SECT. enabled them to work wonders, and gave II. them strength to accomplish their warfare.

9.

David and

9. The laft type, which shall be confiSolomon. dered, is that of David and Solomon, who, taken in fucceffion, aptly represent the Meffiah, during his laborious warfare upon earth, and his triumphant reign in heaven. Many paffages in the Pfalms feem to confirm this supposition. What David primarily speaks in his own perfon, or in that of his fon Solomon, must be applied fecondarily to Chrift. Some of them actually are fo applied both by our Lord himself, and by his Apostles.

The whole life of David was a continued fcene of warfare and trouble, for the purpose of increafing the glory and prosperity of Ifrael; yet did he frequently experience the most ungrateful returns. Still, however, he trufted in his God, and led a life of faith and holy confidence. Notwithstanding the difficulties with which he was continually furrounded, his eye was ftedfaftly fixed upon him, from whom alone can be derived fafety and protection.

Similar to his, when viewed in a spi

IV.

ritual light, was the life of the Son of God. CHAP. He daily encountered both human and diabolical oppofition, in his unwearied labours for the benefit of his creatures; yet the very persons, who are thus indebted to him, did and do ftill vex him with their perverfenefs and rebellion. The fame generous forbearance, which David fhewed to his enemy Saul when placed within his power, was fhewn in an infinitely more eminent degree by Chrift, when he prayed for his malicious adverfaries.

There is, however, one circumstance in the life of David, which deferves to be particularly mentioned; he was betrayed by his intimate friend and counsellor Ahitophel, and the traitor afterwards hanged himself, touched with remorfe at the treachery and ingratitude of which he had been guilty. Beautifully plaintive are the ftrains, in which the Hebrew monarch expreffes the pangs, that injured friendship alone can feel. "Oh! that I had wings “like a dove; for then would I flee away, "and be at reft. Lo, then would I get

66

me away far off, and remain in the wil❝derness-It is not an open enemy, that

"hath

II.

SECT. "hath done me this difhonour; for then I "could have borne it. Neither was it - "mine adversary, that did magnify himself "against me; for then, peradventure, I "would have hid myself from him: but "it was even thou, my companion, my

guide, and mine own familiar friend. We "took fweet counsel together, and walked " in the houfe of God as friends-He laid "his hands upon fuch as be at peace with "him, and he brake his covenant. The "words of his mouth were fofter than "butter, having war in his heart; his "words were smoother than oil, and yet "be they very fwords ". Yea, even mine "own familiar friend, whom I trufted, "who did alfo eat of my bread, hath laid great wait for me"."

Every person must at once perceive how accurately the perfidy of Judas is here delineated in the character of Ahitophel. Nor is this merely an accidental resemblance: that the one was a type of the other, and confequently David of Chrift, cannot be doubted, because our Lord expressly ap

m Pfalm lv.

» Pfalm xli. 9. plies

IV.

plies the latter of the above-cited paffages CHAP. to Judas. This is further evident from the decifion of the Apoftles, who refer to Judas what David fpoke primarily of Ahitophel." This Scripture muft needs have "been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by "the mouth of David fpake before concerning Judas-Let his habitation be defolate, and let no man dwell therein: "and his bishoprick let another take"."

As the character of David is typical of the humiliation and fufferings of Chrift; fo in the peaceable and splendid reign of Solomon, the glorious and heavenly kingdom of the Meffiah is figuratively delineated. The magnificent temple built by that prince is only a faint representation of the celeftial manfion built without hands, prepared for all fuch as love God. Till his reign, the ancient tabernacle, expreffive of a wandering and unfettled life, remained in ufe. David fought to build a permanent place of worship for God: but his requeft was not granted. That honour was referved to grace the peaceful era of Solomon.

SECT.

II.

In a fimilar manner, the Chriftian views this world as one grand tabernacle, beautiful indeed, yet not deftined for perpetuity. He looks forward with the eye of faith towards a heavenly city, a glorious everlasting temple, whose maker and builder is God. Chrift himself, in the days of his pilgrimage, had no fixed abode; nor has he left a stationary place of worship to his difciples. Conformed to their Lord and Master in his fufferings, like him they confider this world only as the land of their fojourning. But in a fhort time, the transient tabernacle of fublunary devotion will give place to the glorious and eternal temple, whofe foundations are in the holy hill of the heavenly Zion. The reign of the true Solomon will commence, nor will its - lustre ever suffer an eclipse; but the righteous fhall rejoice in his prefence, and their fouls fhall live for ever and ever. The church will then triumphantly repeat the facred fongs compofed by the Pfalmist, primarily indeed in honour of the Prince of Ifrael, but fecondarily and completely applicable to none but the true King of Jacob. My heart is inditing a good "matter: I speak of the things which I "have made unto the King-Thou art

66

"fairer