nothing else ; and which infinitely exceeds any that can be found in a separate and disjointed view of them, as exercised towards our sinful world ]
Let us then proceed to contemplate, II. The regard due to him under that character —
This part of my subject is altogether inexhaustible. But I will confine myself to the mention of three effects, which such a view of the Deity as is here ex- hibited should produce :
1. Fear —
As for the Heathen deities, there is not one that merits the smallest possible regard. But who will not fear the Lord our God? This is the very improvement which the Prophet Jeremiah suggests, on instituting the comparison between the two : " Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord : thou art great ; and thy name is great in might : who would not fear thee, O king of nations0?" The same reflection is made by all the redeemed in heaven, whilst singing the song of Moses and the Lamb: " They sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty ; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for thou only art holy d." It is of immense importance, Brethren, that you should duly estimate this thought. For many, from conceiving of God as " a Saviour," forget that he is "just." But indeed he is a holy God, that "cannot look upon iniquity without the utmost abhorrence of ite;" and he has warned us, that, notwithstand- ing his great delight in mercy, " he will not clear the guilty f." No indeed ; " upon the wicked he will rain snares, fire, and brimstone, and an horrible tempest ; this shall be the portion of their cupg." I say, then, to every one of you, " Fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell : yea, I say unto you, Fear HimV]
2. Trust—
[As persons, previous to the awakening of their souls, are ready to think of God as all mercy ; so, after that they begin to be convinced of sin, they are prone to run to a con- trary extreme, and to think of God as though he were averse to mercy, and intent only on the vindication of his injured Majesty. But know, Brethren, that mercy is that in which he chiefly delights : " judgment is his strange act," to which
c Jer. x. 6, 7. d Rev. xv. 3, 4. <= Hab. i. 13.
f Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. g Ps. ix. 17. and xi. G. ll Matt. x. 28.