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XIII. BRIGHTNESS OF THE FATHER'S

GLORY.

'Who being the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.'

Heb. i. 3.

THIS beautiful title is in no other instance applied to the Saviour of the world. A similar form of expression is found, however, in one of the apocryphal books. In extolling the charms of wisdom, the author. breaks forth in the following strain:-'She is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness.'*

Dr. Clarke presents the motto in a circumlocutory phrase: The resplendent out-beaming of the essen

tial glory of God.'

We are to understand by the title, that in Jesus we behold the brightest exhibition of the glory of God that was ever made to our race. It is well expressed by the Apostle: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'t

A few remarks on the glory of God may not be inappropriate. In the writings of Moses, it signifies generally the Divine Presence.

* Wisdom vii. 26. † 2 Cor. iv. 6.

In other instances,

Exod. xxiv. 16, 17.

it appears to have a still higher meaning. For instance, the Leader of Israel, at one time, earnestly desired God to show him his glory. The reply was, 'I will make all my goodness pass before thee.'*

Several times Jesus alludes to the glory of Him who sent him. He presents a test to prove the purity of his heart and the authority of his mission:-' He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.'t

But we shall find at the grave of Lazarus one of the most remarkable displays of divine glory that was exhibited during the lifetime of our blessed Lord. When told of his illness, he said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God.' * * * While at the grave, Martha seems to express doubts respecting the possibility of bringing forth her brother from the dead. Jesus replies, 'Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God?' It was on the same occasion, too, that Jesus made that bold and triumphant declaration:-'I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'‡

It would seem then that God's glory was manifested in the resurrection of Lazarus to a temporary existence, and of course, to all the ills of life. Admitting this, there must certainly be a far greater glory in raising all mankind to a state of incorruptibility and everlasting enjoyment.

Jesus then is the brightness of the Father's glory. In him, we behold the moral excellencies that dwell in the Deity. God has indeed, come sensibly near to *Exod. xxxiii. 18-23. † John vii. 18.

John xi. 1-46.

BRIGHTNESS OF THE FATHER'S GLORY.

51

us in his Son. In what a grand and dignified style, does the Apostle introduce this subject in the opening of his epistle to the Hebrew church :

'God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.'*

If we would see the glory of our Father in heaven, we have only to turn to his Son. As the golden orb of day exhibits to us the natural light and glory of God, so Jesus exhibits to us the moral glory of the Father of the universe.

Well did the poet express this subject:-

'The spacious earth and spreading flood
Proclaim the wise, the powerful God;

And thy rich glories from afar
Sparkle in every rolling star.

But in thy Son a glory shines,
Drawn out in far superior lines;
The lustre of redeeming grace

Outshines the beams of nature's face.'

Heb. i. 1-3.

XIV. CAPTAIN.

'For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.'

Heb. ii. 10.

WITH the first part of this passage we have nothing to do. It would, indeed, be going into a wide range of subject, to show in what manner all things are for Christ, and by him. The language was evidently intended to show the greatness of the possessions of our Captain, and the extent of his power. Our labor is sufficiently extensive when confined to the signification of each name.

The motto is the only instance of the application of the word to Christ. God himself is thus distinguished in the address of Abijah to Jeroboam and his army.* Commentators generally suppose Christ is intended in one of the admirable chapters in Isaiah, where God has beautifully mingled his invitations and promises: ‘Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.'t These names will be found in their appropriate places.

Without dwelling particularly on the import of the title, which must be obvious to every reader, we shall present the whole subject under three divisions.

I. The manner in which the Captain of our salvation was made perfect.

II. The commands of our Captain.

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III. The importance of following him.

I. The manner in which the Captain of our salvation was made perfect. It was through suffering. The characters of the wise and good have all been formed in the school of adversity. Prosperity corrupts and enervates the heart. Neither nations nor individuals can be perfected by prosperity. It may be laid down as a political axiom that no nation can ever rise to the highest point of glory unless it is carried through scenes of suffering. Were all suffering now, with man's weakness, to be removed from our world, most of the virtues would cease to exist. Suffering calls forth the noblest feelings of man, hist love, pity and compassion. Man, without affliction, is like the marble in the quarry; possessing all its veins of beauty, but needing the hand of the sculptor to bring them to view.

It was in this way that our Captain was perfected. He was prepared by constant suffering for all the trying scenes which marked his eventful life. Nothing else could have ever brought out to the world such a variety of moral excellencies. His whole life was grand, striking and beautiful. But, if we would see it in all its glory, we must follow him to Calvary and see him die. He had shown to the world brighter examples of virtue, patience and resignation than had ever been seen before, but when he exclaimed, while expiring on the cross, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,' his character was perfected. It received the last touch from the Divinity. From that hour he became a perfect example throughout all time; he then taught man how to live and how to die. Never was a character at the same time so

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