[Were our sins noted in a book, as theirs are, we should be found to have been as perverse and obstinate as they. In truth, their history is a mirror, wherein the countenance of the whole Christian world shines as clearly as the sun at noon-day. They are the very prototype, to which we are perfectly conformed; yes, and with incomparably greater guilt than they, inasmuch as our obligations to God are infinitely greater than theirs J
Yet is God more merciful to us than ever he was to them —
[True, he has at times visited us with judgments : but he has never cast us off, or " shut up his loving-kindness in dis- pleasure." On the contrary, he still follows us with offers of mercy through his beloved Son, and importunes us to accept of reconciliation with him through the blood that was shed for us upon the cross ]
What, then, should be our sense of gratitude to- wards him !
[If the Israelites were called to bless him as " the God of Israel," how much more should we bless him as " the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," and our God and Father in him ! If they were called to bless him in a review of his con- duct towards them, how much more may we, in reference to his conduct towards us ! If every one of the people was to utter his " Amen " at the giving of thanks to God, what shall be said of us, if there be one amongst us who shall shew reluctance to unite in this holy exercise? Methinks " the very stones would cry out against him." To every one of you, then, I say with confidence, bear your part with us : and when we say, " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting," let every one of you, without exception, " say, Amen, Amen, Amen ! " yes, with one heart and one voice, I say to all, without exception, " Praise ye the Lord."]
Address —
1. Those who are not yet liberated from their bondage —
[Such there were in the days of Saul and of David, who were in captivity among the heathen. And how would it be possible for them to unite with their brethren in Jerusalem in these songs of praise ? " How could they sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" Hence they pray, " Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy name, and to triumph in thy praised!" The same prayer I recommend to you. I know you cannot rise to this devout and holy frame whilst you are under bondage to guilt
d ver. 47.
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