The declaration in our text must further be con- sidered,
II. In reference to the spiritual Israel —
If only we reflect, that this declaration was a repe- tition of the promise made to Abraham and to Jacob, its application to the spiritual seed of Abraham will be obvious and undeniable0. Let us consider then,
1. What is implied in this declaration —
[It does not relate to temporal benefits or evils, but to those
which are spiritual and eternal And it shall assuredly
be fulfilled to men in its utmost extent, according as they shall
a Josh. ix. 25 — 27. and x. 1 — 11. * 2 Sam. xxi. 1 — 9.
c Gen. xii. 3. and xxvii. 29.
be found to have loved and aided the true Israelites, or to have
hated and opposed themd Divine Providence even in
this world may be expected to put a difference between the friends and enemies of Zione: but, if none be visible in this world, it shall be made visible enough in the world to comef.]
2. On what ground we may expect its accomplish- ment—
[The circumstance of its being uttered by the voice of in- spiration, is a pledge of its accomplishment. It may appear strange indeed that God should interest himself to such an extent in behalf of his believing people : but there are two grounds on which we may be well assured that he will do so : the one is, that he considers our conduct towards his Church, as a criterion of our true character^ ; and the other is, that he identifies himself with his Church, accounting every thing which is done to them, as done to himself^1. Realize these thoughts, and all doubt respecting the accomplishment of the declaration will vanish for ever.]
Learn,
1. The importance of ascertaining our true cha- racter—
[If we truly " love him that begat, we shall also love those who are begotten of him1." Let us bring ourselves to this test, and carefully judge ourselves as in the presence of God.]
2. The blessedness of being Israelites indeed —
[If God be so interested about you as to deal with men according to their conduct towards you, what blessings may not you yourselves expect at his hands ? ]
d Isai. liv. 15 — 17. and lx. 14. and lxv. 13, 14.
e Ps. cxxii. 6. and cxxix. 5 — 8. f 2 Thess. i. 6, 7.
s Luke ii. 34, 35. 1 Pet. ii. 6 — 8.
h Whether good, Matt. xxv. 40. or evil, Zech. ii. 8. Acts ix. 4, 5. 1 1 John v. 1 .