hasten it in his
time"--that the victory is certain, and that every believer from Abel to
the trump of the archangel shall have his share in it.

III. THE QUESTION OF DOUBLE SENSE.

7. The so-called _double sense_ of Scripture, especially of prophecy,
concerning which there has been so much discussion among biblical
writers, must be distinguished from the double sense of pure allegory,
which all admit. In allegory, the first or literal meaning is only a
cover for the higher spiritual sense, which alone is of importance. That
we may have a true example of double sense, the obvious literal meaning
must have its own proper significance, irrespective of the higher sense
belonging to it, and this higher sense must be intended by the Spirit of
inspiration. The question now to be considered is: Do such examples
occur in Scripture, by whatever term we may choose to designate them?

To avoid logomachy, arising from the use of the same phrase in
different senses, we prefer the expression _literal_ and
_typical sense_.

8. If, as has been shown above (chap. 37, No. 4), examples of _historic
types_ are found in the Old Testament, these contain a twofold sense.
The priesthood of Melchizedek and the transactions between him and
Abraham were true historic realities, having their own proper office and
meaning. Yet the word of inspiration teaches us that the circumstances
connected with Melchizedek's priesthood and his meeting with Abraham
were intended by God to shadow forth the higher priesthood of
Melchizedek's great Antitype. He brought forth bread and wine, the very
symbols that should afterwards represent Christ crucified as our
spiritual food and drink, blessed him that had the promises, and
received at his hand tithes of all (Gen. 14:18-20), thus exercising the
prerogatives of one higher than Abraham, and consequently higher than
all his posterity. Heb. 7:4-10. In the intention of the Holy Ghost, the
higher typical meaning lay in this transaction from the beginning, but
it was not revealed to the apprehension of believers till the Christian
dispensation had begun. So also the rest of the covenant people in the
land of Canaan is represented in the New Testament as typical of the
true heavenly rest. Heb. 4:7-11. Other examples might be adduced, but
these will serve as an illustration of the principle now under
consideration.

9. The most striking examples of a literal covering a typical meaning
are furnished b