bowl and candlestick, and consequently thereto conjoined by an indissoluble union, (for the figure of a branch, clearly depicts an indissoluble union with the stem from whence it doth proceed,) must be symbolic of the filial and consoling Deity; for who can answer the description portrayed like these two ever-glorious persons; and this interpretation, we think, the sacred volume does most powerfully support. The Son of God proceedeth forth, and branches out from God: the very station assigned by the magnific type now under contemplation, to the right hand branch, is that which Scripture, in various instances, proclaims as being filled by the glorious Son of God, who, we are expressly told, is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, and whom Stephen beheld, standing on the right hand of God.

The filial Deity is also denominated the anointed of the Lord: "the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed." God has anointed his beloved Son with the Holy Ghost and with power. The branch of the Lord is like

honoured and illumined by (to the Israelites his visible, though to us invisible) presence. We are distinctly told, "Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them,” (Ex. xxv. 8;) and on its completion, "the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." (xl. 34.) There he has set his name, and hearkens unto prayer: where two or three are gathered together in his name, He is in the midst of them. This presence of God in churches, renders the type of the candlesticks a very appropriate representation of those sanctuaries in which the Father of lights does condescend to dwell, and illumine the worshippers therein with the wisdom from above-He is there in the midst of them.

wise an emblem frequently employed as descriptive of the filial Deity: "In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious." (Isa. iv. 2.) And in the preceding chapter to that we are now commenting on, it is said, "Behold, I will bring forth my servant the branch." These descriptions do, we conceive, very powerfully concur to prove, that the anointed olive branch which branches forth on the right hand from the resplendent symbol of the Lord of the whole earth, was designed as representative of his adored Son: and these allusions still hold further good; for an olive branch is an appropriate emblem of another of the titles of the benignant Son of God, namely, the blessed Prince of Peace. That by the olive branch on the lefthand side the bowl and candlestick, is meant the third great spiritual person of the hallowed Trinity, cannot, (if the remarks just stated respecting the right-hand symbol be allowed just,) admit of any doubt; for who can answer the description of the left-hand olive branch, depicted as it is on an equality with that on the right side, but the consoling Deity, whom we have found Scripture announcing as equal with the blessed filial One in the glory of his nature and the greatness of his attributes; who, like the Son, proceedeth forth and branches from the Father; who lives, and reigns, and acts as coadjutor with the Father and the Son; and into whose name we have been baptized conjointly with the Almighty Father and the Almighty Son.

Again; the description is in a further instance

most peculiarly apposite to God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost; for the figure of a branch clearly depicts the similitude of somewhat that derives every virtue and property with which it is endued from out the source or root from whence it issueth forth, and from whence it is nourished. And this resplendent symbol clearly demonstrates whence these olive branches derive the golden olive oil, their rich, blessed, hidden treasure; for does it not exhibit them as conjoined unto, branching forth, and proceeding from the golden bowl, from whence all mercies flow? from out that golden bowl, which the celestial guide informed us did typify the Lord of the whole earth? And does not Scripture describe a perfect parallel between these glorious symbols and the triune Deity? does not that describe the filial and consoling Deity as close conjoined to, as branching forth, and proceeding from the paternal Deity? and does not that likewise inform us, that the filial and consoling Deity derive all their blessed attributes and powers from the paternal Source? But above all, the last symbolic description displayed by this high magnific type, exhibits the most perfect parallel with the blessed characters of the benignant Saviour, and the consoling Spirit; for the olive branches do not receive the golden oil imparted by the Lord of the whole earth for vain or useless purposes; no, they empty it out of themselves, through two golden pipes, which, it is observable, are depicted as entirely unconnected with the seven pipes affixed to the seven lamps on the top of the bowl,

wherewith the candlestick was on the top surmounted, and which the heavenly Illuminator informed the prophet were representative of the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. The two golden pipes, therefore, joined in close union with the olive branches, were unquestionably descriptive of the mode of conveyance whereby these branches, (though without separation from their parent Source,) dispense the golden oil out of themselves--pour down on all around the blessings with which they are replete. And is not this description eminently and beautifully representative of the benignant Saviour, and the blessed Comforter, the anointed blessed agents of the Lord of the whole earth? for do these two glorious beings receive the unmeasured Spirit of God, the fulness of the gifts and graces which continually flow into them from the Father, for vain or useless purposes? No, they delight to impart the same; they unceasingly are emptying forth, as through two golden pipes, the blessed golden oil from out their blessed selves. The kind emollient dew of grace descending down from them, is far more precious than the sweet olive oil of holy ointment, (Ex. Xxx. 24, 25, 38;) that holy anointing oil, wherewith Aaron, when ordained to typify the anointed of the Lord, was symbolically anointed-which descended from his beard down to his lowest skirt, as the dew-drops of Hermon, on the mount which typified the heavenly Mount Zion. (Ps. cxxxiii.) For the blessed balsamic dew of grace,

distilled by the blessed Physician of souls, and his blessed coadjutor, into intelligents, can mollify the most obdurate nature, soften the hardest heart, and transform the most degenerate sinners into regenerate saints-fulfilling them with grace and heavenly benediction.

This most sublime and magnificent type appears to us eminently to illustrate how Deity can concentrate in himself three persons, forming one ever-glorious Trinity, one ever-blessed God, by exhibiting to the eye of the mind a portraiture, conveying ideas by material similitude, not only of his nature as Father of all lights and benignant source of good; but also of the manner of his existence, the agents to whom He is conjoined, and through whom He pours his blessings down. In it we behold the great I Am, whose open eyes in all directions watch over us for good-two branches branching forth, indissolubly joined by an eternal union to the parent root, whence they derive full participation of its nature, power, and virtue; branching upwards, branching downwards, shedding around them blessings, dividing amongst all their heavenly gifts and graces. The right hand Branch, who, in his divine nature, branches forth from God-in undissolved union vesting himself within the human nature, that branches forth from out the stem of Jesse, and which now, spiritualized and glorified, and thus conjoined to Deity, mediates with the Father; for it is through the blessed Redeemer, all who pray have an access by one Spirit to the Father;