character; and others more applicable to the Church : and some things referred to both. It is possible that the candlestick might be intended to represent Christ as " the light of the world:" but we are sure that it shadowed forth his Church; and therefore without nesitation we shall consider it as typically represent- ing the Church ;
I. In its privileges —
The Church was justly exhibited under that figure —
[Of what materials and form the candlestick was, we are distinctly informed b. That it was designed to represent the Church, is declared by Christ himself0. And, if we consider of what it was composed, and how it was supplied, and for what purposes it was used, we shall see a striking corre- spondence between the Church and that. It was formed of pure gold ; in which respect it characterized the saints, who are not polished over for the purpose of glittering in the sight of men, but are really " renewed in the spirit of their minds," and " made partakers of a divine nature d" It was sup- plied with the purest oil; which fitly represented that "unction of the Holy One which we have receivede," for the enlighten- ing of our minds, and the sanctifying of our souls Its
use was obvious : it was to shine in darkness, that all who were engaged in the service of their God might fulfil their duties aright; and that God might be glorified in them f. Such bghts are the saints to be in the midst of a dark world, that through their instrumentality others may be directed into the way of peace, and be constrained to "glorify their heavenly Father" ]
The priest, whose duty it was to trim the lamps, prefigured Christ —
[This is a point on which there can be no doubt, it being affirmed on the authority of Christ himseHX He is constantly employed in inspecting and trimming the lamps : there is not a saint on whom his eyes are not fixed, and whose declensions,
however secret, he does not behold When necessary, he
interposes, by his providence or grace, to correct their dulness, and to restore them to their wonted splendour11 ]
Whilst the Church was thus characterized in its privileges, it was also shadowed forth,
b Exod. xxv. 31—38. c Rev. i. 20. d 2 Pet. i. 4.
« 1 John ii. 20, 27. f Rev. i. 12, 13. s Heb. iv. 14, 15.
11 John xv. 2.