It is well to speak of God's mercies, whether they be general or special, public or personal ; as it is said, " One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts : they shall abun- dantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness1*." But it should seem that Hezekiah was peculiarly anxious to transmit to succeeding generations the knowledge of the true God, and of all the wonders which he had wrought for his people Israel. And this is the desire which every living man should feel ; and especially under the dispensation under which we live, wherein the truth of God, in all the wonders of redeeming love, is made known to the children of men.
We ought to transmit to others the truth that has been revealed to us —
[This was the command repeatedly given to Israel of
old c And the obligation to obey it was deeply felt by
all the saints, who regarded God's Law as a sacred deposit, committed to them for the benefit of their children, and their children's children, even to the latest generations d. For this very end it was that the Passover e and other rites f were or- dained, and that memorials also were established6; even that an inquiry might be excited, in every successive generation, into the things so exhibited to their view ; and that the information contained in them might be transmitted and perpetuated to the end of time. The Lord's Supper is intended to answer the same end ; for, in the administration of it, we shew forth the Lord's death till he comeh."]
And the hope of effecting this ought to make life regarded by us as an invaluable blessing —
[What father would not wish to make known God's truth to his children ; and account the prolongation of his life a rich mercy from the Lord, as giving further opportunities for the advancement of their eternal welfare? I may say, too, what pastor, who stands, as it were, in the relation of a father to his flock, would not adore his God for the strength whereby he is enabled to labour for their good? The Apostle Paul judged, so far as respected his own personal feelings, that it was " de- sirable rather to depart, and to be with Christ:" but yet,
b Ps. cxlv. 4, 7. c Deut. iv. 8, 9. and vi. 6, 7.
d Ps. lxxviii. 2 — 6. e Exod. xii. 25 — 27.
f Exod. xiii. 14, 15. B Josh. iv. 22—24. »> 1 Cor. xi. 26.