2 6 THE OLIVE LEAF. CHAP. 



God. In fact, this is the aspect in which it is commonly 

 regarded. The Epistle to the Hebrews is the key 

 which interprets the relation of the Levitical institutions 

 and rites to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and explains 

 their fulfilment in the Christian economy. And so 

 looking at the Church of God, we find that the same 

 characteristic of oneness belongs to it too. Under all 

 the varying dispensations of His grace, God's Church 

 has been one. The Jews were in the outer court be- 

 cause the way into the holiest was not yet made 

 manifest. Gentiles, by the new and living way opened 

 up through the rent veil of Christ's flesh, have entered 

 into the inner shrine. But Jews and Gentiles alike are 

 now united in one communion and fellowship in Christ. 

 The Saviour the Jews looked forward to in rites and 

 sacrifices, we look back to in the ordinances of the 

 Gospel. The religion that was veiled to them has 

 been unveiled to us. They saw the types and shadows ; 

 we behold the living and glorious realities. Over all is 

 the tabernacling of the same God ; and the Church of 

 Jews and Gentiles is "built upon the foundation of the 

 apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the 

 chief corner-stone, in whom all the building, fitly 

 framed together, groweth into an holy temple in the 

 Lord." 



In this way, those who were far off as well as 

 those who were nigh have been made members of the 

 one household of faith. And still, notwithstanding the 

 many diversities of circumstance, creed, and experience ; 

 notwithstanding the multiplication of sects and denom- 



