moved; the most holy place was made manifest; and JEHOVAH was seen in glory above the mercy-seat, as on "a throne high and lifted up, and his train," (or the skirts of his robes) "filled the temple." This description evidently leads the mind to the idea of one in human form; and St. John instructs us, that the prophet at this time saw "the glory of Christ and spake of him." For indeed the glory of God is especially made known, not only to the church on earth, but also to the hosts in heaven, by the person and redemption of Emmanuelt.

Above the other worshippers, and nearest to the throne, stood the Seraphim, the most exalted of the angelick host, who glow with love and zeal like a flame of firet. These, in other respects appearing in human form, had each six wings; "with two of which they covered their faces," in token of the profound reverence with which they contemplated the majesty of the Lord, before whose uncreated glories their derived excellencies were eclipsed, and disappeared: with two of them they covered their feet, as conscious that their services, though perfectly undefiled with sin, were not worthy to be noticed by the infinite and eternal God: and with their other two wings they did fly; an emblem of the celerity, alacrity, and delight, with which they execute the mandates of their Creator. At the same time they sang aloud in responsive strains, "Holy, holy, holy is the "Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.”

* John xii, 41. † 2 Cor. iv, 6. Eph. iii, 10. 1 Pet. i, 12. + Ps. civ, 4.

Entirely filled with admiration of the divine majesty and holiness; they had no leisure to reflect with com. placency on their own endowments, or to panegyrize one another. Such employments they leave to us poor sinful mortals, who, amidst the obscurity of our fallen state, unaccustomed to contemplate any thing more splendid than the accomplishments of our fellow-sinners, are apt to shine in our own eyes, or in those of each other, like glow worms during the darkness of the night. But these bright seraphs, satisfied with the love of God, desire no other commendation; and are wholly taken up in adoring the glorious holiness of JEHOVAH.

The threefold ascription of holiness to the Lord of hosts has generally been considered as an intimation of a Trinity of persons in the Godhead, and a reference to the glory of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, displayed in the salvation of sinners.* While this song of praise was re-echoed, by the seraphim, the pillars shook at every response; and smoke, or darkness, filled the whole temple, as when it was first dedicated by Solomon. The effect which this awful scene had upon the mind of the prophet, is described in the words of the text, and the interesting passage may suggest the following subjects for our consideration

I. The causes of the prophet's distress and alarm.

II. The peculiar nature and tendency of it.

* Matt. xxviii, 18-20. Rev. iv, 8.

III. The relief and encouragement which he received: and

IV. The effects produced in his disposition and conduct.

I. The causes of the prophet's distress and alarm.

It appears at the first glance, that Isaiah was greatly disconcerted and humbled by the scene which he had been contemplating. Indeed suitable views of the divine majesty and glory always produce proportionable humility; and by this touch-stone, spiritual illumination may be distinguished from that "which knowledge puffeth up." When Job, to whose eminent piety the Lord himself had born decided testimony, had been so carried away in the warmth of controversy, as to use irreverent language concerning the dispensations of Providence; he was convinced of his presumption, and awed into submission by discoveries of the divine majesty; and exclaimed, “Behold I am vile, what shall "I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. "Once have I spoken, but I will not answer; yea,

twice, but I will proceed no further." And again, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but

now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore: I abhor my"self, and repent in dust and ashes." He seemed to himself of some consequence, while disputing with his friends, and vindicating himself from their unjust charge of hypocrisy: but when JEHOVAH spake to him from the whirlwind, he shrunk as it were into nothing, and his self-importance was changed into self-abhorrence. In like manner, when Peter saw a little of the Saviour's power and authority, in the

draught of fishes, which had been brought to his net he fell down at his feet, and said, "Depart from me, "for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

But while discoveries of the majesty of God will awe the soul into self-abasement, the knowledge of his moral excellencies is the immediate cause of those humiliating convictions, by which sinners are rendered truly penitent, and induced to welcome the salvation of the gospel. And the prophet seems to have been especially affected by that view of the glory and beauty of JEHOVAH, which was the principal subject of adoring praises to the Seraphim before the throne. While men think little of our holy God, mistake his character, or continue in great measure unacquainted with his commandments and judgments; they compare themselves with their associates in disobedience, and estimate their conduct by some defective standard. Thus enveloped in darkness, they judge favourably of themselves, imagine they possess various excellencies, and even pretend to merit in the sight of God! Nor is this the case only of the moral and virtuous, for self-love will furnish the most criminal with some palliation of their vices; they will call them by a soft name, imagine others more faulty than themselves, and endeavour to compensate for undeniable and inexcusable transgression, by some pretended good actions or qualities!

But when the Lord directs the sinner's attention to the scriptures, and makes known to him in some degree his own glorious holiness; deep conviction of sin is the infallible consequence, every plea is silenced,

and the trembling criminal is even ready to conclude himself lost beyond hope of recovery.

This fully accounts for that change, which often takes place, in the opinion that moral and amiable persons entertain of themselves, when they seriously study the holy scriptures. Their decent lives, on which they formerly reflected with abundant self-complacency, are now mentioned in very degrading language; and even their present strict and exemplary conduct is accompanied with very humble confessions of guilt and defilement. This excites the astonishment of those who judge by other rules; and they are apt to suspect, either that such persons have secretly practised very gross enormities, or that they use this language from a mere affectation of humility. But in reality the same characters and actions must appear good or bad, according to the rule or standard with which they are compared: no wonder therefore, that they who have lately become acquainted with a holy God and his perfect law, and who have learned to judge by another standard, are compelled to bring in a verdict against themselves, though before they trusted that they were righteous and despised others. Thus St. Paul "was alive without the law once; but "when the commandment came, sin revived, and he "died." He had entertained very favourable thoughts of his own moral and religious character; but when his understanding was opened to "behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," he condemned himself as the chief of sinners! nay, after all his labours and proficiency in Christianity, he was in his own esteem "less than the least of all saints!"