d 2 Cor. v. 17. John iii. 5. e Zech. ix. 9.
f Phil. iv. 4. and iii. 3. s Deut. xxviii. 45, 17.
grounds of joy, or were as empty and unsatisfying as the world, it would be unreasonable to expect any happiness to flow from it: but it sets before us innumerable occasions of joy ; and not only permits, but enjoins, us to bear our part in the felicity of God's chosen. Shall we not then obey the call ?]
2. The object in whom we are to rejoice —
[This is none other than our adorable Emmanuel, who combines in himself all the perfections of the Godhead, and all the excellencies of the most spotless manhood. Moreover, the love he has manifested towards his subjects, is such as infinitely surpasses our highest conceptions : he assumed our nature, and died for us, while we were in actual rebellion against him. And what a delightful sway does he exercise over them ! So light and easy is his yoke, that there is not one of his laws, no, not one, which may not be summed up in this, Be happy. What rewards too does he bestow, not on a few favourites only, but on all his subjects ! There is not one of them whom he does not make a king like unto himself, and place upon a throne like unto that on which he himself is seated at the right hand of Godh. Shall we refuse to rejoice in such a King as this?]
3. The persons called upon to rejoice —
[If this exhortation were addressed to the children of this world, they might reply, We know him not ; we see no beauty in him for which he is to be desired ; nor have we cause to expect any thing at his hands but wrath and fiery indignation: how then shall we rejoice in him ? But the children of Zion know that " he is fairer than ten thousand, and altogether lovely : " they have experienced the virtue of his blood to purge a guilty conscience, and the efficacy of his grace to sanctify a polluted heart. For them he makes continual intercession in the presence of God ; for them he every moment exercises his almighty power ; and for them he is coming shortly to judge the world, that he may take them to himself, to behold his glory, and participate his blessedness, for ever and ever. Shall they then be reluctant to comply ? Surely, if they be, " the very stones must cry out against them1."]
Address —
1. To those who have never yet rejoiced in Christ —
[What relation can you have to Zion ? How can it be said of you, This man was born in herk? And what excuse can you urge before God ? Your ignorance of Christ ? This is your sin, and not your excuse. He is willing to make you happy under his government, if you will submit yourselves unto
h Rev. i. 6. John xiv. 3. " Luke xix. 40.
k Ps. lxxxvii. 5, 6.