For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

"Of Him, Through Him, And To Him Are All Things." Such is the sublime sentiment of this passage:—and it is in harmony with others which the pages of inspiration furnish,—both in its abstract truth, and in the spirit, or posture and emotion of mind, with which the sentiment is uttered. For in this Book, we many a time meet with sentiments, such as are in themselves noble and elevated,—but which are rendered still more lofty and impressive, by the form in which they are presented. Thus it is in the text. It is not the abstract sentiment of the divine supremacy merely that is didactically brought before us. We have it in union with the devotion which it is fitted to inspire. We see the effect of the contemplation of it on the mind of the writer. We see that mind expanding itself to its utmost enlargement, to take in the vast conception:—his heart, at the same time, swelling with rapturous emotion;—his soul, sinking under an abasing sense of its own nothingness,—and yet rising to conscious elevation, in feeling itself capable, even how inadequately soever, of contemplating the grandeur of Godhead: —his eye lifted to heaven, filled with the tear—the trembling tear—of holy transport! The effect thus produced upon our minds is unspeakably more impressive. We catch the spirit by which the devout worshipper is animated. Our spiritual sympathies are awakened. We not only apprehend abstract truth; we feel the impulse of piety;—we kindle at his ardour;—we cease to speculate;—we adore;—with kindred fervour, we join in his devout exclamation—" O the depth of the riches, and wisdom, and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."Ralph Wardlaw