Gospel he was yet more fully revealed. The glory of God as shining in his face is most transcendently displayed f; still however " we see him as yet only through a glass darkly8." But in the last day he will appear in all his majesty and glory h : he will " be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire1." His enemies, no less than his friends, will then see him to be " King of kings, and Lord of lords."]
In that day, "grace will be brought unto us" —
[Grace and glory are sometimes used as synonymous terms in Scripture k; indeed, grace is glory begun, and glory is grace consummated. The spiritual blessings which God bestows, appear now to be the gifts of grace1 ; but how much more shall we acknowledge the glories of heaven to be so ! How shall we marvel at the goodness of God in all his deal- ings towards us ! How shall we adore his wisdom, even in the darkest of his dispensations. How shall we stand amazed that we were saved, while so many others were lost! Surely, " when the top-stone is brought forth, we shall cry, Grace, grace, unto itm." All this felicity " shall be brought unto us" openly, and in rich abundance. Noiv, the grace imparted to us is small, though " sufficient for us ;" and the consolations vouchsafed unto us, are known only to ourselves. But in that day the kingdom will be given us in the presence of the whole universe"; and our happiness shall be commensurate with our capacities and desires. What we partake of now, we obtain by diligent pursuit. What we receive then, shall be " brought unto us" freely by the hand of Jesus himself.]
In the meantime it becomes us to seek it with all earnestness.
II. In what manner we ought to seek it —
The directions given by the Apostle are very suit- able and instructive —
He recommends to us three things :
1. Activity of mind —
[The Jews were accustomed to wear long garments ; these they girded about their loins, when it was needful to use ex- pedition0. By this figure, familiar to them, the Apostle re- presents our duty. Our minds are dissipated by ten thousand vanities, and our affections, for the most part, flow loosely
' 2 Cor. iv. 6. el Cor. xiii. 12. b Matt. xxv. 31.
1 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. k 2 Cor. iii. 18. compared with the text.
1 Eph. ii. 7, 8. m Zech. iv. 7. n Matt. xxv. 32, 34.
0 Luke xii. 35—37.