II. The duty which we owe him in reference to it —
This, though already in a measure anticipated, may with great propriety be now more distinctly noticed.
1. We should acknowledge him in the mercies we have received at his hands —
[Sure I am, that his preventing goodness is by no means appreciated as it ought to be. We see others sick and dying ; and little think to whom we owe it, that their lot has not been awarded to us. We are restored after sickness ; and how soon do we forget the hand that has delivered us l ! Nor are we less insensible of our obligations to God for preservation from great and heinous sins ; whereas, if we noticed the falls of others who were in every respect as likely to stand as our- selves, we should be filled with wonder and admiration at the distinguishing mercies vouchsafed unto us. Even converting grace, alas ! how little gratitude does it excite in our hearts ! We can see clearly enough the goodness of God to Israel in bringing them out of Egypt, and in making them a peculiar people to himself, whilst their Egyptian taskmasters were left to perish. But " that deliverance, though glorious, had no glory," in comparison with that which is vouchsafed to us. But I call on all to look at the mercies which they have ex- perienced, and at the means by which they have been procured for a ruined world. The tree that heals us has been felled : the Saviour has been " wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities ; and by his stripes we are healed." Yes, the Saviour himself has died, that we may livem. Shall any one, then, that has experienced the virtue of his blood and the efficacy of his grace, not bless him ? O ! let every soul stir himself up to praise his God, and break forth like David, " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name ! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits ; who forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thy diseases*1 \ "]
2. We should apply to him for the mercies which we may yet stand in need of —
[Wherefore does the Saviour proclaim to us his office, but that we may apply to him to execute it in our behalf? That you are all labouring under a mortal disease, is certain : and that there is but one remedy for all, is equally clear. But that remedy is all-sufficient : none ever perished, who applied
1 If this were a Spital Sermon, or on occasion of a deliverance from childbirth, this would be the place for some appropriate ob- servations.
111 Isai. liii. 5. with 1 Pet. ii. 24. n Ps. ciii. 1 — 3.