gracious operations on the soul, he applies to men that redemption which Jesus Christ has obtained for them ; and hy his sanctifying power he makes them meet for that inheritance which their Redeemer pur- chased for them hy his blood. Whenever therefore we behold in the Scriptures a promise of the Holy Spirit, we should treasure it up in our minds, and seek not only to understand its import, but also to expe- rience the accomplishment of it in our souls.
In discoursing on the words which we have just read, we shall consider,
I. The glorious promise here given us —
The manner in which the promise is introduced, is particularly deserving of our attention —
[In the last verse of the preceding chapter, the state of Israel is represented as altogether desperate : they were " given up by God to the curse and to reproaches." Nevertheless God would not have any of them to despair; for, if they had but a desire to obtain mercy, he had mercy in reserve for them. He still regarded them as his " servants," whom he had " chosen and formed" for his peculiar people, whom he had helped hitherto, and was still ready to " help" on every occasion that should arise : he calls them by the endearing names of " Jacob, and Israel, and Jesurun ;" and bids them to dismiss their fears, and to expect from him all that their hearts could desire.
And is it not in the same way that he addresses us ? Yes : notwithstanding all the judgments he has denounced against us for our sins, he says, " Yet hear now this, O Jacob my servant ;" ' remember thy relation to me ; consider how free and rich has been my grace towards thee, in that I have " formed thee from the womb," and " chosen thee " from all eternity, to be my most favoured servant: put away thy fears : entertain worthy thoughts of thy best Friend : limit not my tender mercies : enlarge thine expectations to the utmost extent of thy necessities ; and thou shalt never be disappointed of thy hope.'
Tt is of great importance to notice the tender and affectionate manner in which God addresses his people ; because it is from thence that we collect the most just conceptions of his con- descension and grace, and derive the richest encouragement to wait upon him. It is also of great importance to observe what use God makes of the doctrine of election. Twice does he call them his " chosen ;" because in that term is contained every thing that is endearing and encouraging. Only let us reflect on the state we were in when he chose us, and we shall see
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