were but types e.nd figures of e. fe.r greater e.nd holier" Jesus "-a Priest who was somt de.y to be "brought forth." This Priest, while like these in some respects, was to differ from them in me.ny others. For example, besides being a Priest who wa.q to be "brought forth" and to supersede these, he was also to be: 1. From a wholly different line; viz. tho.t of" Davidj'" and Judah (see Heh. vii. 13, 14). 2. In a very different position. Not merely a udge (see supra) as well e.s Priest, under Persian or other chief rulers, but a King (compare what is saicl of the "Branch" in Jer. xxiii. 5; also eh. vi. 12, 13). 3. Of afar swperior natwre. Divine, i.e., as well as human (compare, once again, what iR said of the "Branch" in Jer. xxiii., as '' Jehovah our Righteous- ness;" also what is said :here of the "stone" and the "seven eyes," with Dan. ii. 34, 35, 44, 45; Zech. iv. 10; Rev. iv. 5; Col. ii. 9). 4. Doing a far higher work; viz. partly because suffering in his own glorious Person (as shown by the "graving" engraven on this "stone"), o.nd not merely offering sacrifice; partly, also, because "removing iniquity" fully and once for all (" in one day"), and not merely partially and for a time (Heh. x. 11-14; ix. 13, 14); a.nd partly because, by so doing, he brought in perpetual peace (comp. ver. 10 with Gen. xiv. 18; Ps. lxxxv. 10; Isa. xxxii. 17; Rom. v. 1). The whole passage, thus interpreted, serves to illustrate: 1. A peculiar feature of Holy Writ. We can hardly believe that the prophet himself understood all that we have now gathered from his words. This taught us about the Old Testament prophets generally in 1 Pet. i. 10, 11, and almost necessarily implied, in fact, in the Di vine inspiration of Scripture. This exemplified also in the case of bad men (Numb. xxii. -xxiv.; John xi. 51, 52) when" carried away" (</>•p&µ.,110,, 2 Pet. i. 21) by the Spirit of God. Even in the case of demoniac inspiration (so to describe it), something like this is true, the speech of the man or woman possessed expressing more than they them- selves can be supposed to mean or to know (Mark i. 23, 25; Acts xvi. 16, 17). 2. The great ob/ect of Holy Writ; viz. to testify of the "Branch," the "Day-spring" (Luke i. 78, see margin), the "Lord our Righteowness" (comp. John v. 39; Luke xxiv. 26-27; 1 Pet. i. 11, as before; 1 Tim. iii. 15). Always, as here, the Scriptureii seem to hasten away from what is temporary and cm1ditional to what is eternal and, in one senRe, unconditional, viz. to those suffe1ings and subsequent glories of the Incarnate Word which the apostle seems to understand by that remarkable expression, "the sure mercies of David" (Isa. lv. 3; Acts xiii. 34). So true is that which we find written in Acts x. 43 and in the end of Rev. xix. 10.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-5.-Satan and Ohrist. Joshua was the representative of the peoplo, not personally, but in bis public character. What was done to him in a. figure was to be done to them and for them in fact. The great object was to restore confidence in God and in his servants, and to raise the hopes of the people that the work of grace would triumph in spite of all opposition. I. 'l'HE POWER OF SATAN TO RESIST. The adversary. Cunning and strong. Mali- ciously working as he has done from the beginning, to keep man apart from God. But his power is usurped, and his devices are doomerl to exposure a.nd defeat. He may plead in the guise of justice, but it is not from love of right. He may work upon o. guilty conscience, but it is not to lead to penitence, but to engender fear and distrust, and to widen the breach between the soul and God. II. THE POWER OF CHRIST TO REDEEM. 1. Founded in righteousness. He is the true "Daysman." 2. Inspired by love. He bas vindicated his claim to plead for us because ho died for us. Whom he "chooses" he will never forsake. 3. .Adequate to the greatest emergency. He is able to "rebuke" the adversary; to "rescue" the prey from the hands of the mighty ; to "restore " the lost purity, and the failing confidence, and the faltering service. He was manifested to "destroy the works of the devil." In this there is hope for the sinner, comfort for the downcast believer, encouragement to all true servants of the Lord.-F.
Vere. 1-ii.-Three things which concern the soul. I. Gu1LT. "Filthy." The out- ZECHARIAH. D THE BOOK OF ZEOHARIAH. [on. w.1-10. I ward symbolizes the inward. Sat&n pleads that there ia no remody. He would anticipate the day ,of doom. "Let him that is filthy bi! filthy still.'' But all is not lost. II. MEDIATION. Christ our Representative. Pleads for us on the ground of his sacrifice. Pledges himself to raise us from our low and lost estate. Not only removal of guilt, but restoration of che.raoter. He is stronger than the strong man, and rejoices to rescue the prey from his hands. III. HoLY SERVICE. Begins with conversion. But there must be renewed consecra- tion. Satan resists. Pleads at the bar of conscience, to crush the rising hopes of the heart; at the bar of God, to hinder, if he can, the return of the soul to its true allegiance and service. All obstacles to good are of the devil. Ch1-ist is for us, there- fore let us not be afraid. Highest encouragements. God's love. Christ's work of grace. The Holy Spirit the Sanctifier.-F. Ver. 5.-We may take this as a picture of Ohrist and the soul. " Stood by.'' I. TE1'"'DEB CONCERN. The beginnings of life are full of interest. So it is with the budding of the flower; the lispings of infancy ; the first tokens of love. How carefully the gardener watches the germinating of some rare seed I With what tender solicitude friends wait for the signs of returning health to the loved one brought low by dis.ease! So in an infinitely higher way as to our Lord. Our souls are precious in his eight (Luke xv. 20; John i 48). . IL HOLY SATISFACTION IN THE DEFEAT OF THE GREAT ENEMY. Sympathetic. Ever on the alert. Ready to interpose effectively at the right moment. 'fhe wilder- ness, Gethsemane, Calvary, testify to his love and mighty power. His victory was our victory. Every sinner converted, every backslider restored, every believer strengthened and fitted for higher service, is to the shame of Satan and to the glory of Christ. III. ExULTING JOY IN THE RESCUE -01!' SOULS, " Standing,, implies continued interest. Lasts all through, from the first struggle to the final victory (cf. Stephen, Acts vii. 36). Christ's love never faileth, and his joy is the joy of eternity and of God. "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied.''-F.