That which is hidden in darkness is not so effectually hidden as that which is hidden in light: for "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." What BE hides in His own light, no creature can Ind. The creature can grope in darkness and hope to find, or can accustom the eye to see where darkness is not perfect; but light closes, through its feebleness, the eye. Our guilt-where is it? The Lamb that died in our stead is alive again, in the midst of the throne, and that which proclaims what we were in ourselves, proclaims what God is in Himself, and what we are in Christ.
The principle of democracy is, that man has the right to choose his own rulers, the people being the source of power; though he may choose them according to certain qualities of which he is judge. The principle of ministry is the same amongst Presbyterians and Dissenters. They add, in one way or another, a certain investiture for its performance. The will of man is the principle common to democracy and radicalism, in things civil; and to Presbyterianism and dissent in things religious.
He who insists upon the gifts of God, is evidently upon an altogether different ground. Gifts that come from heaven have nothing to do with human expediency.
The more crooked the mind, the oftener will the straightforwardness of Christ our Savior have to cross it.