how it wrought in due time, in sending that Saviour into the world, even the eternal Son of God, and in laying all our ini- quities on him. Think how it has shewn itself to every individual amongst us, in bearing with all our iniquities, and in following us with offers of a free and full salvation. Think how it has lasted towards the children of men, and how it shall last towards all who embrace its gracious offers. Surely if our minds were affected as they ought to be with this wonderful subject, we should never cease to praise and adore our God ]
2. The duty itself —
[" O give thanks unto the Lord" for these things, all of you, old and young, rich and poor, one with another ! If there be one amongst us that has not participated in these benefits, we will be content that he shall be silent : but the very circum- stance that we are still on mercy's ground is abundant evidence that we have reason to join in one universal song of praise and thanksgiving. Think of the fallen angels, who never had a Saviour provided for them : think of the millions of the human race who never heard of the Saviour that has been provided for them, or that, having heard of him, have been left to perish in a neglect of his salvation : think of these things, and then, if you can, deny your obligations to the goodness and mercy of your God ]
But let us more especially consider,
II. The peculiar obligations of the redeemed to do so —
" Let the redeemed of the Lord say so :" yes, if ye " whom he has delivered out of the hand of the enemy, and gathered to himself," are silent, " the very stones will cry out against you." Think,
1. From whence you have been gathered —
[The remotest ends of the earth are not so far from each
other, as ye were from God and in this state ye were
led captive by the devil at his will ]
2. By what means ye were redeemed —
[It was by the precious blood of God's only dear Sond
— — It was also by the effectual working of his power : for
he, as a good Shepherd, sought you out, and apprehended you, and brought you home on his shoulders rejoicing e ]
3. To what ye are brought —
[As the Lord's redeemed people, ye are brought into a state of peace with God : ye have the privilege of constant communion with him : ye may expect at his hands every
d Eph. ii. 13. e Ezek. xxxiv. 12. Luke xv. 5.