re
of life and patient in adversity, betokened by the curtains of goats'
hair, which were exposed to wind and rain, as the gloss observes.

Reply Obj. 9: The literal reason for the sanctification of the
tabernacle and vessels was that they might be treated with greater
reverence, being deputed, as it were, to the divine worship by this
consecration. The figurative reason is that this sanctification
signified the sanctification of the living tabernacle, i.e. the
faithful of whom the Church of Christ is composed.

Reply Obj. 10: Under the Old Law there were seven temporal
solemnities, and one continual solemnity, as may be gathered from
Num. 28, 29. There was a continual feast, since the lamb was
sacrificed every day, morning and evening: and this continual feast
of an abiding sacrifice signified the perpetuity of Divine bliss. Of
the temporal feasts the first was that which was repeated every week.
This was the solemnity of the "Sabbath," celebrated in memory of the
work of the creation of the universe. Another solemnity, viz. the
"New Moon," was repeated every month, and was observed in memory of
the work of the Divine government. For the things of this lower world
owe their variety chiefly to the movement of the moon; wherefore this
feast was kept at the new moon: and not at the full moon, to avoid
the worship of idolaters who used to offer sacrifices to the moon at
that particular time. And these two blessings are bestowed in common
on the whole human race; and hence they were repeated more frequently.

The other five feasts were celebrated once a year: and they
commemorated the benefits which had been conferred especially on that
people. For there was the feast of the "Passover" in the first month
to commemorate the blessing of being delivered out of Egypt. The
feast of "Pentecost" was celebrated fifty days later, to recall the
blessing of the giving of the Law. The other three feasts were kept
in the seventh month, nearly the whole of which was solemnized by
them, just as the seventh day. For on the first of the seventh month
was the feast of "Trumpets," in memory of the delivery of Isaac, when
Abraham found the ram caught by its horns, which they represented by
the horns which they blew. The feast of Trumpets was a kind of
invitation whereby they prepared themselves to keep the following
feast which was kept on the tenth day. This was the feast of
"Expiation," in memory of the blessing whereby, at the prayer of