Prov. viii. 17. / love them thai love me ; and those that seek me early, shall find me.
THESE are the words of our blessed Lord% who, under the name of Widom, addresses himself to the children of men^ and urges them to receive instruc- tion from him''. But to the young they are more par- ticularly directed : and it is for their encouragement more especially that I have selected them for our consideration at this time.
Two things they declare to us most explicitly ; I. Who they are that already enjoy God's favour —
God in some respects may be said to love the whole world, even in their present degenerate state :
a ver. 22—31. ^ ver. 4, 5, <= yer. 32, 33.
for " he so loved them, that he gave his only-hegotten Son for them." But there are some who are more particularly the objects of his favour. Mark,
1. The description given of them —
[" They love the Lord Jesus Christ." They know his character, as set forth in the Holy Scriptures ; they know him
to be the only, and all-sufficient Saviour of fallen man
They have seen and felt their obligations to him, and have sought
for redemption altogether through the blood of his cross
They live in daily habits of communion with him They
have a good hope of acceptance with God through him
And his very name " is precious to their souls" ]
2. The love he bears towards them —
[" He loves them," and looks with peculiar complacency upon them, " rejoicing over them with joy, and resting in his love, and joying over them with singing'l" To them he delights to " manifest himself, as he does not unto the world''," even to " come and sup with themV' and " make his abode with them"
" He rejoices over them to do them good"," imparting
all needful supplies of grace and strength to their souls ^, and ordering all things both in heaven and earth for the promotion
of their welfare* He accounts them " his jewels *"" and
" his pecvdiar treasure^;" and esteems the salvation of their souls a rich recompence for all the sufferings he ever endured"^
For them does he interest himself day and night in
heaven ; ever " making intercession for them" with his Father, and preparing kingdoms for them, which they in due season shall inherit, in glory and felicity similar to his own" ■ — ■
O ! who amongst you does not desire to partake of this blessedness ? ]
But as amongst you there must be many who are not yet in this blessed state, and who yet desire to participate this happy lot, we proceed to shew, II. Who they are that shall certainly obtain it —
In some respects it may be said, that '' He is found of them that sought him not, and made known to them that inquired not after him." But no person is authorized to hope for an interest in his favour, un- less he seek after it. The promise is, " Ask, and ye shall have ; seek, and ye shall find." But
<i Zeph. iii. 17. ^ John xiv. 21—23. f Rev. iii. 20.
e Jer. xxxii. 40, 41. '> John xv. 5, 7, 16. » Rom. viii. 28. J' Mai. iii. 17. * Exod. xix. 5.
in Hcb. xii. 2. Isai. hii. 11. " John xiv. 2. Rev. iii. 21.