who labour under his direction, selects some from the rest, and fashions them for the places which he intends them to occupy in this spiritual building-. But, as the temple of Solomon was built without the noise of an axe or hammer, or any other toolf, so arc these brought in a silent manner*, and "fitly framed together for an habitation of God through the Spirit11.'"]
By " coming to Christ" they are gradually built up upon him —
[Believers, quickened by Christ, become " lively," or living "stones," like unto Christ himself: "they live by him," yea, he himself is their life1. Notwithstanding therefore they have of themselves no power, through his quickening Spirit they become voluntary agents ; and though it is true that they are "drawn to him by the Father k," yet it is also true, that they " come to him," willingly and with strong desire. And this is the way in which " they are built up a spiritual house :" by " coming to him " they are placed upon him ; and by com- ing to him yet again and again, they derive " more abundant life " from him ; they are more and more fitted for the place they occupy ; they are more closely knit to all the other parts of this sacred building, and more firmly established on him as their one foundation. It is thus that the fabric itself is en- larged by the constant addition of fresh materials; and thus that " every part of the building groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord."]
A similar view must yet further be taken of the temple,
III. In its services —
The same persons, who before were represented as the stones of the building, are now, by an easy tran- sition, spoken of as the priests officiating in it.
Believers are "an holy priesthood" —
[Xone could officiate in the material temple but those of the tribe of Levi : but, in the spiritual temple, all are priests, whether Jews or Gentiles, male or female : " The chosen gene- ration are also a royal priesthood1;" who are not only entitled, but bound, to transact their own business with God. This honour also they attain by " coming unto Christ :" by him they are " made kings and priests unto God ;" and " through
f 1 Kings vi. 7. & Job xxxiii. 15, 16. Acts xvi. 14.
h Eph. ii. 21, 22. j Col. iii. 4.
k John vi. 44. > 1 Pet. ii. 9.