3. He is an eternal portion —
[However long we retain earthly things, we must part with them at last. Death will reduce us to a level with the poorest of mankind, nor can we carry any thing along with us into the invisible world x. But, if God be ours, we shall pos- sess him for ever. We are not left without many rich com- munications from him now ; yea, sometimes, even in this vale of tears, our joy in him is unspeakable y. But it is not till after death that we shall have the full enjoyment of him. Now we taste of the streams ; then we shall drink at the fountain- head. Noiv our capacity to enjoy him is but small ; then all our faculties will be wonderfully enlarged. Now our delight
r Ps. cxxxix. 7 — 10. s ps. cxxxix. 17, 18.
1 1 Cor. iii. 21 — 23. and 2 Cor. vi. 10. » Ps. xxxiv. 9, 10. x Ps. xlix. 17. y 1 Pet. i. 8.
in him is transient; then, without intermission or end2. Hence the Psalmist looked forward to that period for his full satisfac- tion3.]
Infer —
1 . How little is there of true religion in the world !
[If to be called after the name of Christ were sufficient, his flock would be large. If to attend his ordinances and profess his faith were enough, there would be many in the way to heaven. But God will judge us, not according to our professions, but our practice. That, which alone can consti- tute us truly religious, is, to choose God for our portion. Can we then, like David, appeal to God himself, that we do this ? Could we make Peter's reply to the question which was put to himb? Does the ardour of our devotions attest the strength of our desires after God ? Have we the same evidence of our supreme regard for him, that the sensualist or worldling have of their love to the things of time and sense? Let us be assured that God can never be our portion, unless we delibe- rately choose him in preference to all others.]
2. How enviable a character is the true Christian !
[He can adopt the language of David0, and of the ancient church d. Hence, however destitute he may seem to be, he needs envy none ; he is freed from the cares which corrode the hearts of others ; he is sure, not of attaining only, but of possessing for ever, the object of his desires, and that, in proportion as he delights in God, his God will delight in hime. Surely we cannot but subscribe to the truth of that assertion^ Let us then beg of God to deliver us from the love of this present evil world, and so to cast the mantle of his love upon us, that we may both follow him and serve him for everg.]
z Ps. xvi. 11. a Ps. xvii. 15. - John xxi. 17.
c Ps. xvi. 5. d Song v. 10. e Zeph. iii. 17.
f Ps. cxliv. 15. b 1 Kings xix. 19 — 21.