2. Particularly, as compared with David —
[In no respect are the obligations here specified to be put in competition with those vouchsafed to us. Was he chosen from the low estate of a shepherd? Look at the state from which God has chosen us. We were fallen, guilty, heU-
^ See 1 Chron. xvii. 17. s 1 Sam. ii. 8. '^ Exod. xv. 11.
s 2
deserving creatures, utterly incapable of ever restoring our- selves to his favour; yet did God set his love upon us, and elevate us, not to an earthly throne, but to a crown and kingdom in heaven itself. And not from earthly enemies, such as David had to encounter, has he preserved us, but from all the powers of darkness, against whose wiles and devices it was not possible for us to stand, if we had not been upheld by his almighty power and grace. And though it must be confessed, that to be the progenitor of the Messiah was an inconceivably high honour, yet to be interested in him, and united to him as members of his mystical body, and made fellow-heirs with him of all the glory and felicity of heaven, is an infinitely higher honour. And all this is vouchsafed to us, so that in all the points which David enumerates, we are far above him : otir election is from a far more degraded state ; our elevation is to a far higher throne ; our preservation is from far greater dangers, and more powerful enemies ; and our destiny, to an infinitely higher honour than any which a carnal relation to Christ could confer. How well then may we exclaim. What are ive, that we should ever be brought to such a state as this?]
That this subject may be brought home more power- fully to our hearts and consciences, let us com- prehend it under two pertinent reflections : 1. How wonderful has been God's love to us !
[WeU may we say with David, " Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?" No: nothing like it ever did, or could,* exist among men. Man selects the most ivorthy as the ob- jects of his love: but God has chosen the most unworthy, even us, who had reduced ourselves to the condition of the fallen angels, and deserved nothing but their portion at his hands. Man confers but small benefits, which, however valued by his fellows, scarcely deserve a thought : but God confers riches and honours which far exceed all human compreheiision. Man soon repents of the favours he has conferred, when those on whom he has bestowed them prove themselves unworthy of them. But " the gifts and calling of God are without re- pentance'''' on his part': yea, " if it had not been that He was unchangeable, not a soul amongst us could ever have been saved''." Further, what man bestows is but for a little time : the present short life is the only season wherein we can possess any benefits conferred by man. But what God bestows, he gives for ever and ever : and death, so far from terminating our felicity, brings us into the most complete and everlasting enjoyment of it.
i Jlom. xi. 29. ^ Mai, ill. 6.