remarkable accomplishment. But without determining any thing respecting that, one thing is clear ; namely, there will be avast increase of light bestowed upon the Church in that day; insomuch, that " the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun sevenfold, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound1." We know that there is a veil upon our hearts when we read the word and attend upon God's ordinances ; and that, for the most part, it is on some parti- cular occasions only that Christ appears to us in his glory, and manifests himself to us in all the wonders of his love. But in that day this will be a common occurrence amongst all the members of his Church; for " the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea u." And so glorious will be the discoveries vouch- safed to them, that " the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and before his ancients, gloriously x." Then shall be fulfilled what St. John has spoken in the book of Revelation: " There shall be no more curse in the Church; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face ; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and every."]
And now let me ask,
1. What views of Christ have you?
[St. Paul speaks of Christ as "revealed in him*:" and such is the revelation which we also must have, if ever we would partake of his saving benefits. That he has been re- vealed to us in the word, will only tend to our heavier con- demnation, if " an understanding be not given us, that we may know him;" and a vital power also communicated, "that we may be in him" as branches of the living vinea. O Brethren, rest not in a head-knowledge of the Saviour ; but beg of God that he would pour out upon you the Holy Spirit, as " a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened1'," you may know him in all " his excellency and glory c." It is the Spirit's office to glorify Christ ; and to take of the things that are his, and to " shew them unto youd." Pray ye therefore, without ceasing, that God, of his infinite mercy, would give you
4 Isai. xxx. 26. u Hab. ii. 14. x Isai. xxiv. 23.
y Rev. xxii. 3—5. z Gal. i. 16. a 1 John v. 20.
b Eph. i. 17, 18. c Isai. xxxv. 2. (l John :<vi. 14.