our journey we shall take the same review as Joshua did in his last moments ; we shall adore the faithfulness of God and say, " Of all the good things which God hath promised me, not one thing hath failed y."
Is the glory of God so blended with the happiness of man ? Surely,
III. This is a ground of most exalted joy to the whole creation —
All, both in heaven and earth, are required to re- joice in it —
[Even the angels who never fell have reason to rejoice in this great event, because by means of it they have brighter discoveries of God's character, and more enlarged views of his perfections. Indeed they no sooner beheld its accomplishment in the incarnation of Christ, than they sang, " Glory to God in the highest ! " and from the moment that Christ had com- pleted his work, and was seated at the right hand of God, they commenced a new song, ascribing glory to the Lamb, as well as unto Him who sitteth upon the throne2.
But it is to men more especially that the Gospel is " tidings of great joya." They are the persons more immediately in- terested in it ; nor is there " a tree in the whole forest " of the universe, " from the cedar to the hyssop," that ought not to " break forth into singing, and shout for joy." Let those who are most elevated in rank and dignity consider, what source of joy the whole world affords them in comparison of this. Do they admire wisdom ? "In this are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge b." Do they find gratifications in wealth and honour ? What can ever enrich or ennoble them like the Gospel of Christ, by which they become children of God, and heirs of his kingdom ? Let the poor also, who merely vege- tate, as it were, in obscurity, let them remember, that they are "plants of the Lord's planting0," and that they are as much interested in redeeming love as any people upon earth. Me- thinks, the less they have of carnal joy, the more they should seek to rejoice in God. Indeed they are as much distinguished above the rich in respect of spiritual privileges, as the rich are above them in the vanities of this world d. What God there- fore has chosen for them, let them choose also for themselves.]
Moreover their joy should be proportioned to the occasion for it —
y Josh, xxiii. 14. z Rev. v. 12, 13. a Luke ii. 10.
h Col. ii. 3. c Isai. lxi. :}. d Jam. ii. 5.