107 



We must assume it as conceded, that the living- creatures wliich 

 are seen by that prophet by the river of Chebar, were resemblances 

 of the Cherubim of the tabernacle. He well knew the appear- 

 ances of these latter ; when, therefore, he exclaims at seeing the 

 former, " and * I knew that they were the Cherubims," there can 

 be no question of their mutual similitude. His description of the 

 vision, therefore, while it paints the appearance of the Cherubim, 

 will afford us, to a great extent, a glossary of their symbolical 

 meaning. They are described as having the four faces of a man, 

 a lion, an ox, and an eagle ; in their progress " they f went every 

 " one straight forward, and they turned not when they went ;" their 

 appearance was " like burning coals, and like the appearance of 

 " lamps" ; and that of their wheels, " was as it were, a wheel in 

 " the middle of a wheel. As for their rings they were so high, they 

 " were dreadful ; and their rings were full of eyes round about 

 " them four." Above the firmament that " was over their heads, 

 " was the likeness of a throne," and " the likeness as the appear- 

 " ance of a man upon it." It is impossible to read these sublime, 

 passages, and not at once perceive that they contain an allegory, 

 equally just and grand, of the starry universe. The wheels within 

 wheels, the several appearances, the ring full of eyes, point out 

 that the ring of glory which formed the celestial chariot could sig* 

 nify nothing else. The words, " about them four," recall us to 

 their acknowledged similitude the Cherubim. I interpret their allu- 

 sion thus : In like manner as the four faces of that figure, placed 



p2 



• Ch. 10. V. 15, and 20. 

 f Ch. 1, and 10, passim. 



