[Since the Jews had been precious in God's sight, they were honourable. They were honourable in themselves, as being elevated to a higher character than any other people in the universe. What other people were ever distinguished with such a code of laws as they0? or in what other country under heaven did persons attain to an equality with the Patriarchs in righteousness and true holiness ? They were honourable also in God's sight: for they were watched over by him, as if there had not been any other people in the world ; and were regarded by him altogether as the " sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty." In the sight of surrounding nations, also, they were honourable ; for they all confessed that " God was with them of a truth; and every Jew could exult over them, saying, Their rock is not as our rock, our enemies themselves being judgesp."
The same elevation is vouchsafed to God's people, also, at the present day. In themselves, they are " made partakers of a divine nature q," and are " changed into the Divine image1," and " shine as lights in a dark world s." In God's estimation, they are " his dear children," the very spouse of his only- begotten Son, "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ," preserved by him here "■ as the apple of his eye," and reserved for thrones and kingdoms in a better world. And in the eyes of an ungodly world, too, are they honourable. For though the world may treat them as " the filth of the world, and the off- scouring of all things," fit only to be swept away in the most ignominious manner from the face of the earth, and even to be sacrificed to devils, yet do they reverence them in their hearts ; even as " Herod feared John, because he was a holy and just man1." An ungodly man feels restraint in the presence of a true Christian, and cannot give loose to his wicked propen- pensities as he would do in his absence. However an ungodly man may hate and revile a true Christian, he has a secret wish in his heart that he could exchange conditions with him, espe- cially in the eternal world. However averse a man may be to live the life of the righteous, there is no one who would not be glad to " die his death, and to have his last end like his." Say, then, whether this be not to be truly " honourable ? " Verily, not a king upon his throne is so truly honourable as the man who is brought into vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified in his soul by the Spirit of the Living God.]
2. In happiness —
[" Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and the
0 Deut. iv. 7, 8. p Dent, xxxii. 31. °- 2 Pet. i. 4.
r Eph. iv. 24. » Phil. ii. 15. f Mark vi. 20.
m 2