ludes the worshippers, but interposes some visible symbols of his presence and power, while he keeps behind the scenes. Even if he could render himself personally visible, he could hardly hope in that case to secure the homage and submission of his worshippers; and though his symbols may be erected everywhere, he could not be personally present in innumerable different places.

54. It is obvious to suppose that, if in all his influence and interference with men, his agency and his evil purposes were distinctly recognized, the freedom of their wills would be affected by additional and different motives from those by which they are legitimately and properly governed; and in such a case the course of events might, and perhaps necessarily would be widely different from that which now occurs. As things actually are, in this respect, the guilt of their actions is all their own, and the guilt of Satan's acts is all his own.

55. So on the other hand, in the case of converted men; all the virtue and praiseworthiness of their holy acts belongs to them, though there be an influence of the Holy Spirit concerned in every one of them. Such acts are performed in view of rational and Scriptural motives, and are strictly their own acts. They are conscious of no influence but that of such motives; though as matter of doctrine and theory they know that their first and all their subsequent holy acts, and especially their most distinguished acts of piety, selfdenial and obedience, are occasioned, or to be referred to the divine influence.

56. Whatever of mystery there may be in either of these cases is to be referred either to what relates to the nature of free agency in rational creatures, or what relates to the actual system of visible manifestation.

57. With respect to the latter, it is plain that neither the effects of the divine influence or agency in the one case, nor the reality, object, or results of the agency of Satan in the other, could be manifested otherwise than by the outward and visible, audible or otherwise observable acts of men.

58. If, therefore, in referring to the acts of wicked men, whether of impiety towards God, or of falsehood and cruelty towards each other, we ascribe them to the instigation of Satan, we do not transcend the warrant of Scripture either in respect to his agency, or their accountability. Their acts are in innumerable instances not less atrocious, not less impious, injurious and abominable than those mentioned in the Scriptures as directly instigated by Satan. Their infidelity and impiety, their idolatries and blasphemies, committed even with the Bible in their hands; their dishonesty, covetousness and oppression; their cruelties, persecutions and murders, are, to say the least, not less flagrant and horrible than any of those of infernal instigation which are noticed in the Scriptures. The truth is that they are subject to him, his captives, under his tyrannical and malevolent influence, led by him at his will. He is their enemy, deceiver, tempter, destroyer. By them, he, in a great measure, carries on his hostility to the Mediator and his redeemed people,

and by their instrumentality his evil designs and acts are rendered visible. He tempts men when he sees by their conduct that they are predisposed to act out the wickedness which he instigates. Thus in the case of David, Ananias and others specially mentioned in the Scriptures.

CHAPTER IV.

THE WORK OF THE MEDIATOR CONSIDERED AS INDICATING BY THE NATURE AND VASTNESS OF ITS OBJECTS AND THE EVENTS AND ANALOGIES OF ITS PROGRESS, THE VISIBILITY AND GLORY OF HIS FUTURE MANIFESTATIONS.

1. THE mediatorial work of Christ has been contemplated as comprising the creation, preservation, and government of all creatures; as characterized by outward and visible manifestations; and as including a prolonged conflict with Satan and his adherents. The view which has been taken naturally suggests the inquiry, Whether the future is to be in like manner characterized by similar and more glorious outward and visible manifestations? Whether the Son of God in finally obviating the ruins of the fall, consummating his triumph over all enemies, and successfully establishing his empire, will again personally appear, not as before in a state of humiliation, but in the majesty and splendor of his regal office? That such may be the case will doubtless be admitted by

all.

That it will be, is the decided conviction of some, founded on their view and mode of interpreting the prophecies. The following observations and suggestions are offered as obviously arising from the preceding view, which obliges us to suppose that the result of the conflict which has hitherto given to the scene on earth so much of its character, and of the final consummation of the purposes and dispensations

of the past, will be signalised in such a manner as to display to the universe the transcendent majesty, glory, righteousness and power of the Mediator.

2. It has been noticed as indicated in the Scriptures, that the great scene, which, since the creation, has been passing on the earth, has been diligently and closely observed by the created intelligences of other worlds, that they attain their knowledge of the invisible One in the same way as man: namely, by observing his works, and the various manifestations of his perfections, counsels, and purposes, which are brought within their cognizance; and, that these means of knowledge are exhibited to them as well as to men, by the Son of God, in the official and peculiar relation which he sustains to all intelligent creatures, as the medium of divine manifestation, intercourse and fellowship.

3. All created natures are therefore deemed to be concerned in his work. In its connection with them it forms the great moral scene of the universe. In its progress a vivid exhibition is made of the apostacy, corruption and wickedness of fallen angels and men; of the curse denounced upon the earth and its inhabitants; of the inadequacy of all human devices, all means and motives addressed to men as moral agents, all providential restraints, divine laws, promises, warnings and threatenings, to reclaim and save any of the fallen race; and of the interposition of infinite wisdom, power and grace to rescue a portion of the human family, counteract and vanquish the adversary, subvert all enemies, retrieve the ruins of the fall,