Under  the  dispensation  of  types  and  shadows  the  priest  could
eat  of  the  outward  flesh  of  the  sacrifices  which  typified  the  Com-
ing One  who  should  give  his  flesh  for  the  life  of  the  world,  but
the  inward  hidden  parts  were  consumed  upon  the  altar  for  a
sweet  savour  unto  God.  The  hidden  parts  represented  God's
own  portion.  But  now  the  overcomer  is  invited  to  sup  with  God
himself :  to  feed  in  company  with  our  blessed  Lord  upon

THE  DIVINE  PORTION

— the  hidden  manna  (Rev.  iii.  20) .  Other  promises  to  the  over-
comer  confirm  this  point — that  he  is  to  share  with  Christ  all  that
the  Father  gives  to  the  Son.  As  an  heir  of  God  and  joint-heir
with  Christ  he  is  to  sit  with  Him  on  His  throne ;  to  i^ercise
authority  over  the  nations,  and  to  be  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of
which  Christ  is  the  chief  comer-stone.
But  we  must  buy  of  Him  **gold  refined  by  fire,"  that  is,  be-
come partakers  of  the  dknne  nature  of  Him  who  as  a  sacrifice
has


1904.1  Bible  Review.  33

PASSED  THROUGH  THE  FIRE.
In  conjunction  with  Him  we  are  called  to  present  our  bodies —
our  human  nature — as  a  sacrifice  of  a  sweet  savour  imto  God
(Rom.  zii.l ;  £ph.  v.  2) .  This  is  selling  all  to  buy  the  pearl  of
great  price.  But  we  must  "count  the  cost"  and  pay  the  price.
He  "emptied  Himself"  :  I  must  empty  myself.  The  price  of  di-
vine wisdom  is  the  renunciation  of  human  wisdom ;  of  the  divine
nature  the  human  nature,  of  divine  strength  human  strength.
