had a view also of all his glorious perfections, of which the wisest philosophers could form no just conception. They knew, moreover, in what way a sinner might find acceptance with God ; whilst all the rest of mankind were left in awful suspense respecting their future state ; not knowing, certainly, whether they should live in another world, or whether, if they did, they should partake of a happy or a miserable existence. Of Abra- ham it is said, that " the Gospel was preached to him in that blessed promise, that in him, and in his seed, should all the nations of the earth be blessed." " He greatly desired to see the day of Christ; and he did see it, and was glad." Succeeding prophets discerned it yet more clearly ; for, with progressive accm-acy and minuteness, they were inspired to describe his person, work, and offices ; though, alas ! they did not compre- hend their own predictions, whilst they declared " the suffer- ings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." Yet, compared with all the rest of the world, they were in Goshen, whilst all others were surrounded with " a darkness which might be felt."]
But the Disciples were far more highly favoured than they —
[They were permitted to see the Son of God himself; and that, not darkly, in types and prophecies, but clearly, and face to face. They were privileged to behold all his mighty works ; and to hear from day to day the instructive discourses of Him who " spake as never man spake." They enjoyed the yet further privilege of having his public discourses explained to them in private ; and of being taught, by a fuller and more explicit interpretation, what to others had been communicated only in parables. At the same time, they had the peculiar felicity to see a perfect exhibition of the whole will of God in the life and conversation of their Lord ; and that, not in circumstances which were inapplicable to themselves, but in circumstances in which they themselves were soon to move. Now, compare their advantages with any that were enjoyed by the patriarchs or prophets of former ages, and they must be acknowledged to have enjoyed privileges which kings and prophets might well desire, and which, in fact, they had desired, but in vain.]
But the congratulations will be found still more due to us, if we consider the Gospel,
II. As enjoyed by ourselves at this day —
Great as were the advantages of those who attended
upon our Lord, they were not without considerable
alloy —
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