" it was ordained for a testimony e." Now when this " me- morial" sounded in their ears, the various temporal mercies which they would need, would of course occur to their minds. But there were spiritual blessings, which probably came but little into the contemplation of the people, which yet were of principal importance in the sight of God, and were particu- larly shadowed forth on this occasion ; I mean, the prosperity of Zion, and the enlargement of the Church of Christ.
That this was intended, an inspired Apostle assures us ; for speaking of this very feast amongst others, he says, " Which things are a shadow of good things ; but the body is of Christ*."
The language used in reference to the Gospel, strongly con- firms this truth. It is emphatically called, " the joyful sound ;" and they who preach it are said, to " lift up their voice as a trumpet :" and when the fulness of time shall come for the uni- versal establishment of Christ's kingdom in the world, the sound of this trumpet shall be heard to the remotest corners of the earth, and all, from the least even to the greatest, shall come up to his temple. Even " Assyria and Egypt," the most deter- mined enemies of God's people, shall be stirred up by it to " come and worship in the holy mount in Jerusalem6."
Such a prospect was a solid ground of joy. We rejoice in the partial accomplishment of this event that has already taken place : and we look forward with joy to its full and final accomplishment.]
Let us proceed to consider — II. In what manner it was to be observed —
The three great feasts, the Passover, the feast of Pentecost,, and the feast of tabernacles, were greater than this ; because, on them, all the males were re- quired to assemble at Jerusalem: but next to them was the feast of trumpets. It was more holy than a common Sabbath; because no servile work at all might be done on this day ; whereas on common Sabbaths an exception was made for preparing their necessary provision. Moreover on this day they were to be fully occupied in offering sacrifices to God. Besides the daily sacrifices, and those appointed at the beginning of every month, there were many peculiar to this occasion : and an express order was made, that neither the daily nor monthly offerings should be superseded, but that those for this day should be presented in addition to all the others11.
e Ps.lxxxi. 1—5. Comp. also Numb.x. 9. 10. f Col. ii. 16, 17.
e Isai. xxvii. 13. Mark this passage. h Numb. xxix. 1 — 0.