SERMON XIII.

THE COMING OF CHRIST THE SHINING FORTH

OF LIGHT.

Feast of the Epiphany.

ISAIAH LX. 1.

ARISE! SHINE!-FOR THY LIGHT IS COME.

In the festivals of the Church, this season is called the EPIPHANY. This term is made up of two Greek words, which signify "shining on ;" and denotes the grace of GoD shining on the Gentile world. Like the glorious light of the sun-which does not illuminate every portion of the earth at once-the mercy of GOD has been gradually extended, according to His sovereign Will: and by far the greater portion of mankind, at this time, do not (however mysterious this may seem to us) rejoice in the bright beams and reviving comfort of Divine Revelation.

Consider the course which God took in making HIMSELF known, after the fall and corruption of man. He appointed sacrifices to be rendered of the blood of innocent animals, and worship to be therewith offered. He appeared HIMSELF, and gave commands to Noah,

to Abraham, and others. He took up Enoch into Heaven, to teach that there is another and a better life. But all this time, during the 2500 years, which we call the Patriarchal dispensation, there was no written Word of God for man. To this Dispensation succeeded that of Moses. Abraham's family, (with whom the covenant was established) being now grown up into a great nation, received, in their way from Egypt to Canaan, the Law from Sinai. Three great feasts, the Passover, Pentecost, and that of Tabernacles, were instituted, to remind them of their deliverance from slavery; of the giving the Law and of their being led by GOD through the wilderness of Arabia. The fast of the great day of Atonement, and a multitude of rites and ceremonies were added. The object of these was, to keep the nation separate : to prepare the world for the Coming of CHRIST-and to maintain a belief in One true GOD-Spiritual, Holy, Eternal. The Law could not take away sin. It convinced of sin. It pointed to the LAMB of GOD. It even provided forgiveness-as to this world. For, instead of life being taken, for any sin committed against GOD, a "trespass-offering was made on the altar, and the sinner was restored to the congregation. But the Law was not by any means so full or spiritual in its requirement, as the rule of the Gospel. Moses, for the hardness of their hearts, was allowed to tolerate several habits of life, which CHRIST in His Sermon on the Mount, raised to a higher degree of perfection. The grosser crimes, such as murder and adultery, were not any longer confined to the outward act. The end of this second Dispensation was answered in the expectation of the SAVIOUR, which was well nigh universal, when He appeared. It

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was answered in the fact that, at that corrupt time, when Rome and Greece and Egypt were bowing before gods of wood and stone, the nation of the Jews were found worshipping the unseen GOD by faith, reverencing His Scripture, and looking for the promised Redemp

tion.

This second Dispensation accomplished, JEsus CHRIST was born-and with HIM, life and immortality were brought to light, through the Gospel. In CHRIST was established the third, and, as we are assured in Scripture, the last Dispensation under which this world is to be proved. Under this blessed system, which the Son of GOD HIMSELF came down to consolidate, entire forgiveness is provided for the children of men; and a new life implanted and carried on in the heart, humbled and made submissive by the HOLY SPIRIT. And this blessed hope and gracious conver sion are wrought in all who by the grace of Holy Baptism, duly cherished, devote themselves to GOD, with true repentance, and steadfast faith in their SAVIOUR; while the glorious crown of redeeming love awaits the ransomed in the kingdom of their LORD.

Having set before you the three stages of Divine grace, I come next to mention the rising of the star in the East-and its guiding the Persian wise men to Bethlehem. This was an intimation from God, that the covenant of mercy was no longer to be confined to the Jews. The prophecy was clear, that the day was coming, when the Gentiles were to rejoice in communion with God's people; when they were to praise JEHOVAH, and to trust in the SAVIOUR, the Root of Jesse. Angels appeared to poor Jewish Shepherds, announcing the birth of the MESSIAH-and almost at the same time, a star rises-as a sign to the

princes of the Gentiles, and guides their way to the very feet of HIM, feet of HIM, who was at once a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel." Now, was that Mystery to be brought to pass, which the Jewish mind found it so hard to receive, that there was "no difference"-that the same LORD was rich in mercy to all that should call on HIM." No longer was the worship of the Temple to be the badge of God's servants; but Faith in the SAVIOUR, Working by love and purifying the heart, and training for Heaven, was to justify and comfort the soul. The LORD proclaimed His Death to be a Sacrifice for all; and Cornelius, directed by the SPIRIT of GOD, was the first of a long line of believers from among the Gentiles, amongst whom we also have been elected into the family of GOD.

Such was the gradual course of the dealings of GOD, and such His Manifestation of CHRIST to the Gentiles, by the leading of a Star. But it will greatly tend to clear and strengthen our view, if we refer to the first lesson for this morning's service, the first words of which are selected for the text :-" Arise! shine!-for thy Light is come!"

The REDEEMER seems to address His Church as if depressed and fallen to the earth :-" Arise! and as darkened shine !-for thy Light is come": and now, after a long period of blindness and corruption, and suffering, and opposition, the Glory of the LORD was arisen amongst His people. While some degree of fear-holy, reverential fear-was excited at the mighty doings of the LORD, the Church was to behold the gathering of the Redeemed, and to exult in the praise of the LORD, that should be offered. In that day, instead of the heaviness which wearies all of us in our

worship, and hinders some from worshipping at all, the servants of GoD are to flee to HIм, and find peace before His Throne, as the dove fleeth to the restingplace of her peaceful abode. Every prayer shall be rendered with acceptance, and the LORD shall glorify His House with His Glory.

The events are, according to the custom of Scripture, gathered together in one, though following in succession. The spreading of the Gospel as a witness among the Gentile nations is declared, especially in the East and West and great promises seem to belong to the Jews from this chapter. At that time when "all Israel shall be saved," the fulness of the Gentiles having first come in, the Gentiles, though for so many years either cruel or neglectful in their conduct to the Jews, shall at that time be brotherly and kind. It is implied that they shall give ready assistance in restoring the ruined city Jerusalem. The Gentile is described as ministering unto the children of Abraham. Their kings are seen joining to pay homage to the once-despised, now exalted, city of Sion. The choicest trees of the forest are chosen to adorn the sanctuary of GoD, and instead of being forsaken, as of old, Jerusalem is to become an eternal excellency, the joy of many generations. But there is one mark of honour which will exalt it far above all, and that is the very Presence of the REDEEMER HIMSELF. "I will make the place of My Feet to be glorious." "The Name of the LORD GOD is to be there; the LORD GOD is to be an everlasting Light: and GOD is to be the Glory of His Church." When we couple these declarations with the more open promises of CHRIST, that the Jews should, in time, welcome HIM, crying" Blessed is HE that cometh in the Name of the