SERMON IX.

REVELATION VI. 2.

"AND I SAW, AND BEHOLD A WHITE HORSE: AND

HE THAT SAT ON HIM HAD A BOW; AND A CROWN WAS GIVEN UNTO HIM: AND HE WENT FORTH CONQUERING, AND TO CONQUER."

THE vision here described is that which presented itself to the eyes of St. John, on the opening of the first seal of that book, spoken of in the beginning of the preceding chapter. The Evangelist there says, "I saw in the hand of Him that sat on the throne, a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals;" or as the words more probably mean, "written within and sealed on the outside with seven seals." This book thus written and closely secured, was an emblem of the secret decrees and purposes of God relative to future events. And a strong angel is represented as inquiring, who was worthy to open it and to loose the seals thereof. But no created being, either angel in heaven, or man on earth, or spirit of man whose body lay beneath the earth, was able or worthy to open it.-There was one, however, who prevailed to do so,-one before whom the four-and-twenty elders fell down and sang

a new song, saying, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." This was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; who is called in this chapter "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah," in token of His power and victories; and the "Root of David," as springing in His human nature from the decayed root of David's family, and in being in respect of his Godhead, the root from which David sprang. He it was who being by His almighty, though invisible power, the chief actor in the events to be predicted, was alone worthy to open the book and loose the seals. Accordingly in the verse preceding my text, we read that He opened one of the seals, and forthwith one of the living creatures who surrounded the throne, summoned the Evangelist with a voice like the voice of thunder to come and see what passed. And he saw, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering and to conquer."

The prophetic symbols introduced in this chapter, are considered by the best authorities, to have a primary reference to the events of the first three centuries of the Christian era, up to the time when Christianity became (under Constantine) the established religion of the vast Roman Empire. And if this view be correct, the vision under the first seal

described in our text, will relate to events which took place in the first century. But though it may, and doubtless does, refer in the first instance to this period of the Church's history, the vision before us evidently sets forth, and that too in very lively and expressive imagery, the character and the resistless progress of the Redeemer's cause in the world: and it is in this remote and more general view of the subject, that I wish to bring it before you to-day. Let me first, however, explain very briefly, the imagery of the text. "I saw, and behold a white horse." The horse which is an emblem of strength and speed, may denote the rapid progress which the Gospel was to make, and which it did make, in the first age of Christianity; and the colour being white, the emblem of purity, may denote the justice and purity of the means by which this holy cause was to be promoted. The advancement of Christ's cause was to be effected by none of the violence, and cruelty, and oppression which mark the steps of an earthly conqueror: as His subjects, when fairly subdued and brought to acknowledge and love His rule, were to be all righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, so their subjection was to be accomplished, not by the force of human arms, but by the gentler though not less powerful influence of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, we read that He who sat thereon had a bow. This was the instrument with which His warfare was to be carried on and His victories achieved. There is a great similarity between the imagery

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here and that employed in the 45th Psalm, to dedescribe the same conquest of the Messiah, and a comparison of the two passages will enable you the better to understand both. There the prophetic Psalmist says, "thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies, whereby the people fall under thee." These arrows then are the arrows of conviction and persuasion, shot from the bow spoken of in our text; in other words, they are the convincing and persuasive influence of the word of God, which the King Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, sends forth into the world to penetrate and subdue the hard hearts of sinners. They are said to be sharp in the heart of the King's enemies. For all are enemies to God, until they have heard of Christ, and His Gospel has been proclaimed to and embraced by them. Then, however, their stony hearts are penetrated and softened, and they become obedient subjects; yea, loving and faithful friends. The bow might also denote that He who carried it had the means and the power to destroy those who should obstinately resist him. If neither His persuasions and entreaties, nor His gentle chastisements, nor His encouraging promises, will avail to subdue sinners to Himself, He will at length be compelled to visit them with the marks of His just indignation. Those who will not be subdued by His grace, must in the end be crushed by His power. Hence to Him who sat upon the white horse a crown was given in token of sovereignty of dominion, and of the success

and final triumph of His cause. It might also indicate His kingly office,-the rule which He bears over His subjects. Those who are subdued by His grace thankfully acknowledge Him as their king, and are governed by His righteous laws. Indeed, His law is written in their hearts, and rules supremely there. This exalted personage thus adorned, and equipped, went forth, as the Evangelist describes him, conquering and to conquer; bearing down all opposition, and destined to obtain new victories, until all things should be subdued unto Him.

The text, then, in this its more enlarged meaning and import, will furnish us with some important and interesting matter for consideration. It will lead us to consider the nature and extent of the Redeemer's spiritual victories. And may God, the Holy Spirit, by whose gracious and mighty influence those victories are achieved, be present with us now, to subdue those hearts which have not yet submitted to Him, and to cheer and comfort those which have already received Him as their king.

Let us then view our adorable Redeemer1st. As the conqueror of His own people's enemies.

2ndly. As subduing the hearts of a people to Himself.

3rdly. As leading His submissive subjects to further and final victory.

View Him (first) then as the conqueror of His own and His people's enemies. The great enemies