Isai. xxvi. 13. O Lord our God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us : but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
MANY devout songs are composed in Scripture for the use of God's Church and people in the latter day. But, amidst their praises for mercies vouchsafed unto them, care is taken to keej) up in their minds a remembrance of their former sins, and a sense of those duties which they owe to their heavenly Benefactor. On a review of the past, they are taught to acknow- ledge the evil of their ways ; and in a prospect of the future, to consecrate themselves, with all due solemnity, to the service of their God. Now, at this season % I cannot do better than recommend to your adoption, I. Their retrospective acknowledgment —
It is probable, that, in the words before us, respect is had to the civil bondage to which that nation had again and again been reduced on account of their
iniquities^ But, considering for what period
the song is prepared, we cannot doubt but that there is a reference also to the moral bondage in which they have been held by their corruptions. And in this sense, the acknowledgment well becomes us at this day; since we are told by an inspired Apostle, that " to whomsoever we yield ourselves servants to obey, his servants we are to whom we obey''." And what has been our conduct through life ?
The greater part of us have " served only our own lusts and pleasures'^" —
[Look at all around you : or, rather, look within your own bosoms ; and say, to whom have your lives been devoted,
to God, or Mammon? Verily, there is but too much
reason to confess, that " God has not been in all our thoughts "^ " • — ■ ]
Of those who have had some respect to God, still must this acknowledgment be required —
a New Year's Day. ^ 2 Chron. xxviii. 5, 6. Neh. ix. 36, 37.
c Rom. vi. 10. d Tit. iii. 3. ^ Ps. x. 4.