from other men. him in his character, conduct, and appearance, The glory of the sun, is his effulgence and influence. The word glory, when applied to the blessed God, seems to denote that manifestation of himself, by which his intelligent creatures are capable of knowing him; for in himself, he is infinite, inaccessible, and incomprehensible, and dwelleth in that light which no man, which no creature, can approach unto*. Of this manifestation there are various degrees. His glory shines in the creation. Not only do the heavens declare it by their immensity†, and furnish us with an idea of his unspeakable greatness, who has sent forth ten thousand worlds to tell us, that he resides above them all; but the smallest of his works, the grass and flowers of the field, and the insects which creep upon the ground‡, bear an impression of his wisdom and goodness, an inimitable criterion of his wonder-working hand, which so far displays his glory. To an attentive and discerning mind, his glory shines in his providence; in his preserving the world which he has made; in supplying the various wants of his creatures, and particularly in his moral government of mankind. Here, besides his wisdom, power, and general goodness, we discover some traces of his character as the righteous judge of the earth. But to our limited capacities and views, this glory is obscured by many difficulties. Though righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne, * 1 Tim. vi. 16. Psal. xix. 1. yet clouds and darkness are round about him*. By his holy word, his revealed will, we are favoured with a still brighter display of his glory, in the perfections of holiness, justice, truth, and mercy, which fallen man is unable clearly to discover in his works of creation and providence. But chiefly his Son is the brightness` of his glory, and the express image of his persont. No one hath seen God at any time, but the only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, intimately acquainted with his counsels, he hath declared him. This was the great design of his advent, to make God known to man; for as it is life eternal to know the only true God, so he is only to be known in and by Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent, and who is the way and the door, and there is no entrance to the knowledge of God but by him. In the person and work of MESSIAH, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, the brightness and harmony of all his attributes, is transcendently revealed. In this sense, he is the Lord the King of glory. When we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit, to conceive of him according to the testimony given of him in the scripture, we see the glory of God. Other discoveries of it are but scattered rays and emanations of light; but in Jesus the glory of God resides in its source and fulness, as light in the sun. He is therefore the King of glory. * Psal. xcvii. 2. † Heb. i. 3. John xvii. 3. IV. As the acknowledged King of glory, in the nature of man, he ascended; the everlasting gates unfolded wide, and he entered into the holy place, not made with hands, there to appear in the presence of God for his people, 1. As their representative. The glory is properly his own, the benefit redounds to his people. Sin has excluded them from the kingdom, but he claimed and took possession, in their name*. Hence he is styled their forerunner, because by virtue of their relation to him, and their interest in him, they shall surely follow him. This is the encouragement of believers. He is the head of his body the church; and though the church, while in this world, is in a suffering perilous state, yet as the body of a man is not in danger of drowning, while his head is out of the water, so our forerunner and head being in heaven on their behalf, he will assuredly draw all his living members to himself. He has said, Because I live ye shall live also† stipulated for them, that they shall, each in his appointed time, be with him where he is, to behold his glory‡. And he has 2. As their high priest and intercessor. He presents their persons and their prayers acceptable to God. He bears the iniquity of their holy things. With this encouragement, weak and unworthy as they are in themselves, and though their best services are polluted, they find a liberty of access; and because he ever liveth, thus to make intercession for all who come unto God *Heb. vi. 20. John xiv. 19. Ibid xvii. 24. by him*, they know that he is able to save them to the uttermost. 3. Though the heavens may receive and contain the holy human nature, till the restitution of all things, he is not unmindful of them in their present circumstances. He is seated upon the throne of universal dominion, and he exercises his authority and rule, with an especial view to their welfare. While he pleads for them on high, by the power of his Spirit he is present with them below. He comforts their hearts, enlivens their assemblies, and manages their concerns. He is their shepherd, who gives them food, controuls their enemies, revives their fainting spirits, and restores their wanderingst. His ear is open to their prayers, his eye is upon them in every situation, and his arm stretched forth for their relief. Therefore though persecuted, they are not forsaken; though cast down, they are not destroyed. And he has promised that he will not leave them, until he has done all that for them, which his word has taught them to hope for; until he has made them victorious over all their enemies, and put the conqueror's song in their mouths, and a crown of life upon their heads. This High and Holy One, this King of glory, who is seated on the throne of heaven, dwelleth also in the humble and lowly spirit. He thus solemnly claims the throne of the heart of each of his people, which in a state of nature is usurped by self and Satan; and he is thus willingly acknowledged and admitted, in the day of his † Psal. xxiii. *Heb. vii. 25. power. Behold he stands at the door and knocks*; and because he is as yet unknown, he is for a while rejected. The bolts and bars of prejudice and unbelief withstand his entrance. But when he comes on a purpose of grace, he will take no denial. For a season he waits to be gracious. But he has an appointed hour, when he reveals his great name, and makes the soul sensible who he is! Then the gates of brass and bars of iron are broken before him. His greatness and his goodness, what he is in himself, and what he has done and suffered for sinners, are motives which cannot be resisted when they are truly understood. Satan, who, as the strong one armed, long laboured to hinder him from his rightful possession, is himself dispossessed. The soul laments its former obstinacy, throws down its arms, throws wide open its doors, and bids the King of glory welcome. Then old things pass away, and all things become new. Such was the change the poor man experienced, out of whom Jesus cast a legion of evil spirits. At first, if he could, he would have prevented his kind purpose; he was afraid of his deliverer and said, I beseech thee torment me not. How wretched was his state then, miserable in himself, and a terror to others! But what a wonderful and happy alteration, when he sat quietly at his Saviour's feet, clothed and in his right mind! I close the subject with the apostle's inference, Seeing then that we have so great a high priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Let * Rev. iii. 20. + Mark v. 7. + Heb. iv. 14. |