1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the special test of our obedience. This test has been different at different times. The test of Noah's faith was building the ark; of Abraham's, leaving his paternal home-offering his son, &c. The evidence of faithful obedience under the Mosaic dispensation was a strict adherence to the ceremonies, sacrifices, &c. of the law. The test of Gospel obedience is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we now attempt to offer a sacrifice, it is as great an act of unbelief and disobedience, as it would have been in the Jew to omit his sacrifice! Faith in Christ as a complete Saviour is now the great work of all others acceptable to God, because it is the test of our obedience to his revealed will. Are you, or are you not contented to be saved by Christ, in God's appointed way? He assures us of a full, free, complete salvation in him; he bids us believe it, and be saved-if we refuse his invitation it is the highest act of infidel rebellion-as to accept and embrace it is the work most pleasing to Him. 2. Faith is the mean by which all the blessings of salvation become ours. Faith is the hand that lays hold of mercy-the eye that gazes on it-the heart that trusts in it-the link that binds us to Christ. By faith we dwell in him, and walk in him, and hold communion with him. By faith alone we receive out of his fulness all we need; the wells of his salvation are deep, and faith alone can draw up the consolatory, healing, lifegiving water. By faith, we go in and out and find pasture: we feed on Christ by faith with thanksgiving." Hence we see why it is that faith must be the most important work, because without it we are cut off from a participation in any of the blessings of salvation, and by it all the riches of grace-pardon, peace, holiness, and happiness, which are hidden in Christ-become ours. But further 66 3. Faith is the only sufficient principle, as it is the only acceptable motive of obedience. (a) It is the only adequate principle-a spurious, partial, imperfect obedience may be secured on inferior principles; but the heart and life can be approximated to the will of God only by faith. St. Paul affirms that this principle alone achieved the mighty deeds of the ancient worthies. (Heb. xi.) Our Lord teaches us that "all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark ix. 23.) St. John asserts that the only victory over the world must be gained by faith. (1 John v. 4, 5.) Indeed there is no duty to be practised, nor any evil to be overcome, but we shall find that faith is inculcated as the actuating principle by which all must be accomplished. Animated by a living faith nothing is too hard for us: every duty may be discharged, any corruption subdued-evil habits, the growth of years, will yield, and every power of the mind and heart may be brought into entire devotedness to God. Faith is a laborious principle, and "worketh by love" -"it is a most holy faith' the source and parent of all good works. (b) So is it also the only acceptable motive of obedience. "Without faith it is impossible to please God"-" whatsoever is not of faith is sin." All seeming compliance with the commands of God, which proceedeth not of faith and love, is only specious disobedience and spurious virtue. It is the motive, which in all cases, whether towards God or man, gives the quality to the action: and God has decreed that he will accept of no unbeliever's obedience-faith in Christ is the only motive he will acknowledge:—as our Church declares plainly, (Art. xiii.,) "Works done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Christ: yea, rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin!" We must first repent, and believe the Gospel-and then, and not till then, can we yield any fruits of faith acceptable to God. Hence it is that faith in Christ is THE WORK of God, because it is the special test of our obedience—it is the mean by which we receive all the blessings of salvation—and it is at once the only sufficient principle, and the only acceptable motive of obedience. How unspeakably important is faith in Christ! Let us all inquire whether we are possessed of it; in other words, whether we are in a state of salvation. Is all your hope fixed on Christ alone? -renouncing your own merits and righteousness, are you relying upon his for acceptance with God? Oh, believe in him, trust to him, flee to him,—and your soul shall be saved! Do you express a hope that you do believe in him? Is it your chief desire to do "this great work?" Then, I ask again, is your faith practical? Does it yield the sure evidence of a holy life? Does it purify the heart, cleanse the thoughts, sanctify the temper, and lead you daily on in the pursuit of holiness? If so," being justified by faith you shall have peace with God"-heaven shall be shortly yours, "for whom he justifies, them he also glorifies." (Rom. viii. 30.) V. THE BUILDING OF THE TABERNACLE. Exodus xxxvi. 5-7. And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. THE Holy Scriptures are an inexhaustible treasury of instruction; no occasion can arise, nor any circumstances occur, in which we cannot turn to the Word of God and find something appropriate. Nations and individuals may here alike learn their duty, and obtain instruction and consolation. This must be the Book of God, it is so admirably adapted to the wants and necessities of man: nothing short of omniscience could have anticipated with such accuracy the infinite variety of human exigencies. Thus, when we would (as on the present occasion) arouse you to acts of disinterested benevolence, and stir you up freely to contribute to the erection of a house of prayer, how can we better stimulate you to self-denying exertion than by directing your attention to the noble example afforded us by the Children of Israel in the Wilderness, who contributed so freely, that the coffers of the Lord overflowed, and it became necessary to contract the people's bounty by a public edict! May the Spirit of God kindle in our hearts a corresponding zeal for God's glory and the salvation of souls-and then shall our present object be abundantly accomplished! I bid you therefore to study the interesting narrative before us-and see— I. THE WORK IN WHICH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE ENGAGED. II. THE PRINCIPLE ON WHICH THEY ACTED. III. THEIR EXTRAORDINARY LIBERALITY. IV. THE SOURCE WHENCE THAT LIBERALITY FLOWED. I. THE WORK IN WHICH THEY WERE ENGAGED. 1. A noble undertaking— C -to erect the first earthly tabernacle in which the true God was worshipped! Patriarchs had built their altar beneath the canopy of heaven-in every place where they came-or had worshipped beneath a palm-tree:-now God would dwell in a local habitation-a curtained temple was to be raised to him. This of such importance, that Every part of it was to be made after a pattern revealed to Moses. (Heb. viii. 5, with Exod. xxv. 9, 40, and Numb. viii. 4.) The most minute particulars were made subjects of revelation! Because every thing was typical of Gospel blessings: the temple itself-its holy place-its veil-its altar, its sacrifices, its libations-high priest-incense-every rite and ceremony, all were typical. All, too, was of the most costly description-incalculable was the treasure required (ch. xxxv. 6, &c.): gold, silver, and brass,―blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, ram's skins, &c. onyx stones, &c. (ch. xxxvii. 1-16, &c.) Shittim wood -pure gold-a crown of gold, &c.-All to make a tabernacle fitted for the dwelling-place of the Most High! 2. The work in which we are engaged is incomparably superior. However humble, modest, plain, a Christian Church may be, it excels in glory not the Tabernacle only, but Solomon's Temple itself! The glory of this house consists not in outward and material decorations-but it has a spiritual glory, which remains, while the Mosaic has passed away. (2 Cor. iii. 7-11.) Consider its surpassing excellence— (a) Here not only is God worshipped in spirit and in truth, but he is approached in the name of Jesus Christ. "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name." (John xvi. 24.) No bloody rites -no slaughtered animals are here--because here God's people have access through Christ, "by one Spirit unto the Father." (Ephes. ii. 18.) More than all the feelings of David, or Hezekiah, who delighted in God's house" blessed are your eyes for they see," &c. (Matt. xiii. 16.) A purer worship —a more intimate communion—a clearer manifestation-they behold with unveiled face the glories of Christ. (2 Cor. iii. 18.) (b) Here his Holy Word is read to the people in their own tongue. In synagogues, Moses and the prophets-here more: -Christ and his apostles-the whole revelation of God. Unspeakable privilege secured by Church of England-read through the whole Bible in the year. Eminently blessed of God. The word of God without note or comment. Thus God's own Word is honoured. (c) Here the Gospel of Christ is preached: the bright distinction of our dispensation! Glory of the Church! Withhold this mark-silence the faithful ambassador for Christ-sub stitute dumb ceremonies, bowings, crossings, turnings genu- (d) Here Christ's Holy Sacraments are administered: no Hence the surpassing glory of a Christian Church. II. WE BRIEFLY NOTICE THE PRINCIPLE UPON WHICH THE TABERNACLE WAS ERECTED, VIZ. BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS. 1. The only system of national religion ever revealed by God to man was in the form of an established Church, upheld by compulsory tithes and imposts! This was God's model Church. It was not left to the choice of the people where they should worship-or howor whether they should support the national faith-no relief for morbid consciences, nor any excuse for not paying the established rates: thus, the permanent support of the priesthood secured. Yet on many great occasions God himself appealed to the voluntary offerings of the people: on this principle the Tabernacle and the Temple of Solomon were built; by the same voluntary principle it was restored and beautified when in decay and by the same free-will offerings the second Temple was erected! Remarkable! It was the will of God that there should be a wholesome admixture of the voluntary with the compulsory principle. (ch. xxxv. 5, 21, 29; 1 Chron. xxix. 8, &c.) |