[All of them are the fruits of sovereign grace ; and all are bestowed on the very chief of sinners ; yea, and bestovt^ed, not only unmerited by us, but unsought and unsolicited. In the first instance, they were given to man when he was risen up in rebellion against his Maker : and even still are they con- ferred on men, " not according to their works, but according to God's purpose and grace, which he purposed from all eternity in Christ Jesus" our Lord^]
Let us, then, consider,
IL What shoLild be the frame of our minds in relation to them ?
Our determination should resemble that of David : " Our mouth should shew forth this salvation from day to day" —
1. In grateful acknowledgments to God —
[It seems really wonderful, that men so indebted to their God should be able to find time for any thing but praise. David in his Psalms, sets us a good example : " I will extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever"." Let us only learn to appreciate aright the mercies we have received, and there will be no bounds to our gratitude, no end to our praise.]
2. In affectionate commendations to men —
[David desired to make known to others the goodness of his God. In the psalm just cited, hear how he dilates upon this subject: " I will speak of the glorious honour of thy ma- jesty, and of thy wondrous works : and men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts ; and I will declare thy greatness
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and
talk of thy power ; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of thy kingdom*^." And what other subject of conversation can we ever find so interest- ing, so useful, so worthy of a rational being, and, above all, so suitable to a redeemed soul ?]
Behold, then,
1 . What glorious subjects have ministers to proclaim !
[The Apostles " preached to men the unsearchable riches of Christ''." And so filled with this subject was the Apostle Paul, that " he determined to know nothing among his people but Jesus Christ, and him crucified^." This is a subject utterly
^ 2 Tim. i. 9. = ver. 8. with Ps, cxlv. 1, 2.
d ver. 24. with Ps. cxlv. 5, 6, 11, 12. See also Ps. xl. 9, 10.
e Eph. iii. 8. f 1 Cor. ii. 2.
618. J EXCELLENCE OF CHRIST's GOVERNMENT. 527
inexhaustible : in it " are contained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge s." O, that every minister would bring it forth to his people ! Surely his hearers should soon be enriched ; for it cannot be that the Saviour should ever be exhibited in vain, and his salvation be offered inito men in vain. But,]
2. How unlike to David are the generality of men!
[David would think and speak of nothing else but God's righteousness and salvation ; but the generality of men scarcely ever speak or think of it at all. Indeed, this is the one sub- ject which, beyond all others, is, as it were, by universal con- sent, proscribed : so that we may mix in company for years and scores of years, and never once hear it brought forward in the way that David and the Apostles spake of it. And even good men are too little impressed with it, either in their conversa- tions with men, or in their secret addresses at the Throne of Grace. Mark the frame of your minds. Brethren, from day to day, and see whether you have not reason to blush and be ashamed for the little impression which this subject makes upon your minds. But as for the world at large, if any thing under heaven can shew them how far they are from God, methinks they must see it by comparing their experience with that of David in our text.]