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COVENANT.-GOVERNOR.-THE LAMB OF god. 29

COVENANT.

WHEN a man makes a vow, he enters into covenant with himself. When God made engagements for his people, he entered into covenant with Himself. In v. 7. of Nehemiah, (that grand type of Christ,) a passage is similarly expressed. See Gen. xxii. 8.-2 Cor. v. 19. Eph. i. 9; v. 27.

GOVERNOR.

THERE is a wide field of riches in the book of the prophet Nehemiah: Tirshatha means Governor; and the LORD is our Governor. Jesus is visible by searching, throughout the prophet. Psalm xxii. 28.—Isa. ix. 6.— Matt. ii. 6.

THE LAMB OF GOD.

Luke, ii. 22.-Exo. xii. 5.

WHEN Mary brought her sacrifice of a pair of turtle doves, she also brought "a Lamb without spot or blem. ish."-She had no need to bring in type, who really presented the ante-type; which both Simeon and Anna acknowledged. The piety of Joseph and Mary were too sincere to have failed in this particular; neither were

they so poor as to be unable: had it been needful, the offering of the wise men was more than sufficient for the purchase. See Lev. xii. 6.

A TEMPLE OFFERING.

Exodus, xxxv. 25.

"AND all the women that were wise-hearted, did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen."

Blue is a symbol of Truth, purple of Love, scarlet the blood of Christ, and fine linen "the Righteousness of saints."

Truth, love, blood, and righteousness-this was the LORD's offering in the days of Moses,-this is the LORD's offering in the days of the Messiah,— -no difference, one Everlasting Gospel. See ver. 22. and chap. xxxvi. 1-4.-and xxv. 4.

THE HOLY SPIRIT.

John, iv. 24.

WHO, or what is the Spirit? What is that Spirit, that descended upon the Son of God, in the form of a Dove? That, with a rushing mighty wind, appeared as tongues

of fire, and sat upon each of the Apostles? That was poured upon the Gentiles, and numbered them with the Jews, when the veil of unbelief is withdrawn from the heart?

"God is a Spirit," "God is Light,"-"God is Love." The Spirit God gives to his regenerate family, is the Spirit of Love. This is the New Birth. This is the Holy Spirit! This in the form of a Dove, is the Spirit that descended on Jesus, "that anointed Him, who went about doing good." It filled all the house where the Apostles were sitting; they spake with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Love now filled their hearts, the voice of Love, the heavenly, universal voice of Love, was heard in every language!!!

The first effect of the Spirit is to lead the heart to Jesus, then to follow his sweet command-"Love one another;"—an act, no more to be performed without the Spirit's influence, than to create a world. This love is wholly distinct from earthly love; but such as holy Stephen knew, when the last breath he drew was prayer for his murderers !

This view solves many passages.

"He that hath an

ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." See Rom. viii. 9, 15, 16.—1 Cor. iii. 16; and vi. 19.1 John, iii. 23, 24; iv. 7—21; and v. 1, 2, 3.—1 Cor. i. 3.

CORDS.

THE LORD hath no cords but love to draw his children with, even should their way be hedged up with thorns, still it is cords of love that binds the thorns about them. "Draw me, we will run after thee." Songs, i. 4.

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jer. xxxi. 3.

"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of Love." Hos. xi. 4.

The Man is the Messiah, the Messiah is God, God is Love. How sweet the climax for mortality to attain when it shall have put on Immortality, Mercy, Love, and Glory.

MERCHANT.

Songs, iii. 6.

“Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant."

Merchant, in this verse applies to Jesus :-he has all grace, and the residue of the Spirit," for his beloved merchantmen, who seek after goodly pearls, and make purchase of "a field" the Lord hath blessed.

Mary returned to her Lord, such an ointment she had made of spikenard, costly, pure, and precious, per

fumed, with myrrh, frankincense, and all powders of the heavenly Merchant, that he said, "Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."

The Church may be styled Mary, and throughout the world this Church shall praise Him, in every believer, that finds the Name of Jesus," as ointment poured forth." See Songs, iv. 13, 14.-Mark, xiv. 3, &c.John, xii. 3.

PERFUME.

Exodus, xxx. 34-38.

WHEN the LORD instructed Moses to make a Perfume for the Sanctuary, he also put every soul under condemnation who should "make like unto that:" this seemed severe; but the severity of God is encircled by love to his children.

What composition could they make to mingle with their sacrifices acceptable to Jehovah? Then how gracious the interdiction, lest they should be cut off from the benefit of having their sacrifices perfumed with the sweet savour of Jesus Christ's atonement; the richest perfume, the most holy composition, the acceptable offering at the golden altar, the only pure incense that causes the prayers of all saints" to ascend to God. Pro. xxvii. 9.-Rev. viii. 3, 4.

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