IV.

But farther, in connection with Adam as a figure of Christ, we have to observe that he figured him as Christ is now, and is more and more to be, in connection with His ransomed nations, the Head of a spiritual family and King of saints. That is what, in connection with the first Adam, the Son was intended to be, but that is what He has now become. For, 'behold,' he says, 'I and the children which God hath given me'—(Heb. ii. 13). And again, 'Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house are we'—(Heb. iii. 6). But how shall we conceive of Christ, and of this His house and family? Look at Adam. He was the figure of Him that was to come. In Adam's bride, who issued so remarkably from his own pierced side, we have a figure of that Church of which it is said, 'Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing'—(Eph. v. 25-27). Then in Adam's literal marriage we have the figure of Christ's spiritual marriage with a believing people, with believing nations—(Eph. v. 32; Jer. iii. 14). In Adam's fatherhood by his wife, of a natural progeny, we have the figure of Christ's fatherhood by His Church of a spiritual progeny—(Isa. lxvi. 8); while in the number numberless of the one, we have represented the number numberless of the other. Again, in the rich inheritance conferred on Adam with a view to his natural offspring, we have represented the unsearchable riches of Christ; the literal land flowing with milk and honey, representing a better land; and the bread and wine of the one, the bread and wine of the kingdom of God, and that abundance of life with which Christ is endowed in order to His spiritual offspring. Again, in what was to have been page 61 Adam's benign sway over the tribes of earth, we have represented Christ's spiritual rule over the spiritual tribes and nations of redeemed men, their happiness under Him, and their reign in life with Christ now and for ever. And as we see all those things figured in Adam, so, farther surely, in all the willing homage with which, had the end in view been realised, Adam's family, throughout its tribes and nations, would have honoured him, we see figured that heartier homage, that more grateful subjection, with which 'the nations of the saved' will cast their spiritual crowns at Christ's feet, and ascribe all the salvation and all the glory to Him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever.—(Rev. vii. 9, 10, and xxi. 24).