This is their one unvaried song : and they sing it " with a loud voice," as glorying in a salvation so dearly bought, and so freely given.]
2. As continued by the angelic hosts — [The situation of the angelic hosts is worthy of particular attention: they ai-e round about the throne indeed, as well as the Redeemed ; but in an exterior circle, and more remote from the common centre ; for they are " round about the elders and the four beasts." They, though spotless, have but a creature-righteousness, whilst the Redeemed, though guilty, possessed the righteousness of the Creator himself; and therefore are counted worthy of a nearer access to him, than the angels are able to attain.
Nor is tlieir attitude less worthy of remark ; for they, though sinless, " fell upon their faces before the throne," ac- counting no posture too humiliating for creatures however exalted, whilst occupied in the worship of their God.
Unable to join in the song of the Redeemed as applicable to themselves who have never fallen, they yet add their hearty " Amen " to all that the Redeemed have uttered, ac- knowledging that all possible praise is due to God and to the Lamb for such marvellous displays of their power and grace. At the same time they vie with the saints in all suitable ex- pressions of adoration and love to their beneficent Creator ; viewing wath exquisite delight all the Divine perfections as visible in the works of creation, and as exhibited with yet brighter splendor in the stupendous mysteries of Redemp- tion. Every term whereby they can e\ince their gratitude, they accumulate, with an ardour which no words can adequately express ; and then add again their " Amen," as concentrating in itself all that with the utmost efforts of their nature they are able to convey,]
Slight as is this view of the heavenly worship, will suffice for the present occasion, if we duly attend to,
II. The instruction to be derived from it —
It will be found well calculated to teach us,
1. Our obligations — [If we call to mind the faculties with which we are endowed, so far superior to all other creatures, and inferior to the angels alone, we shall see that we also have reason to adore our God for the blessings of our creation, as well as the angels themselves. And for the wonders of Redemption, we are altogether on a par with those who are already before the throne. The same stupendous cfibrts have been made
for