[The lusts and prejudices of men cast a film over their eyes, and incapacitate them from discerning spiritual things : and Satan by his subtle devices confirms their blindness <=. As the Jews, even while Moses was read to them every Sabbath day, were unable, by reason of the veil that was upon their hearts, to comprehend the great ends and purposes of the Mosaic dispensation '^j so thousands who live under the light of the Gospel are total strangers to its fundamental truths ; or admit them only in theory, while they are destitute of any experimental knowledge of them in their hearts. " They have eyes, but see not; ears, but hear not; hearts, but under- stand not."]
But God by his Gospel removes this veil —
[" He who commanded light to shine out of darkness will shine into the hearts " of those who seek him. " The things which flesh and blood could never have discovered, he will reveal unto them^" He will shew them the evil of sin, the depravity of their hearts, the fulness and suitableness of Christ, the stability of the covenant, together with every thing else which they need to know. He will not merely turn aside the veil, and give them a transient view of the holy of holies, but will "destroy" the veil, and "rend it in pieces from the top to the bottom." It is true, this clear knowledge of divine truth will not be imparted all at once ; but it shall gradually increase, till they " see as they are seen, and know as they are known."]
To complete the happiness of his people, God further promises,
III. Victory to the oppressed —
The former part of the text refers to the apostolic and millennial periods; but the latter vv^ill not be accomplished till the day of judgment. To that season in particular St. Paul applies the words before us^ Taking him for our guide, we are in no danger of mis- interpreting their import, whilst we say, that God will rescue us from,
1. The power of death —
[Death is even now disarmed of its sting; and the king of terrors is made our friend. They who through the Gospel are enabled to live unto Christ, may justly account it "gain to die:" not life only, but even death itself, is numbered among their treasures!^'. Such is their victory over it, that it is an
<= 2 Cor. iv. 4. <^ 2 Cor. iii. 14, 15. <= Matt. xvi. 17.
f 1 Cor. XV. 54. s Phil. i. 21. 1 Cor. iii. 22.