Renouncing all confidence in themselves, they go forward, saying, " In the Lord have I righteousness and strength."]
2. They love God—
[They hehold his glorious perfections, particularly as dis- played in the Son of his love, " who is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person:" and with holy admiration they prostrate themselves before him, saying, " How great is his goodness! how great is his beauty!" They also contemplate with wonder and gratitude the love which he has shewn to them, in choosing them, from before the foun- dation of the world, to be the monuments of his grace, and in imparting to them such supplies of his Spirit as are made effectual for their salvation. It is well said, that " to them that beheve, Christ is precious." Yes, " his very name is as ointment poured forth:" and to hear and speak of him is the most delightful employment of their souls.
Now, I say, these are the characteristic virtues of the right- eous : and these are the graces which are of supreme excel- lence in the sight of God. It is evident, that by the exercise of these dispositions God is more honoured than in all the external acts that can ever be performed ; because he himself is the object on whom they terminate, and whose glory they promote.]
In immediate connexion with these dispositions is,
II. Their blessedness —
1. Who so joyful as they?
[" Let them rejoice," says the Psalmist, yea, " let them ever shout for joy." This is their privilege ; this is their duty: the very command of God himself is, " Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice." " Rejoice evermore: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." True it is, that there are seasons for humiliation, as well as for joy : but it is true also, that though, in the experience of the world- ling, there is a direct opposition between the two feelings, so that they cannot exist together, they may in the saint be called forth into simultaneous exercise and harmonious operation. Indeed, there is no sublimer joy than that which arises out of penitential sorrow, and is tempered by contrition. The very posture of the glorified saints in heaven bears testimony to this : for they fall on their faces before the throne, at the very time that they sing aloud " to Him that loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood." But yovi will particularly notice what is said, " They rejoice in Him:" it is not in themselves, but in Him alone, " in whom all their iresh springs are found."]