November 30

The King in his beauty.—Isaiah 33:17.

Jesus said to Pilate, thou sayest truly, I am a king. And who can contemplate Christ's regal character, without exultation and delight. His glory is underived, universal, and eternal; his dominion extends throughout the universe, over all worlds. But the prophet speaks of his beauty. And if beauty consists of an assemblage of agreeable graces, then Jesus is the perfection, the model of beauty. All graces adorn his mind, all excellencies distinguish his character. As in the rainbow, there is the combination of beautiful colors; so in Jesus, all that is lovely and soul charming is concentrated. What meekness, what gentleness, what goodness, and what compassion distinguish the Prince of Peace! All that is holy, all that is wise, all that is benignant, and all that is sweet and gracious, dwells in his divine and glorious mind. He is infinitely fairer than the sons of men. Angels captivated with his charms, and glorified spirits sing,

"Lord! tis an infinite delight,

To see thy lovely face,

To dwell whole ages in thy sight,

And feel thy vital rays."

Of Moses it is said, that he was exceedingly fair and lovely in his person, but a greater than Moses is here. Yea, could all that is interesting and pleasing, be abstracted from all the excellent men who have dwelt upon earth, and all the celestial spirits of heaven, we should only behold so many faint rays, which had been reflected from the infinite beauties of the Saviour's lovely face. And the believer has the promise, that he shall see the King in his beauty. He does so by faith now. Now, there is no name so sweet, no object so lovely to his soul. But if faithful to death, he shall have a glorious vision of Christ, he shall see him as he is, and bask in the refulgent beams of his glory for ever and ever.

"The King's mysterious Deity,

We soon with open face shall see,

The beatific sight;

Shall fill heaven's sounding courts with praise,

And wide diffuse the golden blaze,

Of everlasting light."