our iniquity," but must by faith transfer it to the sacred head of Jesus, who atoned for it on the cross, and through whom alone we can ever find acceptance with Godg.]
3. A thankful heart —
[This is a tribute most justly due to Him, who has loaded us with so many benefits, but, above all, has redeemed us by the blood of his only-begotten Son. The command given us is, " Rejoice evermore ;" " Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice." This is a sacrifice peculiarly pleasing to
Godh and "the very stones will cry out against us,"
if we should refuse to offer it1.]
4. An obedient heart —
[This is the crown of all. It is the end of all. For this we repent ; for this we believe ; for this we give thanks to God : all without this were only a solemn mockery. It is in order to this that God has vouchsafed to us so many mercies k And we may be well assured, that every act of obe- dience, however small, if only it proceed from an humble, believing, and thankful heart, shall be accepted of him1.]
Reasonable as such a sacrifice is, we are shocked to see, II. In what light it is regarded by an ungodly world —
Did Pharaoh contemptuously resist the divine mandate ; did he treat the request of the Hebrews as a pretext for idleness ; and did he make it an occasion for the most cruel oppression ? Here we may see a true picture of the world at this day : it is precisely thus that religion is now opposed ;
1. With contempt —
[Pharaoh regarded the proposal of Moses as unworthy of notice. He saw no necessity for either himself or others to obey the commands of God ; nor did he believe that any evil consequences would ensue from disobedience111. And how are the requisitions, which are now made to us in Jehovah's name, attended to amongst us ? Is not this the universal cry; ' There is no need of so much religion ; we shall do very well without
their faith the sacrifice ; and says, that he should rejoice in offering (in pouring out as a libation) his own blood, to be presented to God together with it.
s John i. 29. h Heb. xiii. 15. Ps. cvii. 22. and cxvi. 17.
• Luke xix. 40. k Rom. xii. 1. • Heb. xiii. 16.
m ver. 3, 9. He calls the menaces with which God's command was enforced, " vain words."