same in his choice of us ? Why did he hew us out of the quarry, while such a mass of stone, equally fit for his purpose, was left behind? Why did he "form us into vessels of ho- nour," while so much of the very " same lump was left to form vessels of dishonour?" Who shall deny the fact that such a selection has been made ? or " Who shall say unto God, What doest thou?" Shall any drooping saints then despond because of their unworthiness ? Let them remember, that, as God never chose them for their superior worthiness, so he may still continue his favours towards them notwithstanding their un- worthiness : his grace is still his own as much as ever ; and, if they do but lament their unworthiness and cast themselves on his mercy, it shall still be glorified in their restoration and bliss.]
2. His almighty power —
[As the Omnipotence of God was manifest in producing such a nation from two, whose " bodies were as good as dead," so is it no less visible in the " quickening of those who are dead in sin," and forming " an host of living saints from those who were like dry bones scattered over the face of the earth." Can any then, who have been quickened by grace, doubt whether God be able to preserve or restore them ? Can " any thing appear to them too hard for God?" Surely though their souls appear at present only like a desert or a wilderness, they need "not stagger at the promises of God;" but yet may entertain the hope that they may " blossom as the rose," yea, that they shall " put off their sackcloth, and gird them with gladness."]
3. His unchanging faithfulness —
[After God had promised to Abraham, he never would recede : though he delayed, he did not forget his promise : and even when constrained to punish his people, he did not cast them off. Not even at this time are they finally abandoned ; but are preserved a distinct people, monuments of God's faith- fulness, and a seed for a future harvest. And is not every saint a distinguished monument of God's faithfulness ? Would any one stone of God's building have withstood the shocks and tempests that have assaulted it, if God himself had not inter- posed to keep it fixed on the foundation ? Would not every vessel of his sanctuary have been dashed in pieces times without number, if the potter himself had not averted the stroke, or hardened us to endure it ? Where is there a saint who is not a wonder to himself, a spark kept alive in the midst of the ocean ? Well then may the faithfulness we have already expe- rienced confirm our hope, that God " will never leave us nor forsake us." And well may the most disconsolate of God's peo- ple wait, " knowing in whom they have believed," and assuredly expecting the promised revival.]