Sidenote: Ps. lxxviii. 2. 4. There is the _Ark of the Covenant overlaid round about with gold_; that is, the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of the Wisdom of God. There is _the golden pot that had manna_, the depository, namely, of spiritual nutriment, and the store-place of divine knowledge. There is _the rod of Aaron_, the symbol of priestly grace. Before, it had withered, but it _budded_ again in Christ. There are _the Cherubim_ over the tables of the Covenant, that is, the knowledge of the sacred Lessons. There is the _Mercy-seat_, over which on high is God the Word, _the Image of the invisible God_, Who says to thee, _I will commune with thee from above the Mercy-seat, between the two Cherubim_, for He speaks thus with us, that we may understand His saying, or because He speaks things not earthly but spiritual, as He saith, _I will open My mouth in a parable_. For where Christ is, there are all things, there is His doctrine, there the remission of sins, there grace, there the separation of the living and the dead. Sidenote: Numb. xvi. 48. 5. Aaron indeed once stood in the midst, interposing himself to prevent death passing over to the hosts of the living from the carcases of the dead. But He, as the Word, ever stands within each of us, although we see Him not, and separates the faculties of our reason from the carcase of our deadly passions and pestilential thoughts. He standeth as He Who came into the world to blunt the sting of death, to stop its devouring jaws, to give to the living an eternity of grace, to the dead a resurrection. Sidenote: Deut. xv. 8. 6. In His service you are warring a good warfare, His deposit you keep, His money you lend out at interest, as it is written, _Thou shalt lend unto many nations_; the good interest of spiritual grace, which the Lord when He comes will exact with usury; and when He finds that you have dispensed it well, He will give you for few things, many things. Then shall I reap most delightful fruit, in that my judgment of you is approved; the ordination which you received by the imposition of my hands and the benediction in the Name of the Lord Jesus will not be blamed. Work therefore a good work, that in that day you may receive a reward, and we may rest together, I in you and you in me. Sidenote: S. Luke x. 2. 7. _Plenteous is the harvest_ of Christ, _but the labourers few_, and helpers are difficult to be found. So it was of old, but the Lord is powerful, Who will _send labourers into His harvest_. Without doubt among the ranks of the people of Comum[12] very many have already begun to believe by your ministry, and through your teaching have received the word of God. But He Who gave those who believe will also give them that will help: whereby all occasion will be removed for excusing yourself for your postponed visit, and thus also the grace of your presence will be more frequently shed around me. Farewell: continue to love us, as you do.