[He is there as the Creator of all, the Governor of all, the Judge of all. Idols are the work of men's hands : but men themselves, together with every thing in the whole creation, are formed by God; who, by a single expression of his will, called them all into existence, and upholds them all by the word of his power. Behold the worlds and systems that are around us, every single star preserving its appointed course, and fulfilling the ends for which it was formed : who can be- hold them, and not acknowledge a God of infinite wisdom, and power, and grace ? Or look at the smallest insect, that is scarcely visible to the naked eye, and can be distinctly seen only through the medium of a microscope ; and say, whether the Deity be not as conspicuous in it, as in the universe itself? The whole of this is under his continual care. A poor sense- less idol, so far from directing others, cannot even move itself, but is carried whithersoever the maker of it wills ; and, instead of bearing others, is often itself, as the prophet well observes, " a burthen to the weary beast." But Jehovah governeth all things, both in heaven and earth; insomuch that not a sparrow falls to the ground, or a hair from the head of any one of his saints, without his special permission. His very enemies, whilst they think to oppose him, do, in fact, accomplish his will: even the crucifixion of his only-begotten Son, though so hor- rible an impiety, did in reality fulfil his eternal counsels: nor was there any part of that awful event which was not predicted by God, and " by him determined before to be done."
Nor is there so much as a transient thought in the mind of any man, but it is marked by him, and recorded in the book of his remembrance ; and shall be brought forth at the day of judgment, as the ground of that sentence of condemnation or acquittal that shall be passed upon us. He appears, indeed, to be so far removed from us, that he cannot take cognizance of any thing that we do : but " all things are naked and open before him;" and " with him is no darkness at all; but the night and the day to him are both alike." As for idols, they are unconscious of what is done even to themselves ; and themselves are falling to decay, and may at any time be cast into the fire and be burnt. How unlike are they to Jehovah, who will assign to every one his proper doom ; and himself exist for ever, the joy of his redeemed people, the terror of his prostrate enemies !]
2. As in the person of the Lord Jesus —
[It will be remembered by you all, that Jehovah dwelt, as it were visibly, first in the tabernacle, and afterwards in the temple, in that bright cloud called the Shechinah, the symbol of the Divine presence. But yet more visibly, if I may so speak, did he dwell in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ: