The candlestick, with its seven branches, and its perpetual light with pure oil, giving light unto all holy administrations, did re- present the fulness of spiritual light that is in Christ Jesus, and which by him is communicated unto the whole church. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men,” John i, 4. God gave unto him the Spirit not by measure, John iii. 34. And the Holy Spirit rested on him in all variety of his gifts and operations, espe- cially those of spiritual light, wisdom, and understanding, Isa. xi,
196 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IX.
2, 3; and in allusion unto this candlestick with its seven lamps, is called “the seven Spirits that are before the throne of God,” Rev. i. 4; as he in-and by whom the Lord Christ gives out the fulness and perfection of spiritual light and gifts, unto the illumina- tion of the church, even as the light of the tabernacle depended on the seven lamps of the candlestick. Wherefore, by the com- munication of the fulness of the Spirit in all his gifts and graces unto Christ, he became the fountain of all spiritual light unto the church. For he subjectively enlightens their minds by his Spirit, Eph. i. 17-19; and objectively and doctrinally conveys the means of light unto them by his word.
Again; there was one candlestick which contained the holy oil, (a type of the Spirit) in itself. Thence was it communicated unto the branches on each side of it, that they also should give light unto the tabernacle; yet had they originally no oil in themselves, but only what was continually communicated unto them from the body of the candlestick. And so the communications from Christ of spiritual gifts unto the ministers of the gospel, whereby they are instrumental in the illumination of the church, was signified thereby. For “unto every one of us is given grace according unto the mea- sure of the gift of Christ,” even as he pleaseth, Eph. iv. 7.
But hereon we must also remember, that this candlestick was all one beaten work of pure gold, both the scapus, the body, and all the branches of it. There were neither joints, nor screws, nor pins in or about it, Exod. xxv. 36. Wherefore, unless ministers are made partakers of the divine nature of Christ, by that faith which is more precious than gold, and are intimately united unto him, so as mystically to become one with him, no pretended conjunction unto him by joints and screws of outward order will enable them to derive that pure oil from him with whose burning light they may illu- minate the church. But this ] submit unto the judgment of others.
This is of faith herein: That which God instructed the church in by this holy utensil and its use, was, that the promised Messiah, whom all these things typed and represented, was to be, by the fulness of the Spirit in himself, and the communication of all spiritual graces and gifts unto others, the only cause of all true saving light unto the church. “ He is the true light, which lighteth every man coming into the world;” namely, that is savingly enlightened. Upon the entrance of sin, all things fell into darkness; spiritual darkness covered mankind, not unlike that which was on the face of the deep before God said, “ Let there be light, and there was light,” 2 Cor. iv. 6. And this darkness had two parts; first, that which was external, with respect unto the will of God concerning sinners, and their acceptance with him; secondly, on the minds of men, in their incapacity to receive such divine revelations unto that end as were or
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should be made. This was the double veil, the veil veiled and the covering covered over the face of all nations, which was to be de- stroyed, Isa. xxv. 7. And they are both removed by Christ alone; the former by his doctrine, the latter by his Spirit. Moreover, there was no light at all in the sanctuary, for the performance of any holy administrations, but what was given unto it by the lamps of this candlestick ; and therefore was it to be carefully dressed every morn- ing and evening, by a perpetual statute. And if the communication of spiritual gifts and graces do cease, the very church itself, notwith- standing its outward order, will be a place of darkness.
Obs. IJ. The communication of sacred light from Christ, in the gifts of the Spirit, is absolutely necessary unto the due and accept- able performance of all holy offices and duties of worship in the church. And,—
Obs. III. No man, by his utmost endeavours in the use of out- ward means, can obtain the least beam of saving light, unless it be communicated unto him by Christ, who is the only fountain and cause of it,
The table and the shew-bread, mentioned in the next place, re- spected him also, under another consideration. The use of the table, which was all overlaid with gold, was only to bear the bread which was laid upon it. What resemblance there might be therein unto the divine person of Christ, which sustained the human nature in its duties, that bread of life which was provided for the church, it may be is not easy to declare. Howbeit, the head of Christ is said to be “as the most fine gold,” Cant. v.11. Wherefore the matter of it being most precious, and the form of it beautiful and glorious,