hat is the level of the lapsed fallen wisdom of earth's
wise. How does it compare with Solomon's? We may almost say as earth
to heaven,--hardly that,--rather as hell to earth. Solomon, then,
clearly shows us the _highest possible conception of the creature's
approach to his Creator_. This is as far as man could have attained,
let him be at the summit of real wisdom. His reason would have given
him nothing beyond this. It tells him that man is a creature, and it
is but the most simple and necessary consequence of this that his
approach to his Creator should be with all the reverence and humility
that is alone consistent with such a relationship.

But high indeed as, in one point of view, this is, yet how low in
another, for is one heart-throb stilled? One tormenting doubt removed?
One fear quieted? One deep question answered? One sin-shackle
loosened? _Not one_. The distance between them is still the distance
between earth and heaven. "God is in heaven, and thou upon earth."
Nor can the highest, purest, best of human reason, as in this wise and
glorious king, bridge over that distance one span! "Fear thou God" is
the sweetest comfort he can give,--the clearest counsel he can offer.
Consider him again, I say, my brethren, in all his nobility, in all his
elevation, in all his bitter disappointment and incompetency.

And now, my heart, prepare for joy, as thou turnest to thy own blessed
portion. For how rich, how precious, how closely to be cherished is
that which has gone so far beyond all possible human conception,--that
wondrous revelation by which this long, long distance 'twixt earth and
heaven has been spanned completely. And in whom? JESUS, The Greater
than Solomon. We have well considered the less,--let us turn to the
Greater. And where is that second Man to be found? Afar off on earth,
with God in heaven? No, indeed. "For when He had by Himself purged
our sins He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high"; and
"seeing, then, that we have a great high priest, that is passed
_through the heavens_, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our
confession." Oh, let us consider Him together, my brethren. In
holiest Light our Representative sits. He who but now was weighted
with our guilt, and made sin for us, is in that Light ineffable,
unapproachable. Where, then, are the sins? Where, then, the sin?
Gone for all eternity! Nor does His position vary at all with all the
varying states, f