shippers, such as those who were united in the faith at Corinth, or Philippi, or Ephesus, is also a temple of the living God; "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone: in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.”2

And not only so; but the same may be affirmed of every individual Christian; as Paul does say, both here, and afterwards in his sixth chapter: "Know ye not, that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" For as the members of Christ's church in the world at large form one vast building, in which God may be glorified; so each single Christian is a separate temple or shrine, raised for the same purpose, and called to a share of the like glory.

The example is very accurate. There is a close resemblance in the manner in which the temple built of stone, and the living temple which Christians form, are chosen and set apart to the service of God.

The first temple of which we read in sacred history, is that which David planned, and Solomon afterwards completed with extraordinary magnificence at Jerusalem. It was built upon a spot which Araunah the Jebusite had used as a threshing floor." At that spot the pestilence ceased which was raging through the land. And God commanded David to rear an altar there, in token of the mercy which he had shown in staying the hand of the destroying angel.

2 Ephes. ii. 20.

3 See 2 Sam. xxiv. 18, &c.

From that time the spot was made sacred, which before had been occupied for a common though useful purpose. Before, its business had been of this world, ministering to men that bread, which whoever eateth, shall hunger again. It afterwards became holy ground, and was to supply the food which nourishes the soul for ever.

The case was very similar, when, in obedience to the will of God, the Gospel was preached to these Corinthians. The command was given to David, "Go and rear an altar to the Lord in the threshing floor of Araunah." And so the word was given to the apostles: "Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." They who received the word, were taken from a state, in which they were bringing no honour to God: nay, worse, were dishonouring and denying him, worshipping instead the work of their own hands, the image of men like themselves, and following not his will, but the devices and desires of their own hearts. So that it was not with them, as with the threshing floor where the temple of Jerusalem was built; which though not a sacred place, had been used innocently; these, before they were called to be believers, had been actually profane: before they entered into the house of God, they had been engaged in the work and doing the will of Satan. From this state they were taken, that they might serve God: acknowledge his right to rule over them: and live no longer unto themselves, but unto Him who had called them to " glorify him in their body and their spirit, which are

4 See John vi. 36, &c.

5 Matt. xxviii. 19.

his."6 So that as we should describe a christian church, as a holy place, a peculiar building: so St. Peter says of christian men; Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

8

Thus it proved, for instance, at Ephesus. The people to whom the Gospel was preached there, had been living in a way which more especially dishonours God: forthey had pretended to power which only he can have, and to knowledge which belongs to him alone. But at the preaching of Paul, "power fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified: and many that believed, came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver."

Nay, we need not go beyond these very Corinthians for an example. In their former ignorance they had done those things which cannot be done by men who are holy to the Lord. St. Paul says of them, after describing the practices which are abominable in the sight of God,-" Such were some of you. But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."9

body of men like the Ephesians or Corinthians, are taken from things common and worldly, or still more from things profane and wicked, and consecrated to God as believers in Christ Jesus. It is with them as with the spot on which a church is raised. "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." What was common, is made sacred. What was this world's property, now belongs to God. What did belong to earth, is now concerned with heaven.

But the dignity to which man is thus raised, like all dignity, has duties connected with it. That which is set apart to the glory of God, must not disgrace his name. So that the apostle reminds the

Corinthians:

17. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye

are.

False teachers defile the temple of God. Their errors, to which he had been before alluding, tend to make those who are misled by them unworthy of their high calling. Let all beware therefore, and take heed to the doctrine which they built upon the foundation of christian faith, lest it should be said of them, in the language of the Psalmist, Thy holy temple they have profaned."?

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And so likewise any wickedness defiles the temple of God; defiles the soul, which ought to be preserved pure and without spot, like God's own sanctuary. And if a person admitted into his bosom a

2 Ps. lxxiv. 7.

wilful sin, and allowed it to keep possession there, he was like one who, without proper purification, dared to worship in the temple, or to take that which is holy, and cast it to dogs or swine.

Let them be warned, therefore, and remember, that the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. The temple in which God is worshipped, is consecrated for the express purpose, that ever afterwards it may be separated from places profane or worldly. They were in like circumstances. They had been dedicated to God, and made his children " through the adoption that is in Christ Jesus." If they defiled the temple of God, they could only expect to be shut out "from his presence and the glory of his power." The "house of prayer" must remain holy, as befits a house of prayer, and not be turned into "a den of thieves."3

LECTURE LV.

1 COR. iii. 18-23.

GOD AND NOT MAN THE OBJECT OF DIGNITY AND PRAISE.

18. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own crafti

ness.

3 Matt. xxi. 13.