we should give a goodly share to the cause and kingdom of Jesus Christ. 2. Of our joy and gladness we should give to God our offering in gratitude, in thankful thoughts and in the voice of praise. 3. Of the affection which constitutes the sweetness of our life we are to give a large measure of love to him whom we have not seen, but whom we know as our Divine Hedeemer and unchanging Friend. III. THAT, so DOING, WE MAY EXPECT RESPONSIVE BLESSINGS FROM HIM. This was to be done "for a memorial" (ver. 7), i.e. a "bringing to remembrance of the worshipper for his good." J ehov·ah was "continually" reminded of the devoutness of his people by the "bread of presence." He was thus continually appealed to, by that silent prayer, to "remember them for good." And as long as that act of worship in the holy place truly represented the spirit of the people, as long as it was their act, through the priests, of acknowledgment and consecration; so long was the Divine Sovereign well plea.sed with his subjects, so long was he ready to enrich and bless them. As long as we, instead of ascribing to ourselves the strength, joy, and sweetness of our lives, are honouring our God and Saviour for his goodness and grace therein, as long as we are cheerfully and generously giving to him and to his cause of that which he has given us; so long may we reckon on his gracious smile and look for his abundant blessing.-C. Vers. 1-4.-The lights in the sa.nctuarg. Pure oil furnished by the people. The hi11:h priest responsible for the maintenance of the lamps. Pure oil, pure lamps, pure candlestick, before the Lord continua.Uy. The main lessons are these- I. PROGRESSIVE, CONTINUAL SANCTIFICATION of God's people provided for by his grace. 1. By the supply of the Spirit, the pure oil. 2. In and through the lamps; that is, the individual and positive manifestation of the spiritual life. 3. In connection with the golden candlestick, and in dependence on the ministry of the high priest; that is, by means of the Church and its ordinances, in so far as the manifestation and public maintenance of the light of life a.re concerned. Yet, as the people themselves provided the pure oil, we are reminded that personal sanctification is not dependent solely on public ordinances; but the Spirit worketh as he will (John iii. 8). II. DIVINE FAITHFULNESS AND LONG-BUFFERING in the midst of the true Church. While the night is over them, the light still burns. While outside the temple there is - gloom, within the sanctuary there is hope and promise. III. TYProALLY, THE PRESSED OIL AND BEATEN GOLD of the candlestick point to the connection of the work of the Spirit with the sacrificial work of Christ. The light of sanctification proceeds from the death of Christ, and is maintained by the priesthood of Christ.-R. Vera. 6-9.-The shewbread, or brea.d of the Presence. Corresponding with the number of the tribes, and representing them; a national offering; a meat offering, with frankincense, drink offering, and salt. Taken from the people, eaten by the priests, every sabba.th, for a memorial, by an everlasting covenant; "furnishing a striking figure of Israel's condition in the view of Jehovah, whatever might be their outward aspect. The twelve tribes are ever before him. Their memorial can never perish. They a.re ranged in Divine order in the sanctuary, covered with the fragrant incense of Christ, and reflected from the pure table whereon they rest beneath the bright beams of that golden lamp which shines, with undimmed lustre, through the darkest hour of the nation's moral night." I. The perfect UNITY and completeness of the Church as before God, 1, As com- pared with the broken, external, visible unity. 2. As maintained by the Spirit and merit of Christ. 3. As hereafter to be manifested when there shall be no more temple, but the glory of God and of the Lamb are the temple of the heavenly Jerusalem. II. 'l'he BAFETY and blessedness of God's people. Their memorial is before him, 1. Proceeding from the sanctuary, l.e. all blessedness the outcome of spiritual blessed- ness. 2. Committed to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head of the true Israel, the Lord of the temple, in whom "all the promises are Yea and Amen.'' 3, Appealing to faith. The loaves were there to represent the continued life of the people; faith alone saw the rea.lity.-R.
Vera. 2---4,-The candlutlck. To many the regulations of Leviticus seem a crypto- CB, JUIV, 1-9,] Tm: BOOK OJ LEVITICUS. 381