Ver. 6.-The Church, God's temple. "But Christ as a Son over his house; whose house are we," etc. Observe- !. THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF Goo. It is here designated " bis bouse." And St. Paul speaks of "the house of God, which is the Church of the livin2; God." Individual Christians aro spoken of as temples of God (1 Cor. iii. 16). And the whole company of Christians are spoken of as '' a holy temple" (Eph. ii. 20-22), and " a spiritual house" (1 Pet. ii. 5). The figure suggests several ideas; e.g. : 1. Design for its construction. The tabernacle was built and furnished by Moses in accordance with minute directions from God. "Look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount" (Exod. xxv.). Solomon erected and furnished the temple from plans which he received from his father David, and for the making of which David was divinely instructed. "All this, said David, the Lord made mo understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of thi8 pattern " (1 Chron. xxviii. 11-19). And of the sublime spiritual temple God himself is the great Architect. This spiritual house, from its foundation to its topstone, is being built after the Divine plan. Hence, we may infer, it will be strong and stable, sublime and beautiful, etc. 2. Cohesion of its several portio11s. This glorious edifice is "fitly framed together." There is unity of design, unity of construction, etc. The Church of Christ is one in a unity more true and deep than that of any outward forms, or symbols, or organizations. It is one in its filial relation to the great Father, in it8 faith in the redeeming Son, as being inhabited by the Holy Spirit, and as consecrated to the glorious ea.use of Christ. In these respects all true Christians are one. 3. Inhabi- tation by God. God dwelt in symbol in the tabernacle of Moses and in the temple ot Solomon. The sacred Sbechinah was there in the holy of holies. By his Spirit he dwells in every Christian. "Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwellcth in you." He dwells also in the Church as a whole. In Christ Jesus" ye are buildcd together for a habitation of God in the Spirit." II. CHRIST IS THE BUILDER OF TRl8 TEMPLE. In ver. 3 he is spoken of as "he that built the house." "On this rock," said he, "I will build my Church." Christians "are his workmanship;" they "are God's building." "The Lord added to the Church daily those that were being saved." All other labourers on the glorious edifice work under him. He allots them their respective duties, appoints them their sphere of opera- tion, sustains them in their work, and crowns their work with success. Passing to another figure, Paul" planted, Apolios watered; but God gl\ve the increase." III. CHRIST IS THE LORD OF Tms TEHPLE. Our text teaches that Christ as a Son is over this house of God, He is "Head over all things to the Church" (Eph. i. 22). "The Church is subject to Christ" (Eph. v, 23, 24). "He is the Head of the body, the Church . . . that in all things he might have the pre-eminence." "Ouo is your Master, oven the Christ." His authority is supreme in the Church, higher than that of con- ferences or councils, synods or convocations, archbishops or popes; nnd it should be recognized as such and loyally obeyed. He ordained the laws of the Church; he instituted its sacraments, etc. IV. PERSONAL INCORPORATION IN THIS TEMPLE IS CONDITIONAL. Cl Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence," etc. Hore are two conditions: 1. The maintenance of assured <Jhriatian confidence. This confidence, or boldness, as Ebrard says, "is nothing else than the ,rlo-T1s itself in its most direct and most prnctical expression, manifesting itself as the inward power of the peace which dwells in tbe heart, in circum- stances of outward difficulty. . . . It denotes that joyful boldness which flows from within and is victorious over unfavourable circumstances; it is joyfulness felt in situa- tions in which others would despair; hence it is the immediate fruit of the objective peace obtained with God through the atonement." 2. The maintenance of their exultanC hope. "If we hold fast the . . . glorifying of our hope." Hero also Ebrard's note is excellent. "The Jews boasted of their descent from Abrabam (John viii.), of their temple and priesthood, of their being the chosen people of God-all J?alpable and manifest advantages. 'fho poor Christicms had nothing of tho kind in which they could glory. 96 THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [011. III. 1-19.
Regarded bJ'. the Gentiles as a Jewish sect, by the Jews as apostates from the people or Israel, fo_rmmg no state, no people, without rulers, without a head except One who was crucified, the refuse and offscouring of the people, they had nothina of which to boast but the glory which they hoped to receive." Ilut how splendid a hope was theirs! -the hope of perfect holiness and of perfect blessedness. And such a hope is ours. Let us, then, "hold fast our confidence and the glorying of onr hope firm unto the end." -W.J.