were significant of moral attributes of the profoundest interest. And the structure, made without hands, yet possessing every quality that can command admiration and reverence, is none other than the Church of the living God. I. 'fHE SYMMETRY OF THE CHUBOH FOLLOWS FROM ITS BEING PLANNED BY Goo's WISDOM. The tabernacle was constructed according to the pattern shown by God to Moses in the mount. The plan and details of Solomon's temple are attributed to Divine inspiration. And the Church of Christ is in the New Testament compared to the temple, with its Divine foundation, its ample precincts, its spiritual sacrifices, its accepted worshippers. All the productions of the Divine mind are perfect. When God looks upon his works he pronounces them to be" very good.'' Upon the Church, as upon what possesses a higher interest and value than aught material, Divine wisdom has expended all its resources. A.nd the perfectly symmetrical product is just what micrht be expected. In God's mind the spiritual temple is faultles~ly perfect; and the act;_al Church is destined to realize the glorious ideal. II, THE SYMMETRY OF THE CHURCH RESULTS FROM ITS CONSTRUCTION UPON THE MODEL OF CHRIST HIMSELF, The humanity of the Lord Jesus was the temple of God. And when he departed from earth he left his representative in the Church which he redeemed and sanctified, and which he appointed to continue in his stead unto the end of time. The temple of bis body was succeeded by the spiritual temple, built up of loyal and living souls. H Christ contained within himself, if Christ exhibited in his life, every moral perfection, it is manifest that the Church, which is his body, must perpetuate the 11piritual excellences which existed in himself. III. THE SYMMETRY OF THE CHURCH IS WROUGHT BY THE msPIBATION AND 0OVERNMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. There is a Divine presence in the Church, which, so far from being merely passive, is vital, energetic, and transforming. Who has not admired the action of certain physical and vital principles which produce the marvellous symmetry of crystals, and the yet more marvellous symmetry of every form of vegetable and animal life? What takes place in the natural kingdom is transcended by what occurR in the spiritual realm, although these results are not in the same way apparent to the senses of the observer, and appeal rather to bis spiritual discernment and susceptibilities. But the provision for the growth and prosperity of Christ's Church, the provision for .ministers and officers, for co-operation and sympathy in Church worship and Church work, all tell of a Spirit informing, inspiring, and direct- ing the whole, and producing a result of marvellous and admirable harmony and spiritual beauty. IV. THE SYMMETRY OF THE CmmoH WILL BEA.OH ITS FULL AND PERFECT DEVELOP- MENT m THE HEAVENLY STATE, Who can read this portion of Ezekiel's prophecies, and the corresponding chapters from the Book of the Revelation, without forming the con- viction that, however this world may be the scene of the Church's discipline, the scene of the Church's maturity is elsewhere, is above? The heavenly temple is, in glory and beauty, faintly imaged by the Church militant on earth. Yonder all imperfections shall be removed, all deficiencies shall be supplied, all holy tendencies shall be fully developed, all promise shall be fulfilled. Thore the city and the temple are one ; for of the heavenly Jerusalem it is said, "'fhe Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple thereof."-T.
Ver. 20.-Separation between the holy and the common. The walls described by the prophet served another purpose than the most obvious one of enclosing a space and supporting a roof. They had a symbolical meaning. '!'hey were walls of separation. 'l'he several portions of the temple were invested with varying degrees of holiness, and in this o.rrangement there was no doubt a Divine significo.nce and intention. Thero were parts reserved for Iara.elites, parts reserved for the priests, and one part into which the high priest alone was permitted to enter. In this way separation was effected between the more and the less holy, and between the holy and the common. I. SuoH SEPARATION WAS APPOINTED BY DIVINE WISDOM, It was not, ILS similar arrangements in heathen temples may have been, a device of human ingenuity and " provision of human and sacerdotal policy. It WIIB pa.rt of the Divine intention of which the whole was the outworking o.nd expression, Il, StroB BEPABATI0N WAS INTENDED l'OB HUMAN INSTRUCTION, The Jsraelitos 362 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL, [on. xtu. 1--20.