T50 FAITH EVPLT ON KNOWLLJCt. tDIS.C. fx, fromGod which the inspired prophets of old delivered to men, and which gave divine testimony to the Saviour that should be born. Who was the angel of the cove- nant, that was sent to conduct the Jews through the wilderness, and to keep that nation, and to bring them safe to Canaan ? who was the Captain of the Lord's host, that was sent and appeared to Joshua, engaging for the protection of him and his army ? What was the vision that appeared to Isaiah, the Lord sitting upon a throne in much glory and power, but so many prefigu- rations of the Son of God, that was to take our nature upon him; and become a Saviour? What were all these appearances of God in the form of man, but signs and pledges, and, as it were, essays towards his incarnation ? What were the types of the Old Testament, but emblems of deliverance, atonement and salvation, that were to be conferred by Christ, upon those sinners that would trust him with their souls ? What was the ark wherein Noah was saved, when he committed his life to the keep- ing of God, in that floating house, amidst the flood of waters, but an assurance ofsafety to those sinners who makeChrist their refuge, when the floods of divine wrath rise high ? What was the design of the bloody sacrifices, the sacrifices of expiation, but to hold forth the method whereby Christ should secure guilty souls from death ? Time would fail me to speak of the brazen and the golden altar ; of burning the flesh of beasts, and the smoking incense : ofthe ark of the covenant where the law was kept, and the cover of it, which was called the mercy -seat, where the God of glory dwelt under the form of a bright cloud : Time would fail me to speak of the tabernacle ofMoses, and the temple ofSolomon ; of the cities of refuge, appointed for the safety of casual murderers ; of the high-priest, of his garments, and of his offices, who was to keep the naines of the tribes of Israel upon his breast and upon his shoulder. These were all the institutions and appointments of God him- self, to assure us by various carnal emblems of the ful- ness of that salvation by Jesus Christ; for which no single emblem was sufficient. Let us descend to later times, and behold God the Father giving testimony to his Son, by kindling a new tar in the heavens at his birth, and sending it as a guide
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