in the year,) was the ark, covered by the mercy-seat; on which abode the Shechinah (the bright cloud, the symbol of the Deity), between cherubim. In the ark the tables of the law were deposited : and at a subsequent period, Aaron's rod that budded, and the golden pot that had the manna, were laid up before ita.
We need not enter minutely into these things : it will be more instructive, after taking this summary view of the whole, to notice it,]
2. In its typical design —
[In interpreting the types, we must bear in mind that the greater part of them had reference to Christ in one view, and to his Church and people in another view. This was particu- larly the case with respect to the tabernacle.
It typified, in the first place, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord himself, speaking of his own body, says, " Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again V And in the Epistle to the Hebrews, his body is represented as that " more perfect tabernacle in which he ministered, and which was not made with hands, as the other was, but by the imme- diate agency of the Holy Ghostc." The correspondence be- tween the two is obvious : for " in Him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily:" and through his atoning sacrifice, and sanctifying grace, and prevailing intercession, we all are brought into a state of acceptance with God. On the other hand, as there was no way to the Mercy-seat but through the Holy Place, " so no man can now come unto the Father but by him."
It further typified the Church, which, though mean without, " is all glorious within." In that alone is any acceptable sacrifice offered unto God. In that alone are the sanctifying operations of the Spirit experienced. In that alone is the bread of life administered, or the light of truth exhibited. In that alone does God manifest his glory, or communicate his saving benefits. Hence the beloved disciple, speaking of the Church in the latter days, says, "The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their Godd."
Once more, it typified heaven also. Remarkable is the lan- guage of the Apostle, who says, " Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for use." There, not the symbol of the Deity, but all the glory of the Godhead, is unveiled. There the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving ascend up with a sweet odour unto
a Compare Heb. ix. 4, 5. with 1 Kings viii. 9. h Johnii. 19, 21. c Heb. viii. 2. and ix. 9 — 11. d Rev. xxi. 3. e Heb. ix. 24.