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Vol. 1.

THE TEACHING OF THE TYPES.

Tracts for the Clergy and the Earnest Minded.

No. I.

THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER OF THE NATURAL,
THE SPIRITUAL, AND THE DIVINE LIFE.

BY THE

REV. R. AITKEN,

INCUMBENT OF PENDEEN, CORNWALL, AND DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN
TO THE EARL OF CAITHNESS.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.-1 COR. x. 11.

OXFORD:

T. & G. SHRIMPTON, BROAD STREET.

CAMBRIDGE: MACMILLAN.

LONDON: WHITTAKER AND CO., AVE MARIA LANE; AND

MASTERS AND CO., ALDERSGATE STREET.

LEEDS T. HARRISON, BRIGGATE. TRURO

PLYMOUTH

J. R. NETHERTON.

ROWE. PENZANCE: F. T. VIBERT.

M DCCC LIV.

110.6.5.

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THE

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER OF THE NATURAL, THE SPIRITUAL, AND THE DIVINE LIFE, &c.

(INTRODUCTORY.)

THE types are emblems or symbols by which some reality is represented, or by which something future is prefigured. They exhibit truth in a conspicuous and striking way, like the enlarged shadow of a man's hand against a wall, giving a distinct and correct conception of the principle or subject which they are intended to indicate. They are not always or necessarily prophetical, but whether prophetical or not, they are always expositions, directions, or warnings for our edification. Now to answer these purposes effectually, there must be some sort of analogy between the position and circumstances of those who constitute the types, and those who are intended to be instructed by them. The peculiar state must be indicated. The same road, so to speak, must be travelled over, although there is not a needs be, that we should in any case fall into the same errors, manifest the same spirit, or be subjected to similar judgments. Some of the types evidently refer to the Church, while others as evidently refer to the progress of the individual believer, and oftentimes the teachings which are specially intended for the one may be applied with profit to the other, as they are, in most instances, exhibitions of the principles of God's manner of dealing with the Church or with the soul, in certain states, conditions, and circumstances in which they may be placed.

It is, we think, very evident that no consecutive analogy can be traced between the history of the Israelites, from the call

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