object in whom the promises of God are completed.

8. But this connection will become still more obvious, if we consider Joshua, or, what is the same name, Jesus, the high priest of the Jews, and the principal agent in rebuilding the temple, as an historical type of Jesus, the "High Priest of our profession,"" and the builder of a more glorious edifice.

If Joshua be set forth in Scripture as a "man of sign," an historical type of some future deliverer, we must look for the resemblance principally in the specific action, which was to be performed in the primary fulfilment of the accompanying verbal prophecy. That action was the rebuilding of the temple of God, during his priesthood, and under his superintendence. Now no other material temple was built at Jerusalem. The same edifice, which was then erected, was, indeed, greatly enlarged and beautified by Herod. But it was acknowledged to be still the same edifice, and called the second temple, until it was finally destroyed by Titus.* And vain are the expectations of the more recent Jews, that a third house is yet to be built in the

X

u Heb. iii. 1.

Josephus himself, on one occasion, mentions only two temples, that of Solomon and the temple erected by the permission of Cyrus. Bell. Jud. vi. 3, 4. See the notes on Archbishop Newcome's translation of Haggai ii. 9.

latter days, under the Messiah whom they still expect, in which those things which were wanting in the second temple, shall be restored in all their former glory. For the time plainly indicated by the prophecies has long since passed away.

Since, then, the typical prophecy cannot have been fulfilled in its primary sense, by an action of the same kind, it is either unfulfilled, or has received its completion in a spiritual sense.

Such a completion the Scriptures of the New Testament plainly point out. There is no figure more familiar to the sacred writers, in describing the whole body of Christians, than that of a holy, spiritual, temple, of which Christ himself is sometimes called the foundation and chief corner-stone, as we have just seen, and sometimes represented as the builder. The com

parison is often made by express assertion; and frequently implied, by the use of terms, transferred from the operations of architecture to the labours necessary, in order to advance the knowledge of true religion. To build, to build up, to edify, are the expressions continually used whenever the apostles have occasion to exhort and encourage those whom they address. When Christ himself rewarded the faith of Peter with

y Acts ix. 31. Rom. xiv. 19. xv. 2. 1 Cor. xiv. 5. Ephes. iv. 12. Col. ii. 7. 1 Thess. v. 11. Jude 20.

b

an especial promise, it was conceived in the words, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." And that apostle reminds his followers that they, "as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house." " Saint Paul declares of Christians, that they are God's building. In taking leave of his Ephesian converts, he recommends them to the grace of God, which is able to build them up: and, in his epistle to them, he introduces a similar illustration, reminding them that they are "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord."a

One of the most specious adversaries of Christianity affects to discover, in these expressions, only an allusion to the magnificent temple of Diana at Ephesus, and to the majesty, order, and beauty, for which it was celebrated. But the same imagery, although acquiring a peculiar force and propriety, when addressed to the Ephesians, pervades all the writings of Saint Paul and the other apostles. It accords, in a remarkable manner, with the

Matt. xvi. 18.

1 Cor. iii. 9.

d Ephes. ii. 20, 21.

1 Pet. ii. 5.ne Acts xx. 32.5/

Shaftesbury: Miscell. ii. ch. 2. referred to by Macnight on Ephes. ii. 21.

expressions of the prophets of the Old Testa ment; and it describes a spiritual temple built up in Christ, by the erection of which he fulfilled the historical type, which Joshua represented at the rebuilding of the temple.

When, therefore, Joshua and his fellows were set forth, in the prophetic vision of Zechariah, as "men of sign," it was declared that the actions which they were immediately to perform, would bear reference to some still future events. The. individual so designated was plainly pointed out: and he was the object of other prophecies: delivered at the same time. The success which crowned their efforts, in rebuilding the temple, and restoring their ancient worship, was to them a pledge, that the prefiguration would be accomplished, as it was accomplished in Christ: and the existence of the prophecy is to us a proof, that the correspondence was not an accidental coincidence, but the result of a preconcerted design.

There is also intimated, in this vision, a doctrine most important to every son of Adam; the pardon of sin, which is to be obtained only through Him whom Joshua typified. The adversary might still stand at the right hand of every man on earth, might write bitter things against him, and make him to possess the iniqui

Amos ix. 11. compared with Acts xv. 16. Ezek. xl.

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ties of his youth. Opportunities of improvement neglected, means of grace slighted, resolutions broken, many a folly, and many a sin, are the most prominent objects which a review of our past life must present. Yet no sorrow, however sincere, can, by its own efficacy, wash away the stain of guilt. But that which is impossible to man, is possible to God. His infinite mercy has provided the means, by which all who, with hearty repentance and true faith, turn unto Him, shall be cleansed, and sanctified, and justified. For what saith the Scripture? The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The same Jehovah, who in the vision took away the filthy garments from the high priest Joshua, and clothed him with change of raiment, now also saves many a brand plucked out of the fire. From those who repent them earnestly of their sins past, and shew the sineerity of their repentance by its effects upon their lives, the mercy and grace of God will not be withheld. He will purify their affections; will animate their piety; will increase hi John i. 7, 8, 9.

* Job xiii. 26: