mandments of God steadfast unto the end. And we may observe that whilst the length and breadth of the mercy-seat are revealed, as equal with those of the ark of the testimony, the depth of it was concealed from human perception, the top being covered by the wings of the cherubim. Thus, whilst we may have some comprehension of the extent of that mercy which is connected with, or dependent on, the keeping of the divine law, there is yet a depth in this mercy which finite beings can never fathom.

CHAP. XL. - We have noticed, in the thirty-eighth chapter, that Moses received a commandment, whilst on the mount, respecting the priest's garments, and the sacred vessels and furniture of the tabernacle. These were prepared according to the directions given to him: and the important instruction which they typically convey deserves our very serious consideration; and some hints of it may be suitably given before we proceed with the history.

The vestments of the High Priest were extremely beautiful, and were made of fine

linen of blue, and purple and scarlet, adorned with much pure gold: the coat embroideredthe ephod furnished with a large onyx stone, fastened on the top of each shoulder by chains and wreathen work of fine gold. On these two stones were engraven the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; six on one stone, and six on the other; that Aaron should "bear their names before the Lord, on his two shoulders, for a memorial." Thus does Jesus, the Great High Priest of the Christian covenant, bear his people before God: He is our everliving advocate and intercessor with the Father: "He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows;" and, as the prophet testifies of His "great goodness towards the house of Israel," so may His humble and believing children still gratefully acknowledge that, "in His love and in His pity He hath redeemed them," that "He bare them and carried them" as "in the days of old."

Upon that part of the ephod which covered the breast of the High Priest, was fastened with chains and rings of gold, "the breastplate of judgment." It was composed of twelve precious stones, set in four rows;

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each stone was inscribed with the name of one of the tribes of Israel; and it was so fixed that it could not be loosened from the ephod; for, said the Lord, "Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel, in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually and thou shalt put in the breast-plate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the Lord, and Aaron shalt bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually." Thus is symbolized the unchanging love of Christ towards His people; His constant care over them; bearing them, as on His heart, for a continual memorial. The judgment of God respecting them, being borne by the Great High Priest of their profession, they are for His sake, made partakers of justifying grace. And the mysterious Urim and Thummin, (Light and Perfection) which were to "be with" the

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Holy One," appear to denote that from Him alone, through the Spirit, does the Christian derive light and direction to guide

him in the way in which he should go; and that it is His Lord only who can make him

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perfect in every good work to do His will." In a secondary sense, the faithful follower of Christ is also clad with "the breast-plate of judgment"-"the breast-plate of righteousness"-and, amid the dangers of his earthly course, and under every conflict with the powers of darkness, he experiences it to be made unto him by God, a "breast-plate" also "of faith and hope."

CHAP. XLI.-In addition to what we have noticed, as appendages to the ephod of the High Priest, we may observe, that a robe was affixed to it, the border or hem of which was adorned with very significant emblems-an alternate bell and pomegranate. The pomegranates were wrought of blue and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen; and the bells were made of pure gold; and they were fastened on the hem at the bottom of the robe, a bell and a pomegranate all around.

As applied to the gospel dispensation this appears to indicate that, in the spiritual temple of the heart, the children of God receive

instruction from the high priest of their profession, and, by His grace, are nourished up unto eternal life. It has, however, a striking application to every one who is engaged as a minister of Christ; that, not only should there be a proclaiming of the gospel, or a verbal teaching of Scriptural truth, comparable to the sound of the bell; but, co-equal with it, the heavenly graces of meekness, humility, and love, which are sweet like the pomegranate to the taste:-Not merely the exercise of gifts in the church, but "the fruits of the Spirit," the influences of that divine charity, which induces "compassion toward the ignorant and them that are out of the way;" and attracts immortal beings to Him. who came to seek and to save that which was lost."

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The head of Aaron was adorned with a mitre, on the front of which above his forehead was fastened a plate of pure gold, on which was engraven the inscription of “holiness unto the Lord." This expressed the divine character of the priesthood under the law; but it is eminently symbolical of that of our glorious High Priest, who, saith the