Ps. XXV. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them, his covenant.
OF the condescension of God, mankind in general form very inadequate conceptions. His greatness is supposed to be such as not to admit of an attention to the trifling concerns of men : and because we stand at an infinite distance from him, the idea of famihar approximation to him is contemplated only as a fanatical and wild conceit. But God represents himself to us as a Father : and our blessed Lord says, " Henceforth I call you not servants ; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth : but I have called you friends ^" Now the Lord Jesus Christ was from eternity " in the bosom of the Father^" and knoweth the Father as intimately and completely as the Father knoweth him': and all the Father's secrets he has made known to us'^ : so that we are treated by him, not with the reserve that is shewn to strangers, but with the confidence that is due to persons who are bound to him in the ties of the most endeared friendship. Under the Mosaic dispensation this holy familiarity indeed was but httle known. The whole economy was of a servile nature ; none except the high priest having any immediate access to God; nor he, except on one day in the year ; and then not without the blood of sacrifices. Yet, even under that dispensation, some were more highly favoured with divine communications; insomuch that Solomon could say, " The secret of the Lord is with the righteous ^" Under the government of the Lord Jesus Christ, the legal distinctions are removed ; and all true Christians possess the same privileges as the most favoured of God's servants : so that now it may be said, in reference to them all, without exception, " The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant."
a John XV. 15. ^' John i. 18. '^ John x. 15. Matt. xi. 27. <i John XV. 15. before cited. ^ Prov. iii. 32.