may be said to be only one, because the numerous parts of the system harmonize, and, like a well-constructed arch, support and strengthen each other. But in the system of error, there is nothing regular and consistent. Heretical opinions are often subversive of each other; hence, these winds are represented as ready to break out, not only from different, but from opposite points of the heavens.

5th, The greatest dangers may be near when persons are least apprehensive of them. It is exceedingly probable, that when the professors of Christianity saw one of their own religion advanced to the throne of the empire, they began to apprehend that they would now have no farther cause of alarm. The sword of persecution had been bathed for centuries in the blood of the members of the church; there was hardly an individual in this age but could tell of some of his ancestors who had fallen in these persecutions. But they had now the satisfaction to see this deadly weapon put up into the scabbard; and they flattered themselves, that it would never be drawn but in just and lawful warfare, or for the terror of evildoers, and the praise of them that did well. Little did they imagine, that Christians would soon begin to persecute one another; and that, by the mistaken, but well-meant munificence of Constantine, they would be placed in far more perilous circumstances than those from which they had just escaped. His measures were adopted with the best intentions towards the church; but he did not foresee their consequences, nor could any in that age calculate the sum of those ruinous effects

which they have produced.

214

LECTURE XLVII.

THE SEALED COMPANY.

REV. vii. 2-8. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed; and there

were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Isachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

WHEN John was contemplating the powerful agency of four angels who stood upon the corners of the earth, his attention was attracted by another angel, whose appearance was far more splendid, and who, by the badge of office which he wore, shewed that he occupied à much more dignified station than theirs. Of this angel, he gives the following account in ver. 2; And I saw another angel, &c.

This angel cannot be a created spirit: he is the Lord of angels; and therefore the angels who held the winds are represented as receiving their orders from him. The office with which he was invested was too dignified for a mere creature to fill; and the work in which he was engaged was competent to God only. Who but the Angel of God's presence can either know the election of grace, or seal them to the day of complete redemption, and secure them against harm? This angel is manifestly to be understood of Christ. He is an angel by office, the messenger of the covenant; and in the Old Tes tament Scriptures, he is more frequently pointed out by this than by any other name. As the word angel signifies a messenger, it is peculiarly fitted to remind us of his official character; for, as mediator, he came not of himself, but was sent of his Father; and in the discharge of that office he does nothing of himself, but acts according to the instructions which he received from Him that sent him. In respect of his person and excellencies, he is infinitely above angels; but, as the form in which he appeared was similar to that in which the angels had been presented to the notice of the prophet, and as the work in which he was engaged belonged to his official employment as the Saviour of the church, he therefore calls him an angel; and in order to distinguish him from the rest, he calls him another angel.

When John first saw him, he was ascending from the east. The words may be literally translated, 'I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun. Others have translated them thus; I saw another angel ascending like the rising sun.' In the song of Zacharias, he is called the day-spring from on high, Luke i. 78. But whether a formal comparison be here stated, between the rising of the sun and the Saviour, or not, it is manifest, that in this text there is an allusion to the rising of that luminary. Two things are intimated by it. First, it is fitted to impress our minds with an idea of the glory and matchless excellencies of the Saviour. In the whole system of nature there is not a more beautiful object than the sun; nor

does he ever appear in greater glory, than when he is just darting his first beams upon the earth. But the splendour of this luminary, either when he is rising upon the earth, or shining in all the effulgence of his meridian glory, is far exceeded by the loveliness of the Saviour. Truly the light of this mystical sun is sweet; and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes of the enlightened mind to behold him. When he rises upon the soul in the morning of conversion, or of renewed manifestation, his excellencies never fail to captivate the heart, and to make those who are favoured with the privilege esteem him as the chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. Other objects then appear to be beautiful only as they are gilded with his beams. Secondly, this allusion marks the relation of Jesus Christ to the church, and the incalculable benefit which she derives from him. He is the true fountain of all her light and comfort; he is the centre of her union, and the life and soul of all her genuine members. The world without the sun would not be a more dreary habitation, than the church without Christ. His influence pervades the ecclesiastical system; and it is only as his rays are reflected upon it, that any spiritual beauty and excellency can be discerned in the church.

At the time when John saw this angel ascending from the east, he had the seal of the living God. The allusion is to the office of the highest confidential servant of the crown. In every country the keeper of the seal is considered as next in station to the sovereign. When Joseph was promoted to be governor over all the land of Egypt, Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand; and at the same time declared, that, according to his word, all the people should be ruled: Only in the throne,' said he, will I be greater than thou,' Gen. xli. 40, 41, 42. When Mordecai was advanced to the same station in Shushan, the ring, or signet, with which Haman, his predecessor in office, had been intrusted, was taken from him, and given to Mordecai, Esther viii. 2. To this day the lord chancellor, or keeper of the great seal, is considered as the highest office-bearer in the state.

This figure reminds us of the Father's love to Christ. No king would be disposed to say to any subject but to one that was greatly beloved, Only in the throne will I be greater than thou; and because the Saviour of men is the well-beloved of the Father, he hath intrusted him with the management of all the concerns of his glory, John v. 20-24.-It shews the high honours of his official station. These are too dignified for a mere creature to wear; none but the Angel of God's presence was found worthy to open the book, and to look thereon.-It displays the absolute and unlimited authority of Christ. From what was said to Joseph and to Mordecai, when the seals of office were delivered, it appears that their powers were very extensive; and the powers of the chancellor in modern times we know to be more extensive than those of any other servant of the crown. The Keeper of the great seal of heaven hath power over all flesh; yea, all power in heaven and in earth is given unto him.—In fine, this representation is fitted to impress our minds with the idea of the efficiency of his administration, and the special guardianship which he exercises over the church. His bearing the seal of office is not a mere badge of distinction; for here he is represented as employed in the discharge of the important duties of his office, by going forth to protect and secure the faithful subjects of the King against harm.

This glorious personage had a great work of mercy to accomplish, in the sealing of the servants of God in their foreheads, that they might be secured against the destructive influence of the impending storm; and till this work was finished, he charged the angels of the winds to keep their station, and restrain the fury of the tempest. John heard him crying with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. It has been supposed, that the four described in verse 1, are different from those mentioned in this verse; that the first four were good angels, because they were employed in a good work, holding the winds of delusion and violence that they should not blow; but as the last had a