darkness covers the earth, it chases the darkness away; it swallows up death in victory. We ourselves are babes in knowledge; and the more so for want of clear and impressive views of the work of Christ. Angels do not see all that is to be seen; but they see most when they see most of the Person, purposes, and work of Christ. New light is every day pouring in upon their astonished minds; the glory of Christ is still the subject of their new and more engaging, and rapturous contemplations; and their knowledge, holiness, and happiness still find their aliment in him who is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his Person.

Such are the views of angels of the glory of Christ; such some of the thoughts which arrest their attention in their contemplations of his glory; and such some of the impressions which a view of his glory makes on their holy minds.

Does not this conduct of angels rebuke the thoughtlessness and indifference of wicked men? What shall we say of those who take no notice of that which angels stoop down to look into! Is Jesus thus admired of angels, and shall he be despised and rejected of men? Do angels veil their faces with adoring reverence before him, and will men turn away their faces from him through shame? This is strange delusion, else is it sin beyond the sin of devils. O foul ingratitude! blackest crime!

ye

thus to contemn him whom all heaven adores! Men have an interest in beholding this Lamb of God which angels cannot have; yet they practically say unto him, "Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways." Ye who refuse to give your hearts and your confidence to this incarnate Deity, and will not come to him that you might have life, ye are they of whom we speak. Your heart is waxed gross, and your ears are dull of hearing, and your eyes have you closed: lest at any time should see with "your eyes, and hear with your ears, and understand with your heart, and should be converted." O that your eyes and ears were opened, and your consciences awake, and your fears alarmed, and your hopes excited toward this all-sufficient and all-glorious Saviour. Go not forward, I pray you, thus blindfold and careless in the broad road to destruction, when that Saviour, whose glory dazzles seraphs, presents himself before your eyes. You know not at what you stumble, and little think that this crucified Saviour rejected, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. That there should be any Saviour for lost and ruined sinners, is marvellous mercy; but that there should be such a Saviour is still more marvellous. Well does he say, "Ye have hated me without a cause." And glorious truth that he also says, "Blessed is he that shall not be offended in me!"

you

And what thoughts does this conduct of angels address to the people of God? Christian! behold what angels see, and love, and admire. Though have not seen him with your bodily eyes, you may yet know more of him even than angels know. If God has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light, and shined in your hearts to give you the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ; is it not wonderful that you know so little of him and love him so little? The world is blind; but why, Christian, should you be so blind to the glories of your Saviour? See him as he forgets himself and thinks of you. See him on the cross; and when you learn that it was your sins that nailed him there, O look upon him whom you have pierced and mourn. Repentance is never so deep and bitter as when the penitent sinner gets a sight of Christ crucified. Come see him, and let the tears flow. Come see him, O my soul, that thou mayest repent and mayest be forgiven, and mayest be saved. See him on the throne, and ask why it is that he is thus exalted? And when you learn that it was that you might live and reign with him, learn also more steadfastly to set your affections on things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. If you have beheld his glory; if you now behold it, look at him more intensely. Still look, look continually, never lose sight of him. All

your darkness, doubts, discomforts arise from losing sight of Christ. Look to him whose glory is the wonder of angels. His love never grows cold; his resources never fail. Witness, ye who have been washed in his blood and presented faultless before his throne; witness ye angels who excel in strength, swift to do his will, harkening to the voice of his word, if there be any sense of want he cannot relieve, any fear he cannot quell, any guilt he cannot wash away, any sinner so vile that he cannot save and save to the uttermost!

CHAPTER XV.

THE GLORY OF CHRIST'S MILLENNIAL REIGN ON THE EARTH.

We have been contemplating a series of causes which forms the most effective chapter in the divine purposes and government;-God manifest in the flesh, teaching, obeying, suffering, dying, rising, ascending, reigning, and manifesting his power and grace in the dispensation of his Spirit. Facts like these may well be supposed to have a sensible and permanent influence on the destiny of our race. Earthly princes are not wont to visit the remote boundaries of their empire for unimportant ends; nor did this Prince of heaven and King of the universe descend to this fallen and proscribed province of his dominions, but' for ends that vindicated his condescension. Well might the inhabitants of this and other worlds be looking out for important changes in human affairs, from the hour when the Sufferer of Calvary finished his work and went up on high. All orders and classes of men might well be, as indeed they were, held in eager expectancy. Kings upon their