servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty ; behold, my ser- vants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed; behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit."]
Address —
1. Those who disregard the warnings of their God — [What excuse have you for this rebellious conduct ? Is
there any thing unreasonable in his commands ? Is he not worthy to be feared, and loved, and served, and honoured? and would not your own happiness be promoted by conforming to
his will ? Or have you any doubt whether there be a
day of future retribution, when " he will give to every man according to his works ?" You cannot doubt of this. Why then will you not lay to heart the warnings and the exhortations which he sends to you from time to time ? I pray you think of the judgments here denounced against those who are dis- obedient to his word ; and " flee, whilst yet ye may flee, to the refuge that is set before you" ]
2. Those who obey him in spirit and in truth —
[We cannot but observe with what peculiar delight God contemplates the happiness of his obedient servants. No less than four times does he repeat the words, " Behold, my servants ;" as though he had said, ' These are the people whom I delight to honour ; and the whole universe shall see, that they are above all others the blessed of the Lord.' To you then I say, think of the blessings which are here accorded to you ; and labour night and day to secure them. In particular, consult the sacred records, and see what those things are in which your God delights. Does he delight to honour his only dear Son ? Let your whole soul engage in this blessed work, looking to him for all that you want, " receiving every thing out of his fulness," and devoting yourselves in body, soul, and spirit, to his service. Does God delight in holiness ? Seek it in its utmost heights, that ye may " be holy as he is holy, and perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."]