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the well of living waters to the living water which is in the believer springing up unto everlasting life, and the fountain of gardens to the fertilizing stream of love and of good works wherewith he nourishes and diffuses his good things to all around, that we may be pardoned for thus laying aside for a moment the severity of sober criticism to indulge the dream of a not unholy imagination.

SOME NOTES ON THE TYPES FOUND IN THE TABERNACLE.

When you would teach a little child in the simplest and most interesting way, you do it by means of pictures. In the very same way did God teach Israel concerning him who was the consolation of Israel. When they sat under the shadow of the Pillar Cloud, and were sheltered from the burning rays of an eastern sun, God wanted to teach them that Christ was a shade on their right hand—that he would come between them and the burning wrath of God. When they followed the light of the pillar of fire, God wanted to teach them that Christ was the light of this world-that whoso followeth him shall not walk in darkness. When they gathered the snow-white manna, and ground it in mills, and baked it in pans, God wanted to teach them that a bruised Saviour must be the daily food of our soul. When they drank of the gushing river that flowed out of the smitten rock, God wanted to teach them that they might daily receive the full streams of the Holy Spirit from the smitten Saviour-that if any man thirst he should come to Christ and drink.

I. THE HIGH PRIEST.

But of all the types and images of the glorious Saviour, the most living, the most wonderful, was the Jewish High Priest, with his holy garments for glory and for beauty.-See Exodus xxviii. 2. These garments were glorious and beautiful in two respects,-first, They had a natural glory: they were made of the costliest materials—of gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, verse 5. No expense of labour or of riches was spared to make them splendid and attractive. But second, They had a Spiritual glory -a glory and a beauty that far excelled the other, inasmuch as they clearly represented the excellencies of Christ our glorious High Priest and Saviour.

May the Lord lift away the veil, and reveal to us from under the covering our glorious Immanuel, so that every soul may cry out, He is the chief among ten thousand, and altegether lovely

I. The Ephod and the Robe of the Ephod, verse 6-8, 31. 32.-Observe three things with regard to it. 1. It was made of the finest materials (v. 6)—of gold, and of blue, of purple, of scarlet, and of fine twined linen-the richest of metals was there the deepest, most beautiful dyes-the finest and purest linen; 2. It was wrought with the greatest skill, (v. 32)-God seems actually to have given the spirit of wisdom to the workmen who made it; it is said to have been made with "cunning work,' and the girdle, which was part of the ephod, is called "the curious girdle;' 3. It covered the Priest from head to foot. The ephod and the robe, when put together, formed a complete garment.

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How plainly does this point out the beautiful garment of our Redeemer's righteousness-his glorious finished work which he came from heaven to work out. 1. It is of the finest materials—it is the sufferings and obedience of the Son of God-of God manifest in flesh. Ah, who can tell the costliness of that robe! It is called (Psalm xlv.) "clothing of wrought gold," "raiment of needlework.' It is called (Rev. iii. 18) gold and fine linen-" I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire." 2. It was wrought with all the skill of heaven; for the Gospel is the power of God and the wisdom of God. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Angels desire to look into these things. It is the mystery of God and of Christ. 3. It covered Christ from head to foot-it covered his whole soul from the cradle to the cross; so that he was beautiful and glorious in the eyes of the Father. "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

Have no

Put on

Dear friends, put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. confidence in the flesh; but rejoice in Christ Jesus. this ephod of righteousness, this cunning work of God, this curious girdle of a Redeemer's righteousness. There is the gold of Christ's Godhead in it-the purple and scarlet of a Redeemer's blood-the fine twined linen of his spotless obedience. With what confidence the High Priest could enter the holiest when clothed with this wonderful garment; so you, clothed in Christ, may come boldly to the throne of grace, to find mercy and grace to help in time of need. "I counsel thee," &c.

II The Stones on his shoulders, 9-12.-Observe three things here-1. That they were precious stones on which the names of the children of Israel were engraved, "two onyx stones;" 2. That they were set in ouches, or sockets of gold, and fastened by chains; 3. That these two stones were put upon the high priest's shoulders, and he was to bear them before the Lord upon his shoulders.

How plainly does this point out the care that the great Redeemer takes of all that are his own! 1. They are precious in his sight-they are his jewels; and "they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.' "Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine." They are redeemed with his blood: no wonder they are precious. When a man has spent much on anything it becomes precious to him. 2. They are set in sockets of gold, and bound to him with chains of gold. These chains and sockets of gold are the love of Christ-his electing love-his drawing love-his covenant love. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." 3. They are on his shoulders; so are all believers. "" When he hath found it he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing." Never does the Saviour find a lost soul, but he sets him high on his shoulder. "Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."

Have you taken Christ to be your surety and High Priest? 1. Then you are on his shoulder-engraved there, set in gold there, chained there-you shall never perish. He has set you as a seal upon his arm. Lean all your weight on him. Do not distrust him. You cannot carry yourself. Lean all on him. 2. Be like Christ. You too are a priest. Be like Christ in this. Bear up the children of God. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Look not every one on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Be helpers of one another's joy.

III. Breastplate of judgment, 15-29.-Observe three things.-1. Here also all the names of the children of Israel were graven on precious stones; but observe the difference. Before there were two onyx stones; here are twelve different stones-all different-all precious. 2. Here also the stones were set in gold enclosings, and the whole was bound to the ephod with golden chains. 3. It was fastened, not upon his

shoulders, but upon his breast over his heart, verse 29. Aaron shall bear.

How plainly does this point out a new feature in the love and tenderness of Christ for his own redeemed ones!

1. Observe how precious his people are to him. There is a variety among the stones-every one is different, yet all are precious. So there is a great variety among Christ's people, yet all are precious to Christ. Some are chosen in infancy, like John the Baptist and Jeremiah, sanctified from the womb. Some are chosen in old age. Some are taken who have committed but little sin, like Martha and Mary. Some who have committed much, like the woman which was a sinner, and the dying thief. Some are taken from a cottage, some from a palace; all different, yet all jewels in the eyes of the Redeemer.

you.

2. Observe they are all bound upon his heart So believers are bound on Christ's heart when he goeth in before the Father. He is able to save to the uttermost. Dear children of God, you often think that Christ forgetteth you, that the glories of heaven have dazzled his eyes, that the songs of angels have entranced his ear, that the joys of his Father's right hand have filled all his heart, that he has no thought of See here, you are bound to his heart, you are enclosed there, graven there. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.' 'Behold, my mother and my brethren." He is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Can a mother forget her sucking child? Will you ever distrust Christ any more? "I will pray the Father;" "he maketh intercession for us." "I pray for them; I pray not for the world;" "neither pray I for these alone.'

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Be like Christ. Ye are priests. Let the children of God be precious to you: bound to your hearts with golden chains of love. Love all God's children; especially pray for them. Brethren pray for us.

IV. The Plate on forehead, 36–38.-Observe three things. 1. That it was a plate of pure gold-not wrought gold, nor mixed with anything else, but pure gold. 2. That holiness to the Lord was deeply engraven on it; it was not superficially written, but graven like a seal. 3. It was to be always on the forefront of his mitre, and on his forehead-conspicuous without concealment.

How plainly does this point out the native holiness of our glorious Redeemer! From first to last he was a holy Saviour. 1. His holiness was like the fine gold-without mixture with

out alloy. 2. It was deeply engraved in his heart-not mere appearance, outside holiness. 3. It was obvious, open holiness It was visible in his holy brow, in his meek and dove-like eye. His whole life was holiness to the Lord. Such an high priest became us, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. Even in his mother's womb he was "that holy thing.” In his life "he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." In his death "he through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot unto God." He was as it were the essence of holiness. This might well be the motto on his brow-HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

1. Learn what a complete Saviour we have. If he had had one sin or infirmity he would have needed to have died for his own sin. But he knew no sin, and was therefore made sin for us. O rejoice in this holy Saviour.

2. Learn to be like him. "I am the vine, ye are the branches." If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. If you are saved by Christ's blood, be filled with Christ's spirit. Remember you too must be holiness to the Lord. The Spirit must write the law upon your heart-grave it deeply; and yet let your light so shine before men, that they seeing your good works may glorify your Father which is in heaven. Your holiness must be in your heart, and yet upon your forehead too. Let every thing you have and are be devoted to him. On the bells upon the horses, let it be written "Holiness to the Lord."

V. The Bells and Pomegranates, 33-35.-1. The pomegranate is a tree with a beautiful flower and fruit, growing in fruitful gardens. It was used in the high priest's garments to mark fruitfulness and fragrance. 2. The bell was to give a pleasant tinkling sound whenever the high priest walked, in going in or coming out. How plainly did this signify that whereever Christ goes there is the fragrance of sweetest gardens, and a gladsome sound of melody! There was once a time in Scotland when our glorious High Priest walked amid the golden candlesticks-when he came into his garden, and fed among the lilies. O that Christ would come in among you, and reveal himself unto you! Then would the winter be past —the rains would be over and gone-the flowers would appear on the earth, and the time of the singing of birds be come. His presence makes summer-all his garments smell of myrrh. Your souls would become a well-watered garden. When Jesus comes in it is gladsome music to the soul. It is like the

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