emonial purifications disappeared to make room for the "true
Circumcision of the Spirit," and the regenerating streams of Holy
Baptism. But the "Hours of Prayer" and Praise were still retained,
"the singers arrayed in white" became the white-robed choirs of the
Christian Church, and the threefold order of the Christian {4} ministry
represented the High Priest, Priests, and Levites of the old
dispensation.

[Sidenote: Jewish Worship a preparation for Christian Worship.]

We must not be led to think that the Jewish Worship was contrary to the
Mind of God, for He Himself appointed it. It was, without doubt, a
part of the great Scheme of Redemption--a preparation for the Gospel,
the means ordained by the Divine Wisdom for keeping up in men's minds
the future Coming of the Messiah. But when the Great Deliverer was
indeed come, there was no further need for the types and shadows of the
Law, and they disappeared to make way for the "substance" of the
Gospel. [Sidenote: The Church Militant a preparation for the Church
Triumphant.] So when the number of the elect shall be accomplished, and
the Church Militant changed into the Church Triumphant, her Worship and
her Sacraments will have their full fruition in the Marriage Supper of
the Lamb, and the unceasing adoration of the redeemed in the Heavenly
Temple.

Section 2. _Our Lord's Work in the Foundation of the Church._

[Sidenote: Our Lord prepared for the Foundation of His Church by
instituting Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist, and by appointing the
twelve Apostles.]

Our Blessed Lord's Ministry was spent in making preparations for the
foundation of His Church. At His first entrance on that Ministry, He
"sanctified Water to the mystical washing away of sin;" at the close of
it, He blessed the elements of Bread and Wine, and made them the
channels of His constant Presence with His Church, "a perpetual memory
of His Precious Death" before God. He also appointed human
instruments, who, in His Name and by His Authority, should carry out
{5} this mighty work, and be the foundation-stones of the new spiritual
building, bonded together and firmly established in Him the "Chief
Corner Stone." "The wall of the City had twelve foundations, and in
them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb[2]."

[Sidenote: The Apostles taught and trained by our Lord's Example and
Teaching.]

The Apostles were solemnly set apart by our Lord after a night of
watching and prayer[3]