was a Type of Christ in his administration of justice, which was the glory of his royal throne. Yet in many things Solomon was no Type of Christ, &c.