constitute that high eternal order, the order of Melchisedek. This subject also propounds many other interesting questions respecting that illustrious priest Melchisedek; but as his eternity is the exclusive point connected with the object now in view, we must reserve our further observations on this wondrous personage to a future page. That he was an eternal being has been proved beyond a doubt; and that He who with his eternal Father has worked hitherto, has eternally provided accommodations for his eternal offspring, is also a point that cannot admit of doubt. We read in the New Testament of buildings of God, houses not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And the deductions of reason and the assertions of Scripture both unite to prove that creations o'er creations have ever and eternally succeeded one another in infinite procession. Now, as all intelligents are doomed to pass probationary states, it is highly probable that many intelligents, long antecedent to the foundation of our world, may have tarnished their innocence; or worse, many may have by disobedience fallen. And should this have been the fact, and they require the benefit of an atoning intercessor, does not reason plainly dictate that the merits of the Redeemer could alike stretch back to reach their case with equal efficacy, as we know it stretches back to reach the case of those who sinned on our globe previous to the grand propitiation being offered on the cross for the sins of the whole world; and that the merits of the Saviour were in eternal operation, the Scripture does, we think, very clearly ascertain; for that asserts that even the human race were chosen by God in Christ before the foundation of our world: "Having predestinated us (that is, through his foreknowledge how all intelligents would demean themselves, without infringing on the freedom of their wills-for it was those he did foreknow that he did predestinate) unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved, according to the riches of his grace, wherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ; both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in him." A declaration of infinite and eternal import. A declaration including all things, past, present, and to come. And as Scripture clearly proves that the infinite and eternal purpose of the infinite and eternal God was in operation as respecting man before the foundation of our world, that Christ was verily fore-ordained to be to us a Saviour before the foundation of our world, we do with certainty conclude that it was in eternal operation in behalf of all who may have sinned before the foundation of our world; (except the apostate angels ;) that Christ was verily foreordained to be to them a Saviour from all eternity; * the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.† And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and * The number of eyes described in Zechariah's vision as running to and fro throughout the whole earth. + By reigning on earth, we conceive, it must mean that they have been made, through the merits of the Lamb, rulers over many things, in a far more extensive sphere than merely on our earth. power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." As the whole of this sublime description appears to us so eminently confirmatory of the justness of the position advanced respecting those mysterious subjects, the Trinity, incarnation, and universality of the redemption procured through the great Redeemer's merits, we claim our reader's indulgence for humbly offering what we conceive a just interpretation thereof. 'The beloved apostle John commences his relation of this wondrous vision by declaring that he saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. This mysterious book, held in the right hand of the paternal Deity, we may presume contained the eternal and amazing plan, which had for ages and for generations lain hid in God in Christ;* for St. John next saw a strong angel, a celestial being of the highest and most illustrious order, demanding with a loud voice, "Who is able to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" Who is there, throughout the boundless universe, whose merit entitles their approach unto that pure and spotless Being in whose sight the heavens are not clean, and who even charges his highest hierarchs with folly? Who is there whose pretensions can entitle them * "For in Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."-Colos. iii. to pry into the counsels of omnipotence? Heaven's mightiest potentates all humbly shrunk back abashed, and St. John wept much because none was found worthy to open the book, neither to look thereon. "And one of the elders said unto him, Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Jehovah's high intent, which he purposed in himself, will now be accomplished; the mystery of his wisdom be unfolded to the mighty powers and princedoms of the great heaven of heavens, by the redemption purchased with Christ's most precious blood. They will now understand that this wonderful achievement has been wrought through the union of the highest to the lowest nature. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath glorified the Creator by delineating perfection; and hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seals thereof. "And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders," those high eternal beings of the Melchisedekian order, stood a Lamb, as it had been slain,-stood our glorified humanity, closely approximised with Deity; though displaying some outward token, some illustrious emblem of its glorious victory obtained through sufferings, but now advanced to the height of dignity" having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth;' having every * *This description of the Lamb exactly corresponds with that recited in the prophecy of Zechariah of paternal Deity. |