Archbishop Leighton admirably sets forth John the Baptist as
an example to Ministers of the gospel: to live, as much as possible in their condition and
station, disengaged from the world—not following its vain delights and ways—not bathing in
the solaces and pleasures of earth, and entangling themselves in its care; but sober and
modest, and mortified in their way of living; making it their main business not to please the
flesh, but to do service to their Lord, to walk in his ways, and prepare his way for him in the
1
See 2Cor. 4.1.
2
Rev. 1.13-20.
3
1Tim. 6.12.
4
Isa. 8.12-14.
5
Heb. 11.27.
6
Prov. 29.25.
7
On this subject see a most valuable chapter in the Bishop of Winchester’s Ministerial Character of Christ—
‘The self-denial of the Ministry of Christ.’
8
Exhortation to Priests: that is (as Archbishop Seeker expounds it) ‘not making either gross pleasures, or more
refined amusements, even literary ones unconnected with your profession—or power, or profit, or advancement,
or applause, your great aim in life; but labouring chiefly to qualify yourselves for doing good to the souls of
men, and applying carefully to that purpose whatever qualifications you attain.’—
"Heaven is my throne...Isaiah 63"
GOD'S REJECTION OF ALL MATERIAL TEMPLES. There was a time when it could be said that there was a house of God on earth. That was a time of symbols, when as yet the Church of God was in her childhood. She was being taught her A B C, reading her picture-book, for she could not as yet read the Word of God, as it were in letters. She had need to have pictures put before her, patterns of the heavenly things. Even then, the enlightened amongst the Jews knew well that God did not dwell between curtains, and that it was not possible that He could be encompassed in the most holy place within the veil It was only a symbol of His presence. But the time of symbols is now passed altogether. In that moment when the Saviour bowed His head, and said "It is finished! " the veil of the temple was rent in twain, so that the mysteries were laid open. So, one reason why God saith He dwelleth not in temples made with hands, is, because He would have us know that the symbolical worship is ended...
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