2. Mount Zion, the holy mount, where the temple was built, was the type of the kingdom of heaven. There the ark became stationary, and was no longer carried about from place to place; and the whole was typical of the rest that remains for the people of God.

3. The TABERNACLE was a temporary and frequently-removed building, carried about from place to place, and not long in any one place.

Concerning this it is said: rwgy ym mi yagur, "Who shall lodge, or sojourn," there? It is not a residence, or dwelling-place, but a place to lodge in for a time.

4. The TEMPLE was a fixed and permanent building; and here it is inquired, k�y ym mi yiscon, "Who shall dwell, abide," or have his permanent residence, there? 5. The tabernacle being a migratory temple, carried about on the shoulders of the priests and Levites, there was no dwelling there for any; they could but lodge or sojourn.

6. The temple being fined, the priests, Levites, &c., became permanent occupiers. There was no lodging or sojourning, but permanent residence for all connected with it.

7. The tabernacle is, therefore, a proper type of the Church militant, wandering up and down, tossed by various storms and tempests; the followers of God, having here no continuing city; sojourning only on earth to get a preparation for eternal glory.

8. The temple is also a proper type or emblem of the Church triumphant in heaven. "Here the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." It is the dwelling-place the eternal residence, of all who are faithfui unto death, who are made pillars in that temple of God, to go no more out for ever.

The questions therefore are, 1. Who can be considered a fit member of the Church of Christ here below? and, 2. Who shall be made partakers of an endless glory? In answer to these questions, the character of what we may term a true Israelite, or a good Christian, is given in the following particulars: -

Matthew Henry Commentary

--Here is a very serious question concerning the character of a citize of Zion. It is the happiness of glorified saints, that they dwell in the holy hill; they are at home there, they shall be for ever there. I concerns us to make it sure to ourselves that we have a place amon them. A very plain and particular answer is here given. Those wh desire to know their duty, will find the Scripture a very faithfu director, and conscience a faithful monitor. A citizen of Zion i sincere in his religion. He is really what he professes to be, an endeavours to stand complete in all the will of God. He is just both to God and man; and, in speaking to both, speaks the truth in his heart He scorns and abhors wrong and fraud; he cannot reckon that a goo bargain, nor a saving one, which is made with a lie; and knows that he who wrongs his neighbour will prove, in the end, to have most injure himself. He is very careful to do hurt to no man. He speaks evil of n man, makes not others' faults the matter of his common talk; he make the best of every body, and the worst of nobody. If an ill-nature story be told him, he will disprove it if he can; if not, it goes n further. He values men by their virtue and piety. Wicked people ar vile people, worthless, and good for nothing; so the word signifies. He thinks the worse of no man's piety for his poverty and mean condition He reckons that serious piety puts honour upon a man, more than wealth or a great name. He honours such, desires their conversation and a interest in their prayers, is glad to show them respect, or do them kindness. By this we may judge of ourselves in some measure. Even wis and good men may swear to their own hurt: but see how strong the obligation is, a man must rather suffer loss to himself and his family than wrong his neighbour. He will not increase his estate by extortion or by bribery. He will not, for any gain, or hope of it to himself, d any thing to hurt a righteous cause. Every true living member of the church, like the church itself, is built upon a Rock. He that doet these things shall not be moved for ever. The grace of God shall alway be sufficient for him. The union of these tempers and this conduct, can only spring from repentance for sin, faith in the Saviour, and love to him. In these respects let us examine and prove our own selves __________________________________________________________________

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