reconciled " many myriads" of them to God. He is also the " Light of the Gentiles" —
[Another prophet describes him as " the Sun of Righteous- ness1." In the New Testament also he is repeatedly called " the Light of the worldV Others have enlightened the world by revealing the will of God; but He alone reveals it by his Spirit to the souls of men : He only, who opened Lydia's heart, can have access to ours1: He only, who opened the understanding of his disciples, can illumine our benighted minds m ; and this he does for them that lie in darkness and the shadow of death. While his once favoured people the Jews are blinded, he takes the veil from our hearts, and guides us into all truth. Thus does he abundantly fulfil to us his gracious promise11,]
He is moreover " the salvation of men even to the ends of the world" —
[Many of the judges and kings of Israel were saviours in a temporal view ; but Jesus imparts to his followers a far more glorious salvation. By his own blood he has " obtained an eternal redemption" for them, and by his meritorious obedience he renders them completely righteous. He is not merely a Saviour to them, but " salvation" itself. As he procured, so he imparts, maintains, and perfects the salvation of those who trust in him. There are none so remote but he extends to them the benefits of his death. " He came to save the lost," in whatever quarter of the globe they be. For this very end was he sent into the world by his heavenly Father ; and, as being expressly appointed to this office, he is called God's salvation.]
In fulfilling these characters, he displays,
II. The excellence of the dispensation committed to him —
The dispensation of the law to the Jews was glo- rious—
[There was much of the Gospel communicated in and with the Law. The ceremonial rites were altogether " sha- dows of the good things" which were afterwards to be more fully revealed. The moral law itself, while it condemned the Jews, was intended to promote their salvation ; and many, in different ages, were guided to heaven by the light which was then afforded them. The Mosaic law therefore was a rich
• Mai. iv. 2. k John i. 4, 9. ' Acts xvi. 14.
m Luke xxiv. 45. " John viii. 12.