The Ark a Type of Christ

    I. THE Ark was an assurance of God's presence amongst his people: so Christ is the cause and assurance, that God in a gracious way is present with us.

    II. Where the ark was, there it was lawful to offer sacrifice, and no where else: which might show that our acceptance in God's sight, is through Jesus Christ. If Christ dwell not in our hearts by faith, if we have not the Ark with us, Christ with us, God will not accept of our prayers nor service.

    III. In the Ark was the pot of manna; to show that in Christ is the life, comfort, and spiritual nourishment for our souls.

    IV. The Ark had a crown of gold around about it; signifying the majesty of Christ's kingdom, or his regal power,

    V. The two tables were in the Ark, the Ark kept them; which might signify Christ's keeping the law perfectly for us, and deliver us thereby from the curse of it.

    VI. When the Ark was set in the temple of Dagon, Dagon fell down and broke to pieces: so when Christ, and his truth, are set up in a man's heart, or a nation, sin and idolatry will go down.

    VII. Where the Ark was, there was the glory of God; and when that departed, the glory of God departed: so where Christ's blessed truth and Gospel is, there is the glory of God, but when Christ leaves a people, takes away his Gospel, the glory of God goes from that people.

    Some run a parallel between the Church and the Ark; others between the public worship of God and it; but in my judgment, it more clearly was a Type of Christ, which may comprehend much of what they say in respect of other things.