found in the whole universe. The angels, after seeing the judgments executed on the apostate spirits, could have no idea that mercy could be exercised towards the guilty. But in the Gospel it shines forth as with meridian splendor ; and all the other perfections of the Deity unite and harmonize with it. Can we wonder then, that when they have a prospect of beholding " the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," they should look into that glass which reflects it? Can we wonder that they should examine with unwearied attention the prophecies that relate to Christ, the various incidents of his life and death, and the numberless benefits that he confers on all his followers ? This alone were ample reason for all the care and diligence they can possibly exert.]
2. Because of the benefit accruing to themselves from the contemplation of them —
[Wise as those bright Intelligences are, we have no doubt but that they are made iviser by their progressive discoveries of the truth of God. The revealing of the Gospel unto man is one way which God has adopted for the further illumination of the heavenly hosts : he makes known his manifold wisdom to the Church, in order that by the Church it may be exhibited before the eyes of angels and archangels K We have no reason to think that they have any revelations made to them, except through the medium of the Church : and consequently, if they wovdd grow in knowledge, they must search, as it were, the Sacred Oracles, and " draw their water out of our wells of Salvation."
But by their contemplation of the Gospel theij are made happier too, as well as wiser. For, in what does their happi- ness consist ? Is it not derived principally from the know- ledge of God, and their admiration of all his glorious per- fections ? But it has been before shewn, that their views of the Divine glory are rendered incomparably more clear and full by the representations given of it in the Gospel : consequently, their admiration of God must continually increase ; and their delight in him be proportionably enlarged.]
Infer,
1. How unfounded is men's contempt of the Gospel !
[The Gospel ever has been despised by proud self-suf- ficient men, and ever will be, as long as such men continue upon earth. It will ever appear " foolishness to the natural man." It is still loaded with reproach, and stigmatized with
oppro-
' Eph. iii. 13.