rises to the concerns of others, and becomes, as it were, a preacher to all around him. Hence then we see the employment of all true Christians : 1. They glorify God themselves —
[The first thought of their hearts is that of humhle gra- titude for the unspeakable mercy of reconciliation with God. They look back, and see the innumerable offences whereby they have excited the displeasure of Almighty God, and how justly they might have been made monuments of his wrathful indignation. They contemplate the state of those who have died in their sins, and wonder that they themselves are not now taking their portion with them. They then contrast the happy state to which they themselves are brought through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus : they behold God as reconciled to them through the blood of his cross ; and with inexpressible comfort are enabled to address him by the endearing name of Father. In the view of these things they exclaim with pro- foundest adoration, " O Lord, I will praise thee : for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me."
From thence they proceed to glory in God with unshaken affiance : for. What can they want, who have God himself for their salvation ? " If God be for them, who can be against them?" "Jehovah himself is their strength," "dwelling in them," " working in them mightily," and " enabling them al- ways to triumph in Christ." Shall he not then be " their Song?" Yes ; " they know in whom they have beheved:" they know his power, and love; his faithfulness and truth: and therefore, though on the field of battle, they assure themselves of victory, and anticipate with joy unspeakable the final issue of their conflicts. Not that they are blind to the difficulties which they have to encounter, or ignorant of the enemies they have to contend with : but they see Jehovah himself engaged for them by covenant and by oath ; and in the confidence that he will never leave them nor forsake them, they say, " I will trust and not be afraid ;" " being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ s."]
They stir up others to glorify him also — [Having a light kindled in their souls, they " do not put it under a bushel, but set it on a candlestick," that others may see their light. They burn with zeal for God, and would gladly extend the knowledge of him to the ends of the earth. They are filled with love also to their fellow-creatui'es ; and would not have one to perish, if by any means they might be
e Phil. i. 6.
881. J THE believer's SONG. 567
instrumental to the salvation of his soul. Towards the house- hold of faith in particular they feel an ardent desire to promote their advancement in all that is " lovely and of good report." Hence they exhort one another to abound in praise and thanks- giving to their common Lord and Saviour : they urge one another to " call upon him," to " declare his name," to make known his love, to commend him to the whole world. They woidd have all to " sing unto Him " " with thanksgiving and the voice of melody." They cannot endure the tliought that " an inhabitant of Zion" should be silent; they would have every believer to cry out and shout," so that, were it possible, the whole universe might hear.
They remind each other of the great things which the Saviour has done, and is yet doing, for his Church and people. They delight to speak of " the excellent things" which he has done, in assuming our nature, and dying in our stead, and working out for us a free and full salvation : and they rejoice no less to contemplate, how " great the Holy One of Israel is in the midst of them," and how certainly he will put down all their enemies, and " bruise Satan himself under their feet."