temporary, and for a purpose. It was, in accordance wHh the Lord's prediction, <lcstrolcd and abolished before the generation which rejected him passed awo.y. An,\ it. was not in tended that it should be replaced by any material cdilice. The spiritual temple was destined to supersede the materio.l and to abide for ever. It is of this spiritu:.I structure that the apostle here speaks. J. THE MATKRIALS OF WHICH THIS TEMPLE 18 COMPOSED. " Ye," says the apostle, "arc the temple." N;it that the Corinthians were more than other Christians entitled to this honourable distinction; for this language was addressed to all Christians. All Christ's people were and are living stones, each in its proper place, and all alike upon the one Foundation. How noble a conception I how worthy of Christ himself, to whom. the material was ever of secondary interest, and in whose view the spiritual was of supreme significance and value! l I. TnE PRESENCE DY wmcH THIS TEMPl,E IS CONSECRATED. The first temple had been hallowed by the Sliechinah-glory which hovered over the ark of the covenant. The second temple-the bo<ly of the Lord-had been consecrated as the dwelling-place of the rnin<l of the Holy One. This third temple is the residence and the shrine of the Spirit of God. In his transforming, quickening, purifying power, the eternal Spirit penetrates his separated and consecrated society, anrl makes it growingly his own. His light and glory glow within it, so that its spiritual lustre excels that of the holy l,ouse at J erusaleru. III. THE WORSHIP WHICH IS IN 'l'HIS TEMPLE OFFERED. Here is the living oracle;: here is the consecrated priesthood; here are the spiritual sacritices. The offerings are- those of willing obedience and grateful praise; the incense is the incessant worship which floats in fragrance fron the spirits of the just; the music that fills these courts. is the anthem of adoration, the harmony of imperishable love. ,vorship is here not occasional, not frequent, but unceasing; there is no moment when this spiritual temple- is not telling the praises of the Lord. IV. THE ATTRIBUTE BY WHICH THIS TEMPLE IS CHARACTERIZED. "The temple of God is holy." This expression does not import simply a ceremonial and nominal holiness, hut such a character as was both exhibited and required by the Lord Jesus himself. Holiness, not only of word and deed, but of purpose and desire, is required by him who searches the heart and tries the reins of the children of men-holines~ such as the Holy Spirit alone can create. Y. THE REGARD A1'--0 TREATMENT WHICH THIS TEMPLE SHOULD RECEIVE, 1. Jt deserves to be regarded with reverence. Men tr~at with respect the palaces of kings. Of how ruuch deeper a reverence is that true palace of God, that temple of the Holy Ghost, that home of Christ, deserving! 2. It should not be defiled or destroyed. Every member of Christ's Church is called upon to purify himself, lest his impurity shoulc1 dishonour the sacred edifice. "Holiness becometh thy house, 0 Lord, for ever! "-'I'. V ers. 21-23.-" .All things are yours." These are great words; but if they were not so great they would here be out of place. Men are given to boast of thl'ir possessions; hut the Christian's boast is in this respect larger and grander than any man's beside. :i\ien are wont to glory in belonging to some select society, some great nation, some illustrious king; but the Christian glories in belonging to a greater than the greatest who owes his honour to this world. "All things" are his; and he is "Christ's." L Oun PROPERTY IN ALL THINGS, To Christians it may be said-it was said by the· inspired apostle: 1. All ministries are yours; the dead and the living, the speaking and the writing, the official and the unrecognized. ( 1) The ministry of doctrine and of conversion, such as that of Paul, who planted, (2) The ministry of eloquence and of edification, such as that of Apollos, who watered. (3) The ministry of morality and zeal, such as that of Cephas. Each has hi8 gift, and the Church is not for the ministry, but the ministry for the Church. 2. All circumstances are yours, (1) T~e- world, which is ours by the gift of God and by the redemption of Christ. (2) Life ir yours, in its opportunities and its manifold blessings. (a) Death is yours-not you1 master, but your servant and your friend. 3. All times are yours. (1) The present, !n enjoyment, which is more the Christian's than it is the worl<lling's. (2) 'l'hc future, m reversion, which bas for him brightness, glory, and joy. '!'he future can deprive the· Christian of no real good; it must bring him advantages unnumbered. (Jlf, III. 1-:J3.] 'l'HE FIRST EPISTLE •ro THE COil.INTHIANS. 10[)
II. CnmsT'B PnOPETITY IN us. To Christians it may be said, "Ye are Christ's:" 1. Ily the purchase of his blood. For, "Ye are not your own; ye are bouoht with a price." 2. By his choice and ours. "I," says he, " have chosen you." And,":, We love him because he first loved us." 3. By the inhabiting of his Spirit, whose gracious presence maims us hie. It is not a case of mere property, but of spiritual affinity: •• The Lord knoweth them that Rre his." 4. By our gmteful and affectionate service. 'l'hat Christians are hie, it is their daily aim to prove, by their delight in his Word, their devotion to his cause, their obedience to his commands.-T.