We may learn from hence,
1. In what manner we should approach God's temple below —
[It is particularly noticed respecting this distinguished saint, that " he came by the Spirit into the temple." Thus was his mind prepared for those manifestations of the Saviour which he there received. And what is the reason that we come up so often to the house of God without any benefit to our souls ? Is it not that we come thither merely in a customary formal way, perhaps from no better motive than curiosity, and never pray to God for his Spirit to accompany us thither? We do not go up with enlarged expectations : we do not even think of having Christ revealed to our souls. But why do we not expect to see Christ there ? Has he not said, " Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world ?" And is not this the particular direction of God to his ministers, " Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh'?" Know then, brethren, that, though you cannot see Christ in the flesh, you may by faith obtain a far brighter view of him than that holy man enjoyed who embraced him in his arms : and if you would have such manifestations of him to your souls in the house of God, you must pray to God for his Spirit to accom- pany you to his house, and take away the veil from your hearts. " Be not straitened in yourselves, and you shall not be straitened in your God:" only come hungering and thirsting after Christ, and you shall never be " sent empty away."]
2. In what way we may secure admission into his
temple above —
[There is one great preparation for an entrance into heaven, and that is, a sight of Christ by faith. " This is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." Without the knowledge of Christ no man can behold the face of God in peace. " There is no other foundation whereon any man can build," " nor any other name whereby any man can be saved." It was this which saved those who looked forward to him before his advent ; and it is this which alone saves any since his advent. O that we duly considered this ! How diligently should we then inquire, What are my views of Christ ? How am I affected with them? Do they lead me to cast myself upon him ? Do they enable me to rejoice in him ? Do I under the influence of them look forward to the period of my dissolution as that which will introduce me to his more immediate presence, and to the con- summation of all my hopes? Brethren, rest not in a mere
' Isai. lxii. 11.