them, in the faith of him, was the means of producing and cherishing every holy disposition, and all acceptable moral obedience. The Gospel was preached by these rites, and the promises in connection with them tended to form that character which it is the great design of the Gospel to produce. It merits particular attention that the Gospel dispensation may be said to have its letter as well as its spirit. It has, for instance, its facts, its precepts, and institutions. And men may rest in the knowledge, or in the mere external observance of these, and even in the letter of an evangelical creed, to the neglect of the spirit and power of vital piety, as well as many of the Jews rested in the outward forms of the Mosaic law. This arises from the sad propensity of our fallen nature to occupy itself with the externals of religion, and to substitute these in the place of that internal principle which constitutes the soul of genuine devotion. It is not peculiar to any dispensation, however much external observances may abound in its ritual, but is to be found under the most clear and simple economy. How necessary then is that grace which imbues the mind with the spirit of piety, and makes every external service subservient to it!

CHAPTER III.

ON THE LEVITICAL SYSTEM, AS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.

SECTION I.

A GENERAL VIEW OF THE LEVITICAL SANCTUARY.

THE Levitical tabernacle is denominated an example and shadow of heavenly things, Heb. viii. 5. And hence, the strict order which was given to Moses, to see that every thing was made according to the pattern shown him in the Mount. In interpreting its various parts, great care should be taken to avoid a fanciful application of its figures. We are favoured with an inspired interpretation of much of it, in the Epistle to the Hebrews; and there are principles implied in what is there said, which serve to guide us in the interpretation of those parts of it which are not there particularly explained, and by these we ought to abide. In order to determine whether any rite or event, institution or person, is typical, it is not enough that we can trace a resemblance between one of these, and some other person or thing; we must have evidence, that this resemblance was

designed for the illustration of the particular object to which we apply it.

In considering the ancient tabernacle, the most ungoverned license of a wild and capricious fancy has sometimes been allowed; and hence, not only have errors been taught, but a prejudice has been excited against the most sober and scriptural interpretations of the undoubted types and allegories of the sacred history. But in order to avoid one extreme, it is by no means necessary to go to another. The Scriptures do contain many types and figures of spiritual things; and it is for us to abide by the key to them which is furnished by the sacred writers.

It is of importance to remember that, as in a parable, many circumstances are introduced by way of drapery to the principal figures,-by way of ornament and connection, and to give a finish to the whole, which it would be wrong to dwell upon, or to draw arguments from, in support of any doctrine; so in the ancient tabernacle, many things were introduced merely for the sake of the general effect, and not to prefigure particular facts, or to teach particular ideas. Certain parts of that structure had, as we shall afterwards see, a special signification; but others were merely designed to contribute in their place to the general effect. It is true, that the most minute and circumstantial directions were given in regard to the very least particulars; but this does not in the least militate against what has been now stated. If a man intends to erect a structure which shall be distinguished for its symmetry and beauty, its grandeur and accommodation, he must specify

most distinctly to the builder, what is to be its height, and breadth, and length;-he must describe what kinds of ornaments he wishes to adorn it,where, and in what proportions they shall be used,the number and situation of apartments must be mentioned, the number and situation of doors and windows must be stated, and also their different sizes, the nature and form of the roof, of the porch, and of the connected walls and buildings; and in a word, every particular connected with the whole, must be distinctly specified. Now in all this, there is an eye to the general effect which it is wished to be produced; and the importance attached to the various particulars arises, not from some separate purpose which they are severally designed to answer, but from their relation to the whole, and from each being calculated in its place to assist in producing the effect desired.

In like manner, as the tabernacle was designed to be the residence of God, as the King of Israel, it was becoming, that it should be a residence worthy, as it were, of his character as a Sovereign. And as pure and fine linen is the emblem of moral purity and rectitude; and as blue, and purple, and scarlet, were anciently all princely colours; (Esther i. 6; Ezek. xxiii. 6; xxvii. 7, 14; Dan. v. 7, 29; Esther viii. 15; Matt. xxvii. 28; John xix. 2;) the curtains of the sanctuary were made of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, Exodus xxvi. 1-6. God thus revealed himself as the King of his people Israel. The seat of his residence was a royal palace, as well as a temple. Hence, the

very splendid furniture, and the rich ornaments of the sanctuary; and hence, the ample retinue, and the magnificent equipage of what may be called the domestic establishment of the King. We are reminded by all this of the kingdom of Christ. But they were in themselves but beggarly elements of knowledge, when compared with the spiritual glory of Him who had not where to lay his head, with the heavenly grandeur which now adorns him, and with the spiritual excellence, and the heavenly dignity of his subjects, who, collectively considered, are a royal priesthood, and are individually kings and priests unto God, even his Father.

The sanctuary was designed to represent the provision that is made for the safety and the comfort of the worshippers of God, and also to exhibit the utmost symmetry and beauty, and magnificence and glory; and these as symbolical of moral union and order, and of excellence and beauty in "the Church of the living God," of which the sanctuary is employed as a figure. Hence, it is said, "strength and beauty are in his sanctuary."

The several coverings of the tabernacle served as a defence against the weather, and the whole structure was such as to ensure strength and security, as expressive signs of the complete protection, safety and comfort, enjoyed by the family of God. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. He is a refuge from the storm, and a covert from the tempest; and neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, things present, nor things to come, shall ever separate them from