r ever and ever, it celebrates his eternal
pre-existence and existence to eternal ages. Presented to him as God, it
acknowledges that infinitude of perfection which none can by searching
find out, but all moral creatures are bound to adore--the
incomprehensible Spirit whom, though infinite in being, no man hath
seen, nor can see. Addressed to him as the God of heaven and of the
earth, it hails with reverence the overwhelming display of might
omnipotent, wisdom boundless, goodness unlimited, and sovereignty
absolute, made in the creation and upholding of matter and immortal
spirits--and the holiness, justice, goodness, and truth evolved in the
constitution of all created things. Made by his name as Lord of all, it
gives acknowledgment to his infinitely wise and sovereign allotments to
angels and men--to his undivided sovereignty over the numerous hosts of
creation--to his title to the universal homage and continued obedience
of all--to the glory of the adorable Lawgiver to heaven and earth, the
present witness and future judge of his moral, though rebellious
subjects--and to the unimpeachable rectitude of an administration that
comprehends heaven, and earth, and hell, and extends from the origin of
creatures to eternity. Sworn to him as the Amen, his truth and
faithfulness keeping mercy and truth from generation to generation with
gratitude it proclaims. And however used, it recognises him as the
avenger of the oppressed, the friend of those who keep the truth, and
the just God taking vengeance upon those who dishonour his name, or
otherwise transgress his commands. But, above all, it gives honour to
him as the God of salvation. To his sovereign mercy in providing
deliverance for men from the days of eternity; to his sovereign kindness
in proclaiming himself as a Saviour, and holding intercourse with men in
order to their recovery from a state of condemnation; to his wondrous
grace displayed in the government of all things for the good of his
church, and in affording means of a reverential appeal to himself in the
duties of religion, and especially in swearing by his name, it gives
testimony in a manner peculiar to itself. Heaven, earth, and hell--the
past, the present, and the future--the time that now is, the final
audit, and an endless eternity--and above all, God himself, who can be
compared with none other, at once it recognises as present. How solemn
the performance of the act! God it invokes in every aspect of his