The Mercy-Seat, a Type of Christ

    I. It was called the Mercy-seat, or as Ainsworth gives it from the Hebrew word, a propitiation covering; this, saith the apostle, applieth to Christ, called God's propitiation; it is in Christ, mercy is truly seated; and it is he that hath made a propitiation for our sins, 1Jo 2:2.

    II. It was the cover of the ark where the two tables lay. So Christ is the true cover, the Deliverer from the curse and accusation of the law, Ro 3:22.

    III. It was of pure gold, noting the spotless holiness of Christ.

    IV. Upon the mercy-seat were two cherubims; these cherubims signified the holy angels, they stretched their wings on high, covering or shadowing so the mercy-seat. This word is used for protection or defence from evil, saith the learned Ainsworth. And doubtless, it might signify the usefulness of angels in Christ's spiritual kingdom; they looked down on the Mercy-seat, signifying the mystery of Christ's incarnation, or God manifested in the flesh, "Which things the angels desired to look into," 1Pe 1:12. Hence the apostle saith in another place, "He was seen of angels," seen with delight and admiration. Some by the mercy-seat and cherubims, understand the holy Trinity in unity, viz., by the mercy-seat, being a figure of Christ; and the two cherubims, the Father and the Holy Ghost; and by the two cherubims at the end of the mercy-seat, they understand Christ's standing between. God and the rigour of his justice, God looking on the law, through Christ, as fulfilled by him, for us; and from hence communing with us: but that the Father should be represented to us in the figure of one of the cherubims; I see no ground for it, forasmuch as we read of no similitude of the Father, save the person of Christ only, so De 4:15.