2344.J The Glory Of Christ. 505

had an essential, and unalienable right to exercise universal dominion. Though, as man, he acknow- ledged subjection to his Father, and, as mediator, spake and acted in his Father's name, yet, in all his miracles, he put forth a virtue inherent in himself; he made his own will the rule and measure of his conduct, and stamped the impression of divinity on all his actions. And is he not still the same ? What he was yesterday, will he not also be to-day, and for ever? Is there any disorder of the soul or body, that he cannot heal ? Are any lusts so raging, that he cannot calm them, or so inveterate, that he cannot root them out ? Cannot he that formed the rude and indigested chaos into order and beauty, create our souls anew ? Cannot he that said, " Let there be hght, and there was light," transform our corrupted hearts into the Divine image in righteous- ness and true holiness ? Cannot he that " triumphed over all the principahties and powers" of hell, " bruise Satan under our feet also ?" In short, "is there any thing too hard for him ?" No, he is still the same : he, to whom " all power in heaven and in earth has been committed," still holds the reins of government, and " ordereth all things after the counsel of his own will." What comfort may not this afford you under your present affliction ! It pleased him for a season to set over you a faithful pastor, by whom he has called hundreds into his fold, and " turned multi- tudes from the error of their ways." But though your honoured minister was the instrument, he was only an instrument ; he was but " an axe in the hands of him that heweth therewith," an '' earthen vessel in which was deposited the heavenly treasure," and by whom Christ communicated to you his " un- searchable riches :" " The excellency of the power was altogether Christ's." And has the power ceased, because the instrument is laid aside ? " Is the Lord's ear heavy, that he cannot hear ? or is his hand shortened, that he cannot save?" O remember, that though the stream is cut off, the fountain still remains ; and every one of you may go to it, and