THE TYPE.-THE CITIES OF REFUGE.

THIS remarkable institution was full of instruction to the pious Jew, and typical of some of the most important truths of the Gospel. It was, of course, only brought to especial notice as the need for it arose, but we are told that continual attention was paid to it, in the keeping the roads that led to the Cities of Refuge in good order, and the directions plain,—so the truths conveyed were thus constantly displayed. The institution was promised beforehand, Exodus xxi. 13, and was carried into effect at the earliest possible opportunity, the three Cities East of Jordan being appointed before the Israelites had conquered the Western side, Deut. iv. 41–43; this showed the importance attached to the command. The lessons taught may be summed up as

I. THE SACREDNESS OF HUMAN LIFE. This was shown both by the fact that the WILFUL murderer could find no shelter even in the Cities of Refuge (for even if he laid hold on God's altar he must be dragged thence, as Joab was, 1 Kings ii. 28-34), and also by the strict laws that must be observed by even the accidental man-slayer, Exodus xxi. 12, 13; Numbers xxxv. 9-34. The violent death of every wilful murderer was one of the carliest commands of God's justice, Gen. ix. 6, and it has never been annulled. The degree of value set on human life is a good test of the state of religion in a nation.

II. But the chief lesson undoubtedly was that of A REFUGE FOR THE SINNER. It must be sought and kept, most strictly, according to the Divine directions, Num. xxxv. 25—28, but when so sought it was a place of perfect safety, and when the High Priest died, the whole of the guilt and danger were gone. Thus the pious Jew would learn not only how sacred God counted the life of his people (comp. Psalm cxvi. 15), but still more how He sought their deliverance from all guilt and condemnation: whilst at the same time that deliverance was only to be had in God's own way, and he who spurned THE CONDITIONS, lost the BENEFIT, Num. xxxv. 26-28, 32.

THE CONNECTION.

This is one of the Types which are to be counted such because of their character, and their being a part of the typical Law, rather than from any specific authority in the Bible. But the whole subject points us clearly to Christ as the REFUGE. In Him the sinner finds safety, when exposed to the just anger of God. But remembering that He who so suffered was no less than the Son of God, we may well wonder at such a sacrifice and such a refuge.

THE ANTITYPE.-CHRIST AS A REFUGE.

Is there any other? No, indeed; none can carn God's pardon by any works of their own. There is no other refuge; but THERE NEEDS NONE OTHER.

And what do we learn by seeing One so exalted condescending to become the refuge of sinful men?

I. THE VALUE GOD SETS ON HUMAN LIFE: He would have none perish, and He has fenced about life by strict commands; the sinner must perish, Ezekiel xviii. 4, or God would be untrue to his own holiness; but

II. There is A REFUGE,-one for those who know and tremble at their danger. If once they gain that Refuge, there is no condemnation, Rom. viii. 1. But THEY MUST ABIDE THERE; to turn back is destruction, for the Avenger, the broken law of God, claims then the punishment of the sinner. How then will he prize his REFUGE!

THE TYPE.-JERUSALEM.

THIS is one of those types of which the true spiritual meaning was not seen, perhaps not even suspected, till the "latter days," when full Gospel light was thrown on Jewish history, and many things that had been prized by the Jew were shown to be equally precious to the Gentile, admitted then to the same privileges, Eph. iii. 6. The conquest of Canaan was rendered much longer and less perfect than God's will had commanded by the unbelief and simple sloth of the Israelites, Judges i. 21-36. Thus it happened that Jerusalem, the chosen capital, remained only half subdued till David's time (2 Sam. v. 6—9.), Saul having remained in the Northern or Central Tribes, and the Ark being kept at Shiloh in the Tribe of Ephraim. David, however, made it part of his work to carry out the Divine Will as to Jerusalem, and not only made it his own residence, 2 Sam. v. 9-11 but (after an unintentional interval), brought the Ark thither, 2 Sam. vi., and collected there the materials for the Temple, 1 Chron. xxix. 1–5. Thus Jerusalem became the Jew's Holy City, so dear to him that nothing could wean his love from it. See Ps. cxxii., cxxxvii. 5, 6; Dan. vi. 10. AND IT IS SO STILL to all who are not apostates from their Faith.

I. IT WAS GOD'S CHOSEN ABODE, Deut. xii. 11; 1 Kings xi. 13-32; Ps.cxxxii. 13, 14; lxxxvii. 2, 3. He that filleth Heaven and Earth, Ps. cxxxix. yet was pleased to reveal Himself as especially present there, Jerem. xxiii. 24. There was the Shechinah, his visible Glory; there was the Mercy-Seat, between the Cherubim, at which man might meet Him, 1 Sam. iv. 4; Is. xxxvii. 16. Thus it was the place where He poured forth his choicest blessings, of which his Presence was a pledge, and that Presence made it the "Holy City;" whilst, long afterwards, the Messiah trod its streets, and hallowed afresh the city which yet rejected Him.

II. IT WAS THE CHOSEN HOME OF GOD'S PEOPLE-the seat of their Government-the city where they met for their great Religious Services, Deut. xvi. 16. Its safety, sheltered by mountains, Ps. cxxv. 2; its beauty, Ps. xlviii. 2—12; Lam. ii. 15, its privileges combined to make it indeed "the joy of the whole Earth.”

THE CONNECTION.

Here we follow Scripture guidance; and although we deal with the FUTURE, and know little as to what part of the description is to be taken figuratively, and what literally, yet the two ideas dwelt on above cannot be mistaken. Looking, then, to

THE ANTITYPE,- HEAVEN,

we find it expressly described as THE NEW JERUSALEM," Rev. xxi. xxii., and in terms, and with details which might lead us too closely to Judaism revived, but for the unmistakeable truth that Jew and Gentile are now both one, Ephes. ii.; and the whole privileges of the former shared by the latter, Coloss. iii. 11.

And what can we know of Heaven, the longed-for end of our sinful and sorrowful life? The safety, the beauty, the privileges of that blest Home are depicted in all the riches that human language can supply, and every yearning of the human heart after God will be satisfied there, Ps.xvi. 11; above all in these two points :— I. IT WILL BE GOD'S CHOSEN HOME.-Still will He fill the Universe: but THERE will He especially make Himself felt and known, there WHERE CHRIST IS, John xvii. 24; 1 Thess. iv. 17; 1 John iii. 2. See especially Rev. xxi. 3, 22.

II. IT WILL BE THE HOME OF GOD'S PEOPLE.-Christ will bid them enter there, Matt. xxv. 34, He who opened that Kingdom by enduring "the sharpness of death." And what can man desire that is not promised in Rev. xxi. xxii., ratified by the assurance that ONCE GAINED that Home can never BE LOST?

THE TYPE.-DAVID IN AFFLICTION.

SAUL'S disastrous reign left the Israelites in great distress and degradation ; the punishment of the people for demanding a king, 1 Sam. viii. 5—9, 18; xii. 17. But God had mercy in store for his wayward people, and raised up David (the Shepherd-King, see Lesson 49), to restore the nation to prosperity, both religious and political. That bright prospect, however, was long over-cast. David's early career, from his entrance into public life in the slaughter of Goliath, was one of unusual difficulties and trials, arising from the jealous enmity of Saul. That was at length removed, but other, and even worse afflictions, fell on him,―worse from being brought down by his sad transgressions,—and in the rebellion and death of Absalom, there met together nearly every pang that could rend a father's heart: see especially 2 Sam. xv. 30; xviii. 33. The Psalms he composed on these occasions, show how deeply he was wounded, and how he felt the blow that was rendered heavier by consciousness of great guilt and provocation. In those records of his suffering there are two especial sources of grief dwelt on.

I. HE WAS FORSAKEN AND BETRAYED BY HIS FRIENDS. Saul professed to befriend him, 1 Sam. xviii. 2, 5, but it was a short-lived patronage, soon turned to treacherous hatred. Jonathan, his true and loving friend, was separated from him by Saul's rage, and then torn from his sight by death. Worst of all, was the rebellion of his own son Absalom, who repaid David's excessive affection by the basest ingratitude, and by intended murder, 2 Sam. xvii. 1-4. Shimei cursed him ; Ahithophel forsook him; and even Joab at last proved false, 1 Kings ii. 28. To David's affectionate disposition, these were bitter trials.

II. But far more terrible was the feeling that GOD HAD FORSAKEN HIM. He was a truly pious man, honoured by God as one "after his own heart," 1 Sam. xiii. 14; and loving Him with all the energy of a warm heart, see Ps. xlii. 1, 2; kiii. 1-3, 8. But this only rendered his guilt more inexcusable, and his selfreproaches more bitter. He knew what it was to love God-how terrible then to feel that he had been false to Him! God's mercies to him had been countlesshow had he now repaid them? Well might he tremble and almost despair under God's chastenings ;-and he must have perished had God's patience and free grace been less than infinite.

THE CONNECTION.

David was in many points an acknowledged Type of the Messiah: and in looking on his sufferings as typical, we follow the teaching of Him who used David's own words on the Cross.

THE ANTITYPE.-CHRIST SUFFERING.

How reverently we should think and speak of such a subject! of sorrow to which none was "like," Lament. i. 12. But we are taught to connect both the points mentioned above, with the sufferings of the Lord.

I. HE WAS FORSAKEN BY HUMAN FRIENDS: disowned by his own nation, John i. 11: mocked by his own brethren, John vii. 3-5: denied by Peter, and betrayed by Judas, with whom he had lived three years with the full knowledge of his baseness, John vi. 70. See Ps, xli. 9, quoted by our Lord Himself in John xiii. 18. II. HE FELT FORSAKEN BY GOD. Guilt, NOT HIS OWN, but laid on Him, Isa. liii, 6; Rom. iv. 25; 2 Cor. v. 21, weighed down his soul and wrung forth drops of blood in Gethsemane, and the cry of agony on the cross, Matt. xxvii. 46, quoted from Psalm xxii. 1.

Let us adore the Love which VOLUNTARILY bore all this for us!

THE TYPE.-DAVID, THE SHEPHERD-KING.

DAVID'S office and his triumphs are distinctly set before us as typical of “ Great David's greater Son." We have noticed how his sufferings were made to foreshadow those of the Messiah, and now we turn to the other view of his life, to note how his exaltation and final victory also spoke of HIM. In reading some of the Messianic Psalms we find it impossible to trace exactly the limit between what applies to the type and what belongs only to the antitype, and this will be seen to be especially the case with many expressions that relate to David. Let us note :

I. HE WAS GOD'S CHOSEN ONE. See the incidents related in 1 Sam. xvi. 1—13. God's own sovereign mercy fixed on him, for without that grace he could never have become "the man after God's own heart," 1 Sam. xiii. 14. See also Ps. lxxxix. 19, 20. And though his life was marked by some terrible blemishes, the general character of the man bore witness to God's grace in his heart.

II. HE WAS A SHEPHERD, not only literally so in his youth, but figuratively so all his life, see Psalm lxxviii. 70-72, where the actual shepherd's work is used to represent David's work as king. Those royal duties are well figured by the PATIENCE, SELF-DENIAL, WATCHFULNESS, AND COURAGE of an eastern shepherd; whilst the likening of a nation to a flock leads us to trace those qualities in David as of vital consequence: God had work for him to do, and gave him grace to do it.

III. HE WAS A KING. Saul commenced with acclamation, but perished in contempt. David began in difficulties, but overcame them all, and reigned at last victorious and undisturbed. He brought to the throne the qualities he had shown as a shepherd, and his reign was the commencement of a new and nobler career for the nation, who became glorious, triumphant, and religious. Compare for instance 1 Sam. xxxi. with 1 Chron. xxix 26–28.

THE CONNECTION.

Numerous passages in the Bible speak of Christ as the Son of David, but this more properly belongs to the next Lesson; some verses, however, distinctly call Him by the name of David, Ps. lxxxix. 20; Ezek. xxxiv. 23, 24.

THE ANTITYPE.-CHRIST, SHEPHERD AND KING.

I. HE WAS GOD'S CHOSEN ONE; Psalm lxxxix. 19, certainly applies in its full meaning to Christ, one with God yet (as a man) chosen, and exalted above his fellows, Ps. xlv. 7; see also Luke xxiii. 35; 1 Peter ii. 4. How truly and fully was HE the one after God's own heart, without a stain, Matt. iii. 17; xvii. 5; xii. 18. And chosen as God's messenger of mercy to man.

II. HE IS A SHEPHERD; so called by Himself in that well-known parable of John x., and foretold as such in Ezek. xxxiv., not like the ungodly, unmerciful shepherds (i. e. rulers) of the Jews, but full of tender mercy, of PATIENCE, SELFDENIAL, WATCHFULNESS, AND COURAGE. See also Isaiah xl. 11. Exalted now, far above all, (Phil. ii. 9.) yet still He is the same "Good Shepherd" as in the days of his humiliation.

III. HE IS A KING, Phil. ii. 11; Rev. i. 5; xvii. 14; xix. 16; Acts v. 31. See the prophecy in Isaiah ix. 6, 7; trace its gradual fulfilment as one country after another has learnt to own Him, and then let us hope, and pray, and labour, that his kingdom may indeed come, and every heart yield Him its love and obedience.

THE TYPE.-SOLOMON, THE SON OF DAVID.

WE must repeat the remark that different typical characters go to make up the One perfect Antitype; we can get but a feature from one, and a feature from another. David, first struggling, then victorious, prefigured Messiah's sufferings and triumphs, Lessons 48, 49, but failed to represent the peace and undisputed sway of Messiah's future kingdom. For types of these we look to Solomon; and in both the predictions and the descriptions of his reign we find the outlines of all that man can imagine of prosperity and glory. Those who reflect what sin has done to put all things "out of course," Ps. lxxxii. 5, cannot wonder that the types of atonement and suffering were so much more numerous than those of peace. Much there was to pre-figure and promise pardon, but here the pious Jew saw the type (however imperfect) of future glory, and of the removal of every curse. Even then the reality fell far short of the predictions, as if to show that a greater than Solomon was the true subject of the glowing descriptions.

I. Note THE COVENANT MADE, 2 Sam. vii. 11-19; FREELY made, in that Solomon was not yet born. God chose him as his son, committed to him the kingdom, laid on him the privilege of building his house, and promised moreover that this Covenant should be For Ever. The wars and troubles of David's reign were to cease, and Solomon was to commence the period of prosperity.

II. THE RESULTS OF THE COVENANT.-To Solomon himself God gave the wisdom that He had made him already wise enough to seek, 1 Kings iii., and countless other blessings followed. In Ps. lxxii. he is described as the happy and favoured instrument of relieving human misery, redressing wrongs and injustice, and providing for the perfect safety and repose of his favoured subjects, whilst his dominion extended to the utmost bounds of the Promised Land, from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea (or to the Dead Sea), and from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates, Gen. xv. 18; 1 Kings iv. 20-24, undisputed and irresistible.

THE CONNECTION.

Our Lord's own words in Matt. xii. 40-42, seem to imply that both Jonah and Solomon were types (though imperfect) of Him; but the well-known title of our Lord, "the Son of David," is ample authority for the view. And in reading the Covenant in 2 Sam. vii., and Psalm lxxii., we cannot fail to feel that the full sense of the words could not be completed in any mortal men, but that (as in many other cases) Type and Anti-type are mingled.

THE ANTITYPE.-CHRIST THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

David's Lord (Ps. cx. i.), yet his Son according to the flesh, Rom. i. 3. He continually claimed to be, and was recognised by that title, the Son of David; and in a way that showed how the Jews admitted it to be a title of Messiah, Matt. xxiii. 42; xxi. 9.

I. GOD'S COVENANT WITH HIM, his SON, bestowing on Him the kingdom, charging Him (if we may so say) to build the spiritual temple, 1 Pet. ii. 4—6 ; and by an everlasting Covenant, Rev. xi. 15; Isa. ix. 6, 7; Heb. xiii. 20. It was FREE as regards its results to us, but purchased by the Saviour's blood.

II. THE BLESSINGS THAT RESULTED.—The blessings of Redemption cannot be fully uttered by mortal tongue, even so far as already felt; what then will be the fulness of joy? Ps. xvi. 11. The PRESENT is rich in blessings to the believerwhat then will be his lot where peace and holiness will be unbroken?