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not want." "Because it hath pleased the Father, that in him all fulness should dwell." He is the church's store-house. How he was set forth by Joseph in this point; Joseph was master of the treasures of Egypt. Gen. xli. 40, "Thou shalt be over my house." The keys of the treasury were intrusted to him. Who was it that could relieve the poor, necessitous, indigent, and perishing? Joseph. So spiritually with Jesus, he hath the keys, and out of his fulness he supplies all our needs, " He shall feed his flock like a shepherd,"

Isa. xl. 11.

The manner, like a shepherd, with all tenderness, care, watchfulness, wisdom, and patience.

The pre-eminence of his office, the good shepherd, "I am the good shepherd;" how did he make known his goodness? in a word, in giving his life, for whom? his sheep, in contradistinction from the goats.

His position, “ And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord." Micah. v. 4. Denoting attention, inspection, care, also unflinching firmness in his regard for them. The place where he feeds them, Bethlehem, a place of commu. nication and revelation, the house of bread; the provision, bread of life, bread that gives life and supports it, bread of the golden table, the good old corn. He feeds them with his own flesh, and causes them to drink by precious faith his blood, The bread that I will give is my flesh," John vi. "Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no

life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day," John vi. 53, 54. He feeds them with the milk of the promises, and sweet communion and fellow. ship with himself, with the fatted calf, the paschal lamb; this is to be eaten with bitter herbs (soul trouble, tribulation); he feeds them with mighty

discoveries of his wondrous love, stupendous grace, rich and great mercy, with a opening up of his own blessed person, fulness, sweetness, suitability, eternity, and glory; sometimes caus. ing them to cry and long, and say, "Oh, that thou wouldst give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate; the spiritual Bethlehemites being so taken with his person, cry out, "Tell me, oh, thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest.” Sol. Song. i 7. Jesus feeds them on the great transactions of an everlasting covenant; the development of the glorious purposes of the great Three One Jehovah; he feeds them on the eternal realities of his own kingdom, and says, "Because I live, ye shall live also." Unless there is a feasting upon Jesus, it matters not how glaring our profession, it is but form without the power; we are still snuffing up the wind, eating nothing but husks, feeding upon dust and ashes. 3. His Birth place, Bethlehem Judah."

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But thou, Bethlehem Ephra. tah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah v. 2.

Bethlehem was formerly called Ephratah, which signifies abund. ance, fruitfulness. This city, although never celebrated for its extent or riches, yet it is a place of considerable note in the Scriptures, being the birth-place of Ibzan, Judges xii. 8. Ibzan signifies one who judges, also weapons of war, or armour; judges, or one who rules or governs; Jesus Christ, the great Captain of our salvation, will judge the world; judgment fell upon him for his mystic bride, the church; he shall rule all nations with a rod of iron, and in the hearts of his dear people by sovereign grace; governs, or one who has the govern ment: Jesus Christ has the govern

too.

ment of our persons, trials, afflictions, and enemies; he is also the great warrior, and his people are warriors What is their armour? The eternal truths of the everlasting gospel. What are their banners? Election, predestination, imputed righteousness, everlasting security in Christ. The weapons? they are not carnal; "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds." 2 Cor. x. 4, 5.

It was also the birth place of Elimelech, Ruth i. 2., which signifies, my God is king. Blessed Jesus, thou art the king of the Jews, the spirit ual Jews. Oh, what a very important momentous truth was it, that his enemies wrote upon the cross, This is the king of the Jews." Are we under his laws, protection; in his spiritual domains; have ever our hearts been subjected by divine, powerful, sovereign, invincible grace? If so be, we are part of his spiritual empire.

Again Boaz and Ruth. It signifies strength, "The Lord is my strength." David which we have already said signifies beloved. It was renowned for being the birth place of the great antitype, Christ the Messiah. “ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea." Matt. ii. 1. 6. See the wonderful manner scripture met its accomplishment. Herod being enflamed with malice against the freegrace king, or the babe Jesus, sought to destroy him; what did this do? This was the means of sending them into Egypt; what was the secret in all this, there is something behind, what is it? that at the death of Herod the scriptures might be fulfilled," out of Egypt have I called my Son." The prediction, Hosea xi. 1; the fulfilment of it, Matt. ii. 15. 19, 20, 21. Now we are making our way home; but stop, who reigned instead of Herod? Why, Archelaus, Herod's son, just as cruel I dare say; well, what then, "He being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside

into the parts of Galilee; and he came and dwelt in a city called Naz. areth;" why not somewhere else? This is the secret, That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet, He shall be called a Nazarene," Matt. ii. 22, 24. So that David was typical of Christ in the place in which he was born.

4. He was a warrior, of no ordi

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nary prowess. See David meeting the lion and the bear. The stripling lad unclad with armour, entering in to a combat with Goliah, and meeting in him, the whole army of the Philistines; his brethren despised his attempt, but oh what confidence, in battling the battles of the Lord, he goes forth with the language of triumph, The battle is the Lord's." So the dear Lord meets the lion, the arch-fiend of the bottomless pit and all his emissaries and overcame him that had the power of death, that is the devil. He also goes on and conquers him in the hearts of his dear blood-bought people, conquers even the strong man armed with all malice and fleshly schemes. He comes also against the bear, the world, and tells his followers to be of good cheer, for he hath overcome the world. bear hugs its prey to death, so would the world were it not that our blessed Lord reigneth," he is God over all;" all enemies, sins, doubts, fears, trials, afflictions are under his controul.

The

The great Goliath also our old man of sin-and all the Philistinesour sins; listen to the children that are oppressed, Psa. xliii. 1. "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against ungodly nations, oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." The sins of our hearts are like a formidable nation, their character ungodly, for God hateth sin. Jesus Christ the captain of our salvation, went forth as a mighty, fearless warrior, conquered all foes, drank the cup of God's fury, "blotted out the hand-writing that was against He was made sin for us, who knew no sin that we might be made

us.

the righteousness of God in him." It is true he was buried, but was it not for the good of his saints, the magnifying of his own eternal power and Godhead, for the fulfilment of his word, Truth shall spring out of the earth, righteousness shall look down from heaven." When he arose from the tomb, his people arose with him, but there must be also a resurrection within us spiritually; observe the language of Ps. lxviii. 18. "Thou hast led captivity;" also Isa. xiii. "Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah." Mark the interrogation, "Who is this;" see the description, This that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength, I that speak in righteousness, mighty save." The place from whence he came, Edom, signifies red, bloody, showing the sharpness of the engagement. Bozrah-tribulation or distress; his work-treading the wine press alone, bringing in salvation. Mine own arm brought salvation unto me, and my fury (or zeal) it upheld me." The blessing, salvation; the efficiency, mine own arm; the locality of it, unto me. He is mighty to save, even to the very uttermost. "The Lord my God, in the midst of thee is mighty.'

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5. In his sufferings.

"He was

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;" but how little did David suffer when compared with the great antitype? What must have been his sufferings when in the garden, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass; Nevertheless (oh, what a word) not my will, but thine be done." Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts, all thy waves and billows are gone over me.' See Isa. liii. "He was despised of men, a man of sorrows,' inward piercing sorrows, passing conception; the whole guilt and sins of the whole elect body were laid on him, "And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Every de

mand of infinite, inflexible justice was met by him; he suffered in his character, in his person, by the cruelty of men, from his professed friends, from the sword of infinite justice. But what did he say in prospect of it all? "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am 1 straitened until it be accomplished;" or how ardently I long till it be effected. What did he say on the cross? 'I thirst." For what-human applause ? No; for the accomplishment of heaven's designs.

6. In his office or position, King of Israel. "And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to, and the Lord said, anoint him, for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his bre thren, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day for. ward." 1 Sam. xvi. 12, 13. 1st. The description.- He was ruddy, and with a beautiful countenance." What says the spiritual church, the living in Jerusalem : My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousands." 2nd. The sepa ration.-He was anointed with the oil, which set forth Christ being set apart or anointed, having the Spirit poured out upon him without measure. What saith the scriptures,

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion," Ps. ii. 6; “ My God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows," Ps. xlv. 7. For this anointing refer also to Isa. Ixi. 3rd. The dignity-King. This kingdom is a spiritual one, a righteous one, because its subjects are everlastingly, and vitally, and e perimentally united to the Just One; he is the Prince of peace, therefore it is a peaceable one, although it is tempestuous within, yet he is their peace; his kingdom of grace is established in the heart, and this is a kingdom that cannot be moved; the duration of his reign is

for ever. 4th. The relationship. Brethren. 5th. The continuance.The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.

II. The people, Israel, Having observed David as a type of Christ, we would notice, Israel of old as typical of God's spiritual Israel. 1st, Israel was a chosen people, Deut. vi. 6. "The Lord my God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself." Amos iii. 2. "You only have I known of all the families of the earth." Election, the bible is full of it, it is the marrow of christianity, the nether spring of Christ's empire; election experienced in the soul, hath a heavenly tendency, it buoys up the mind; oh, ye deniers of it, ye are not deniers of men merely, but of God's inviolable truth. Election is heaven's grappling iron, it grasps with an invincible power all its objects; it put them into Christ, Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world." "The election have obtained it, and the rest are blinded," so saith the word of God, Rom. xi. 7. "You only have I known," with a knowledge of love, relationship, as the peculiar people of my choice, Amos iii. 2.

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Let us notice the antiquity of this truth, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world," 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks. always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord," why, 'because God hath from the beginning, chosen you to salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;" yes, this glorious truth was an immanent act of Jehovah's own mind, therefore, had an existence in his mind

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up in the settlement, purposes, and establishments of heaven; but as what? As the husband of his chosen; hence by this glorious act of love, she is called by his name; as the Surety of his bride, his partner; as their Redeemer, the man made strong for Jehovah's ownself, I was set up from everlasting," Prov. viii. 23. We read of an everlasting covenant, founded upon everlasting equity and faithfulness, conducted by everlasting wisdom and love. The great everlasting end of it, was the declarative glory of our God in the salvation, preservation, and glorification of his chosen ones. There is a great blessing connected with the ancientness of this act, because nothing in time can ever alter it, "he is of one mind, none can turn him." Sin took place in time. The roaring lion, he was created an angel of light; trouble, affliction, temporal death, all flow as consequences of sin; none of these can then separate us from this great and ancient act; sin burdens the mind, blasts our prospects, our sins are murderers as to comfort and enjoyment. Oh, keep us from evil that it may not grieve us say the living in Zion, who know the power of this truth in the soul, and they oftentimes feel such depths of infidelity, depravity, awful rebellion; such blasphemous thoughts against God, that they oftentimes fear, lest after all they have talked and professed to enjoy, that they are out of the secret. Bless God for his fear-nots; when they are brought home to the soul, God smiles, I am his, election shines forth then as a preous truth divine, as heaven's sunbeam. This is an act of God's will, therefore, sure, irrevocable,everlasting, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Look at the apostle's full, yea wonderful enumeration, in Rom.vii. There is a great blessing connected with this point, "blessed, is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee that they may dwell in thy courts."

The blessedness consist in this, it brings a man into indissoluble union with the Lord; and a living soul is caused by the Spirit's powerful tuition, to cry unto God to make it known unto him, that he may dwell experimentally in his courts of everlasting love, choice and security,

Again. The nature of it. It is equitable. The equitableness of election is founded upon God's right to do as he pleases. What saith the Psalmist, "But our God is in the heavens, he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." Ps. cxv. 3. Mark the blessed affinity, our God, we being made his by electing love, sovereign grace, adopting mercy; this brought home to the soul by the unctuous power, by the holy oil of the heavenly Recorder; by the melting, celestial breezes from the everlasting hills; by God the Spirit to the soul that hath been weeping in the dust, it causeth him to break out in the sweet language of the psalmist, and say, Our God. The position, in the heavens, denoting his majesty, sovereignty, and omnific, troulable power and dominion.

uncon

Again, The sovereignty. He bath done whatsoever he hath pleased, in the choosing of his people from everlasting, causing them to pass through the water, and through fire into the wealthy place. Man claims for him. self what he is not willing God should have; man claims creature sovereignty, and denies the right of God to do as he pleases with his own. Yes, even those who are the objects of sovereign grace spurn at it, till God brings them to the acknowledgment of it. According to the good pleasure of his will," Eph. i. 5. He acts according to his own mind in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Listen to accents of divine sovereignty to Moses, "I will be merciful to whom I will be merciful, and I will shew mercy to

whom I will shew mercy; they shall be my people, and I will be their God." They shall, and I will, that is the way God goes to work. Ah, but supposing they should not be willing, "I will make them willing in the day of my power." The object of the Lord's work is glory, the development of it, the rule by which he does his work is his own unfettered will, his own unbiassed mind; the benefit of his sovereignty rests upon them that are sovereignly his.

It is precious. The preciousness of election is to be seen in its locality, in Christ," chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world." The fixation of Jehovah's mind is in Christ, he loved his people in him, blessed his church in him, Eph. i. 3, It is Christ that holdeth our souls in life, our life is hid in him, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in him for us, all the depths of Jehovah's love are in him, in him God the Father loved and chose the church. God the eternal Spirit brings all his people whom he teaches, to love God in the very same place he hath made them complete, in him, so they are favoured to hear sometimes, to help them on their way. "Behold thou art fair, my love, there is no spot in thee," and then they are favoured to experience: though black, yet comely. In him they are accepted, " to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved," Eph. i. 6. In him they are sheltered from the storms, for he is the true ark God shut Noah and his family in, and so the church, God shut them in by everlasting love, choice, purposes, and establishments. When the mighty cataracts of water came down, why did it not drown Noah as well as the others; he was in the ark, and the waters came upon the ark; so Christ is the ark of the church.

(To be concluded in our next.)