utter condemnation; or, he is made nigh by the blood of Christ. There are no steps of approach or improvement. There can be no interval between death and life between lost and found.

:

This concludes the priestly garments for glory and beauty. There were other garments which will be hereafter noticed, mentioned in Leviticus.

When all the work of the tabernacle was finished it was brought to Moses.

"Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they.

"And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, "And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,

"The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy

seat,

"The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,

The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, "And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

"The brazen altar, and his gate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,

"The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,

"The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.

According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.

"And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."-Exod. xxxix. 32—43.

THE enumeration of the things thus made, is divided out into seven portions, as may be perceived on looking down the verses: connecting those together which begin with the word "and." For instance, verses 33 and 34 are the first portions, viz, the tabernacle and vail. Verse 35, the second, the ark and mercy seat. Verse 36, the third, the table of shewbread and its vessels.

Verses 37 and 38, the fourth, including the candlestick, the golden altar of incense, the anointing oil, and the tabernacle door.

Verse 39, the fifth, the brazen altar and the laver. Verse 40, the sixth, the court of the tabernacle. Verse 41, the seventh, the cloths of service, and the priests' garments.

There is in this enumeration a classing together of certain things which are more intimately connected, and which it is interesting to contemplate. The vail is classed with the tabernacle itself: because it divided the building into two distinct parts or rooms, and it is called the vail of the covering because it covered or hid the ark and mercy-seat, and holy of holies. (Allusion has been before made to this in the exposition of the vail.)

The candlestick, golden altar, anointing oil, and sweet incense, are classed together, because there was a close connection between them. Incense was burned upon the altar when the lamps were dressed and lighted. One constituent also of the anointing oil, was the same kind of oil as that for the light. Light, fragrance of Christ's work, and the graces of the Holy Spirit, are closely connected together. The hanging of the tabernacle door was also classed with these, because, by means of that door, the way of access was provided to these vessels of priestly service.*

The brazen altar and laver are connected, for no ministry could take place at the former, unless the priests had washed their hands and feet at the latter. It is to be observed also, that all the vessels of service were presented to Moses, ready for use. The mercy-seat was brought with the ark and staves. was presented with the table. Oil for light with the candlestick, and sweet incense with the golden altar.

The shewbread

This betokens an understanding of the objects for which these various holy vessels were made. We should

*In the work on "The Holy Vessels," this subject is fully treated, together with the connection of the different Vessels of the Tabernacle one with the other,

do well to imitate this by seeking to know more of the various blessed occupations of our High Priest in the presence of God for us.

This is the only chapter in the Bible where it is recorded of a people, that they finished and did all that the Lord commanded. This is thrice repeated.

"The children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they.

"According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work."

"They had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it." Exod. xxxix. 32, 42, 43.

What a high commendation is this! Where shall we find a people who have followed this example? Can it be said of the Church of God-according to all that the Lord has commanded, so have they done. Have we attended as minutely to His directions, as this people followed accurately the commandments of the Lord given to them by Moses. His word to us, is, "If ye love me keep my commandments." Alas! we seem to think we may dispense with this little precept, or vary that appointment as we think fit. We hear of " nonessentials," and "things that are immaterial." Sometimes even the question is asked, "what does it signify?"

Could the Lord have placed this thrice repeated commendation of the children of Israel, at the close of this book of Exodus, if they had felt at liberty to omit some little "border" of a holy vessel—some "pin" or "cord;" or if they had thought the golden altar too plain, and had added ornaments to it or the dress of the priests too common, and had embroidered it with more costly materials? If God's directions were enough for them, and they kept within His commandments,. adding nothing to them, and omitting none of them; ought we not to consider that His words in the New Testament are sufficient for our instruction and guidance, in all matters of Gospel truth, worship, and service? Would it not be well for us to confine ourselves within

the limits of His holy word, and also to hold all the truths it contains?

We have moreover an infallible interpreter ever present with us, and dwelling in us; the Spirit of truth, the Holy Ghost; so that we are without excuse if we abide by human traditions, instead of cleaving to the word of God; or if we willingly remain in ignorance of what that word declares.

The blessing of Moses rested on the people, when he saw how they had carried out to the letter the will of God. The blessing of a greater than Moses will abundantly rest on us, if we diligently give ourselves, first to ascertain the mind of God as revealed in His word; and next, seek to the utmost of our power by the help of the Holy Spirit, to carry out the mind and will of God. As we do His will we shall still know more of His teaching. Our path will become more and more the path of the righteous, of the obedient ones, shining more and more unto the perfect day. And we shall find our prayers more fully answered, and our hearts more full of joy. And our fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ, and with one another will be more complete and uninterrupted. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you." John xv. 7. "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." xiv. 23.

THE REARING UP OF THE TABERNACLE.