and the Roman of ancient time, or to the heathen philosopher of the modern,—to inquire whether there be a God, and to study sedulously the appearances of the material universe, to ascertain whether there are any proofs there of design, any indications of a Great Intelligence and Will. This task of groping for a God, is no longer necessary to him on whom "the light has risen,"—the "Sun of Righteousness," Jesus, the "Morning Star." We read, that at the coming of the Lord, "the people which sat in darkness, saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light was sprung up."[1] By the manifestation of God in the flesh, light sprung up to the nations; the incomprehensible Godhead made Himself comprehensible to men—the invisible became visible. Shall we, then, throw ourselves back into that former darkness again?—shall we return and sit set down once more in the "region and shadow of death?" Need we painfully search for God, now, in the earth, instead of raising our eyes at once to the heaven where He is, for thither we know He ascended eighteen hundred years ago? Shall we look for our God only in the imperfect mirror of His material works, where at best He can be seen but by reflected light,—when we can fix our eyes full upon Jesus, "the express image of His Person," Himself the very "Light of the world?" It is well "to look through nature up to nature's God;" but it is better to look at nature's God Himself, as He is manifested and made visible to us in the glorious Person of the "Word made flesh," the Lord Jesus Christ.
- ↑ Matt. iv. 16.
