1. To God's ancient people —
[To them primarily was this proclamation made. And it was verified in part, when they were delivered from the Baby- lonish captivity and restored to the enjoyment of their former
f Eph. i. 13, 14. e John xvi. 7. h Rom. xv. 5.
1 2 Cor. vii. 6. k Ps. ciii. 13. » Isai. lxvi. 13.
m Isai. xlix. 15. >' Acts xxvi. 18. ° Isai.xxxv.3,4.
p 2 Cor. i. 24. <i Heb. ii. 18. r 2 Cor. i. 3, 4. s 2 Cor. i. G.
privileges in Jerusalem. But it was yet further fulfilled, when, by the sending of their Messiah, they were delivered from the yoke of the Mosaic law, which imposed a burthen which none of them were able to sustain. That, to those who received him as their Messiah, was a season of exceeding great joy ; for they were translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, and from a state of insupportable bondage " into the glorious liberty of the children of God."
It will not however be fully accomplished, till they shall, in their national capacity, return from their present dispersion, and be re-united, Israel with Judah, in their own land. Then will their warfare be as much accomplished as it can be in this life : then will the tokens of God's displeasure be removed from them ; and a state of prosperity be vouchsafed to them that shall far exceed all the sufferings they have ever endured, and all the privileges they have ever enjoyed. At no time have they ever been punished beyond their deserts ; (their severest trials have been far less than their iniquities deserved:) but in that day shall their blessings infinitely exceed all that they can now either contemplate or conceive ]
2. To his believing people, in every age —
[It is the true Christian alone who can form any just idea of the import of my text. " His warfare is accomplished ;" so far at least, as that he is in a state of victory over the world, and the flesh and the devil. He can say, " Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ." " His sins too are blotted out as a morning cloud," and " put away from him as far as the east is from the west." God has mercifully " for- given him all trespasses ;" and he stands before God " without spot or blemish." As for the blessings vouchsafed to him, no words can possibly express them : his " peace passeth all under- standing ;" and his " joy is unspeakable and full of glory." " He has even now entered into rest1," according to that promise given him by our Lord, " Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy-laden ; and I will give you rest" ]
See, then, Brethren,
1. What a wonderful difference exists between those who embrace, and those who disregard the Gospel —
[Can that be said of carnal and worldly men, which is here spoken of the Lord's people ? Are their chains broken ? their sins forgiven ? their comforts greater than any judgments that await them ? No : they are yet in bondage to sin and Satan ;
1 Heb. iv. 3.