On this day we should by no means omit to celebrate the praise of
creation. To be a memorial of this great work of the Almighty, the
Sabbath was originally instituted. Shall we then lose sight of the
original design of the institution, or even throw it into the shade as
a matter of secondary importance? Is not the soundness of that system
of theology to be suspected, which would teach us to do so? Some, it
is true, teach us that the work of Redemption being much more
stupendous than that of creation, is therefore to be made the chief
object of our praise. But however plausible this sentiment may seem,
it is a sufficient answer to say it is not contained in the
Scriptures. How much more vast the work of Redemption is than that of
creation, we pretend not to say, as we are not able to measure the
extent of either. To say which work makes the most powerful impression
upon our minds, and fills us with more sublime ideas, is more easy.
But that is no criterion by which to judge of their relative
magnitude. Let it even be conceded that Redemption exceeds in glory
the work of creation, still, whence do we _derive_ those powers by
which we estimate its glory? Whence did we obtain those faculties by
which we contemplate the great scheme of Redemption, and know that it
is glorious? Is it not to the wisdom and goodness of God as displayed
in creation, that we are indebted for all these? And what are the
_objects_ upon which Redemption is accomplished? Are they not
_created_ objects? And what is the _effect_ which redemption has upon
them? Is it not that of putting an end to the disorders which sin has
introduced, and bringing them to their original glory? Is not the
final result of redemption to be that of bringing man back to that
state of holiness and rectitude which the work of creation originally
bestowed upon him? How then can the praise of Redemption be
celebrated, without celebrating the praise of creation also? The one
certainly leads directly to the other. So that if Redemption
accomplish its proper fruits upon us, it will lead us to be still more
devout in observing the proper memorial of the Creator's works.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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