There is a great noise among the educated men of our day, how God is to be
seen and felt, as it were, in his handyworks. True, O Lord! you are near in
everything around me—but nearer in your Son. In your heavens I behold your
wisdom; but in your Anointed I see your grace, and share your love. You are
near in your sun, moon, and stars, to convince atheists—but nearer in your
word of grace, to convert sinners, and comfort saints. My reason tells me,
that he who formed the eye, planted the ear, and put understanding into the
heart—must see, hear, and understand all things; but you are seen in more
noble and exalted views, in those graces which are infused by your Holy
Spirit into my soul. Sense and reason harmonize in this, that God made and
governs and will judge the world. You are to be acknowledged in every
breathing as the God of my life; but in a more glorious manner, in every act
of faith, and heavenly aspiration, as the life of my soul.
Human philosophy cries up 'nature' as the best mirror to
see the glory of God in; and surely, therein he is very glorious, for the
heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky preaches his handywork. But
Scriptural revelation, which is the sublimest philosophy, declares the 'face
of Jesus' to be the brightest mirror in which the glory of God can be seen,
for there it appears with a permanent and transforming luster. In the
creation of the world, his power and wisdom are admired; but in the
redemption of the world, his love and compassion are adored.
Let others please themselves with philosophical views of
the creation; but, not despising these, let me revolve the volume of
revelation, peruse the divine page, and dwell upon the plan of redeeming
love, where the glorious Trinity appears in the grand work of man's
redemption—and where all the attributes and perfections of God beam forth,
with a radiance and beauty that cannot pass through the grosser creation—but
is even too bright for the eyes of seraphim to fix upon. Here, then, I will
begin to study for eternity, and learn for the world to come!