the man which doeth those things shall live by them," for, see Rom. x.'5; and they would add, We find our Lord giving this reply to one who asked, "What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life ?” (Matt. xix. 16, 17.) But, brethren, Scripture seems to say that such are wrong, for now answer me another question: Can we keep the commandments? We cannot. Ever since Adam fell, it has been impossible for us to keep the commandments; our understanding is darkened, our affections cleave to the dust, our will is most rebellious, our conscience, which should stimulate us to diligent obedience, has become in every case but a very feeble witness; in many a case, a most deceitful flatterer. Truly it has been well said, Ps. xiv. 2, 3; Isaiah i. 2, 3, 4. Again I ask, Doth the law of God look with no concern upon this universal departure from its most stringent commands? Surely not (Deut. xxvii. 26). See these words expanded in Gal. iii. 10. Look, dear people, at 2 Cor. x. 12. Are there not many, very many, who measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves among themselves; compare their filthy rags with the filthy rags of their neighbours, and imagine that all is well? But let them be admonished to compare their filthy rags with the snow-white purity of Jehovah's law; then they will see, that they are indeed under a curse, for, Gal. iii. 10.

Here, then, I think, we have an answer to the question, For what purpose were the commandments thus graven upon Tables of Stone? They were thus graven, not that any might keep them, and live by them, for that was an impossibility; but that "every mouth" might "be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God" (Rom. iii. 19). According to that which is written in Gal. iii. 19, Because of transgressions." To testify to man of his countless transgressions, in thought, word, and deed, and to compel him to acknowledge the justice of his punishment (see Ps. cxxx. 3). But, perhaps, some poor contrite one says, Was this the only object of the law, to condemn? No, this was not the only object, for, see Gal. iii. 24, as well as ver. 22. “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ." Wherefore? That coming by faith to Christ, that life might of free gift, be ours, which we could not earn by the deeds of the law (Rom. iii. 20, 24).

But how, it may be asked, can that life be given to any in Christ, which they cannot earn themselves? I answer, The law says, "This do and thou shalt live." The poor needy one cries out, "I am undone; I can never do it; I must perish." Christ interposes, "I have done all that the law requires; believe on me, poor contrite one, and thou shalt live" (Rom. x. 4). In order to understand this, turn with me

II. To the Ark, which contained the Tables of the Law. It signified Him whose name is Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Jer. xxiii. 6). The Ark was of cedar-wood. Just so was "the Lord our Righteousness very Man.

His manhood was, like cedar-wood, the noblest, the choicest of its kind (Song v. 10, 16). As cedar-wood is most fragrant to the smell, so is the sinless manhood of Jesus, most delightsome to His Father (Isa. xlii. 1). Once more, cedar-wood is reputed to be incorruptible. Is it not true. beyond all dispute that "He whom God raised again, saw no corruption ?" (Acts xiii. 37; see also chap. ii. 23, 24.)

The Ark, thus made of cedar-wood, was made expressly for keeping the Tables of the Law (Deut. x. 1-3). Now, for what purpose was it that Jesus was set up? Wherefore was the Word made flesh? Where-

fore did He tabernacle among us? (John i. 14.) It was for the express purpose of keeping that law which none of His elect could keep (Rom. viii. 3, 4). Yes! Christ Jesus came upon earth for the very purpose of keeping inviolate that law which His people had broken. Listen to His own words, Ps. xl. 7, 8, and, again, Isa. xlii. 21. Was that purpose accomplished for which the Ark was so curiously wrought? Was that law magnified, and made honourable, by Jesus which the people had so fearfully dishonoured? Truly, brethren, the Man Christ Jesus did keep that law, which His people could not keep. He did "love the Lord His God with all His heart, with all His soul, and with all His strength." He did "love His neighbour as Himself." Yea, He did "continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." In thought, word, and deed; in childhood, youth, and manhood; in every relation of life, and under all circumstances; He did always the things which pleased His Father (John viii. 29). For whom did Christ thus keep the law? For every one of those happy ones who, being called by His grace, do believe in Him (Rom. x. 4).

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But it might be asked, How can the righteousness of the Man Christ Jesus supply the lack of a number so great that no man can number it? Observe, first, the Ark, though of Shittim-wood, was overlaid, within and without, with pure gold. Just so Christ, who came of the seed of Israel according to the flesh, was "over all God blessed for ever" (Rom. ix. 5). Just as pure gold surrounded the wood on all sides, so did the glorious Deity of Immanuel embosom His sinless humanity. His Deity bosomed " His humanity, I say, for it was not mingled with it: "Although He be God and Man, yet He is not two, but one Christ; One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the manhood into God; One altogether; not by confusion of substance, but by unity of Person." It is this union of the divine with the human nature (thus beautifully stated in that most Scriptural Athanasian Creed) which stamps an infinite value upon the life-long obedience of Jesus, and makes it available, not only for one, but for " every one" that believeth (Rom. iii. 21, 22). So that each such one may say, Isa. xlv. 24. May grace, great grace, be given to many of you, my dear people, that you may follow in the steps of Paul, and with him "count all things but loss," that you "may win Christ" (see Phil. iii. 7, 8, 9). For, indeed, the prophecy contained in Isa. xlv. 8, hath been fulfilled. The wedding garment is provided at the door of the feast, so that each guest, from the highways and the hedges, may joyfully sing, as in Isa. lxi. 10. Oh, remember, that if not clad with that linen white and clean, thou shalt surely be cast out when the King comes to see the guests (Matt. xxii. 11—14). Oh, then, rest not until Zech. iii. 4, can be said of thee.

Such was "the Ark of the Testimony." It was made of Shittim-wood, and gold, to contain the Tables of the Law. So did the Eternal Word become flesh, in order that as Man He might keep the whole law for His people, while His Godhead stamped His obedience with a priceless value.

But some one may say, I fear lest the transgressions of my life should call for vengeance upon my head. You have told me of a meritorious righteousness, but how shall guilt be done away? The law has many charges against me; how can its angry voice be stilled? The garments of a King's Son are not enough; I must needs be washed from the filth of the dunghill before I can be safe."

Remember, secondly, brethren, that the Tables of the Law were

D

hidden from view by the Mercy Seat, and that Mercy Seat was stained with blood on the great day of atonement (Lev. xvi. 14). It was a type of Christ, whose royal garb was stained, even with His own blood, in the day of His atonement (see Isa. lxiii. 1-4). Let the contrite sinner know that Christ hath not only kept the law for such as him, but, also, paid all the penalty due to it on his behalf; so that no longer can it condemu him (Rom. viii. 1).

Do any of you remember the history of the men of Bethshemesh, in 1 Sam. vi. (see verses 19, 20), and know, dear brethren, that such must be the lot of all who venture to look upon the law out of Christ (Rom. iv. 15); but not so with any who stay themselves upon the Mercy Seat, even upon Him "whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation" (see Rom. iii. 25, 26). Christ interposes between them and the law which condemns them. The Lord that dwelleth between the cherubim must look through a whole heap of satisfaction before He can espy that law which pronounces them accursed.

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Oh, then, look, poor contrite one, at the Mercy Seat, and remember Him who hath said, John viii. 51. Thou shalt "see death" if, like the men of Bethshemesh, thou puttest away the Mercy Seat and lookest at the offended, the ten thousand times offended, law; but thou shalt never see death" if thou clingest to the Mercy Seat. Uzzah truly was smitten when he put forth his hand and touched the Ark, because the oxen shook it; but thou shalt not be smitten if thou layest hold on Jesus! Oh may many so spiritually handle Him as to be able to say, 1 John i. 1; Rom. v. 1.

Such, brethren, is the Mercy Seat. The Ark contains the law; it signifies Christ, sent forth for the very purpose of keeping the law for His people. The blood-stained Mercy Seat conceals the law; it signifies Christ, sent forth for the very purpose of paying all the penalties due to the law for the offences of His elect; and so paying them that the law can never raise an accusing voice against them (see Jer. 1. 20).

I might now remark the Crown round about the Ark. There it is, the Crown of the same uncontrollable sovereignty which surrounds the Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense, and proclaims aloud, Rom. ix. 15, 16. May all who call themselves by the name of Christ have wisdom and grace given them adoringly to bow down to Him who saith, Rom. ix. 21. But, important though this doctrine is, we must not dwell longer upon it now.

Let me, in conclusion,

III. Deduce some practical lessons from certain facts connected with the Ark.

Notice, first, that the Staves were ever to be in the Ark, ready for the use of the Levites who bore it (Exo. xxv. 15; Deut. x. 8). Surely it is no less right that the Levites of the Gospel dispensation should ever carry Christ as "the Lord our Righteousness." To every one poor, weary, heavy-laden soul they should carry Him in His vicarious righteousness as the Ark, they should carry Him in His vicarious sufferings, as the Mercy Seat, fearlessly proclaiming, Acts xiii. 38, 39. Brethren, the Lord Jesus Himself preached even to His persecutors, John v. 24. Shall they who call themselves His ministers venture to preach less? No! let them boldly say to the broken-hearted penitent, 1 Cor. i. 30; 2 Cor. v. 21. But let no one say that we thereby "make void the law"" (Rom. iii. 31).

Look to the Ark again,

Secondly. The law truly is forced to lie under the Mercy Seat, so that, Rom. iv. 6; but the law, though hid, is not thrown away; having been the schoolmaster to bring to Christ, it is now the rule of a loving, a willing, a grateful service (Rom xii. 1, 2). Let them that rail against the doctrine of Christ's imputed righteousness know that His people, while they find it needful that He should go before them when Jericho is to be overthrown, or when Jordan is to be crossed, to prepare a way for them, and to give them good success, by virtue of His finished work, by no means forget that He hath also left an example that they should walk in His steps. Far from it, for, 1 Thess. iv. 1. Brethren, let the legalist know, that if we would conquer sin, it must be in the strength of a God already reconciled to us. But, on the other hand, let the Antinomian know that it is in vain to say that he is reconciled if he is not striving to conquer sin (Rom. viii. 1).

One word more,

Thirdly. In the journeyings of Israel the Ark went before them, to "search out a resting-place" (Num. x. 33). Need the people of God be reminded of those blessed words of the Lord Jesus in John xiv. 2, 3? Truly, brethren, the Ark is searching out a resting-place for us now. How soon we may be there we know not (Rev. xi. 19).

Oh, may grace be given us to obey the command of our God, Col. iii. 1, 2, 3, for truly that is a resting-place (Rev. vii. 13—17).

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Gen. xix. 17, 26.

Matt. xiv. 30.
Jer. xvii. 9.
Isa. ii. 22.

Phil. iii. 13, 14.
Col. iii. 1, 2.

Heb. xii. 1, 2.

Isa. xlv. 22; Mark ix. 8.
Luke xxi. 28.

Matt. xxiv. &c.
Gen v. 24.

Rev. iii. 11.

Look not behind thee, destruction is there, Look not beneath thee, in doubt or despair, Look not within thee, defilement to see, Look not around thee, to mortals like thee. Look right before thee, press toward the prize, Look high above thee, where thy treasure lies, Look quite out from thee, proud self thus disown, Look from all on earth, look to Christ alone. Look with joy, thy Lord will soon appear, Great signs now tell of full salvation near; Walk then with God, like him whom God took up, Till He comes for thee HOLD FAST and LOOK UP! Man's erect form shows that he was created to look up; hence called άνθρωπος. Sin makes man look down (Psa. xl. 12; Luke xviii. 13). When Jesus gave sight to Bartimeus, He told him to look up (ȧraßλefor). With eye and heart opened, sinners are exhorted to look up and live (Num. xxi. 8, 9; Zech. xii. 10; John iii. 14, 15; Isa. xlv. 22). "Looking unto Jesus" (Heb. xii. 2). "I will direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up" (Psa. v. 3). "Looking for that blessed hope" (Titus ii. 13). "To them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. ix. 28). "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke ix. 62). Those who look up may soon be caught up (1 Thess. iv. 17).

Bristol.

R. CORNALL, M.A.

Protestant Beacon.

PARLOUR ECHOES; OR, TALK BETWEEN G- -E AND M- -G.

(From the "Christian Standard.")

M. OUR progress exceeds my most sanguine expectations. I full well knew what an immensely difficult task lay before us, in the imperious race we had to subdue; but the course proposed more than thirty years ago has answered admirably, and now I feel that we have nothing what

ever to fear.

G. I grant that the progress has been most satisfactory, and I acknowledge, with you, that it has far surpassed my anticipations; still, I cannot say that I am without my fears about matters, after all.

M. I see no ground for any apprehension whatever. A short time ago I was alarmed in regard to the expulsion of the Jesuits from Germany. My fear was their non-admission to this country; but now that we have tided that over, our success is certain. We have a footing and an inAuence that will baffle any resistance with which we may have to cope.

G. I am not so sure of that. You are decidedly more sanguine than I. As I remarked in a former conversation, I see so great a disposition in your party to go on too fast.

M. I think you underrate our strength in the kingdom. A few years ago there was, I admit, the need for that caution and wariness for which you contend, but, happily, we are got beyond this now. Seeing that the stronghold of Protestantism was the Church of England, the plan was to inocculate that with Catholic doctrine and observances. This, as you are aware was set about through the medium of the Oxford Tracts; after which there was a gradual-but since, a rapid-leavening of that. Church, both clerical and lay, with Catholic principles and practices, so that people are no longer satisfied with the dry, dronish forms and customs of a byegone period. Excitement is the order of the day, and we are most happily successful in pandering to that excitement.

G. But John Bull is very matter-of-fact after all.

M. Granted; but the wives and daughters have a wonderful influence upon the old fellow; he is immensely accommodating; and as long as his various pursuits and pleasures are not interfered with, he cares comparatively little for this or that form of worship; the more so as he sees what a zest and a stimulus it gives to those who were heartless and indifferent before. He concludes-and wisely, too-that what rouses and energises, especially in matters of religion, must be of advantage. He can but mark the contrast that, whereas the Church and its services aforetime were irksome, now they are attractive, and prompt to a putting the hand to every good work. The sick are sought after, the hungry are fed, and the naked clothed; and surely this is the very essence of religion. Moreover, both himself and his family are the more highly thought of for their philanthropy and good works.

G. But this was done before. There is no denying that the clergy of the Established Church stood high in the estimation of the people.

M. Admitted; but they had dwindled down into the plain and the