requests to the utmost bounds of human language to express, or of human ingenuity to conceive, and they shall fall infinitely short of what you shall surely realize, if he himself be yours. " All things are yours, if ye be Christ's ^."]
2. Let your joy in him abound —
[Doubtless, whilst you are in the body, you will have more or less cause for sorrow. But methinks, if you were out of the body, you could scarcely have more ground for joy. Only reflect on him who has undertaken to save you, or on the salva- tion which he has engaged to bestow upon you ; and your whole life will be one continued scene of joyful exultation and of holy triumph. It will be, in short, a very heaven upon earth.]
• Adopt the language of David, Ps. Ixii. 5 — 8.
Isai. xxvi. 3, 4. Thou ivilt keep him m perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
IT was designed of God that under the Gospel dispensation his people should enjoy a state of very exalted happiness. The Jews had a spirit of bondage, as servants : we have a spirit of adoption, as sons. In conformity with this idea, the prophet, in the pre- ceding chapter, speaks of the Lord as spreading a rich luxurious feast for all nations^ ; and, in the chapter before us, records ^"^ A song which should be sung" by all the guests *". And well indeed may they sing, w4io are enabled to make such an appeal to God, as that which we have just read : well may they sing, who have the Lord Jehovah himself engaged to keep them in perfect peace.
May our hearts be tuned to join in this Divine anthem,while we,
I. Shew what blessedness God will confer on his be- lieving people —
It is said by the voice of inspiration, " The faithful man shall abound with blessings'':" and again, " God will bless his people with peace '*."
^ Isai, XXV. 6. b ver. 1. <= Prov. xxviii. 20. ^ Ps. xxix. 11.