[We see from the example before us liov/ much we should be disconcerted by visions ; and how unfit they would be, as stated means, of edifying the Church. But when God speaks to us by the instrumentality of men, we can attend with ease, and weigh with care whatever is brought to our ears. It is true, indeed, that many take occasion from this circumstance to despise the word, when otherwise they would tremble at it; but, on the other hand, myriads are " drav.n to God by the cords of a man," who otherwise would only have brought upon themselves, like Pharaoh, an aggravated condemnation. Let us then improve this privilege ; and, however weak God's instruments may be, let us attend to them with reverence, that his agency may be rendered visible in our experience"' ]
3. The brighter discoveries we have of Christ, the more shall we be humbled in the dust before him —
[The appearances of God to man have at all times tended to the humbling of their souls. Abraham and jNIoses ho sooner caught a sight of him, than they hid their faces, from a consciousness of their own extreme unworthincss : and Job, though one of the most perfect of men, confessed himself " vile," and " abhorred himself in dust and ashes"." Even
the
"• 2 Cor. iv. 7. " Job xlii. 5, ().
the Seraphims before the throne make use of then* wings to veil their faces and their feet, and confess thereby that they are unworthy either to serve or to l)ehold tlieir God". And •would not a view of the Lord in his glory make us also to cry out, " Woe is me, I am unclean p 1" Yes : a discovery of created things may puff us up : but a sight of God himself cannot but abase us in the dust ]
4. There is a day coming when the most stout- hearted sinner will tremble before him —
[If John, who had lien in the bosom of his Lord, and had seen him transfigiu-ed on the Holy jNIount. and was ia himself so eminently holy, so highly \)eloved ; if he fell at the Redeemer's feet as dead, what will the ungodly do in the day of judgment ? If, when God spake from Mount Sinai, the Israelites were so terrified as to desire tliat he would speak to them no more m such a way ; and " Moses himself exceedingly quaked and feared;" how shall not the wicked tremble in that day, when Jesus shall appear in all his glory to judge the world ? Let them laugh now if they will : but they will soon " call upon the rocks to fall upon them, and the hills to cover them from the wrath of the Lamlx" O that to-day, while it is called to-day, they would hear his voice, and no more harden their hearts against him !]
• Isai. vi. 2. ' ib. ver. 5.