[A cold or languid expression of gratitude would be utterly unsuited to the mercy vouchsafed unto us. It calls for all the powers of our souls; yea, "all that is within us should bless God's holy namee." If we would form a just idea of the state in which we should be, let us imagine ourselves, not merely condemned, but already " suffering the vengeance of eternal fire:" How should we then hear the tidings of redemption? How would the fallen angels rejoice to see the gates of hell opened to them, and to have an offer of immediate restoration to the felicity of heaven ! How would every one break forth into singing ! What shouts of joy would echo through the vast expanse of hell ! Precisely thus ought we to be affected with the deliverance that is proclaimed to us. We are told that when Titus Flaminius, the Roman general and proconsul, caused liberty to be proclaimed in the theatre to the States of Greece, the people with one consent rent the air with their acclamations, extolling him as their greatest benefactor, and crying, A saviour ! a saviour ! How much more reason have we to exalt our adorable Benefactor, who has " redeemed us to God by his blood, and made us kings and priests unto God and his Father f !" Let us then sing, and shout for joy. Let the "mercy and truth" which God has manifested in this redemption, be the especial subjects of our praise s. Thus shall we be prepared to join the heavenly choir, and to sing halle- lujahs to God and to the Lamb for ever and ever.]
e Ps. ciii. 1. f Rev. i. 5, 6. and v. 9.
s Ps. xcviii. 3. This whole psalm is exactly suited to the occasion.