in a way of accommodation at least, to the eluci- dation of this most important point.
I will take occasion from it then to shew, I. The difference which God has put between his own people and others —
In their state, and nature, in their relation to God and to each other, in their prospects also, and in their end, the two descriptions of persons are widely different from each other : the one are quickened from the dead, and partakers of a divine nature ; united to Christ and to each other in one body and by one spirit ; with an heavenly inheritance before them, which they are speedily and for ever to pos- sess ; whilst the others are yet " children of the wicked one," with no other prospect than that of a banishment from the divine presence, and an ever- lasting participation with the fallen angels in their unhappy lot. But without entering into this large view of the subject, I will endeavour to shew what light the children of Israel are privileged to enjoy in,
1. Things temporal —
[In appearance, " all things come alike to all ; " or, if there be any particular difference in relation to temporal things, it is rather in favour of the ungodly. But the godly, whether they possess more or less of this world, have an enjoy- ment of it, of which the world at large are destitute, and in their present state incapable. They taste God's love in every thing; and have a more vivid apprehension of the smallest blessings, than an ungodly man has of the greatest. The "blessings" of the ungodly are, in fact, "cursed to them:" " their table is a snare to them ; " and even their bodily health and strength are made occasions of more flagrant transgres- sions against their God. To God's Israel, on the contrary, their severest afflictions are made sources of good ; insomuch that they can "glory in their tribulations15," and "take plea- sure in their sorest infirmities0." Whatever trials assault them, they "all work together for their goodd;" yea, "light and momentary as they are, they work ovit for them a far more exceeding and. eternal weight of glory e." The very best portion of the wicked is lighter than vanity ; whilst the worst of a good man's lot is received by him not only with "patience
b Rom. v. 3. c 2 Cor. xii. 10. d Rom. viii. 25. e 2 Cor. iv. 17.
74.1 DISTINGUISHING PRIVILEGES OF GOD's PEOPLE. 369
and long-suffering, but with joy and thankfulness f." Though he be the poorest of mankind, he does in effect " inherit the earth;" yea, he "inherits all things."]
2. Things spiritual — [The ungodly man is truly in darkness with respect to every thing that is of a spiritual nature. He neither does, nor can, comprehend any thing of that kind, for want of a spiritual discernment. But God's highly favoured people " have light in their dwellings," whereby they can discern things invisible to mortal eyes. The evil of sin, the beauty of holiness, the glory of Christ, the blessedness of heaven, are open to their view, and are contemplated by them with a zest which can be conceived by those only who actually experience it in their souls. What shall I say of " the light of God's coun- tenance lifted up upon them," or of " the love of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost 1 " What shall I say of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them as " a Spirit of adoption," " witnessing with their spirits that they are God's children," and " sealing them unto the day of redemption," and being " an earnest of heaven' itself" in their souls ? To attempt to describe these things would be only to " darken counsel by words without knowledge." If we should in vain attempt to convey to one immured in a dungeon a just conception of the lustre and influence of the meridian sun ; much more must we fail, if we would attempt to give to a natural man a just ap- prehension of "the things of the Spirit:" for neither have we any language whereby adecpaately to express them, nor have they any faculties whereby duly to apprehend them.]