concerned: but is it true also of the judgments? Can vre imagine, that the calamities inflicted on his enemies on earth, and'^the infinitely heavier judgments executed on them in hell, shall bring glory to the Redeemer ? Look into the book of the Revelations, and you will find, that the condemnation of the wicked, no less than the sab.ation of the righteous, is an occasion of triumph to the hosts of heaven, and calls forth the devoutest acknowledgements and hallelujahs to Almighty God'
Here then the acknowledged right of " the Lamb" to open the book, and the acclamations of his Redeemed on seeing him undertake to open it, stand in the closest connexion with each other, and form one great subject, worthy of our de- voutest attention.]
This book of the Church's destinies, though opened as to the seals, is yet but very indistinctly seen by any: nor will it be fully known, till the events con- tained in it are fulfilled.
But,
1. Are there not some amongst us to whom the whole of Revelation is yet " a sealed book ? "
[It is to be feared that, notwithstanding all our advan- tages for knowing the great truths of revelation, they are yet but very imperfectly understood by the generality. Take the work of redemption, and interrogate the great mass of Chris- tians in relation to it, and you v.ill find, that the grossest errors obtain in relation to it. The freeness, the fulness, the excellency of the Gospel salvation are but very imperfectly seen, and very unworthily appreciated. Dear Brethren, if John " wept much," because he could not gain an insight into the book of God's decrees, what reason have many of you to weep, yea, to weep even floods of tears, on account of your ignorance of the Gospel of Christ, of that which " he that runs may read," and of that on which your everlasting salva- tion depends. Oh, look to the Lamb of God to open it to you ; and cease not to weep and pray, till he has revealed to you the glorious mysteries contained in it ]
2. Are there not, however, others to whom its blessed truths have been made known ?
[Yes, surely, there are not a few, " the eyes of whose understanding have been opened," and who have been enabled to behold " the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Who then amongst you are of that happy number, who can say, " Whereas I was once blind,
I now ' Rev. xix. 1 — 4. Recite the whole of this.