'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake' (Ps. cxv. 1); and as they stand around the throne with those whom God has given them as jewels in their crown of rejoicing, they will with exultant voices and thankful hearts show to whom they are willing to ascribe all, as they join in the song of the ransomed host, saying, 'Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever' (Rev. v. 13).

CHAPTER VII.

THE KINGLY OFFICE OF CHRIST.

'Day of judgment ! day of wonders
Hark, the trumpet's awful sound,
Louder than a thousand thunders,
Shakes the vast creation round;
How the summons

Will the sinner's heart confound!

'See the Judge, our nature wearing,
Clothed in majesty divine;

Ye who long for His appearing
Then shall say, "This God is mine!"

Gracious Saviour,

Own me in that day for Thine.

'At His call the dead awaken,

Rise to life from earth and sea;
All the powers of nature, shaken
By His looks, prepare to flee.
Careless sinner,

What will then become of thee?

But to those who have confessed,

Loved and served the Lord below,
He will say, "Come near, ye blessed,
See the kingdom I bestow !

You for ever

Shall My love and glory know."'

'Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.' WE must not confine ourselves to the consideration of one of Christ's attributes, neglecting others; nor view Him in one office, forgetful at the same time

of others which also He fills. The mention of a sharp two-edged sword, seen by the Apostle in this vision as proceeding out of the mouth of Christ, at once suggests to us the Christian's armour provided by God for His people engaged in conflict. Included in that armour, as detailed by the Apostle Paul, we find mention made of a sword, which is called 'the sword of the Spirit,' and of which this interpretation is given, that it is 'the Word of God' (Eph. vi. 17). So Christ's Word may be here suggested by His sword. In accordance with which we find Christ saying in prophecy, 'He (even God) hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand hath He hid me, and made me a polished shaft' (Isa. xlix. 2). But we must remember there is a word of threaten

ing as well as of mercy. Christ is not only a messenger of grace, but also a proclaimer of 'indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile' (Rom. ii. 9). The sword is used as the emblem of punishment. In this sense we find it employed when St. Paul, warning evil-doers of the power of the ruler, adds, 'For he beareth not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil' (Rom. xiii. 4). That such is the lesson intended to be taught by this

part of the vision is shown by the application which is made of it in the epistle to the church at Pergamos. There Christ, addressing them under the title of Him 'which hath the sharp sword with two edges,' further says, 'Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against thee with the sword of My mouth' (Rev. ii. 12, 16). We find in this book of the Revelation the mention of a sword especially connected with the exercise of Christ's kingly office. Thus, for instance, when this same Apostle saw in another vision one issuing forth in triumph from the opened heaven bearing the title, 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,' and on whose head were many crowns, we are distinctly told, 'Out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; and He shall rule them with a rod of iron' (Rev. xix. 15). Should any doubt remain as to the correctness of this interpretation, it may be at once removed by what is further written, 'The remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceedeth out of His mouth and all the fowls were filled with their flesh' (verse 21).

Our attention is thus directed to Christ as a King. He had long before His incarnation been prophesied of as filling this office. Of Him the psalmist sung, 'Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; the

sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre' (Ps. xlv. 6). Of Him Isaiah wrote, 'Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever' (Isa. ix. 7); and again, 'Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness' (Isa. xxxii. 1). To Him Zechariah pointed the Jews, as he called upon them, ‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee' (Zech. ix. 9); a prophecy which we are taught by the Evangelist was fulfilled in Christ riding into Jerusalem previous to His death. At the announcement of His birth by the angel to His virgin mother, we find His kingly office also shadowed forth: 'The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David' (Luke i. 32). He was recognised as a King when He was on earth-by the wise men from the east, as they put the question which troubled all Jerusalem, and made Herod quake upon his throne, 'Where is He that is born King of the Jews?' by Nathanael, as the feelings of his surprised but grateful heart found expression in saying, 'Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel' (John i. 49); by the people, who having seen His miracle of feeding the multitude, would have come and