as a priesthood, or a community of priests――an idea which frequently occurs in the New Testament. (b) That the church, as such a community of priests, is employed in the praise and worship of God――an idea, also, which finds abundant countenance in the New Testament. (c) That, in a series of visions having a designed reference to the church, it was natural to introduce some symbol or emblem representing the church, and representing the fact that this is its office and employment. And (d) that this would be well expressed by an allusion derived from the ancient dispensation――the division of the priesthood into classes, over each one of which there presided an individual who might be considered as the representative of his class. It is to be observed, indeed, that in _one_ respect they are represented as “kings,” but still this does not forbid the supposition that there might have been intermingled also _another_ idea, that they were also “priests.” Thus the two ideas are blended by these same elders in ch. v. 10: “And hath made us unto our God _kings_ and _priests_.” Thus understood, the vision is designed to denote the fact that the representatives of the church, ultimately to be triumphant, are properly engaged in ascribing praise to God. The word _elders_ here seems to be used in the sense of aged and venerable men, rather than as denoting office. They were such as by their _age_ were qualified to preside over the different divisions of the priesthood. ¶ _Clothed in white raiment._ Emblem of purity, and appropriate, therefore, to the representatives of the sanctified church. Comp. ch. iii. 4; vi. 11; vii. 9. ¶ _And they had on their heads crowns of gold._ Emblematic of the fact that they sustained a kingly office. There was blended in the representation the idea that they were both “kings and priests.” Thus the idea is expressed by Peter (1 Pe. ii. 9), “_a royal priesthood_”――βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα. 5 And out of the throne proceeded [183]lightnings and thunderings and voices: and _there were_ seven [184]lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the [185]seven Spirits of God. 5. _And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices._ Expressive of the majesty and glory of Him that sat upon it. We are at once reminded by this representation of the sublime scene that occurred at Sinai (Ex. xix. 16), where “there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud.” Comp. Eze. i. 13, 24. So Milton: “Forth rushed with whirlwind sound The chariot of Paternal Deity, Flashing thick flames.” “And from about him fierce effusion rolled Of smoke, and lightning flame, and sparkles dire.” _Par. Lost_, b. vi.